Sony Xperia Z1
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Sony Xperia Z1 is a charming smartphone with best-in-class feature set. It certainly makes all Sony admirers happy and clearly shows that the company is taken on the right path in its fight as king of the hill. The best intentions aren't always sufficient and making it to the top requires consistent hard work, which Sony is just beginning to put into this business.”
“The Xperia Z1 continues Sony's slow but steady improvement, giving just enough reason for owners of its former flagship phone to consider upgrading. The same was true of the Xperia Z, however, and I don’t feel that much more enthusiastic about the Z1. It has more strengths than weaknesses, but just lacks the refinement to mount a true challenge to Samsung’s preeminence on the Android platform. Whereas Samsung ships Super AMOLED displays and the latest Google OS, Sony is a generation behind on both counts.”
“Sony has upgraded its fantastic Xperia Z. The Xperia Z1 feels nicer but is unfortunately bigger and heavier. It's a powerhouse with an all-round impressive specification. Easily one of the best Android handsets around but the high price tag taints this slightly.”
“If you evaluate the Z1 on its individual merits, you can understand how the device might manage to win people over. Despite the marketing around the camera, this phone should actually be regarded as a jack-of-all-trades. To twist the phrase, the Z1 is masterful at being a jack-of-all-trades -- to the point where this well-roundedness becomes a compelling feature in its own right.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Like its predecessor, the Sony Xperia Z1 features a lightweight, waterproof glass body. In addition to the 8.5mm thin body, the Z1 has a 2.26GHz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage and an expandable microSD slot. The 5” capacitive HD touchscreen has impressed many reviewers due to its bright and natural colors but there are still issues with viewing angles despite Sony’s “Triluminous” technology. Huffington Post notes that “it’s just not that impressive except when viewing it directly head-on.”
Most reviewers agree that the build of the Z1 is a step up from the Z. While slightly larger, reviewers note that its actually easier to hold than the Z. T3 mentions that the corners of the phone are smoother which make for a “more sumptuous, confident build quality.” Despite this, T3 goes on to say that the phone is still rather large, measuring in at 144 x 74 x 8.5 mm, and that “those with small hands should probably look elsewhere.” Pocket Lint notes that the larger size and flat design also makes the phone “feel a little more slippery.” T3 also mentions that the body is prone to scratches. Despite this, most reviewers approve of the overall build of the phone, praising the higher-quality finish of the aluminum frame over the plastic frame of the Z.
The Z1 is waterproof so long as consumers cover all of the all the various slots with the appropriate metal slots. After extensive testing, Irish Times has confirmed its water resistant property and notes that the “first few seconds after it came out of the water, the screen wasn’t the most responsive it had been, although in under a minute it was back fully working again…” Unlike the Z, the Z1 headphone jack is now also waterproof so consumers no longer have to worry about closing up the port to fully protect the phone.
Another major improvement over its predecessor is the camera. The phone boasts a 20MP camera with autofocus and a 1/2.3-inch light sensor, which is much larger than most smartphones on the market. The camera also comes with a variety of features such as augmented reality and the ability to live stream videos onto social media platforms. Reviewers were generally impressed with the quality of the photos, though Wired notes “some shots can look a bit washed out when using automatic settings.”
Most reviewers agree that this is a very good high-end smartphone. Techradar praises the phone and says that “It’s an impressive phone that packs so much technology inside you can’t help but enjoy all the treats on offer…” Recombu also notes that “The Xperia Z1 is a very good package” despite its drawbacks.
What people actually want to know
When was the Sony Xperia Z1 released?
The Sony Xperia Z1 was released on September 17, 2013.
How long does the battery last on the Sony Xperia Z1?
The Sony Xperia Z1 has a 3,000 mAh battery.
Is the Sony Xperia Z1 water resistant?
The Sony Xperia Z1 carries an IP58 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the Sony Xperia Z1 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Sony Xperia Z1 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Sony Xperia Z1 have NFC?
Yes, the Sony Xperia Z1 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Sony Xperia Z1?
Visit Sony's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Sony Xperia Z1 manual?
You can view and download the Sony Xperia Z1 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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