As expected and even anticipated, Sony has revealed its mobile hand at IFA 2015. And like what the leaks and rumors have said, there are indeed three members of the Xperia Z5 family, the main Xperia Z5, the smaller Xperia Z5 Compact, and the larger Xperia Z5 Premium. Sadly, those same unofficial sources have mostly been right about the specs and features of these smartphones, which might disappoint those who have had high hopes for Sony’s new smartphone line. We take a first glance at this trio through SlashGear’s eyes.
Sony Xperia Z5
We first take a look at the Xperia Z5 itself, since it is the standard by which the other two will be judged. It also bears the core specs that will also define this new generation. Those expecting a significantly higher or better smartphone than the Xperia Z4 will have their hopes dashed. Contrary to leaks that would have us believe at a 2K display, the 5.2-inch screen on the Xperia Z5 is still squarely in Full HD territory. And the processor? Still the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 that has marred both Sony’s and Qualcomm’s reputations. There is 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage with the conventional microSD card expansion.
Design-wise, again not much has changed. The OmniBalance design language is still there, though now it is accented with an engraved XPERIA name on one of the rim edges.
One curious change from the outside is a new fingerprint scanner, in a location you probably didn’t expect. It’s underneath the power button, which in Sony’s case means on the right edge of the device. Not the front, not the back. The edge. Here’s how it works:
The highlight of the Xperia Z5 is really the new camera sensor, a large 1/2.3-inch 23 megapixel Exmor RS. Sony boasts of a 0.03 sec super fast Hybrid AF, claimed to be the fastest in the smartphone camera market. It also has a 5x Clear Image Zoom, which is possibly what it was teasing before with a “greater focus”. Of course, we’ll need to put it to the real test before can truly judge if the camera is worth all of Sony’s marketing spiels.
• CPU: 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
• RAM: 3 GB
• Storage: 32 GB, microSD up to 200 GB
• Display: 5.2 inches, 1920×1080
• OS: Android 5.1
• Main Camera: 1/2.3-inch 23 megapixels Sony Exmor RS, Hybrid AF 0.03, 5x Clear Image Zoom, 8x Digital Zoom, wide-angle 24 mm G lens, Pulse LED Flash
• Secondary Camera: 5 megapixels Sony Exmor R, wide-angle 25 mm lens
• Network: GSM, 4G LTE Cat. 6
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi MIMO, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFC
• Battery: 2,900 mAh, non-removable
• Dimensions: 154.4 x 76.0 x 7.8 mm
• Weight: 180 g
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
Like before, the Xperia Z5 Compact offers, in theory, a smaller and more affordable alternative to those who prefer Sony’s aesthetics and technology but couldn’t justify splurging on a high-end flagship. Inside, the Xperia Z5 Compact has almost the same specs as the main flagship, of course with a few adjustments. The processor is still the Snapdragon 810, but RAM is a gigabyte lower at 2 GB. Curiously, storage is the same 32 GB. The display is smaller and also lower, now at 4.6 inches and 720p resolution. The camera, on the other hand, is exactly the same as the Xperia Z5’s, reinforcing the idea that the camera is the main attraction here.
While the Xperia Z5 is metal all around, the compact version shows some plastic on the rim, done in the same colors as the body. Still, there’s some room for the same fingerprint scanner on, or rather below, the power button.
• CPU: 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
• RAM: 2 GB
• Storage: 32 GB, microSD up to 200 GB
• Display: 4.6 inches, 1280×720
• OS: Android 5.1
• Main Camera: 1/2.3-inch 23 megapixels Sony Exmor RS, Hybrid AF 0.03, 5x Clear Image Zoom, 8x Digital Zoom, wide-angle 24 mm G lens, Pulse LED Flash
• Secondary Camera: 5 megapixels Sony Exmor R, wide-angle 25 mm lens
• Network: GSM, 4G LTE Cat. 6
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi SISO, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFC
• Battery: 2,700 mAh, non-removable
• Dimensions: 127 x 65 x 8.9 mm
• Weight: 138 g
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
The real headliner is really the Xperia Z5 Premium. Take the Xperia Z5, stretch it to 5.5 inches and slap on a 4K display. Yes, the 4K rumors are true. That’s 806 ppi, which is quite above what our eyes will be able to normally distinguish. We’ll have to take it for an in-depth spin to see (no pun intended) just how practical and sensible this technology really is.
Aside from that, however, there really is nothing to differentiate it from the Xperia Z5, so in the end you will be left with a choice between a 5.2-inch FHD Xperia Z5 and a more expensive 5.5-inch UHD Xperia Z5 Premium. No 2K in between.
• CPU: 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
• RAM: 3 GB
• Storage: 32 GB, microSD up to 200 GB
• Display: 5.5 inches, 3840×2160
• OS: Android 5.1
• Main Camera: 1/2.3-inch 23 megapixels Sony Exmor RS, Hybrid AF 0.03, 5x Clear Image Zoom, 8x Digital Zoom, wide-angle 24 mm G lens, Pulse LED Flash
• Secondary Camera: 5 megapixels Sony Exmor R, wide-angle 25 mm lens
• Network: GSM, 4G LTE Cat. 6
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi MIMO, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, NFC
• Battery: 3,430 mAh, non-removable
• Dimensions: 154.4 x 76.0 x 7.8 mm
• Weight: 180 g
Avaiability
The Sony Xperia Z5 will be available in Gold, Ice White, Graphite Black, and Green color options, depending on the retailer and carrier, starting October, in both single and dual SIM configurations. The Xperia Z5 Compact has White, Graphite Black, Coral, and Yellow and will also become available next month but only in a single SIM variant. The Xperia Z5 Premium will Chrome, Black, and Gold options, in single and dual SIM choices, but won’t arrive until November. Prices have yet to be announced.
why released in October… it’s too long….