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Sony Xperia Z Pro Reviews

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ubergizmo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It’s nice to see the XPERIA Z finally available in the U.S. A wider carrier availability would have been even better, but T-Mobile wins by securing this exclusive deal with Sony. This carrier has interesting plans that could potentially save money for subscribers with a moderate usage pattern, but if you are coming from another carrier, make sure that the coverage is sufficient for your need. This is true for any carrier, and don’t forget that average national coverage doesn’t mean much if your particular area is not well covered. The opposite is true: if where you work/live/commute is well covered, the national average coverage is pointless.If you decide to decide that T-mobile can become your carrier of choice (the WiFi calls would be my reason to switch), the XPERIA Z is a fine choice. It may not have the fastest hardware on paper, but it does possess a particularly responsive user interface which has nothing to envy from the fastest phones out there, on the contrary quite a few would gain to be as snappy. Overall, this is a very good phone that I think shouldn’t be judged on its hardware platform alone. Its design and relative ruggedness make it quite unique. We can’t give it an excellent rating because of the slightly slower hardware, but Sony came up with an excellent design and did a lot of great things in the software.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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TheVerge‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The takeaway from these two phones is simple: I was able to have a waterproof phone without feeling like I was missing out on a high-end smartphone experience. I can take it to the pool or the beach, spill beer on it, and not have a heart attack when my daughter grabs it out of my hands and drops it in a puddle. And I didn’t have to rely on a cumbersome and ugly case to have that kind of worry-free security. Between the two, I’d choose the S4 Active, since it offers a better camera, faster processor, and a more comfortable shape. Unfortunately, if you aren’t a T-Mobile or AT&T customer, you don’t really have a great option for a waterproof smartphone that can run with the best of them right now, but that will likely change in the future. Given that Sony and Samsung have been able to make waterproof smartphones without giving up all of the other features that people are looking for, I’d be surprised if we didn’t see more waterproof options on the market next year. Until then, I’ll be on the beach sipping a Mai Tai and Instagramming pictures of my feet underwater.

7.2 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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Phone Scoop‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Sony created a very nice smartphone with the Xperia Z. It’s an attractive device that has top-class hardware and a long feature list to go with it. The Z was particularly impressive as a voice phone, and battery life was great. The device is water resistant as Sony claims, but the hatches needed to protect it from water are somewhat of a pain to use. The two-sided glass design means you have to be a bit more careful than you would with a plastic or metal phone, though. In terms of the software, nearly every app and service worked well. The Xperia Z clearly has Sony's stamp on the Android operating system, but that's a good thing. I found the user interface to be flexible and quick; the camera software allows for plenty of shooting customizations; and the media options are endless. Toss in excellent performance from the camera, and a fine viewing experience on the beautiful screen, and the Z is a media powerhouse. T-Mobile landed a winner with the Z, a solid competitor to the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4. If you're looking for an alternative to those models, the Z should be the one you consider.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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ephotozine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Xperia Z was announced in January 2013 at CES and is a smart phone with a 13 megapixel Exmor RS image sensor. You can also shoot HDR pictures and videos as well as shoot in Superior Auto mode. It is available for around £500 or free on a mobile phone contract.

6.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Aug 28, 2013

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Xperia Z is a powerful, sleek new smartphone for splash-prone T-Mobile customers.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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Gizmodo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

While we certainly like it more than the Xperia ZL, we'd definitely never recommend it over the HTC One or Galaxy S4. Maybe if you constantly find yourself the victim of dunk tanks, but if that's the case, Which phone should I buy? is hardly your biggest problem. It looks great, but it underperforms, and unlike with the Xperia Tablet Z (which we really liked) that under-performance is likely to become a more serious nuisance. You'll be able to walk into a Sony store as of today and buy the Xperia Z for $0 down and $25 a month for 24 months, or you can just pay $580 for it up front. T-Mobile customers will have to wait another week. They will be able to pre-order the phone on July 16th for $100 upfront followed by $20 a month for 24 months. It'll hit T-Mobile retail stores and begin shipping the next day. The Xperia Z definitely isn't bad, it just isn't awesome, either. And these days, awesome is what it takes.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Xperia Z is a surprise. From our original review, we knew it was a solid performer, but even with the Galaxy S 4 and the HTC One on the scene, it’s impressive how well it holds up to – and, in some cases, out-performs – its newer rivals. In fact, with all three flagships having shown their best side, we’re leaning toward judging the Xperia Z as the best all-round Android phone of the moment.At $99.99 down and then $20 per month – on top of service charges – for the duration of a two-year agreement, the Xperia Z is well priced, too. Great battery life, a highly capable camera, usable durability without the normal addition of heft, and sophisticated, discrete styling add up to a smartphone that rightly deserves the attention Samsung and HTC have been getting.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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CNET Reviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Let me spell this out right up front. The Xperia Z is the best mobile handset Sony has ever built. Unfortunately, in today's cutthroat mobile world populated with two mighty titans locked in a struggle to the death for mobile phone supremacy, Samsung and HTC (three, if you count Apple), Sony's efforts are not quite enough. At the same price, $99.99 down on T-Mobile, both the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 offer faster processors, better screens, and way longer battery life than the Xperia Z. The Xperia's camera, while it snaps superb photos, can't match the agility of the GS4's or One's imaging system. That's why the clear Android choice on T-Mobile remains the Galaxy S4 if you want every feature under the sun in a smartphone, while the HTC One will appeal to shoppers craving luxurious build quality. I suggest buying the Xperia Z only if a water- and dust-resistant phone is your main objective or you are particularly loyal to the Sony brand and entertainment ecosystem.

7.7 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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MobileBurn‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Xperia Z looks like the perfect phone. It has a big display, a fast processor, a waterproof design, and software that actually enhances the experience rather than impedes it. However, nothing that looks perfect rarely ever is perfect. The Xperia Z has a big display with over-the-top brightness that doesn't do much good outdoors. It has a fast processor, but not quite as fast as the competition. It has a tight form and prettier software, but is that enough to make someone overlook the annoying flaps that necessitate its ability to resist water? The Xperia Z is a phone that makes a heck of a first impression and slowly reveals some small flaws that may chip away at someone's patience. Most people will be able to overlook those flaws without issue considering the tradeoffs. The Xperia Z is on the large side, but we've seen people willing to put up with larger than normal phones to a point that "large" is the new normal. When it comes to devices that can resist water, the Xperia Z is more appealing than all of them. Add a decent camera, strong battery life, and unobtrusive software, it's easy to see why someone might be willing to stick around.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Xperia Z is a great phone and one of the best options on T-Mobile. Though T-Mobile users have a lot of other choices – the Nexus 4, Galaxy S4, HTC One, BlackBerry Z10, Galaxy Note 2, and iPhone 5 – the Xperia Z is the only device that is dust and water proof. If water damage is something you fear, you may want to choose the Z. Luckily, you don’t have to trade performance for water resistance. The Xperia Z is a beauty, but it’s also one tough phone.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jul 10, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

So, if you chose the Sony Xperia Z for the looks and the water resistance, you don't need us telling you it's money well spent. By the way, we are certain that many bought the Xperia Z because there was nothing better on the market at the time. This will be the reasoning of future Galaxy S4 owners too. To be fair though, that's easier said about the Xperia Z then, than it is for the Galaxy S4 now. Oh well, it's a compliment that goes both ways. And rightfully so.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 31, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The HTC One and Sony Xperia Z are the pride and joy of their respective manufacturers. In the videos dedicated to their design stories you can clearly see how passionate the teams are about their products. Fittingly, the Xperia Z and HTC One are two of the best looking handsets on the market right now. HTC went with a gorgeous (but sadly hard to manufacture) aluminum unibody and made the phone it wanted, instead of chasing the current trend of 5" screens and large resolution cameras. The One may miss on some standard equipment like notification area toggles but is loaded with features exclusive to HTC. It also was the first premium flagship to give up on the megapixel race and look for innovation in another direction. The One is the rebel of this generation Android flagships, if you will.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 05, 2013

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The Register‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There’s a lot to like about the Xperia Z not least the build quality, waterproofing and very efficient packaging. But I’m not wholly sure that’s going to be enough to see off the competition from HTC’s One - smaller, 4.7-inch screen notwithstanding - or the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Xperia Z is just a bit plain when compared to the HTC, which offers some unique features like the excellent front-facing speakers and the equally excellent 4Mp big pixel camera. The S4 meanwhile is loaded with so many trick - if perhaps unnecessary - features I don’t know where to begin. I expected the Xperia Z to trump both with a class-leading screen and a class-leading camera but frankly it doesn’t, and you have to tolerate an Android overlay that’s starting to look just a wee bit dated.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 19, 2013

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PhotographyBLOG‘s review Edit Like Unlike

We have few real gripes with the Xperia Z - only its poor low-light performance would prevent us from using it more often for general snapshots. If you only have room in your pocket or bag for a smartphone that takes decent pictures and video, we can certainly recommend the new Sony Xperia Z.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 12, 2013

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Engadget‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It's been five months since Sony's last phone, Xperia T, was released. During that review, we noted that while Sony had perfected the art of the press shot, the hardware really didn't live up to the fantasy. Particularly in comparison to an iPhone, Lumia or HTC's One series, it did the Sony brand a disservice. So, it's a relief to see the company now making a concerted effort to make a premium phone -- and that's what this is. If you weren't sold on the older polycarbonate look, perhaps Sony's new beauty will be more to your tastes. Exactly how much rough and tumble the Xperia Z's glossy sides will stomach remains a mystery, but after our testing period the phone is still free of scratches. We also applaud Sony for bringing water resistance to its new phone. Protection from an early watery grave often meant settling for less when it came to design or performance, but that's certainly not the case with the Xperia Z.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb 20, 2013

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MobileBurn‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Xperia Z needs to be a hit. Sony has been a giant in consumer electronics for decades, but the company's reputation for quality products hasn't translated to success in the Android smartphone race. Despite CEO Kaz Hirai proclaiming earlier this year that Sony believes it has a realistic shot at being the third most successful smartphone vendor, its Xperia line has failed to provide the breakthrough device to propel the company to a leading sales position.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 28, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

There's no doubt that the Sony Xperia Z is one very capable smartphone. It has a pretty cool appearance and can easily execute whatever task you want. Still, the Samsung Galaxy S4 seems to be the more appealing handset overall. Its design may not be anything to write home about, but it's compact and comfortable to hold, despite the presence of an equally large 5” screen. When it comes to features, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is once again the better-equipped handset thanks to the multitude of user experience enhancements delivered by the latest TouchWiz Nature interface. Sony has definitely created one powerful device with the Xperia Z, but they'll have to do even better than that if they want to be a real challenge for the best in the industry. Improving their designs from practical standpoint and enhancing their user experiences would be great places to start from.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 27, 2013

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

All in all, it shouldn't be a tough pick between the HTC One or the Xperia Z for you. Sony's flagship might look a bit rough around the edges, compared to the sleek aluminum One, but there's a perfectly good reason for that – its waterproof chassis will be a godsend for many a careless or outdoorsy owner, and it is easier to hold and operate with one hand with the rubberized sides. If you are the type that babies their handset, though, the HTC One will offer a better screen, faster processor, stellar audio experience, IR blaster and superior video capture, on top of what the Xperia Z delivers. Both handsets cost around the same, and are likely to keep value in a similar manner, so it mostly depends on whether you need the elements-proofing of the Z, or the extra features of the One.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 22, 2013

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

With an extremely similar set of specifications it's hard to make a clear call between the Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z. Key areas in making a decision are design and the custom versions of Android. Look out for our full Samsung Galaxy S4 review soon.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 15, 2013

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ubergizmo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Xperia Z is an extremely elegant and well built smartphone that deliver serious performance. Knowing that 43% of Smartphones accidents occur with water, we can highly appreciate the water resistance feature. Leveraging its craftsmanship in imaging technology, Sony pushed the envelope on the camera side. The user experience is great, thanks to the awesomely designed application and the performance is really good, especially in low light, thanks to its brand new EXMOR RS sensor. We would have liked a slightly better battery longevity, however we know that there is always a trade-off for ultra slim bodies when it comes to power consumption. Additionally, we suspect that the 1080p screen might require more juice than regular resolution displays. The 5-inch display with high pixel density (443 ppi) is a feast when it comes to watch a video, the image is crisp and clear and the viewing experience is quite comfortable despite the relatively small screen size (compared to a TV or a larger tablet).

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 04, 2013

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TheVerge‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Much like the Xperia S that came before it, the Xperia Z suffers from the unfortunate duality of being both Sony’s best phone to date and a merely average Android handset. There’s just no getting around the fact that Sony remains one step behind the competition. It stacks up a heaving spec sheet just as specs begin to matter least, it introduces an all-glass design just as others start to move away from it, and, most importantly, it fails to provide a compelling argument for purchasing it ahead of HTC, Samsung, or even LG’s alternatives. Water and dust resistance is a rare and valuable trait for a phone of this size and the battery Stamina mode is legitimately useful, but together they just don’t add up to enough to make this device truly desirable. Sony loyalists and Android purists will find a few things to like, however the Xperia Z’s lasting legacy will be one of unfulfilled potential and inadequate differentiation.

7.2 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 11, 2013

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Sony's desire was to portray the best Sony experience in a smartphone with its two latest Xperia models. The Xperia Z and its next of kin have certainly turned heads since the initial unveiling at CES. And after a week with the device, we found the Xperia Z, specifically, shows that Sony means business, even if it didn't knock this one out of the park. The display, while meant to be a standout feature, is hardly the best 5-inch 1080p display we've seen. Water-resistance and dust-proofing only mean so much on a device that's twice as susceptible to shattering. And Sony needs to spend some time researching ergonomics. Even if all 5-inch phones are unwieldy to use one-handed, the button placement on the Xperia Z is extremely awkward and difficult to use without a second hand.

8.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 13, 2013

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brighthand‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Sony wisely decided to present its flagship model of the year at CES, nearly two months before MWC, using this period to improve the purchasers' concept of the Xperia series. Aware of the fact that it offers a technologically superior device, Sony has returned to the brotherhood of phone makers who set the bar higher. The company also enjoyed a great deal of attention which it would not have enjoyed if it had made its annoncment in Barcelona next week, among the more aggressive competition, as rival device's displays will surely not have the same contrast and viewing-angle difficulties. Despite the stated shortcoming regarding the display, the Xperia Z is a device that offers fantastic performance, excellent imaging sharpness, and outstanding multimedia applications and connection options with other devices, making it the most suitable smartphone on the market for entertainment enthusiasts and one of the best smartphones in general. There is clearly room for improvement... as there is clearly room for Sony on the market.

9.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Feb 20, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

This must be the best time in a while to be a Sony fan. The year since parting ways with Ericsson has been one of filling in the blanks - fulfilling fans' wildest dreams was not too high on the agenda. This is not to say that the brand's loyal followers were let down over and over again. It's just that they had to teach themselves patience. Well, those who did have their reward at last. The Xperia Z is a burst of confidence and inspiration that will rally the troops and send a warning to the opposition. Another message is delivered too, loud and clear: Ericsson is no longer a haunting shadow. Sony has moved on. It wasn't too hard for the Xperia Z to steal the spotlight at CES - the phone has killer looks to match the wealth of skill and power. True, there wasn't much to draw the attention away from Sony's flagship but in hindsight, the top-tier rivals did well to excuse themselves.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Feb 17, 2013

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

When all's said and done, the current crop of Android flagships are a huge improvement from what we've seen in the past, even when compared to just a generation ago. If you're willing to look beyond their few flaws - the Xperia Z's less than stellar screen and the Butterfly's limited availability - the HTC and Sony 1080p offerings are both pinnacles of great technology. Here's hoping that what's next is even better.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 12, 2013

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