Sony Xperia Z1 review: Walking on water

19 September 2013
Sony’s got a plan and sticking to it – while other makers pile software feature upon feature, the Japanese focus on their historical strengths, such as beautiful, durable design, photographic excellence and display tech. That in short is...

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  • S
  • Sam
  • FYk
  • 20 Sep 2013

greg, 19 Sep 2013Z1 is simply to big for my pocket.I would like something sm... moreWell Sony is releasing Sony Xperia Z1 mini in Jan 2014... With 4.3 inch screen.. I'm going to wait for that...

    • D
    • AnonD-130464
    • pTi
    • 20 Sep 2013

    hh, 20 Sep 2013I checked the photo compare tool.. gs4 wins against g2 and ... moreBut in low light condition both G2 and Z1 kick S4's ass.

      • D
      • AnonD-130464
      • pTi
      • 20 Sep 2013

      G2 with its bigger screen, compact body design, better battery life, more software capabilities and OIS can give you better user experience than Z1.

        • W
        • What da..??
        • vV5
        • 20 Sep 2013

        hh, 20 Sep 2013I checked the photo compare tool.. gs4 wins against g2 and ... moreAt lass The gs4 "plastic crap" get beaten within 4 month from its launch date....next is....i want to see how nexus 5 benchmark againts lg g2/zI...
        Samsung is out from 2013 contender list...

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 0a0
          • 20 Sep 2013

          "With no unsightly humps (looking at you, Lumia 1020 and Galaxy S4 zoom)"

          the S4 zoom has a full fledged tumor, not a mere hump.

            • h
            • hh
            • K7g
            • 20 Sep 2013

            I checked the photo compare tool.. gs4 wins against g2 and z1.. sorry

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • u{E
              • 20 Sep 2013

              Sony Xperia Z1 look very nice, but when the screen light up it was so disappointing

              It was a hybrid design consist of good hardware's, body design only to be let down with the very thick top and bottom bezel, the side bezel was equally r hi chat as well with today best design from Samsung, Apple and even some China brand cellphone like Xiaomi and Meizu. And it was a very large and heavy 5" phone by this year standard.

              Look like Sony has more room to improve over competition from South Korea and China brands.

                • D
                • AnonD-168700
                • XMF
                • 20 Sep 2013

                After checking out the battery test and reading some parts of this review, starting from the camera, since its supposed to be the main (or maybe only) advantage over the Note 3, I feel bad to even give a negative post about this phone. But the waterproof is really good though, and its glass and aluminum combo is just superb. Yeah, its a beautiful piece of hardware Sony, keep it up. Best of luck for the Z1.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • U@n
                  • 20 Sep 2013

                  Then Lumia 1020 it is.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • uvT
                    • 20 Sep 2013

                    Everyone is looking for clear sharp display with natural colour rendering, which will give originality. For me AMOLED display lacks natural look, its too much coloured, When I compare Galaxy s4 with Xperia Z ultra. Z ultra display is good

                      • D
                      • AnonD-81729
                      • kg3
                      • 20 Sep 2013

                      Lumia 1020 destroyed Sony Xperia Z1 at Sony launch event. Somebody do video and audio recording tests for both these devices. It won't look good for Xperia Z1 as it's missing OIS and Rich Recording mics (HAAC)

                      http://www.appdisqus.com/2013/09/18/sony-xperia-z-nokia-lumia-1020-picture-comparison.html

                        • D
                        • AnonD-64035
                        • ibX
                        • 20 Sep 2013

                        AnonD-185594, 20 Sep 2013When I checked on the photo compare tool with Z1, S4 and G2... moreYou will realize the Z1 in photo compare tool are zoom more than the S4 and G2. To make it fair, actually the S4 and G2 have to zoom nearer like the Z1 range.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-185594
                          • KZ8
                          • 20 Sep 2013

                          When I checked on the photo compare tool with Z1, S4 and G2.Surprisingly found that Z1's photo rather weaker than the other two, noisy and blurry.

                          I don't know if it has any related to the lens defect stated in the review so I'm asking if you guys are using the same phone on both the still image review and photo compare tool or maybe will have update for photo sample in the future?

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • HKC
                            • 20 Sep 2013

                            Only Sony fans will be interested.

                            Bezel too big. Squared corners don't help ergonomics. Camera is nothing special.

                            LG G2, S4, or Note 3 is the way to go.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • PHM
                              • 20 Sep 2013

                              I find that the LG G2 has a better camera quality judging from many samples. But none can beat the king 808 pureview. Hopefully one day we'll have one for Android!

                                Hmmm, nice benchmark result.. But it's a bit confusing when reading this review because in another information shows that this device has HDR.. However, the devices that gsmarena tested is a pre-production, i suggest that you should write any reviews by testing it from a final-retail unit.. But still, i will go to stores and try it myself to proves it with my own eyes after the devices is officially released to my country..

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-133154
                                  • thH
                                  • 20 Sep 2013

                                  what happen SONY?

                                  BATTERY LIFE OF Z1?

                                  5;59Hours ONLY for Browsing...?
                                  6Hours ONLY for Video Play back...?

                                  i think LG G2 has bigger Display with the same Battery 3000mAh?

                                  LG G2's BATTERY LIFE;

                                  11;22Hours for Browsing
                                  12Hours for Video Play back...


                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-166796
                                    • qic
                                    • 20 Sep 2013

                                    AnonD-77561, 20 Sep 2013Hi GSM Arena. Can you confirm if the phone you tested is a ... moreThey already stated that in that section

                                      • a
                                      • abc
                                      • PxW
                                      • 20 Sep 2013

                                      big phone with small screen, why not like G2

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-129751
                                        • 73R
                                        • 20 Sep 2013

                                        so so battery life...