Sony Xperia XZ1 hands-on review: First impressions

31 August 2017
There's a new top Sony dog in town and its name is the Xperia XZ1. So, it's official: Sony is persisting with its, let's say, questionable naming convention. To be fair, we do see the consistency in it all, but it is still a rather silly title. Plus, we do have to complain about some aspect of the XZ1, since, frankly, after spending a bit of time with it, our initial impressions are really positive.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 6XU
  • 04 Sep 2017

Lex79, 04 Sep 2017Thanks Tann, I am objective and unbiased, bout time you rea... moreAll phones aren't perfect but Samsung is crap.

    • S
    • Shtic
    • E0m
    • 04 Sep 2017

    What's the name of this game with fish swimming on the video?

      • L
      • Lex79
      • 8mp
      • 04 Sep 2017

      Thanks Tann, I am objective and unbiased, bout time you realised and acknowledged that.

      Here's a better suggestion, why doesn't everyone stop posting useless, pointless links!

      Samsung ain't perfect, Sony ain't perfect , we get it!

      Regarding which one of them is less perfect, well that silly question isn't going be settled by a fanboy link posting war on this thread any time soon.

      Let's just get back to discussing the XZ1 eh????..........

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • krW
        • 04 Sep 2017

        Anonymous, 04 Sep 2017Would like to see their small bezel phones... Do they list... moreThey don't need bezels. They just need to utilize it better and trim it down some

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • KhD
          • 04 Sep 2017

          Would like to see their small bezel phones...
          Do they listen to people's demands?

            • D
            • AnonD-8779
            • 6vW
            • 04 Sep 2017

            i like sony as a brand but their phones are so 2013 or 2014 at best, please get over it sony and give the market a little more competition.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • tAT
              • 04 Sep 2017

              Tann Hauser, 04 Sep 2017And of course there is Hynix made ram and rom inside, which... moreSo Sony doesn't make any Ram ? But uses Hynix Ram from South Korea ?

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • tAT
                • 04 Sep 2017

                Tann Hauser, 04 Sep 2017Of course with best ips lcd hdr screens out there, with mos... moreWill FoxConn (Taiwan) also acquire Japan Display (JDI) to create a Japanese OLED alliance?

                Aug 14, 2017...

                JDI said it will need to raise new funds to finance this focus shift and overcome its losses. An interesting report from Japan claims that Foxconn is interested in acquiring JDI with an aim to integrate it with Sharp to create a Japanese OLED alliance that will be able to compete with Samsung and LGD.

                JDI announced a loss of $287 million in the last quarter, three times higher than the loss last year. JDI plans to shed 3,700 jobs (about 30% of its workforce) and it says that this is the last chance to restructure.

                Source: https://www.oled-info.com/tags/companies/japan-display

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • tAT
                  • 04 Sep 2017

                  Tann Hauser, 04 Sep 2017Of course. And then there are newest Xperia gpx onscreen b... moreSony has NO Mobile VR headset.

                  Sony has NO VR Software.

                  Sony has NO VR store.

                  To use Sony Playstaion VR with Xperia phone, you need a Playstaion and 3 cables and a wall power point. An extra $1000 ?? NOT a mobile VR setup as you must be seated in one location only. Absolutely the worst and most expensive VR setup.

                    • L
                    • Lex79
                    • 8mp
                    • 04 Sep 2017

                    As I have been dishonestly derided as having no objectivity and being too biased (by an individual who is the worst offender on here for both points), I thought I'd give my early brief take on this device, based on what I have seen and read:

                    1. OS - Android 8.0, nuff said.
                    2. Screen - basically the XZ panel (probably the best smartphone LCD I have ever used) but now with HDR support = awesome!
                    3. System - Sd835, 4gb ram, 64gb storage = this'll be plenty adequate.
                    4. Speakers - the old stereo set up, but now with a much needed 50% increase in volume, truly great news.
                    5. Battery - Too Small, just too small, shame.
                    Design - typical Xperia, nothing to wow, but it will be solid and well built.
                    6. Price - Too high, but I could say the same and worse for other high end smartphones this year (I'm looking at you LG, £649.99 for the G6....and you wonder why it didn't sell?!?!?)
                    Camera - my old Xperia bugbear, I'm seeing more features but also the potential for the same old complaints, I remain to be convinced here...

                    Overall, I'd say this appears a solid effort. It's not going to set the market on fire as it's likely to be seen to be just more of the same from Sony, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing overall.......

                    As I swap phones more than clothes, and always like to try different devices, I'll probably end up with this device at some point over the next few months...I just hope I don't find the same issues as I have in the past.

                    Now I think I'll get back to my un-objective, anti Sony bias and hating :)

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • XPp
                      • 04 Sep 2017

                      Tann Hauser, 04 Sep 2017Of course. And then there are newest Xperia gpx onscreen b... moreXperia with VR capability on a 5.2 fhd screen with low refresh rate display. Yeah ok. Plus those dual speakers. I'd rather trust gsma and my ears than opinion of a person with history of bias. I guess that's why they deleted your stuff. Please visit other sites for the stuff you've been posting. I agree on gaming on xz1 compact though. It's gonna be a monster

                        • D
                        • Dashka
                        • jIp
                        • 04 Sep 2017

                        Sony what are you doing? Its 2017. We need bezel less infinity display.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 60E
                          • 04 Sep 2017

                          Anonymous, 04 Sep 2017And what Apple made for iPhone? Same story. Stay away from ... moreapple have the best unbeatable processor. and they use it perfectly.
                          sony have camera sensor, but cannot use it properly. so sad.. sony can't control their own creation.

                            Of course with best ips lcd hdr screens out there, with most premium content services available, that can only maybe be surpassed with high quality standard engineered durable JDI oled screens, from Sonys own initiated cooperation effort with Hitachi and Sharp.

                              Along with bestmade rf antenna tech that is unbeatable in real life tests, with 750 mbit per sec download over 4g.

                                And of course there is Hynix made ram and rom inside, which performs much better and faster than Samsungs lousy made tech. Thus newest xperias are one of if not the fastest android devices around

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-633729
                                  • 6p$
                                  • 04 Sep 2017

                                  Ladies and gentlemen...attention please. Award for most ugly phone goes to... sony XZ1... which make impossible job to surpass the ugliness of XZ premium which is the most ugly phone...until now....What a remarkable job from sony team. Congratulations!

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 6XU
                                    • 04 Sep 2017

                                    Anonymous, 04 Sep 2017Sony hasn't make any screens since 2012. JDI supplies all ... moreAnd what Apple made for iPhone? Same story. Stay away from Sony if you don't like it.

                                      imparanoic, 04 Sep 2017it's best for gaming due to native dual shock 4 ps4 control... moreOf course.
                                      And then there are newest Xperia gpx onscreen benchmarks of 41 score, whilst only better is iphone7plus with 42.
                                      And graphic plate inside which makes newest Xperia least SoC throttling device with constant high fps performance in Gaming.
                                      And of course PS Remote Play, VR capability, and dual front stereo speakers for most immersive and complete gaming experience.

                                      Its the best gaming smartphone no doubt.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-633729
                                        • 6p$
                                        • 04 Sep 2017

                                        Anonymous, 04 Sep 2017Sony hasn't make any screens since 2012. JDI supplies all ... moreVery true. Lmfao!