Sony expirian z1. Review and testing of Sony Xperia Z1. Camera - implementation features
“The embodiment of power and design” - how long have I wanted to apply this combination to at least some smartphone, but I managed to use either the first characteristic or the second... And now, finally, it has happened - the Sony Xperia Z1 combines these two mutually exclusive parameters !
Sony Xperia Z1:
Display - TFT, 5 inches, 1080x1920
Processor - 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974, 2200 MHz + Adreno 330 video processor
Camera - 20.70 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 1920x1080 video and HDR video + 2 MP front camera
RAM - 2 GB
Built-in memory - 16 GB + microSD slot
Other – LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, FM radio, GPS/GLONASS, IP58 waterproof
Battery - 3000 mAh
Dimensions - 74x144x8.5 mm 170 g
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Design and Features
In the Xperia Z1 (as well as in the Z Ultra, which was released almost simultaneously), the manufacturer continued the successful “Z-design” concept, which made it possible to accomplish the seemingly impossible - visually and tactilely distinguish a smartphone from an endless series of similar plastic clones of other brands. “iPhone borrowing”? Well, partly yes, probably, but there’s nothing terrible here - taking an idea and developing it is not at all the same as stealing it... A durable frame-perimeter from above and below, like a sandwich, is “slammed” with glass lids - the screen and the back wall . The pioneer of this new successful concept, called “skeleton structure” (which can be translated as “power frame”) was the Xperia Z, but there was a feeling that it would flash as a pass-through model for a glamorous audience. However, everything turned out differently - it was followed by the Tablet Z tablet in the same design, then the flagship smartphone was replaced by the Z1, at the same time the group expanded with the Z Ultra “shovel recorder” - in a word, the “Z-line” gained content, recognition and mass appeal!
The front (screen) and back covers of the non-separable all-in-one Z1 are made of high-strength glass. At the same time, at the front the glass is glued into the body, as they say, flush, so that your fingers slide easily without feeling the transition from the glass to the edge, and at the back the lid is slightly recessed, by a fraction of a millimeter. That is, lying “on your back” on a flat, flat surface, the glass does not touch this surface, avoiding the impact of grains of sand and other abrasive debris.
The buttons on the front panel have long been done away with, like an atavism - they have moved to the screen and no longer eat up the usable area, taking it away from the display.
On the top edge there is a headphone jack, on the bottom there is a speaker mesh and a ring for a lanyard.
On the left edge there is a contact pad for charging using the “DK31” cradle cup (which, unfortunately, is an option and is not included in the basic kit!), as well as two slots, hermetically sealed with covers with a rubber seal - for charging and data exchange, as well as for a memory card.
The right side also contains a hermetically sealed “door” - behind it there is a slot for a SIM card. In the middle of the edge there is a large and round branded power/unlock button, next to it is the camera shutter button and the volume rocker.
The Xperia Z1 has a technically polished design that feels like a well-cut stone in every sense. There is no talk of any backlash, deformation, or even more so - squeaks! The briquette of the device is strong like an iPhone (sorry again for being politically incorrect! :)) and monolithic, it’s nice to just twist it in your hands. The device comes in three colors - dull black, cheerful white and alternative lilac - the latter is bound to satisfy those who are tired of both the dull and cheerful “monochrome classics” :)
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Waterproof
One of the main advantages of the device is its waterproofness, thanks to which you can take a shower, shoot video in a pool or lake (you can’t do it in the sea - more on that below!), have fun with multimedia while lying in the bath and even fall into the water against your will ( anything can happen...) :) If all the “doors” intended for the physical connection of the user with the device are securely closed, then the Z1 bathes without problems and with pleasure! Open slots will lead to disaster - in this case, the “Z One” is no different from an ordinary, “non-waterfloating” device, and electrochemical corrosion will quickly kill the smartphone, from which it is even impossible to remove the battery...
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Display
The device has a TFT screen with a diagonal of 5 inches, 1080x1920 pixels. The display has retained the outstanding brightness characteristic of Sonev’s “teeftashkas”, having noticeably increased its color compared to its predecessors. Yes, I’ll be honest and objective - the black color still lacks Amoled’s uncompromising quality, but in general the display no longer spoils the impression of a top-end device, as it did in the Xperia Z, ZL and earlier flagships.
X-reality is an image “enhancer” function, located in the menu in the place where “Bravia” used to be. It corrects videos and pictures, adding color and clarity, however, like the previous “enhancer”, it doesn’t do it very convincingly, it seems to me... I think it would have been much more logical not to highlight this feature as a separate function in the menu, but simply enable it by default , that's all.
This is how X-reality works on branded promotional videos:
And here is an example of how X-reality works, taken during the test. You have to really strain your eyes to notice the difference between on & off... There is an improvement, but it is not so significant as to emphasize it especially...
According to Sonyev tradition, the front and rear windows have a protective film glued at the factory. On the Internet you can find a lot of controversy about the topic of “eating” part of the brightness or sensitivity of the display with this film - we assure you that this is complete nonsense. There is also no point in worrying about the reliability of holding the film - it is glued extremely firmly, unlike films for self-protection of displays sold everywhere - any peeling is excluded, including on the corners. The coating is very stable, it resists even attempts to scratch it with keys or coins, but still the resistance is not unlimited. During the test period, the film gradually began to accumulate scratches, noticeable at first only upon close inspection, and later even upon cursory examination...
The manufacturer does not recommend removing this film, and rightly so. It serves as additional protection from both scratches and impacts - the same principle is used by tinting companies to base the service of “armoring” headlight glasses, in which a thin but durable polymer coating is glued to them, making the glass more resistant to flying pebbles. However, I have more than once seen people’s Xperia smartphones with displays that were heavily scratched from time and improper handling, since not everyone knows about the presence of the film, and even fewer people know that it can be removed without harm, giving the display a second life. Using the Xperia Z as an example, we demonstrate two important points and declare a third:
1 – There is no need to remove film unnecessarily! But if it has accumulated scratches, then it can be easily and without a trace removed in two movements, picking up a corner with a stationery knife.
2 – The glass under the film is STRONGER than the FILM, and is not afraid of scratches!
3 – Even the most durable glass cannot resist an indifferent attitude! Take care of your smart gadget, don’t thoughtlessly throw it into a backpack or bag, don’t drop it, and don’t neglect basic care!
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Interface and menu
Unlock.
Seven desktops.
Application menu.
Slide across the display from left to right in the application menu to display an additional menu for setting up and organizing programs.
Applications can be organized into folders - both on the desktop and in the general application menu.
Settings menu.
“Small applications” are programs that can work simultaneously on the same screen with others. For example, while surfing the Internet, you can, without closing your browser, open a calculator window on top of it to calculate something, or while watching a movie, simultaneously start a timer so as not to forget that there are fried eggs in the kitchen :) Or you can simultaneously launch the reader and a voice recorder, and make an audio file from text - in general, many different programs can be combined for greater benefit on one screen.
To get to the “small applications” menu and launch the one you need, you need to press the right on-screen button (“two squares”) and select the one you need. By default, only a few are installed, but the Market has a large selection of non-standard ones.
Traditional for all “Androids”, the notification panel (called up on the screen by moving your finger from top to bottom) and the panel of minimized applications in the background and recently launched ones (displayed by pressing the right functional on-screen button:
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Camera
Over the past year and a half, 12 and 13 megapixel camera modules produced by Sony have set a new quality standard for smartphones - both for the Xperia line and for a number of other brands that used the Sony module in their devices. And now it’s time to take the next step, and the Xperia Z1 received a new Exmor RS matrix with a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, with a large crystal size (1/2.3 inches), with high ISO sensitivity, and an excellent aperture number. The camera software contains a lot of different automatic settings, a stand-out mode for manually adjusting shooting parameters, as well as a bunch of fun visual effects.
The main mode switching button is in the lower right corner. When you click on it, you will be taken to a menu for selecting effects, settings and services related to photo and video shooting. The main user mode, as usual, is automatic, called “Best auto-tuning”. In addition to this, an interesting manual mode allows you to select white balance and ISO, the “Info-Eye” mode, in which augmented reality is implemented (by recognizing the geography and GPS coordinates depicted in photographs), the “AR-effect” mode, in which the camera superimposes There are funny animations in the photo.
By the way, an important nuance: the maximum 20.7-megapixel resolution can only be used in the “Manual” mode - only in it there is the ability to change the resolution. In all automatic modes, the camera shoots as an 8-megapixel camera by default, taking pictures at 3840x2160 pixels, and this cannot be changed!
Visual effects will delight family and guests and will decorate any holiday - especially children's. In real time, animation is superimposed on the image, and the camera itself determines where the face is in order to “attach” a mask to it, and where is the surrounding space on which the surroundings can be applied!
"Extended Reality"
Sample pictures
In the photography section, by the way, it is worth including the curious function of recognizing faces in photos, which is performed not by the camera at the time of shooting, but... by a standard program for viewing images. It automatically sorts photos of people, puts them in a separate folder for quick access, and offers to sign names!
The camera certainly takes great pictures and is one of the best on the market. She is good at blurring the background, night shots are interesting, she focuses quickly and takes excellent macro shots. Like the camera of its predecessor (Xperia Z), it can shoot HDR video - a rare property for smartphones!
However, I would not rush to announce a photo revolution. The downside is the lack of optical stabilization, the upside is a large-area matrix... which would have outstanding light sensitivity with 13 million pixels, like the Z, but there are many more pixels, and each of them ultimately receives less light... Confused? :) Let's put it simply - in the end, there is still no radical breakthrough of the Z1 compared to the 13-megapixel camera of the Xperia Z - let's be honest.
The camera in the Z1 takes pictures almost as well as its predecessor in the Z - well, a little better, yeah :). In auto mode, when the smartphone takes an 8-megapixel photo, the result is comparable to other good camera phones of previous generations; in manual mode, when the full resolution of 20.7 MP is set, the detail increases compared to 12-13 megapixel devices, but not so much that this was just so important, because there is also enough noise. Most of all, the differences in favor of the Z1 from the others are noticeable on a sunny day - the matrix’s own noise is minimal and the camera shows reality in all its glory - in detail and clearly. In such conditions, the concept of “the more megapixels the better” really works great! But we must take into account that if you expect to “get everything from life” (c) - in the sense of constantly shooting in full resolution, then you will have to set the parameters yourself, which requires: A - the ability to do this, B - time to adjust.
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Performance and Power
The device is equipped with the most powerful of the serial “stones” today - a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974, 2200 MHz + Adreno 330 video processor and 2 gigabytes of RAM. Its performance is impeccable, as demonstrated by both practical use and benchmarks. It is impossible to load the device so that you can notice with the naked senses a decrease in performance or brakes.
At the same time, the device boasts excellent (although not record-breaking) autonomy, which is provided by a powerful 3000 mA battery. On the standard test, when we look at the percentage of battery remaining after watching a 1.45 GB movie at maximum brightness, volume and no background applications in the memory, the device retained 83% of the full battery charge, which is an excellent indicator. 83% on a movie is a full day of really serious workload and two days of quiet workload – especially when using the energy-saving “Stamina” mode
“Film test” on other devices of a similar class:
Sony Xperia Z1:: Review:: Impressions and conclusions
Xperia X1 is a technically uncompromising and at the same time fashionable gadget that can satisfy any geek, mobile gamer and “telephone photographer”. The cost of the device on official sale is 28,500 - 30,000 rubles, which is not shocking - the normal level for a flagship, which traditionally decreases by 3-5 thousand over time. The executive qualities are slightly hampered by the strong similarity with its predecessor, the Xperia Z, from which the Z1 is seriously different internally, but not much externally. However, other manufacturers also encountered similar issues when updating models (Apple, for example), and, in general, this was not a particular problem.
The main advantage of the Z1 (as well as other devices in the Z-line) is the combination of performance and style with water resistance, which other brands mistakenly consider to be the lot of outdoor smartphones with all their inherent shortcomings. You can talk endlessly about the “taste of oysters,” declaring that there is no need for protection from moisture, either in general or personally, but seemingly insignificant episodes quickly convince you of the opposite. Calmly searching for an address in a navigator in the rain, without having to dodge drops, reading a book while lying in the bath, underwater photography and much more - this takes the use of a smartphone to a new level, and taking into account its premium characteristics - even more so! Water resistance is complemented by a chic screen, all imaginable wireless interfaces (including, of course, fashionable LTE), and a good battery.
The disadvantages of the device include a slight disappointment with the camera (not in the sense of “it turned out to be worse”, but in the sense of “we expected more” :)), which, unfortunately, lacks the optical stabilizer that is relevant today, and does not demonstrate a revolutionary difference from the Xperia Z camera. However, This will be noticed only by those who compare - the mass user is not threatened by such a comparison. Another disadvantage is traditional: the device, like no other, is rich in interesting accessories, but, alas, they need to be purchased additionally; the standard equipment is “empty,” as they say, in relation to cars. It would be nice to see a certain minimum in the box - at least the same charging cradle (like the Xperia Z Ultra), so as not to constantly torment the delicate and important connector on the microUSB socket!
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At the beginning of 2013, Sony released one of its most interesting phones - the Xperia Z. For a long time after its release, it was a worthy competitor to even more expensive competitors, although at that time it was not cheap. It came as a surprise to many when the Sony xperia z1 black was announced in the spring. The manufacturer carried out extensive work, corrected the main errors of the Z, resulting in not just an improved version, but a much higher class one.
Design and equipment Sony Z1
The Xperia Z package pleasantly surprised users with the presence of a docking station and an original headset. The Z1's delivery package turned out to be more meager; it only contains a charger with a current of 1500 mA, a microUSB cable and instructions. The manufacturer took such a step in order to save money so that at the start of sales the smartphone would cost around 30,000 rubles.
The Sony xperia z1 c6903 phone is designed according to the OmniBalance concept. The front and back sides are made of Dragontrail glass, and the rim that runs around the perimeter is made of aluminum. The device looks very expensive and premium. Strictly in black and white colors, but very bold and defiant in purple.
The front side is decorated with a company logo, but unfortunately it is applied to a protective film. Once you take it off, it disappears. Next to it there is a hole for the earpiece, in which an LED indicator of missed events is built in. On the sides of the speaker there is a 2 MP camera, light sensors, and distance sensors. On the right side there is a compartment for placing a micro SIM card, a stylish round power button made of aluminum, a volume rocker and a camera key. All connectors on the side ends are covered with plugs, which ensures absolute tightness of the case and the ability to use the device at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.
There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack on the top panel. It is not afraid of moisture, but after water procedures it is better to wait a little while using the headset.
Below you can see a large grille, under which a microphone and a multimedia speaker are hidden.
On the left side, under the flap, there is a tray for microSD and microUSB, and in the very center there is a magnetic connector for connecting to the docking station.
On the left side of the back cover there is a 20.7 MP main camera lens and a flash. Approximately in the center there is NFC markings indicating the location of the chip, company logos and another microphone, which is installed symmetrically to the speaker in the upper part of the case. The case is monolithic, so you won’t be able to disassemble it yourself, but if the battery breaks, it can be easily replaced at a service center.
Sony Z1 display
The Sony xperia z1 screen has FullHD resolution and a 5-inch diagonal, and the pixel density is 441 per inch. The proprietary X-Reality for mobile technology is used, which increases image clarity. The smartphone uses a TFT ASV matrix based on TRILUMINOS technology with quantum dots. A similar solution has already been used in the development of televisions and has proven to be very effective. The X-Reality for mobile feature can be activated or disabled in the settings menu; it improves the richness of the image in the gallery and the proprietary video player. The function is useless in third-party applications. The display produces clear colors and natural color rendition, the brightness reserve is sufficient with a large margin. When changing the viewing angle, the image fades slightly, but this is not noticeable in everyday use.
Already at the time of sale, the smartphone is protected on both sides with protective films so that there are no scratches on the surface of the glass. In addition to them, we recommend purchasing a stylish case. It is better to keep branded films intact, because after replacing them the company logo will disappear.
The body of the Sony Z1 smartphone is protected according to IP55/IP58 standards, which means it can be used for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters. Before diving, make sure all caps are tightly closed.
By the way, the plugs quickly become loose, but this can be easily avoided if you use a docking station for charging. All microphones, as well as speakers, are equipped with protective membranes that prevent moisture and dust from entering the housing. The speaker volume is enough for comfortable listening to music, and you won’t miss an important call, even while on a noisy street.
The speaker does not overlap even if you put the phone on the table. The only thing is that it overlaps a little with your palm when you play games. The Xperia Z1 is assembled with very high quality, and even large frames and indents do not spoil the excellent ergonomics. It fits well in the hand, although initially it seems quite large for a 5-inch display. Despite the weight of 170 g, the phone does not feel heavy. When you pick it up, you realize that you are dealing with a high-quality gadget made from premium materials.
Sony Z1 interface
We conducted the Sony xperia z1 c6903 review on Android 4.4 KitKat, but you can easily update to newer versions over the air. The phone runs on the proprietary Xperia Home shell, which, without exaggeration, can be called the most convenient of all existing shells on Android. It does not take up a lot of built-in memory, looks stylish and contains all the necessary applications from the manufacturer, as well as standard Android.
The user can create and fill up to 7 desktops in his own way or leave only one. You can place application icons and useful widgets on them. Another feature will be the presence of mini-applications that can open on top of others, occupying a small part of the screen. The notification shade has a brightness adjustment bar and access to a variety of widgets and applications. In addition, you can customize it in your own way by removing or adding some elements.
Sony xperia z1 c6903 specifications include 16 GB of internal memory, but only 11.8 GB is available for use. If this volume is not enough for you, you can additionally install a flash drive. The proprietary Stamina mode increases autonomy several times. As standard, the smartphone comes pre-installed with many proprietary programs and those developed by Google. Album is one of the most convenient programs for viewing pictures, which can be scaled up to 8 thumbnails in a row, place photos on a map with geotags, and also synchronize everything with the PlayMemories virtual storage.
Sketch is a proprietary drawing tool that allows you to change color, thickness, background, use an eraser, and much more. PIXLR Express will help you process your photos and create beautiful effects. Smart Connect lets you set the functions your phone performs when you connect a headset or dock. For example, activate an alarm clock or launch a music player. TrackID is a proprietary music recognition tool. Sony Select - catalog of branded programs.
Despite the lack of an infrared port, the device can control the TV using a wireless connection. Walkman is an excellent music player with beautiful visualization, the ability to fine-tune, and load tags from their Network. The ClearAudio+ function will make the sound more interesting, and ClearBass will tighten the low frequencies. There is also an equalizer with fine-tuning capabilities. The sound quality is top notch.
Sony Z1 camera
The main camera of the Sony xperia z1 is a 20.7 MP Exmor RS module equipped with G Lens optics with f/2.0 aperture. The size of each pixel is 1.1 microns, and the size of the matrix itself is 1/2.4. Increasing the resolution while maintaining the same pixel size affects the detail of the images. A larger pixel would capture light better, but the Xperia Z1 currently benefits from a larger aperture. The proprietary camera application has many settings, manual and automatic shooting modes.
The latter differs in that the smartphone automatically selects parameters depending on the shooting conditions. The interface is very easy to use. If you are an inexperienced user, then it is better to shoot in automatic mode, where you cannot independently set the settings that affect the shooting result. When reviewing the Sony xperia z1 in Russian, we used the manual shooting mode. Its advantage is that you can choose the most convenient focusing method, change exposure, adjust ISO and much more. The camera quickly focuses and selects the optimal white balance, resulting in true-to-life colors in your photos. 3x magnification does not affect picture quality. For this, the manufacturer used Clear Image Zoom technology. The camera allows you to get high-quality pictures under any conditions; without exaggeration, it can be called one of the best on the modern market. The 2-megapixel selfie camera allows you to take good quality pictures in daylight conditions.
If you want to get an original photo, then the manufacturer has provided many effects for this. For example, when shooting AR effects, virtual characters appear in the video finder, as well as objects that form a beautiful background for the photo. You will be able to take pictures against the backdrop of a dinosaur, butterflies, seascapes, gnomes and much more. You can also download new effects for free.
Example photo:
While reviewing the Sony xperia z1 smartphone, we tested the camera capabilities. The maximum shooting resolution is FullHD at 30 frames per second. The manufacturer has provided several shooting modes, including HDR. There is no optical stabilizer; instead, the device uses an electronic one. This technology works much more efficiently than in the Lumia 1020 and other competing models. Electronic stabilization eliminates the effect of shaky hands, reduces the grip angle, and produces smoother footage. Autofocus quickly focuses on the subject, and color rendition is as close to natural as possible.
Sony Z1 performance
Sony xperia z1 technical characteristics allow it to cope with any task, and the price is more than affordable. You can order a smartphone on Aliexpress for a price starting from 11,000 rubles. At the heart of the phone is a high-performance 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor operating at a frequency of 2.2 GHz. The powerful processor is complemented by 2 GB of RAM, which ensures multitasking and smooth operation of the interface. The phone runs any games with maximum graphics settings without lag. During the entire testing period, the phone never crashed. When tested in Antutu, the device also showed good results. Another plus is that it does not suffer from throttling. He collected 40,000 parrots in Antutu. The technical characteristics of the Sony z1 are relevant even now.
Autonomy Sony Z1
The Sony xperia z1 battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh is capable of providing excellent battery life for the gadget. It can last up to 2 days with medium-intensive use. When playing video at maximum brightness and all wireless modules running, it lasted 7 hours. This is an excellent result for a device with such powerful hardware. When playing GTA San Andreas at 50% brightness, it lost only 13% in half an hour. At peak load it heats up to 47.5 degrees. The glass heats up quite strongly, but it does not burn or cause any particular discomfort.
Wireless networks work perfectly. The phone receives a signal even through thick walls, quickly connects to satellites and plots a route. There are no complaints about voice communication either.
Bottom line
Sony z1 characteristics and price are chosen optimally, especially since now it costs much less than at the time of release. The manufacturer has created a high-performance smartphone with good cameras, excellent battery life, a user-friendly interface and a stylish body.
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“Work on mistakes”, completed with an A plus
At the recent IFA 2013 home appliances and electronics exhibition in Berlin, Sony Mobile, as expected, presented its updated flagship smartphone, which was included in the company’s series of top-end mobile devices, united under the general name Sony Xperia Z. The new product was named Xperia Z1, which makes it clear who exactly this device is replacing. At the beginning of the year, the Japanese presented the world with a top-end smartphone Xperia Z, which instantly gained wide popularity due to its intricate design. “Xperia Z is constructed using premium materials and introduces for the first time the new OmniBalance design concept with slightly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces on all sides,” is how the developers described their “glass” brainchild. Today glass has been replaced by metal.
That’s right: the new “Zetka” has side edges that are now not mirrored at all, but matte metal, and not flat, but convex and rounded - we came across this design quite recently when we met our neighbor in the line - the Xperia Z Ultra model. Thus, less than a year has passed since the “mirror” brothers, the Sony Xperia Z smartphone and the Xperia Tablet Z tablet, were replaced by the “metal” Xperia Z Ultra tablet phone and the hero of today’s review, the Xperia Z1.
By the way, the latest two new products are related not only by a very similar design, but also by the same hardware platform: the heart of both is the latest SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 with 4 cores operating at a frequency of more than 2 GHz. Therefore, it is quite expected that the new flagship of the Japanese demonstrated such high performance that it could be the envy of any powerful smartphone of our time, including the Korean Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Taiwanese HTC One.
Main characteristics of Sony Xperia Z1 (C6903)
- SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974), 2.2 GHz, 4 Krait 400 cores
- GPU Adreno 330
- Operating system Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
- Touch display TFT Triluminos, 5.0″, 1920×1080, 440 ppi
- Random access memory (RAM) 2 GB, internal memory 16 GB
- microSD card support (up to 64 GB, SDXC support)
- Communication GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
- Communication 3G UMTS HSDPA 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz
- Communications 4G (LTE) Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 (2600/800 FDD are used in the Russian Federation)
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5 GHz), Wi-Fi hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct
- DLNA, NFC, MHL, OTG
- GPS/Glonass
- Dust/moisture protection (IP55/IP58 standards)
- Camera 20.7 MP “Exmor RS for mobile”, autofocus
- Camera 2 MP (front)
- Battery 3000 mAh
- Dimensions 144.4 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm
- Weight 170 g
| Sony Xperia Z1 | Sony Xperia Z | Sony Xperia Z Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S4 | HTC One | Lenovo K900 | |
| Screen | 5″, ASV? | 5″, ASV? | 6.44″, IPS | 4.99″, S-AMOLED | 4.7″, S-LCD3 (IPS) | 5.5″, AH-IPS |
| Permission | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1920×1080, 440 ppi | 1920×1080, 342 ppi | 1920×1080, 441 ppi | 1920×1080, 469 ppi | 1920×1080, 400 ppi |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro @1.5 GHz (4 cores, ARMv7 Krait) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 @2.2 GHz (4 cores, Krait 400) | Samsung Exynos 5410 @1.8 GHz (8 cores) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 @1.7 GHz (4 cores, Krait 300) | Intel Atom Z2580 @2 GHz (2 cores/4 threads, x86) | |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 320 | Adreno 330 | PowerVR SGX544MP3 | Adreno 320 | PowerVR SGX 544MP2 |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Flash memory | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16/32/64 GB | 16/32/64 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory card support | microSD | microSD | microSD | microSD | No | No |
| operating system | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.1 | Google Android 4.2 |
| Battery | non-removable, 3000 mAh | non-removable, 2330 mAh | non-removable, 3000 mAh | removable, 2600 mAh | non-removable, 2300 mAh | non-removable, 2500 mAh |
| Cameras | rear (20.7 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (8 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (4 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | rear (13 MP; video - 1080p), front (2 MP) | |
| Dimensions | 144×74×8.5 mm, 170 g | 139×71×7.9 mm, 146 g | 179×92×6.5 mm, 212 g | 137×70×7.9 mm, 130 g | 137×68×9.3 mm, 143 g | 157×78×6.9 mm, 162 g |
| Price* (Ya.Market) | T-10491965 | T-8555716 | T-10411024 | T-9383775 | T-10492194 | T-9293646 |
| Sony Xperia Z1 offers | L-10491965-10 | |||||
*if possible, the price is for a configuration with 16 GB of internal memory and LTE support
Appearance and ease of use
In principle, readers who follow what is happening in the mobile device market understand perfectly well what we are talking about when the conversation turns to the unusual design of the original Xperia Z smartphone. There, according to the OmniBalance design concept, the frame is made of a rough-to-the-touch composite of the material, flat panels were soldered on all sides, which actually had mirror properties, although some of them were not made of glass (we are talking about the side edges). Approximately the same image was recreated in the appearance of the new Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra, only now it is all completely molded from real metal, and, naturally, does not have mirror properties. That is, there is, as it were, both a frame and flat panels, but it is all cut out by milling from a single piece of aluminum. This metal rim, by the way, also doubles as an antenna. The stages of the processing of this metal part, which, by the way, included double anodizing of aluminum, were clearly demonstrated during the presentation at a separate stand.
The presentation, by the way, took place not on the territory of the IFA exhibition itself, but in a huge trade and exhibition complex built by the Japanese in the very center of Berlin, and received the sonorous, although not very modest name “Sony Center”. This complex is marked as such on all tourist maps, and any Berlin taxi driver will take you there without any navigator. This is a very visible and popular entertainment spot in the German capital, and it’s also quite beautiful. This is how it looks from the height of the floor where the presentation of the new product took place.
The photographs were taken using the camera of the test Xperia Z1; you can view the originals by clicking on the thumbnails below.
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Talking about the design of the new Sony Xperia Z1, I would like to note that the smartphone, like its brother Xperia Z Ultra, began to look more advantageous due to its sides with a matte metallic sheen. The look turned out to be more serious, monumental, and the convex, rough rim became much more pleasant to the touch. This is all a matter of taste, of course, however, objectively, non-staining matte side edges are much more practical than mirrored glass ones. Here now you can’t even see fingerprints, and the case doesn’t slip so much in your fingers. Of course, there are still stainable glass panels in the front and back, but there’s nothing you can do about it, beauty requires sacrifice. Exactly the same front and rear panels made of tempered glass, encased in a matte metal rim, once won the hearts of Apple iPhone fans (we are talking about the 4th generation of the smartphone).
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The smartphone turned out to be very large: due to its dimensions, it can rightfully be called a “shovel”, as it is now customary to call owners of a large diagonal. Here the screen diagonal is as much as five inches, while the frames around the screen are not thin: they are quite noticeable on the sides, but at the bottom, in general, almost two centimeters of empty space under the screen are left. And this despite the fact that all the buttons here are virtual, and they are located on the display itself in the form of software icons, which, in turn, also eat up a lot of usable space near the screen itself. In any case, we have already seen thinner frames (on the same ZTE Nubia Z5, for example), but here the body cannot really be called elegant - the smartphone is very large. In addition, it is also quite weighty: the mass of this structure made of glass and metal is as much as 170 grams.
In pictures: Sony Xperia Z1 compared to the ten-inch Sony Xperia Tablet Z
The body is monolithic: there are no removable parts here; the glass front and back panels form a single unit with the metal side frame. From this structure comes the corresponding method of installing cards: the SIM card and memory card are inserted into slot-like side slots on both side faces. As expected, the MicroSD card slot is equipped with a spring-loaded gripping mechanism that pushes the card out when pressed again; The SIM card slides into its slot on a flimsy plastic tray in the same way as other modern Sony models. All manipulations are carried out with the help of your own nails - you don’t have to use any key clips here.
The slots are covered from the outside with protective caps, externally made to match the rest of the metal rim - they are well camouflaged and not conspicuous. The covers perform not only decorative, but also protective functions: the Xperia Z1, like its predecessors, also has official certification for compliance with dust and moisture protection standards IP55 and IP58.
There are a lot of covers here, as many as three of them, but they do not cover all the connectors now: according to new fashion trends, and thanks to technical progress that does not stand still, the audio output is now not covered by anything from water - the hole gapes empty, however, water will no longer be able to damage the internal no damage to contacts.
There are also several other notable details on the side faces of the device. Firstly, it is on the lower side edge, and not on the rear panel, that the speaker grille is now located, which is good news. A large grille covers almost the entire lower end, so it is almost impossible to block the sound here.
Secondly, here on the side there is an open contact group for connection to the docking station connector - this element is found in many of the latest Sony mobile creations, and this is also great, because it saves the nerves of owners who do not want to open and close the Micro-cover every day. USB connector. True, you often have to buy such a stand separately - the docking station is most often not included in the package of the device. In addition, they are different for each model, so there is no interchangeability here and will not be.
And thirdly, it is worth noting that there is a separate dedicated hardware camera control key available here: a good help for those who like to shoot underwater, because there it is impossible to shoot by touching the screen with your fingers. The noticeable round metal plaque of the power button, located above the volume key, has already become the hallmark of the latest generation of Japanese mobile devices.
As for the front and rear panels, they, as mentioned above, are made of glass, but on top are traditionally covered with a protective film glued at the factory. This film is not intended to be removed: at least you can lose the front Sony logo if you decide to take such a step. The back surface is not particularly remarkable, except, in fact, for its glass essence. Here, only the camera windows and flashes are modestly hidden in the corner - everything else, including the speaker grille, has been moved from here to the side edges.
On the front panel, everything is still more familiar: the front camera window and sensor eyes are hidden under glass in the upper part above the screen, but the bottom is completely empty. It’s strange, by the way, that they didn’t include that nice elongated event light indicator that we saw in previous models of the Xperia Z series. Either we didn’t have a production model in our hands, or it was intended by the developers, but this is where the light indicator was hidden in the area of the auditory speaker grille, and not at all in the lower part. The indicator does not shine brightly at all, but on the contrary, it emits a dull, barely noticeable orange light, and it all looks quite strange.
And in conclusion, I would like to note, as usual, the choice of color options for the Sony Xperia Z1 body. There are no revelations here: like its predecessors, the body of the new product is presented in three colors: black, white and purple. It is curious that the metal side edges here are painted in the general color of the body, that is, if the body is purple, then the edges are also purple. By the way, at the presentation, one of the speakers separately noted that the purple version of the previous Xperia Z was very much to the taste of users, so they gave it a start in life in the future. About such an unusual choice of color, the speaker said that this color was not chosen “out of the blue.” According to experts, there is a psychological background here: such a color is, as it were, “balanced,” that is, it is obtained by “mixing” exciting red and cold blue shades.
About security
According to IP55 and IP58 standards, Sony Xperia Z1 is protected from moisture and dust. When all ports and covers are securely sealed, this smartphone is protected against low pressure water jets from all directions to IP55 and/or can survive up to 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of fresh water to IP58.
Based on the results of our testing, it was confirmed that the smartphone is not only impervious to water, but is also perfectly controlled with wet fingers - until the screen is completely immersed in water. Plus, due to the presence of a dedicated hardware camera control key, the smartphone can be used as a camera for shooting underwater.
Equipment
The Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone is delivered to store shelves in a fairly simple-looking package made of thin, unvarnished cardboard with several compartments inside. The initial kit is not rich: a powerful charger (1.5 A), a connecting cable and some waste paper. By the way, this smartphone, like other top Sony predecessors, supports so-called “fast” charging, when literally in half an hour spent at a power outlet, the phone is charged so much that it can then last an entire hour in talk mode.
But for additional money, so many accessories are offered for the new model that they even had a separate booklet dedicated to them. In addition to the standard docking station, Bluetooth headset, portable power supply, wireless speaker and even a tripod, there are also several more interesting little things. For example, you can purchase an additional plastic case for your smartphone with clever fasteners for an even more unusual part - the camera. This device is a separately operating camera (not connected to the lenses of the smartphone itself), which, however, can work in conjunction with the device’s software, connecting to it via a wireless network. This curious device obviously requires separate testing, but we haven’t gotten our hands on it yet. This is how it all looks live, fully assembled: a hard plastic cover is put on the back of the smartphone itself, and the camera, in turn, is attached to it.
Screen
The Sony Xperia Z1 comes with a proprietary HD display called Triluminos. In numbers, the physical parameters of the smartphone screen are as follows: dimensions - 61x110 mm, diagonal - 127 mm (5 inches), resolution - Full HD 1080p (1920x1080 pixels), pixel density is 440 ppi.
The display brightness has both manual and automatic adjustment, the latter based on the operation of the light sensor. Multi-touch technology allows you to simultaneously process up to ten touches, which is confirmed by tests. There is also a proximity sensor that blocks the screen when you bring the smartphone to your ear. The picture is further processed using image enhancement software technology called Sony X-Reality. A similar X-Reality Pro technology is now used in modern TVs from the Japanese company. In the production of the display itself, OptiContrast technology was also used, eliminating the air gap between the glasses.
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A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion about the screen.
The smartphone screen is covered with a glass plate, onto which a plastic mirror-smooth protective film is factory-glued, which is relatively scratch-resistant, but still less hard than inorganic glass. As a result, after some time of use, the screen is sure to become covered with scratches. However, with some effort, this film can be separated and replaced with a new, compatible one. Factory protective film has quite pronounced oleophobic (grease-repellent) properties, so fingerprints are removed more easily and appear at a lower speed than in the case of regular glass. Judging by the decrease in the brightness of reflected objects, an anti-glare filter is present and its effectiveness is high. At the same time, the ghosting (apparently mainly due to the film) of these objects is weakly expressed, which indicates the absence of an air gap between the outer glass and the LCD matrix.
When manually controlling the brightness, its maximum value was 460 cd/m², the minimum was 34 cd/m². As a result, at maximum brightness in bright daylight you can use your smartphone without any inconvenience, and at minimum brightness you will be able to comfortably work with this mobile device even in complete darkness. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (it is located to the left of the logo on the front panel), the operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider. If it is set to 100%, then in complete darkness the automatic brightness adjustment function reduces the brightness to 97 cd/m² (not excessively bright, but it could have been lower); in an office illuminated by artificial light, the brightness rises to 245 cd/m² (acceptable) , in a very bright environment it is set to 460 cd/m² (this is the maximum that is to be expected). If the brightness slider is set to 50%, the values are as follows: 61, 170 and 460 cd/m²; at 0% - 19, 76 and 460 cd/m². In general, the automatic brightness adjustment function does not cause any complaints, everything is perfect. At lower brightness, there is no significant backlight modulation (up to 100 kHz inclusive), so there is no screen flickering.
In the technical specifications, Sony, like many other manufacturers, indicates that a TFT type matrix is used, without specifying its specific type. Perhaps this smartphone has an ASV type matrix installed. This is what the screen pixels look like when displaying white and shades of gray in order of decreasing lightness of the hue:
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You will notice that as the hue brightness decreases, the dark spot at the center of each subpixel increases in size, suggesting that the LCD is rotated toward the center of the subpixel, rather than in the horizontal plane as in the case of IPS, or in the vertical plane as in the case of *VA. In all external appearances, the screen of this smartphone is very similar to the screen of the Sony Xperia Z. Let us recall that the results of a detailed head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia Z screen with the screens of three other top smartphones are presented in a separate article.
The screen has good viewing angles, at least without significant color shift. However, when the gaze deviates from the perpendicular to the screen, the colors become noticeably lighter, the picture becomes whitish, and at very large deviation angles, the lightest shades are inverted. The black field, when deviated diagonally, also brightens greatly, but remains close to a neutral gray color. When viewed strictly perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is very good. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 10 ms (5.5 ms on + 4.5 ms off). The transition between 25% and 75% gray halftones (based on the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 24 ms. The contrast is not very high - about 600:1. The gamma curve constructed using 32 points did not reveal a blockage either in the highlights or in the shadows, and the index of the approximating power function is 1.90, which is lower than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve deviates slightly from the power dependence:
The color gamut is slightly wider than sRGB. Note that color saturation is moderate, visually the colors are a little more vibrant, but not yet so oversaturated that color images appear distorted.
Apparently, the components are well separated, and the spectra confirm this:
Color balance is not ideal, since the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (delta E) is not very large, but color temperature and delta E vary noticeably from hue to hue on the gray scale, which negatively affects the visual assessment of color balance. (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
The screen is bright, with adequate automatic brightness adjustment, the colors are rich, but the picture becomes very bright when the gaze deviates from the perpendicular to the screen. However, whether this drawback will have a great impact on consumer properties depends, rather, on the characteristics of the subjective perception of the consumer himself.
Sound
In terms of sound, the smartphone is exactly the same as its rugged predecessors Xperia Z and Z Ultra. Both speakers do not sound too loud, especially the external one. Obviously, the general specific internal arrangement, organized to protect against moisture, has an effect. The speaker is additionally covered with a special protective membrane that does not allow water to pass through, so the sound of such devices is duller and quieter. There are no special distortions observed in the auditory dynamics; the voice of a familiar interlocutor, intonation and timbre are well recognizable, but it still sounds a bit muffled. The external speaker grille is located not at the back, but on the side - embedded directly into the bottom end. Accordingly, the sound will not be blocked by the surface when the phone is lying on the table.
In software terms, the sound subsystem of the Sony Xperia Z1 is equipped in the same way as that of any other modern Sony smartphone. The standard audio player, traditionally called a Walkman, is rich in settings and additional software sound improvements, such as a built-in equalizer with a lot of preset values (you can set your own), Clear Phase, xLoud technologies or virtual surround sound. Control of most settings is available if the complex ClearAudio+ function is turned off, otherwise all settings are left to the machine. By the way, when you use the comprehensive ClearAudio+ enhancement package, the sound from the external speaker becomes noticeably louder, but it still lacks the volume and clarity that, say, the HTC One speakers have.
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Camera
Sony Xperia Z1 is equipped, like most modern smartphones, with two digital camera modules. The front camera here is equipped with a 2-megapixel module, shoots with a resolution of 1920×1080, the quality of the resulting photos can be judged by the test image below.
The main rear 20.7-megapixel camera is equipped with a G-series lens with a focal length of 27 mm and an aperture of F/2.0. The camera uses a 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS for mobile sensor and a Bionz for mobile processor.
By default, the cameras of all Sony devices operate as standard in the so-called super auto mode (iauto) with a wide aspect ratio. The resolution of pictures in automatic mode on the Sony Xperia Z1 camera cannot be changed; there is only one resolution here and it is approximately 8 megapixels (3840x2160). Examples of photos taken in automatic mode “out of the box”, with comments on quality, are below.
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Sharpness is excellent on all planes, but only in the center. Sharpness decreases towards the edges. |
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Noise in the shadows is moderate. The exposition is well chosen. Sharpness is still excellent and still center-only. |
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The camera copes well in low light conditions. Perhaps the picture is almost perfect if we talk about the center of the frame. |
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A good demonstration of shooting in low light and demonstrating the capabilities of high resolution. |
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Sometimes the camera manages to bring even such pictures to the level of good compact cameras. |
The maximum resolution with which the Sony Xperia Z1 camera can shoot can be achieved by switching the mode from automatic to manual. Then the pictures will be obtained with a size of 5248 × 3936, which in conversion is the same 20.7 megapixels. An example of such a photo can be viewed by clicking on the thumbnail below.
In the laboratory we decided to test the camera at full resolution.
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In laboratory light, the camera copes very well, but the noise reduction is already beginning to show itself. |
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With a slight deterioration in lighting, the situation remains almost unchanged. |
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Flagship smartphones to which the model in question Sony Xperia Z1 and refers to, they usually demonstrate all the best that was achieved by the manufacturer by the time the new product was released. The latest solutions implemented in the Xperia family were characterized by the presence of an “aristocratic” design, protection from moisture and dust, a user-friendly graphical shell and wide multimedia capabilities. In addition, they had excellent characteristics, an affordable price and high efficiency, which was demonstrated by official photos. Submitted by reviewSony Xperia Z1 will show whether the model fits into this series, as well as how it differs.
Features of the design style of the Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone
At one time, the Xperia Z model was presented as the first smartphone in the brand new OmniBalance design style, and the device in question Sony Xperia Z1 develops this concept. The somewhat angular body of the device seems monolithic, which not everyone can demonstrate. The front and back panels, made of glass with resistance to damage, essentially form a single whole with a slightly rounded and convex side frame made of aluminum alloy.
Looking at Sony Xperia Z1 photo, one immediately notices the abundance of empty space on the front panel. The device offers three body color options: black, white, purple. The device has grown in size (144*74*8.5 instead of 139*71*7.9), and also became heavier, weighing 170g versus 146g. The smartphone does not slip as much in the hand and is held more confidently, which it also demonstrates. On the front panel in its upper part there is a front camera lens, as well as light and distance sensors, an event/discharge indicator and a speaker. The back panel has a 20-megapixel main camera lens, flash and an additional microphone. At the upper structural end of the case there is a 3.5mm headset jack. Moreover, this model does not have a plug, which increases convenience when frequently listening to music on headphones. After immersion in water, it is strongly recommended that you simply shake out any remaining water and do not use the headset for two hours.
At the bottom end of the body Sony Xperia Z1 price which is indicated below, a microphone and a speaker are placed, and the location of the latter is extremely successful, since it is now quite difficult to close it accidentally. In the right edge there is a secure slot for microSIM, a lock/power button in the corporate style of a “metal rivet”, which would also look good on a tablet, a volume rocker, as well as a separate key for shooting, which was definitely missing from its predecessor. The left side of the device is occupied by closed slots for SD and microUSB memory cards in combination with a connector for the charging dock. There are also holes for attaching a strap.
Constantly closing/opening the plug for a slot with a microUSB connector, for example, for connecting to a computer equipped with, causes reasonable irritation, but Sony Xperia Z1 characteristics you have to pay. The smartphone has official certification for compliance with standardization for protection from moisture and dust, which allows it to continue its functionality even after immersion for half an hour in fresh water within a depth of 1.5 m.
Camera - implementation features
One of the main features of a smartphone, which reviewSony Xperia Z1 I should pay attention to the fact that there is a 20.7-pixel integrated camera with a sensor (½.3 inches) called Exmor RS for mobile. This matrix size captures more light and also reduces noise in low light conditions. Moreover, in the chamber Sony Expiria There is a proprietary technology from the manufacturer called BIONZ for mobile for intelligent image processing, which functionally ensures photo clarity, fast autofocus and assistance during video shooting in eliminating blur.
In addition to the standard settings installed by the camera software Sony Xpiria Several more interesting possibilities are offered. For example, when the Timeshift burst mode is activated, the device will take 61 pictures in just two seconds, which is something the model clearly lacks, from which you can later choose the best option. The Social Life app allows you to share your footage in real time with other Facebook users, and comments posted on it will immediately appear on the screen. There are also two modes related to augmented realism: Info-eye, which allows you to find additional information about an object in the frame, and AR Effect, which has the potential to combine pictures with a variety of fun animations. You can also apply one of nine possible graphic effects to the photo. Overall, the main camera is great.
About the front camera Sony reviewZ1 can state that it is mainly intended for video chats, is equipped with a 2-megapixel sensor and shoots with a resolution of 1920*1080 pixels. Video recording, the excellent quality of which the tablet also demonstrates, at 30 fps is performed in 1080p Full HD resolution. In this case, clips are saved in an MP4 file container, and the AAC LC format is provided for audio files.
Display and sound capabilities of the Sony Xpiria smartphone
The device model in question received a five-inch TFT screen, which is located below SonyZ1 video demonstrates more clearly, with a Full HD 1920*1080 resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi. The display brightness can be adjusted in manual and automatic modes, and the available multi-touch support allows for simultaneous processing of up to 10 touches.
It is known that TFT screens at large viewing angles produce a slightly whitish picture and somewhat faded colors. To improve this situation, the developers integrated unique technologies in the form of Triluminos, as well as X-Reality. The first of them transmits a larger color spectrum, which is especially important for monochromatic photos, and the second automatically adjusts brightness and contrast. As a final result, the Sony Xperia Z1 review can state that the screen of the device in question has become noticeably better relative to its predecessor, although no miracles have happened, since there are a series of models on the market with more preferable displays.
In terms of sound, Sony Expiria is practically no different from its predecessor. The sound quality and volume of the “musical” speaker can be called average and clearly not comparable to flagship performance. However, when you connect headphones, the situation changes radically, and the device demonstrates transparent and clear sound. By the way, now they are no longer included with the smartphone and must be purchased separately.
Sony Xperia Z1 Software
Those who wish buy Sony XperiaZ1 You should know that the manufacturer traditionally equips its smartphones with a user-friendly Timescape graphical shell, which is very organically integrated into the Android 4.2.2 OS available in the device. Moreover, the company states that at the beginning of 2014. An update to the next version will be released.
There are eight design themes to choose from, as well as a couple dozen more background images. On the Sony Xpiria lock screen, there is a link for quick access to the smartphone’s camera, and a whole series of widgets can be placed in the same place. By default, the desktop is presented with five pages, which can be increased to seven. However, they cannot be scrolled in a circle, therefore, having reached the last one, it requires scrolling in the opposite direction.
As the Sony Z1 review revealed, the device has virtually no “junk” applications that you immediately want to delete. The available set of programs is quite successful, this statement especially applies to multimedia programs, including the ubiquitous Walkman, as well as the TrackID application, or better known as Shazam, which can recognize the melody being listened to. Among the useful little things are the NeoReader barcode reader, as well as the Sketch application for creating handwritten notes and drawings using your finger. The presence of the standard Google Play store is complemented by the proprietary Sony Select application, through which you can download a variety of functional and interesting programs that are fully compatible with the device in question.
Features and performance of the Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone
The characteristics embodied in the Sony Xperia Z1 are based on the latest Snapdragon 800 chipset with a frequency of each of the available four Krait cores at 2.2 GHz. At the same time, the Adreno330 coprocessor is provided for graphic operations, which is almost 50% faster than the analogue possessed by the device’s predecessor.
Those wishing to buy a Sony Xperia Z1 will receive 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, of which about 11.7GB is available to the user. The device supports SDXC memory cards with a capacity of up to 64GB. In general, the “hardware” characteristics can be called quite advanced.
On a smartphone Sony Xperia Z1 A non-removable capacious 3000 mAh battery is installed, so if you are not overly involved in games and videos, its power can be enough for a day. At the same time, the efficiency of energy consumption can be increased by enabling the Stamina energy saving mode, which turns off Wi-Fi and data transmission via the cellular network when the screen is off. It should be noted that turning on this mode does not affect operation when the display is active. Also, to save energy, there is “Wi-Fi with geolocation”, thanks to which the smartphone activates the wireless module only when it recognizes a familiar network, without keeping it constantly on. To charge the battery, you can use a special DK31 docking station or the usual microUSB connector.
Smartphone cost and conclusions
Immediately after entering the market, the recommended price for Sony Xperia Z1 was 29,990 rubles. By now, its importance has begun to decline and in large retail chains the device can already be purchased for 27,990 rubles. Gray suppliers offer the device at a cost below 20 thousand.
Pros:
— body and design materials are clearly high-quality and “expensive”;
- amazing camera for a smartphone;
— increased level of moisture resistance;
- excellent performance;
- a lot of useful software.
Minuses:
— screen viewing angles are inferior to other flagships;
— the presence of unimportant ergonomics due to dimensions.
To summarize, it should be noted that the Sony Xperia Z1 is one of the most powerful smartphones among flagships and is definitely the best device from the manufacturer. The display has become better, the design has been updated, performance has been significantly increased, and various pleasant little things have appeared.
Sony Z1 video
Sony continues to delight fans of the brand with devices with an attractive design in a protected case, while not forgetting to equip them with the latest technology. One of these devices is the Sony Xperia Z1, assembled in a dust- and moisture-proof case with a 5-inch Full HD display, a 20.7 megapixel camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 hardware platform, a 3000 mAh battery and running on the Android 4.3 operating system.
Contents of delivery
The smartphone comes in a small cardboard package on the front of which the device inside is depicted, and on the opposite side there are three possible colors of the case and the main technical characteristics.
Included with the smartphone you will find in-ear headphones with additional ear pads, a 2 A mains charging adapter, a USB cable and related documentation.
Design and ergonomics
The design of the smartphone is reminiscent of its predecessor model, the Sony Xperia Z. There is mineral glass on the front and back sides, on which, as usual, films are glued, so you can only experience all the delights of the glass visually or by peeling off those same films. The frame is cast from a single piece of aluminum, which gives the body strength. All connectors, with the exception of 3.5 mm, are covered with aluminum plugs. They are needed to prevent dust and moisture from getting inside, which, in turn, provides the case with protection that meets the IP55/58 standard. At the top of the front panel there is: the name of the manufacturer, above it there is a slot for the earpiece with an event indicator inscribed in it, to the right of it is the camera lens, to the left is the proximity sensor and light sensor. When turned off, the display borders are practically invisible. There is nothing under the display. The control keys are displayed on the screen.
The aluminum frame houses mechanical controls and connectors. On the left side there is a connector for memory cards, USB and an uncovered connector for connecting to the docking station. On the opposite side there is a MicroSIM connector, a protruding round metal power/lock key, a double volume rocker, a two-position camera button and a strap eyelet. The keys are convenient to operate; the only drawback is that the power and volume keys are too close. The camera button has a soft stroke, but to press it completely you need to apply a certain amount of force, which eliminates accidental clicks. It takes one to two seconds to launch the camera when the screen is locked.
At the ends of the case you can see a speaker, a microphone (on the bottom), and a headphone jack (on the top).
The back side has no protruding elements, with a small recess in the camera area. There is a flash under the lens, and to the right of it are the matrix characteristics. A little closer to the center of the case you can see the NFC icon indicating the location of the module, in the center is the name of the manufacturer, and at the bottom is the inscription XPERIA. At the very top, on the opposite side of the speaker, there is a second microphone.
The smartphone case cannot be disassembled. The build quality is high, the device gives the impression of an expensive thing. All controls and connectors are located in convenient places and do their job well.
Operating system and shell
The smartphone runs on the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) operating system and has its own shell – Xperia UX. The Sony shell is very responsive, the animation is smooth. During our time with the Z1, we never encountered any interface lag. Both the powerful hardware filling and the high-quality shell make an impact.
The lock screen has standard features. You can add widgets to it, go to the camera, control panel or desktop. There are no quick launch shortcuts from the lock screen.
The desktop can accommodate up to 7 windows on which widgets and shortcuts can be located. To edit the number of windows or add any elements to them, as well as change the background or theme, use the “pinch” gesture or hold on the free space of the desktop.
Folders are created by dragging shortcuts on top of each other, including folders that can be created in the bottom panel, where there is a shortcut to go to the list of installed applications. To quickly navigate between windows, you can use the circles at the top of the screen. The list of applications also supports quick transition between windows, and clicking on the leftmost icon or scrolling to this window displays an additional menu that contains search, various sorting options and shortcuts to launch Google Play or Sony Select. In our opinion, such a solution not only looks nice, but is also as functional as possible. The only thing missing from the Xperia UX is the ability to hide apps.
Installed programs include Wisepilot, OfficeSuite, Pixlr Express, Evernote, File Commander, Opera Mini and McAfee Security. Not a bad set, considering that for some of them users of other smartphones will have to pay a tidy sum. The notification panel contains not only notifications, but also icons for controlling smartphone functions. This list is configured in the “Personalization” menu. Here you can change the background screensaver and theme. In general, the settings menu in the Xperia UX shell looks the same as in most Android smartphones and only the icons have their own design.
Mini-applications were not forgotten by the manufacturer either. They got the name mini due to the fact that they do not work on the entire screen, but only part of it, while the user can adjust their size and location. There is something similar in the Optimus UI shell from LG, only there the degree of transparency of applications is also regulated. But in Xperia UX, the number of mini-applications is not limited to the pre-installed ones, and can be supplemented with new ones from the Google Play application store. From there you can download an application to watch videos.
Hardware platform
Sony Xperia Z1 received the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 hardware platform, with four Krait 400 processor cores operating at 2.15 GHz, an Adreno 330 video core, as well as 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory, a memory card slot and support for USB drives.
The smartphone supports all popular video codecs, but cannot play AC3 audio tracks. 4K video plays smoothly. The player can work in the background, and if necessary, as we have already written, in a separate window. The sound volume in the speaker is average, its level can be increased slightly by turning on the xLOUD function. You can also adjust the sound to suit you in the settings. In general, there are no complaints about the sound quality and capabilities of the player; most users will be satisfied.
Playing video files
| Codec\Name | UltraHD4K.mp4 | Neudergimie.mkv | GranTurismo.mp4 | Spartacus.mkv | ParallelUniverse.avi |
| Video | MPEG4 Video (H264) 3840×2160 29.92fps, 19.4 Mbit/s | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920×816 23.98fps, 10.1Mbit/s | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1920×1080 60fps, 19.7Mbit/s, 20 Mbit/s | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280×720 29.97fps, 1.8 Mbit/s | MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280×536 24.00fps 2.8 Mbit/s |
| Audio | AAC 44100Hz stereo 124kbps | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo | AAC 48000Hz stereo 48kbps | Dolby AC3 44100Hz stereo | MPEG Audio Layer 3 44100Hz stereo 256kbps |
The capabilities of the Walkman music player are even wider, the sound quality and volume are above average.
The performance of the Sony Xperia Z1 in benchmarks is at the level of analogues, that is, the user can count on comfortable work with any applications and games available today.
The speed of searching for satellites is just under 30 seconds during a cold start and about 5 seconds when re-determining. The data transfer speed in the Wi-Fi network is high, the smartphone supports the AC standard.
The volume of the earpiece is sufficient for most situations, including when communicating in noisy places. During testing, we did not encounter any communication problems. The autonomy of the new product is at a good level, in some ways better than other models on the Snapdragon 800, in some ways worse. The smartphone is powered by a 3000 mAh battery and has several modes to save battery. The average operating time of the Sony Xperia Z1 was two days. In Antutu Tester, the smartphone scored 500 points, lasting 2 hours 47 minutes. In GFXBench – 1360 points or 208 minutes.
| Operating time indicators | |||||
| Mode\Device | Sony Xperia Z1 | LG Nexus 5 (ART) | LG G2 | Nokia Lumia 1520 | Xiaomi Mi-3 (Tegra4) |
| Music | 1% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 1% |
| Reading | 15% | 17% | 11% | — | 13% |
| Navigation | 21% | 33% | 18% | 25% | 22% |
| Watch HD video | 13% | 28% | 15% | — | 17% |
| Watching HD videos from Youtube | 18% | 39% | 27% | 26% | 30% |
| Antutu Tester (points) | 500 | 373 | 419 | — | 589 |
| GFXBench (minutes) | 208 | 146 | 209 | — | — |
| GFXBench (scores) | 1360 (24 fps) | 1364 (24 fps) | 1294 (23 fps) | — | — |
The % value displays the percentage of battery discharge during 2 hours of testing. In mode reading All wireless communications are turned off, including data transmission on the mobile network, and the display brightness is set to 50%. When listening music automatic data synchronization and data transfer worked. The sound volume in the headphones is at 12 out of 15 possible levels (for WP smartphones, 24 out of 30). All music files are in MP3 format, bitrate 320 Kbps. Navigation includes route planning in the Google Navigation application (for WP smartphones – Nokia HERE). The brightness is set to 50%, all data communication modules are disabled. The first value was obtained in the standard operating mode, the second - when automatic synchronization was disabled, the last - when switching from automatic selection of the network type to forced operation in a 2G network. During playback video Data transmission on the mobile network is active, display brightness is set to 50%, sound volume in headphones is at level 12 out of a possible 15. Video file format is MKV, resolution 1024x432 pixels, frame rate 24. Play video from Youtube was accompanied not only by working on a Wi-Fi network, but also by active data transfer. Display brightness set to 50%, headphone volume set to 12 of 15 possible levels (for WP smartphones, 24 out of 30).
Display
The smartphone has a 5-inch TFT matrix with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and Triluminos technology. The manufacturer does not indicate what type of matrix is used in the device; judging by the subpixels, it is MVA. The display brightness is adjustable from 30 cd/m2 to 397 cd/m2. Automatic adjustment works correctly and quickly.
The color gamut of the display is slightly wider than the sRGB value, the color temperature is close to 6500 K, but the gamma curve values are poor, which indicates highly overexposed midtones. But the most serious drawback of the matrix lies in its modest viewing angles. Sony is the only manufacturer that continues to equip expensive smartphones with such mediocre matrices.
Cameras
Sony Xperia Z1 became the company's first smartphone equipped with a main camera module with a resolution of 20.7 megapixels. The resolution of the front camera is 2 megapixels. The launch and shooting speed is one of the fastest among modern devices. The camera instantly focuses on objects. In the settings there are many special shooting modes and the ability to download additional ones. In manual mode, the user can select the resolution, including a maximum of 20 megapixels (the maximum resolution is available only in the “Manual” mode), ISO, and use software image stabilization.
The video settings are a little more modest, but also very wide. The maximum video resolution is 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. The quality of photos and videos is average, the main problem with the pictures is blurry edges of the frames, while the videos are spoiled by problems with sound.
Examples of camera operation on Android 4.2 firmware
Examples of camera operation on Android 4.3 firmware
Video review of the Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone
Results
The Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone is a device with good battery life, a high-quality body, a smooth interface with wide personalization options, but a far from the best display and a very average camera.
Liked
+ Build quality
+ Hardware platform
+ Housing with degree of protection IP58
+ Smooth interface with extensive personalization options
+ Autonomy
+ Productivity
Did not like
— Low display viewing angles
— Camera operation
 |
Sony Xperia Z1 C6902 (Black) |
| Type | Smartphone |
| Standard | GSM 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA | |
| SIM card type | Micro-SIM |
| Number of supported SIM cards | 1 |
| operating system | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Type of shell | monoblock |
| Keyboard type | screen input |
| Dimensions, mm | 144.4×73.9×8.5 |
| Weight, g | 169 |
| Protection from dust and moisture | IP58 |
| Accumulator battery | Li-Ion, 3000 mAh |
| conversation - up to 13h50m/15h (2G/3G), standby - up to 880/850h (2G/3G), audio - up to 110h | |
| Diagonal, inches | 5 |
| Permission | 1920×1080 |
| Matrix type | TFT |
| PPI | 441 |
| Dimming sensor | + |
| Touch screen (type) | touch (capacitive) |
| Other | |
| CPU | |
| Kernel type | Krait 400 |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Frequency, GHz | 2,3 |
| RAM, MB | 2048 |
| Built-in memory, GB | 16 |
| Expansion slot | microSD (up to 64 GB) |
| Main camera, MP | 20,7 |
| Autofocus | + |
| Video shooting | 1920x1080 pixels, 30 ks |
| Flash | LED |
| Front camera, MP | 2 |
| Other | |
| WiFi | |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 (A2DP) |
| GPS | + |
| IrDA | — |
| NFC | + |
| Interface connector | USB 2.0 (micro-USB, MHL) |
| Audio jack | 3.5 mm |
| MP3 player | + |
| FM radio | + |
| More |
Pros: Build quality, hardware platform, IP58-rated housing, smooth interface with ample customization options, autonomy, performance
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