What's good
- Water and dust proof design
- Incredibly fast and powerful processor
- 20MP camera
What's bad
- Body prone to scratches
- Poor viewing angles
- Bulky dimensions
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 the Critics Are Saying...
- Chris Finnamore, Expert ReviewsGreat build quality, huge performance and an impressive screen, but its camera lets the Z1 down.
- Florence Ion, PCWorldSony's device launches last year were a bit better than average, but this year the company seems committed to knock it out of the park. The Xperia Z1S isn't Sony's flagship device for the year, but its impressive camera abilities, speedy processor, and stylish outfitting are an indicator of how the...
- Chuong Nguyen, GottaBeMobileThat’s not to say that the Xperia Z1s is a bad phone–it really is an excellent device, but you shouldn’t walk into a T-Mobile store looking for one specific feature on the phone to buy. If you’re eyeing the camera, there are better camera phones out there. If you’re loo...
- Kob Monney, What Hi-FiMuch like the Xperia Z, this is a brilliant smartphone not just for sophisticated picture and sound quality that's a cut above most rivals but also as an all-round package.The design is sleek, if not the most manageable, the camera is reliable, the battery life excellent, and Sony's entertainment se...
- Matthew Miller, ZDNetWhen I first saw the Z1s announces for T-Mobile I didn't think too much about it because I am satisfied with my HTC One and Moto X. However, it has been many years since I owned an Xperia phone (very cool Windows Mobile Xperia model) and I actually really grew to like what Sony is doing here with th...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Sony Xperia Z1 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Sony's suggested retail price is $649.99. You can compare Xperia Z1 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia Z1 user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia Z1 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia Z1 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Ask the Community
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Sony Xperia Z1 Manual (PDF)
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.
