What's good
- Incredibly fast autofocus
- Camera offers excellent color and contrast in all lighting situations
- Good processor performance
- Sleek design
- Display has excellent color vibrancy and viewing angles
What's bad
- Occasional pauses when loading apps
- Phone heats up even during basic use
- Sharp edges makes it uncomfortable to hold
After only a few months on the market, Sony replaced the Z3+ with the Z5. Although there are some new features on the Z5, critics were not surprised to see that there wasn't any huge innovation with this iteration of Sony's flagship phone. Like its predecessors, the Z5 is a mostly glass and metal affair with plastic on the corners. Unlike earlier Z-series phones, reviewers point out the back glass of the Z5 has a frosted finish, which not only helped prevent scratches and smudges but also gave it what they call a more "refined" appearance. While it looks good, they warn the sides of the phone stick out from the glass giving it a sharp feel. Still, they add it still has a premium look and feel and has the added bonus of being dust and waterproof. Perhaps the biggest change design-wise is the oblong power button along the side. This change is due to the new fingerprint scanner which, according to reviewers, works perfectly regardless of which hand they used.
Not much has changed from the Z3+ to the Z5 in terms of the display. It comes with the same 5.2-inch full HD (1,080 x 1,920) IPS display topped with glass. While not game changing, experts still consider it "perfectly good" with deep blacks and punchy color without being too over-saturated. They also appreciated the brightness levels and viewing angles as they were able to read the screen even in sunny conditions. Still, experts agree it can't stand against the contrast and accurate colors of the Samsung's or Apple's display though Alphr adds, "…it’s the match of anything else on the market right now."
The octa-core processor comes with four 2.0GHz processors that kick in for more intense tasks and four 1.5GHz ones for more basic tasks all backed up with 3GB of RAM. In practice, reviewers didn't experience any lag when multi-tasking or playing even the most processor intensive games though there was the occasional long pause when opening apps. They did, however, notice it got quite warm even during simple tasks. Other internal specs include 32GB of internal storage backed up with a micoSD card for additional storage. A 2,900mAh battery kept the Z5 running for about 2 days when critics used it lightly.
Sony has not only upgraded its rear camera to a 23MP snapper they also have what they consider the fastest autofocus on the market at 0.03 seconds. While experts did not time it to the exact millisecond, they do agree that it is the fastest they have seen so far and offered clear and in-focus pictures every time. The image they captured came out vibrant with excellent details and contrast in bright, low and every other lighting situation in between thanks to the fast autofocus and optical image stabilization.
The Sony Xperia Z5 garnered high praise and recommendations from reviewers. Recombu states, "Sony's Xperia Z5 is one of the most desirable and feature-packed phone of 2015…" PC Advisor states, "There's no doubt that the Xperia Z5 is a solid flagship smartphone from Sony…"
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Michael Desjardin, ReviewedThe Xperia Z5 is a powerful smartphone that gets the job done in a no-nonsense, business-like manner. It also happens to be equipped with a jaw-droppingly good camera and a relatively affordable price tag, which goes a long way in making up for its cumbersome software and physical design. Unfortunat...
- Henry Wiygul, Android GuysIf you are looking for a well-designed phone that can take a beating, flies through performance, takes mostly good photos, and looks stunning doing it, there are not many other phones out there that fit this description better than the Xperia Z5. Couple all of that with a near stock experience and r...
- Ajay Kumar, PC MagazineThe unlocked Sony Xperia Z5 is an attractive Android phone with solid performance, but there are better options available for the price.
- Jen Karner, Android CommunityIf you've been looking for a good phone rocking a fantastic camera, then you should definitely take a look at the Sony Xperia Z5. It's got a beautiful display, a long-lasting battery, and a design that's easy on the eyes — even if it doesn't always feel solid in your hand. The processor should...
- Pippa Tshabalala, GearburnThere will always be things we don’t like about a phone, but overall the Sony Xperia Z5 is a quality phone that performs well and looks good. It takes great photos and the battery life is substantial. So if you need a workhorse with a decent amount of processing power, the Z5 is a good choice.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia Z5 user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia Z5 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia Z5 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 Z5 Manual (PDF)
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