Sony Xperia ZL review: Off the bench
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- akm123
- RJ2
- 28 Apr 2013
Previously I was using a samsung galaxy note and htc one x and now the xperia zl. I can say that this phone is excellent. The 13mp camera works well outdoors, the battery is one of the best compared to other phones I've owned and I really like the design. It is also easy to handle due to the compact size and button placement. The wifi disconnection problem and also the unclear mic with my old galaxy note was a pain but xperia zl does not encounter this problem and does everything well. I still have my htc one x as a backup since that is a good phone too.
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- AnonD-115286
- CZY
- 27 Apr 2013
Transian, 27 Apr 2013However, according to Sony SG website, LTE is avaliable.
... moreOh sorry, my bad, but why it is indicating the ZL support LTE in "Network" section but not support LTE in Calling (under "Performance" category) section?
Try compare the spec sheet with the Z
http://www.sony.com.sg/product/xperia+z/sku/sm+c6603+xp+z_b
http://www.sony.com.sg/product/xperia+zl
But anyway, thanks for correction, ;)
- k
- kent
- TSQ
- 27 Apr 2013
battery not so efficient, bought it and regret it.....sony make me so dissapointed, my last phone was samsung galaxy note, and i was a techican for a handphone shop, comparison between samsung and sony was like 10-1. camera for zl 12mp, when it come to night,it bcome like 2mp. bluetooth and wifi auto disconnected, and dun tell me it was software problem,as i told i'm a technican, when i found that bug i almost flash like every .ftf out there and it still same condition. conclusion, i wont buy sony mobile product again
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- Transian
- Ui$
- 27 Apr 2013
AnonD-115286, 26 Apr 2013No,it is the non-LTE ver in SG n MY, u can go to the sony o... moreHowever, according to Sony SG website, LTE is avaliable.
http://www.sony.com.sg/product/xperia+zl
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- Anonymous
- sG%
- 26 Apr 2013
The only thing that is holding me back from buying the Xperia Z is the low contrast of the screen. But according to this review the Xperia Zl has a relatively decent contrast. But what I don't understand is that Gsmarena atrributes it to unit variance. So why is variance so significantly different when I assume they have a strict protocol during manufacturing?
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- AnonD-115286
- sR1
- 26 Apr 2013
transian, 26 Apr 2013I believe the model that is sold by Sony SG themselves is t... moreNo,it is the non-LTE ver in SG n MY, u can go to the sony official website n check on the ZL spec, I'm pretty sure about that n i guess this the reason y ZL is cheaper in MY compare to US (tot in SG is not), HK hav both LTE n non-LTE ZL, their price is about 82x SGD n 75x SGD....
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- AnonD-77780
- tVm
- 26 Apr 2013
Anonymous, 25 Apr 2013i would like to choose ZL over Z as in my country ZL becaus... moreI have the Xperia ZL it's an awesome phone for RM1899 at a Sony Center. Cheaper than the Galaxy S3 at the Samsung Store.
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- transian
- TRG
- 26 Apr 2013
AnonD-115286, 26 Apr 2013you get the zl off contract? I can't find any telco having ... moreI believe the model that is sold by Sony SG themselves is the C6503 which has LTE
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- AnonD-115286
- sR1
- 26 Apr 2013
AnonD-111968, 26 Apr 2013I was delighted to see the ZL here in Singapore. A month ag... moreyou get the zl off contract? I can't find any telco having any plan for the zl in Singapore. Also, the version of zl in both Singapore n Malaysia r the C6502 which is non-LTE, found the C6503 in espansys hk but warranty will b a big problem....
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- AnonD-111968
- Iac
- 26 Apr 2013
I was delighted to see the ZL here in Singapore. A month ago, I was told that it's not coming here. The design is fascinating, has a smaller footprint than the S4 even most of last year's flagships considering it has a larger screen size.It's more comfortable to use than the Z.But, I'm hoping that Sony would release soon a ZL2 or ZL+ with a huge battery at least 3300 mAh REMOVABLE and I will buy 2 units and will recommend it to my friends :). But I hope Sony will have time to read my comments, always about the battery.
- ?
- Anonymous
- sXy
- 25 Apr 2013
Nothing wrong with the camera on the XZ, all Sony have to do is release a software update to deal with the noise issue. If you want to take professional photos get a SLR point and shoot
- ?
- Anonymous
- t7J
- 25 Apr 2013
I will buy the Z but I hope I get lucky with the screen as it seems to me the manufacturer has quite a lot of variance with their screens, that makes little sense to me especially the leap in the contrast.
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- AnonD-128420
- 9yd
- 25 Apr 2013
First of all, thanks for a great review.
In my opinion though, the Xperia ZL is not a phone inferior to the Xperia Z. Some people do prefer glass, stylish, and waterproof bodies. But the Xperia ZL is a beautiful phone on its own. The minimalist design is something sony's been known to deliver excellently.
It's thicker than S4 and ZL, but 2mm thickness is something that I'd be willing to sacrifice for a curved back that makes handling easier.
Although the processor is 1 generation behind, I still think these two xperia flagships will fare quite fine with HTC, Samsung and LG's flagships. After all, 2 years and changing phones will probably the situation again.
Overall, I have broken down my choices to two: Xperia ZL and HTC One. Galaxy S4 is just not something I'd be satisfied of the build quality, and Xperia Z's waterproofing just had to sacrifice quite a lot like the IR Blaster and compactness. HTC one's hardware is just so close to being excellent, but the Xperia ZL is something that's been in the market for a while in my country so the price might be a big deciding factor on what phone I may choose.
- ?
- Anonymous
- ibc
- 25 Apr 2013
i would like to choose ZL over Z as in my country ZL because it is much cheaper than Z which is RM500(160USD/100pounds)cheaper
- w
- wolf
- 0p5
- 25 Apr 2013
I really wonder when htc one is here who can see zl? :-p
- v
- von
- v0q
- 25 Apr 2013
Ak, 25 Apr 2013Sony TVs have great displays but sony ph do not have. Also,... moreI think Sony can definitely give better camera phones to the masses but they don't want to cannibalize their point and shoot dept too.
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- Anonymous
- 3sE
- 25 Apr 2013
Ak, 25 Apr 2013Sony TVs have great displays but sony ph do not have. Also,... moreSony need to bring back the cybershot range of phones with walkman included.
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- sonicbooper
- uCk
- 25 Apr 2013
Anonymous, 25 Apr 2013Superb phone from Sony. Whether Z or ZL, Sony design is com... moreDamn...these Xperia Z/ZL....can't tell them apart from all the previous Sony Xperia....all of them look like black block on display counter. The stupid alphabetic model naming system doens't help either. It confused everyone (except Sony fanatic like u)...
Here is one matter to most consumer: the quality & size of the screen. Once one purchased a phone. First thing they do is put it inside a case no matter what precious metal the phone is made from. In the end, what we will use & see day in day out is the damned screen and the user interface.
- ?
- Anonymous
- PG5
- 25 Apr 2013
Superb phone from Sony. Whether Z or ZL, Sony design is coming back to the fore, and making people realise ow tired Samsung designs look.