Sony Xperia Z preview: First look

13 February 2013
Failing to react to market tendencies has been an Achilles' heel of sorts for Sony in the past. Joining the dual-core and to quad-core parties late over the past two years has caused the once mighty smartphone maker to slide down in ranks and came dangerously close to the role of an also-run...

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  • AnonD-19516
  • N9@
  • 14 Feb 2013

Great phone... Thumbs up Sony...but abeg make d phone no too cost...and let it come to Nigeria on time

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • SdS
    • 14 Feb 2013

    Why didn't you guys test the screen at 50% brightness? I ask, because I've heard it suggested that pushing the brightness all the way up to 100% doesn't just make the backlight brighter, it also engages some sort of "outdoor visibility" function which might adversely affect black level - in other words the contract ratio at "50%" brightness might actually be better. This is probably complete b*llocks, of course, but I'd like to have confirmation of that. :-)

    I'd also like to know if contrast ratio changes when the Bravia Engine is engaged (in the gallery or when watching videos) - again, it may well not, but it would be nice to have confirmation of that.

      • D
      • AnonD-112822
      • qJu
      • 14 Feb 2013

      Did GSM Arena get the C6602 version or the C6603 version? I know there's a difference in that the C6602 is the one that supports U.S. frequencies bands. I plan to get this phone but need to know if C6602 will be available

        • D
        • AnonD-86903
        • pTi
        • 14 Feb 2013

        i LOVE your reviews. the main point with them is that they're all unbiased. thanx GSMArena

          • D
          • AnonD-19190
          • 6Q3
          • 14 Feb 2013

          great. Weldöne sony. No 1 now

            • D
            • AnonD-86903
            • pTi
            • 14 Feb 2013

            AnonD-108018, 14 Feb 2013You always get one who goes on and on about viewing angles!... moreOMG. you really think so?
            i was answering one who was complaining about viewing angles. i think you must read my comment first and then attack it. sorry for you, because im among those who never care about viewing angles.

              • D
              • AnonD-108018
              • M3Y
              • 14 Feb 2013

              AnonD-86903, 14 Feb 2013i think you didn't read the review attentively. it said tha... moreYou always get one who goes on and on about viewing angles! Its not even on the list of important things for a smartphone.

                • i
                • ian
                • thu
                • 14 Feb 2013

                AnonD-77793, 14 Feb 2013Hey Gsmarena, When you do your battery tests for this ph... more+1 for this...
                do a battery test please, without stamina mode of course

                  • D
                  • AnonD-77793
                  • t1$
                  • 14 Feb 2013

                  Hey Gsmarena,

                  When you do your battery tests for this phone and the nearly identical xperia ZL, do the tests with and without stamina mode. Set up stamina mode with apps like gmail and google+ whitelisted...

                  Stamina mode sounds a lot like what juice defender does - and I know juice defender works like a charm. I'm curious to see how big a difference sony's implementation makes to battery life. Sony says 4x to standby time but even 2x will make huge difference to users as our phones spend most of their time in standby, usually, and this is accurately reflected by your testing methodology.

                  Personally, I'm more interested in the ZL - dedicated camera button, grippy back that's not glass, which can break, or a finger print magnet, slightly larger battery and a smaller length and width than even the s3 and one x and a curved back that's going to be better to hold beat the thinness and water and dust resistance of the Z for me.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-86903
                    • pT6
                    • 14 Feb 2013

                    AnonD-112738, 14 Feb 2013Just tell us if Xperia Z has a poor viewing angle display o... morei think you didn't read the review attentively. it said that the viewing angles are better than previous Sony phones. and i think it is not as important as you think. no one looks at his phone from angles. how many times you text or watch videos and images from angles??

                      • M
                      • Matt
                      • p@v
                      • 14 Feb 2013

                      AnonD-52738, 14 Feb 2013I think your math fail! Over .5 is rounded to 1 not backwar... moreYou're wrong too. It's not just everything over 0.5 that gets rounded to 1.
                      0.5 itsself also gets rounded to 1.

                        • D
                        • AnonD-82606
                        • ULZ
                        • 14 Feb 2013

                        shamnir, 14 Feb 2013Looks good so far. The only thing make me worried is that... moreI own a Xperia Arc since April 2011, so it means nearly two years now. And the original battery is still in good condition, 1 and a half days for general use (Android 4.04 firmware, from Sony).

                        So I think the internal battery is not a big problem as our thought! It also the time I want to find another, 2-year-loop like you! Maybe Z is a good candidate, I love the design of Sony!

                          • D
                          • AnonD-86903
                          • pT6
                          • 14 Feb 2013

                          im really impressed. its even better than what i think it must be. just wait for it to come.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-61935
                            • 6ch
                            • 14 Feb 2013

                            i like xperia z material quality n resolution. :)

                              • D
                              • AnonD-98042
                              • 953
                              • 14 Feb 2013

                              shamnir, 14 Feb 2013Looks good so far. The only thing make me worried is that... morenon removable battery? i have iphone 3g & iphone 4... still works well.. never drop... so i don't have any problem with Z. same with you, i only buy phones every 2 years so this is the time for me to replace my iphone 4

                                • D
                                • AnonD-52738
                                • IVN
                                • 14 Feb 2013

                                adams, 13 Feb 2013How come it doesn't support AC3 in movies ?!?! My S8500 Wav... moreDownload MX Player or BSPlayer solve it dude! Movie format never an issue for any kind of android phone now!

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-52738
                                  • IVN
                                  • 14 Feb 2013

                                  AnonD-5000, 13 Feb 2013To Gsmarena, You keep saying all 5" displays wid fu... moreI think your math fail! Over .5 is rounded to 1 not backward to 0.

                                  Go learn math before talk.

                                    • a
                                    • advice
                                    • fwM
                                    • 14 Feb 2013

                                    i was waiting for the screen review from gsmarena,and the results are not good,i will wait for htc one.
                                    sony next time use the gorilla glass.

                                      • m
                                      • menir
                                      • XMi
                                      • 14 Feb 2013

                                      AnonD-112698, 14 Feb 2013I love Sony products since childhood and want them to rise ... moreman come on, don't compare sony with chinese phone.

                                      I'm no sony fans, but I had some chinese phone in past. most of them didn't last even a year. only 7-10 months at most.

                                        • s
                                        • shamnir
                                        • XMi
                                        • 14 Feb 2013

                                        Looks good so far.
                                        The only thing make me worried is that non-removable batteries.

                                        I know it's for waterproof feature.
                                        But let's say, I buy Xperia Z now, then 2 years from now, the battery start drops. What should I do ?

                                        At that time its warranty will have ended.

                                        I can't just buy new battery isn't it ?
                                        Is it possible take this phone to sony service center and got my battery replaced ?

                                        Sell this one and buy new phone ? Is there anyone want to accept old 2 years phone with no replaceable battery ?

                                        Pardon I'm no rich man who buy new phone every year. I buy once every 2-3 years.

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