Sony Xperia XZ Premium Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a stunning flagship smartphone that offers an extraordinary visual experience. Boasting a brilliant 5.46-inch 4K HDR display, it delivers vibrant colors and exceptional clarity that will leave you mesmerized. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM, it offers seamless performance and speedy multitasking. The 19MP main camera is equipped with impressive features like predictive phase detection autofocus and can shoot super slow-motion videos at 960fps. With its IP68 rating, the Xperia XZ Premium is also water and dust resistant. Available in various colors and models, it offers a premium experience at a competitive price point.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium boasts an impressive design and build that exudes a premium look and feel. With its sleek and stylish aesthetics, this smartphone catches the eye. The device features a combination of glass and metal in its construction, with a Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, held together by an aluminum frame. The use of these high-quality materials not only adds to its elegance but also contributes to its durability and robustness. The IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and water, allowing users to confidently use the phone in various environments.

In terms of dimensions, the Xperia XZ Premium measures 156 x 77 x 7.9 mm, making it a slightly larger device. However, its weight of 195g gives it a substantial feel in the hand, adding to the perception of sturdiness. The Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front and back panels provides resistance against scratches and accidental drops. The device's form factor strikes a good balance between a large display and one-handed usability.

The finishing touches on the Xperia XZ Premium are well-executed, with attention to detail evident in the placement of buttons and controls. The bezels surrounding the 5.46-inch display are minimal, allowing for an immersive viewing experience. The grip on the device is comfortable, ensuring a secure hold.

Overall, the design and build of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium exemplify a combination of sleekness, premium materials, and sturdy construction. It offers a visually appealing device that is both aesthetically pleasing and capable of withstanding daily usage.

Display

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium features a 5.46-inch IPS LCD display with a stunning 4K resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, resulting in an impressive pixel density of approximately 807 pixels per inch. This high pixel density ensures sharp and detailed visuals, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. The display also supports HDR10 technology, providing a wider dynamic range and more vibrant colors, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The LCD technology used in the Xperia XZ Premium offers accurate color reproduction and good color vibrancy, allowing for a visually appealing display. With the Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine, the device further enhances colors and contrast for more lifelike visuals. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which provides durability and resistance against scratches and minor impacts.

In terms of brightness levels, the Xperia XZ Premium offers a good outdoor visibility, ensuring that the display remains readable even in bright sunlight. The touch responsiveness of the screen is smooth and accurate, providing a seamless user experience.

The device boasts wide viewing angles, allowing for comfortable viewing from various angles without significant loss in color accuracy or contrast. Additionally, it features an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare and reflections for a clearer display in different lighting conditions.

Other notable display features include an always-on display option, which allows users to quickly glance at their notifications and the time without fully turning on the screen. The device also offers a blue light filter for minimizing eye strain, as well as adaptive brightness that automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium's display offers a high resolution, accurate color reproduction, excellent brightness levels, and a range of additional features that contribute to a visually stunning and enjoyable viewing experience.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium boasts impressive performance capabilities, thanks to its powerful chipset and optimized system. Equipped with the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 processor and Adreno 540 GPU, this device delivers smooth and lag-free performance for various tasks, including gaming and multitasking. In CPU benchmarks, the Xperia XZ Premium excels, showcasing its processing prowess with its octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) CPU.

When it comes to gaming, the Xperia XZ Premium offers an exceptional experience. The Adreno 540 GPU ensures smooth graphics rendering, allowing for immersive gameplay. Gaming benchmarks and graphics scores indicate the device's ability to handle even the most demanding games with ease. Gamers will appreciate the device's ability to deliver high-quality visuals and a seamless gaming experience.

In terms of overall performance, the Xperia XZ Premium shines. It excels in app loading speeds, providing a snappy and responsive user experience. Its multitasking performance is commendable, allowing users to switch between apps effortlessly. Thanks to its efficient thermal management, the device maintains optimal performance even during prolonged usage, preventing overheating and ensuring consistent performance.

Benchmark tests further validate the Xperia XZ Premium's performance prowess. The device showcases impressive scores in synthetic benchmarks, highlighting its processing efficiency. Whether it's GeekBench or GFXBench, the Xperia XZ Premium consistently delivers excellent results.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium offers a high level of performance across various metrics. Its powerful chipset, efficient GPU, and optimized system ensure smooth and lag-free performance in gaming, multitasking, and everyday tasks. With its impressive benchmark scores and multitasking capabilities, the Xperia XZ Premium proves to be a reliable and powerful gadget for tech enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with the Android 7.1 (Nougat) operating system out of the box, which can be upgraded to Android 9.0 (Pie). This ensures that users have access to the latest features and improvements offered by the Android platform. Sony's customization on top of the stock Android interface is minimal, allowing for a clean and user-friendly experience.

The device comes with some pre-installed apps, but they are not excessive, and most of them are actually useful. Sony has managed to strike a good balance between providing essential apps and avoiding bloatware that can clutter the device. This means that users can enjoy a more streamlined experience without unnecessary apps taking up storage space.

One of the standout features of the Xperia XZ Premium is its interface, which is highly intuitive and easy to navigate. Sony has implemented its own unique design elements, such as the Xperia Home launcher and various system apps, which add a touch of exclusivity to the device. The interface is smooth and responsive, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Overall, the software on the Sony Xperia XZ Premium provides a user-friendly and streamlined experience. With the latest Android version and minimal bloatware, users can enjoy the benefits of a clean interface and the ability to customize their device according to their preferences. Sony's attention to detail in its software design enhances the overall user experience and makes the Xperia XZ Premium a compelling choice for gadget enthusiasts.

Camera

The camera of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a standout feature of the device, offering impressive capabilities for photography and videography. With its 19-megapixel sensor and f/2.0 aperture, the camera allows for capturing detailed and vibrant images. The 25mm wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing a larger field of view, making it suitable for landscape and outdoor photography. The camera also features predictive phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus, ensuring fast and accurate focus in various shooting conditions.

In terms of image quality, the Xperia XZ Premium excels in producing natural colors and sharpness in both daylight and indoor photography. The camera's dynamic range is commendable, allowing for well-balanced exposures in high-contrast scenes. It also performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to its low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities. The night mode further enhances low-light performance by capturing more details and reducing noise in night photography.

The camera offers a range of features, including portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, giving users more control over their photography. The AI scene recognition automatically detects the scene and adjusts the camera settings accordingly for optimal results.

When it comes to video recording, the Xperia XZ Premium supports 4K video capture, delivering stunningly detailed footage. Video stabilization ensures smooth and steady recordings, even during handheld shooting. The device also offers slow-motion video and time-lapse modes, allowing for creative video capture. It supports various video formats, giving users flexibility in sharing and editing their videos.

Overall, the camera of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium impresses with its high-resolution sensor, versatile shooting modes, and excellent image and video quality. Whether you're capturing everyday moments or indulging in professional-level photography, the Xperia XZ Premium's camera is up to the task.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is powered by a Li-Ion 3230 mAh non-removable battery. This battery capacity is decent but not exceptional compared to some of its competitors. However, the device does offer fast charging capabilities with its 18W wired charging support. This means that you can quickly top up your battery when needed. In terms of battery performance, the Xperia XZ Premium offers a good balance between screen-on time and standby time. The device also comes with battery optimization features that help maximize power efficiency and reduce battery drain. While it doesn't support wireless charging options, the Xperia XZ Premium does provide a reliable battery backup for everyday use. The battery capacity, combined with efficient battery management, ensures that the device can last throughout the day with moderate usage. Overall, the battery of the Xperia XZ Premium offers satisfactory performance and longevity.

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium offers a range of connectivity options to ensure seamless communication and data transfer. It supports various network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, providing reliable network compatibility for users. With LTE capabilities, users can enjoy fast data speeds for browsing, streaming, and downloading content.

For wireless connectivity, the Xperia XZ Premium features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing users to connect to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. This ensures a stable and high-speed internet connection when Wi-Fi is available. Additionally, the device supports Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and Wi-Fi standards for enhanced connectivity options.

Bluetooth 5.0 is integrated into the Xperia XZ Premium, offering improved wireless communication with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. It supports advanced features like aptX HD, providing high-quality audio streaming. NFC (Near Field Communication) is also included, enabling quick and easy pairing with compatible devices and facilitating contactless payments.

The Xperia XZ Premium utilizes a USB Type-C 3.1 port for charging and data transfer. This reversible connector allows for faster charging and data transfer speeds compared to older USB standards. It also supports USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality, enabling users to connect USB peripherals such as flash drives or keyboards to their device.

Furthermore, the Xperia XZ Premium supports dual SIM functionality (G8142 model), allowing users to have two SIM cards in one device. This is particularly useful for individuals who want to separate work and personal contacts or use different networks for better coverage.

In terms of navigation, the Xperia XZ Premium features GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO positioning systems. These systems ensure accurate location tracking and help users navigate efficiently. Additionally, the device can act as a mobile hotspot, allowing other devices to connect and access the internet through the Xperia XZ Premium's cellular data connection.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with a range of standout features that make it a top choice for smartphone enthusiasts. Its most impressive feature is its 4K HDR display, which offers stunning visuals with vibrant colors and sharp details. Additionally, the phone is equipped with advanced motion sensors, including an accelerometer and gyroscope, allowing for immersive gaming experiences and precise motion tracking.


• Water and Dust Resistance: The Xperia XZ Premium is designed to withstand the elements with its IP68 rating, making it both water and dust resistant. This means you can confidently use your phone in various environments without worrying about water damage or dust particles affecting its performance.


• Wireless Charging: Another convenient feature of the Xperia XZ Premium is its support for wireless charging. With compatible charging pads, you can easily charge your phone by simply placing it on the pad, eliminating the need for messy cables.


• Additional Sensors: Apart from the standard sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope, the Xperia XZ Premium also includes a range of additional sensors to enhance its functionality. These sensors include a proximity sensor, barometer, compass, and color spectrum sensor, providing a comprehensive sensor suite for various applications and features.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a flagship smartphone that was released in 2017. When comparing it to other related devices in the market, it is important to consider its specifications, features, and performance.

In terms of competitors, the Xperia XZ Premium can be compared to phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the iPhone 7 Plus. These devices were also released in 2017 and offered similar high-end features and performance.

When it comes to market positioning, the Xperia XZ Premium positioned itself as a premium smartphone with its sleek design and high-quality build materials. It featured a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel.

In terms of specifications, the Xperia XZ Premium boasted a 5.46-inch HDR10 display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It also had a Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. These specifications allowed the device to deliver excellent performance and handle demanding tasks with ease.

One of the unique features of the Xperia XZ Premium was its 19 MP main camera, which offered predictive phase detection autofocus and the ability to shoot slow-motion videos at 960fps. This was a standout feature at the time and set it apart from its competitors.

In terms of pricing, the Xperia XZ Premium was priced at around 320 EUR, making it a premium device in the market. However, when compared to its competitors, it offered similar features and performance at a competitive price point.

Overall, the Xperia XZ Premium positioned itself as a high-end smartphone with its premium design, powerful performance, and unique camera features. It competed with other flagship devices in the market and offered a compelling option for consumers looking for a premium smartphone experience.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium offers a stunning display with its 4K HDR screen, providing vibrant and crisp visuals. Its powerful Snapdragon 835 processor ensures smooth performance, and the 4GB of RAM allows for effortless multitasking. The 19MP camera impresses with its excellent low-light capabilities and slow-motion video recording at 960fps. The phone's design, with its glass front and back, exudes a premium feel, and its IP68 rating makes it dust and water-resistant. However, the large bezels and hefty weight may not be appealing to everyone. Overall, the Xperia XZ Premium is a solid choice for those seeking a flagship device with top-notch display and camera capabilities.