Sony Xperia Z2 review: Action pack

Unboxing the Sony Xperia Z2

The Xperia Z2 comes in a familiar package Sony typically ships its Xperia line of smartphones in. Having handed out lots of digital content and accessories to tease the launch and pre-order campaign, Sony didn't bother put any special treats inside the box. A compact charger, a microUSB cable and a headset is all you get.

The retail package

The pair of headphones is quite good though - the Sony MDR-NC31EM comes with noise-cancelling capability and is specially designed to provide crisp and loud audio on the Xperia Z2 line, including the tablet. Unfortunately, we didn't get the headphones themselves in our review unit.

On some markets the Xperia Z2 may be bundled with Sony's latest Smart band. t's a fitness tracker band, which pairs quite nicely with Sony's line of Xperia phones.

The band's brains are hidden inside a little white plastic insert, which can be easily transferred to a range of band styles to match your taste. It just slots in its place. The SmartBand we got came with a standard black rubber band and there are two bands of different sizes inside the box.

Sony Xperia Z2 360-degree spin

The Sony Xperia Z2 has a slightly bigger display and more battery capacity, yet manages to keep the same footprint as the Xperia Z1 and has even lost some weight. The dimensions are 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm - that's 3mm taller, but about a millimeter narrower and a tad slimmer. It now weighs 7g less than Xperia Z1 at 163g.

This wasn't that hard considering the Xperia Z1 has screen bezel to spare - a source of much criticism.

Sony Xperia Z2 next to Sony Xperia Z1

Here go some mug shots of the Xperia Z2 next to other popular Snapdragon 801-powered flagships. It is about as tall as the 5" HTC One (M8), but thinner.

Sony Xperia Z2 next to the HTC One M8

The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes with a 5.1" display with super slim bezels, helping an overall slightly more compact body compared to the Sony Xperia Z2.

Sony Xperia Z2 next to the Samsung Galaxy S5

Design and handling

Six months or less is quite a short time to come up with a completely new design, especially when the bar is set so high already. And to say why fix it if it ain't broke would be a massive understatement for the OmniBalance body wrought from aluminum and covered in scratch-resistant glass.

Sony is using a а two-stage process to anodize the aluminum and has finished the sides for a two-tone look, which works very well.

Sony Xperia Z2 • Xperia Z2 sized up against the Xperia Z1

We doubt it that any real Sony fan would settle for plastic even though it would have made the Xperia Z2 lighter. Glass and aluminum is a premium blend and the Xperia flagships do look gorgeous.

And it's a water and dust proof unibody yet again - nothing for Sony to fix in this department. All slots and ports are where they were on the Xperia Z1, protected by plastic flaps with rubber seals to keep water and dust out and keep the design intact.

Both front and rear sheets of glass are shatter proof and scratch-resistant. No word on any sort of oleophobic coating, but even though smudges do occur, the panels are very easy to clean.

Handling the Xperia Z2 is a pleasure - it is big and the flat sides don't have the best grip, but the feel of glass against your palm combined with this kind of heft is second-to-none. Sure, the Xperia Z2 will slip into pockets with relative ease for its size and looks more than make up for the solid 163g.

Sony Xperia Z2 in the hand