Review: Sony Xperia Z

Gadget Review - Xperia Z is the first smartphone from Sony that brings quad-core processor. Although a little late from its competitors, but the Xperia Z has features that not possessed by other smartphones, which is able to "dive underwater" a.k.a Waterproof!!

Design
Sony has taken a different approach to their competitor when it comes to the phone's design. Instead of all-aluminum body, Xperia Z is all about the glass front and rear. But with thin, symmetrical box shape and a slightly curved corner, gives the impression of an elegant and high-class smartphone.

Holding IP55 and IP57 certification , the Xperia Z can convince users that this smartphone can submerged in water with a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes without damage. So of course, this smartphone will survive a rain shower or a drop from a top pocket into the toilet.

Moreover, Sony claims that both sides of the main mobile phone protected with shatterproof glass, plus every slot that connects directly to the inside of the phone (3.5 mm audio port, microSIM slot, the power/lock, volume control and speaker, bottom mic hole and dock connector, a microUSB port and a microSD slot) are protected by a rubber-sealed that prevents water to get into and feel very sturdy when they clip in and out, so you're not too worried about them breaking off.

Display
Display sector became one of the Sony's expertise, TFT Capacitive Touch-screen with a very high pixel density (~441 ppi pixel density) Xperia Z capable of displaying images with excellent sharpness, even in the smallest detail. 5.0 inches screen size should make text more legible at this resolution. You could view web pages in desktop mode and still read all the page's text easily without zooming in.

Not just that, thanks to the second generation of Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine, so the Xperia Z Display is able to optimize brightness settings, saturation and sharpness of the display when playing a video or image. With this technology, Xperia Z also has a good view angle and also is convenient when use both inside or outside the room.

Interface & UI
The Xperia Z runs Android 4.1.2, rather than the latest 4.2 version. However, Sony claims that the version 4.2 will be available for the Xperia Z "shortly after launch".

Sony is also pinning its own interface. However, there are differences in the display interface on Xperia Z compared with previous Xperia series. The difference is a bit of remodeling on the widget that became his trademark Timescape and Mediascape.

At the Lockscreen it looks simple with two shortcuts that flank the date and time, each of these shortcut are walkman and camera.

Another interesting feature is the small apps that can be access by pressing the recent apps button. When run, small apps will appear in a small window display that allows users to use this application while still running other apps.

Technical Details

• 5 inch full HD Reality Display 443 pixels per inch
• Stunning shots in any light - 13 MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile
• 1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8064+MDM9215M Quad Core with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
• The high IP55 & IP57 rating means you can use it in the rain, take photos by the pool and easily clean it off from everyday spills and dirt.
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Hardware
With the support of a capable hardware, Xperia Z provide the best experience when used, even we did not find any problems or lag during testing. Even when running multiple applications simultaneously, the 1.5 GHz quad-core processor runs Android smoothly without any hiccups.

But unfortunately the combination of quad-core processor and extra wide screen is a potential for wasteful consumption of battery power. The Sony seems to have predicted it, for that Xperia Z has power saving modes (Stamina Mode), so when the Stamina mode is enabled, the phone will automatically stop mobile data connection when the screen is locked.

Connectivity
Xperia models C6602 supports 4G LTE connectivity, and also all the connectivity options that may be required for the high-end smartphone. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, NFC, microUSB (MHL) v2.0, you name it.

All integrated on  Xperia Z features and default applications. Such as "Throw", this feature able to display photos, play videos or listen to music stored on other devices by using wifi connection.

Camera
Sony cameras use 13.1 MP in the main camera, and many more features on it. Besides there is an option for HDR mode, burst mode, sweep panorama and various alternative effects to beautify your shots.

Xperia Z also has 17 different scene settings for all conditions. And if you do not want to mess around with it, there is also a superior auto option that will determine the most appropriate settings for the best photo results.

Thanks to the Exmor RS technology which is applied in Xperia Z, this handset becomes the first smartphone that features the HDR on the video recording mode. With the HDR feature users can capture every detail in the video, although in a very bright backlight or in dim lighting conditions.

Conclusion
Although relatively late when launching the quad-core smartphone but Xperia Z quite successfully attract some attention.. Moreover Xperia Z be one of the first to carry the 5-inch screen in class quadcore. Not only that Xperia Z also has other supporting factors such beautiful designs as well as tough and water resistant.

With fast quad-core performance, complete connectivity, and rich camera features, surely making the Xperia Z be reckoned as a must-have smartphone.
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