What's good
- Bright Display
- Good call quality
- Fast processor
What's bad
- Short battery charge
- Narrow viewing angles
- Sluggish camera
A slight variation of the Xperia Z, the Sony Xperia ZL is a top tier smartphone featuring a 5.0” LCD display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor, Adreno 320 graphics processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB internal storage - expandable to 64GB via microSDHC.
The 1920 x 1080 resolution display impressed many reviewers, however many also noted that the viewing angles of the 5.0” were limited. Engadget said, “look askew at the LCD to any significant degree and colors will quickly wash out, invert or otherwise deviate from their intended hues,” And CNET said colors were “vibrant and details were sharp, whether I was viewing photos or reading e-books and Web pages.”
The phone features a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front facing camera. Both cameras can record video in 1080p at 30 frames per second, and the main camera offers LED flash and a number of shooting modes, including 10-frames-per-second burst shooting.
While reviewers generally liked the camera, some mentioned that there was some lag in opening the app. “The app could take a few seconds just to start up, wasting enough time to miss a golden moment,” Engadget said.
Additional features include a non-removable battery rated by Sony at up to 15 hours of talk time, NFC capability and an Android/Sony UI hybrid OS. The Xperia Z1 also functions as a TV remote control.
Reviewers generally seemed pleased with the Xperia Z1. Phonearena summed it up by saying, “with the Z1, Sony has not only caught up with the competition. It's safe to say that it has even managed to leapfrog it in some areas”.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Cory Gunther, Android CommunityOverall we enjoyed using the Sony Xperia ZL, and like what it offers over the Z before it. Sadly the expensive price off-contract makes it a tough sell. Maybe getting this for $99 from AT&T with a new contract would make the pill easier to swallow, but that’s just a guess. The device is pr...
- Clinton Jeff, UnleashThePhonesI’ll admit, when I first saw the Sony Xperia ZL, I wasnt even half as impressed with it, as I was with the Xperia Z. It doesnt quite have the visual flare of Sony’s main flagship phone, but the more I used it, the more I realised that it was actually a pretty decent phone. While the Xpe...
- Eric M. Zeman, Phone ScoopThe Sony ZL is a good phone, but it is a tough phone to recommend. I wish the hardware were a little bit better, but it's an improvement over Sony's earlier efforts just the same. The dazzling screen certainly impresses, and the ZL was great at connecting to AT&T's network. It’s too bad ca...
- K. T. Bradford, Digital TrendsThe Sony Xperia ZL has a few minor issues, but if you can put up with odd button placement and vibration, this is a solid unlocked phone.
- Chris Burns, SlashGearThe Sony XPERIA ZL takes what the Sony XPERIA Z was good at – and remains good at – and puts it in a slightly more hand-friendly form factor. If you’d like your handset to have a massive amount of glass, you’ll want the Z. If instead you want a slightly less pretty machine th...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Sony Xperia ZL 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 $539.99. You can compare Xperia ZL prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia ZL user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia ZL with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia ZL 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.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Sony Xperia ZL Manual (PDF)
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