After the success of Sony’s Xperia Z flagship earlier this year the company definitely wants to keep the interest in the letter Z alive. Unsurprisingly half a year later at IFA 2013 Sony’s specialty was its successor. This video review Digital Magnet dedicates to Sony Xperia Z1.
Basically it’s a step up from the Z flagship mostly in terms of hardware
This might actually turn out to be one of the best late-year debuts of 2013. Basically it’s a step up from the Z flagship mostly in terms of hardware. On the outside it looks pretty much the same, well, it has definitely gained a little weight. The handset is thicker and heavier than its father but still the difference is not considerable. Its unibody design combines an aluminum frame with a tempered-glass finish to make it sleek and durable at the same time.
The display uses Sony’s Triluminous technology along with their X-Reality engine
Staying true to the letter Z, the Z1 is also waterproof, in fact it’s even more waterproof. It can be taken down to a 1.5 meter depth for up to 30 minutes and still survive. All of the main ports are covered by flaps except for the headphone jack which has internal waterproof protection.
Although both the Xperia Z and the Z1 feature the same 5-inch full HD display, this one here is a little bigger. It is most probably a result from the more powerful camera. The display uses Sony’s Triluminous technology along with their X-Reality engine for vibrant but at the same time true-life colors. The picture is great and clear, it comes with very wide viewing angles and also good brightness levels. Unfortunately, the display panel attracts lots of fingerprints. Another major upgrade concerns the sound. Z1 has grown stereo.
Another major upgrade concerns the sound – Z1 has grown stereo
It now incorporates big stereo speakers covered by a wide speaker grill on the bottom edge. Not only is the sound quality great better but the smartphone has a much stronger sound too, perfect for enjoying music right out of the handset.
Z1 packs a significantly faster performing processor than its predecessor. The quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU clocks at 2.2GHz frequency. Which compared to the 1.5GHz processor in Xperia Z is a solid upgrade. Z1 also comes with 2GB of system memory Streaming full-resolution videos, playing demanding games, multitasking, whatever you challenge it with, it hardly bends. The graphics are managed by Adreno 330 video card.
Z1 uses the ultra-fast LTE/4G technology for up to 100mbit/s download speeds and up to 50mbit/s upload speeds.
The quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU clocks at 2.2GHz frequency
The other substantial upgrade Z1 introduces concerns the camera. Sony has boosted the camera up to 20.7MP. The large Exmor RS image sensor is very sensitive to light and captures images with sharp detail even in low-light. Not only is the performance in poor light enhanced by the big sensor but also by Sony’s wide-angle 27mm G lens. It is very bright at F2 aperture. However, we were not exactly impressed by Z1 camera. Yes, it copes great with the lack of light but the pictures come out overexposed, with washed out colors and contrast. We wish the sharpness and detail were a little better. Camera performance is optimized by the dedicated camera button which is something that lacked in Z.
Sony has boosted the camera up to 20.7MP
Xperia Z1 offers plenty of storage, 16GB internal capacity and up to 64GB more on an SD card. The smartphone comes with significantly more battery power than its predecessor. It is powered by a 3000mAh non removable battery unit.
Xperia Z1 comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system in three different colors – black, white and purple.
camera test