Sony’s Xperia series has been a strong contender in the flagship phone market for a few years now and it hit the market strong bringing with it the waterproof feature.  Samsung and Apple dabbled in water proofing to revert back to their “water is bad” devices, whereas Sony has continued to pump out powerful smartphones that are not scared of a touch of water. The Z5 is no exception.

From the moment I started up the Z5 I was impressed with the Operating System’s speed.  Having used flagship phones of previous manufacturers before (including Sony’s) I never considered them slow,  but the Z5 running Android Lollipop out of the box caught me by surprise just how fast and smooth it felt, from just using the OS, to switching between apps.  I never considered any of my previous flagship phones to be running Android slow and as such I was not expecting it to run so much better.

Bloatware is the current scourge of Android smartphones and these days (with the exception of Nexus) we have all come to expect some bloatware (applications preinstalled on the phone) on our new smartphones.  Though I was pleasantly surprised how little there was on the Z5.  That is not to say there is not any.

Being a Sony product it of course comes with the Playstation apps (which I left on the device as I find them very useful), but I only spent about 15 minutes removing all of the apps I did not want.  With other flagship models I have found this can be an hour long task not including the ones I missed.

It is no secret that one issue the Xperia series has had is over-heating.  As they have got more powerful the phones have become noticeably hotter and rightly this has been a concern for users.

The Z5 has done a great job of transferring the heat so that it does not get too hot to hold, at least that is the case when using it upright.  What they have done is using some clever engineering they move the heat to the top of the phone.  For most phone uses that is not an issue, but when it comes to tasks holding the phone sideways (like a large selection of gaming titles) one hand is going to get uncomfortably warm.

So when I was browsing the internet, reading and writing emails, or playing Peggle Blast, it was not even slightly an issue.  When I was playing Hearthstone, I found it annoying, it was not unbearable, just really annoying.

Though the Z5 has a smaller battery than some flagship phones, Sony did what it could to make the battery life more efficient and surprisingly (even to a cynic like myself) the battery life is good.

With my 18 month old flagship phone with a normal day (including receiving and sending work emails, playing games like Hearthstone on the bus and on lunch, doing most of my internet browsing, streaming videos and any other day to day tasks) I get to around 4 pm and have to start conserving battery life so it can get home to be put on the charger.

With the Z5, I found myself using the power heavy tasks more often and I still got to bed without the phone dying.  The day I hammered it the most I found I had 5% left (7 am-11:30 pm on heavy use), so for the power users you still are not going to get more than a day out of it.  But it beats having to keep a charger on you for mid-day charges.

The Fingerprint Sensor is a feature in this generation of phones that I have been skeptical of and being totally honest, I thought it would be a gimmick that may last a year or two.

Sony has put their one on the power (and lock) button, which means that to use the fingerprint function, you only need to keep your thumb on the button for a second more to unlock it,  which in my opinion is genius.  When you initially set it up you move your thumb around so it picks up different parts of your thumb, so make sure you get all of the angles of your thumb at this stage.  I found during the week and a half of using the phone, it failed to pick up my fingerprint once, which with probably between 25 and 50 unlocks a day (conservative figure) is pretty impressive, and is much simpler than using a pin or pattern every time.

Waterproofing is a key feature in Sony’s pocket .  They heavily warn to not submerge the phone as it is not waterproofed enough to handle that, but it is still far above none.  Personally I have always been hesitant to pull my phone out of my pocket to even change the song that is playing because one drop in the wrong place will void the phones warranty and could be gone,  so with the minimal water proofing you do not have to worry about running a little water on the screen to wash it, or worry about pulling your phone out in the pouring rain to skip that pesky song.

Personally I found the Z5 to be a fantastic device.

It is a noticeable step up from its predecessors and they have incorporated new features like the fingerprint scanner in ways that feel natural, it certainly not hard to look at either.  It may not be quite as powerful as a couple of other flagship devices and the heat management is not perfect yet but with the confidence brought with waterproofing (like not panicking when the phone is sticking out of the kids mouths) that certainly makes up for some shortfalls and it will be a top contender for my personal biannual upgrade.

The post Sony Xperia Z5 Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Sony Mobile has informed us of the New Zealand availability and pricing for its new flagship smartphone series the Xperia Z5, and the Xperia Z5 Compact – both available for retailers from next week.

The Xperia Z5 Series brings the best next-generation camera capabilities to leading smartphones thanks to Sony’s Alpha camera technology, built to capture split-second moments at a ground breaking speed of just 0.03 seconds. All devices in the series feature the brand new 23 mega-pixel Exmor RS for mobile sensor, supporting the fastest autofocus on a smartphone.

The Xperia Z5 recently topped the DxOMark mobile rankings – the recognised industry standard for camera and lens image quality measurements and ratings. An impressive total of 87 points were awarded to the Xperia Z5, as the experts at DxO’s testing labs declared the smartphone to have the best photo and video scores amongst all mobile devices ever tested by DxO.

“Sony’s Xperia Z Series has consistently brought advanced innovation and technology to the mobile phone industry,” said John Featherstone, Sony Mobile Communications Head of Business Development for APAC and Market Head for Oceania. “We don’t believe in innovation for its own sake – it’s about listening to customer needs and ever changing behaviours. The Xperia Z5 Series has been developed to answer these – a best-in-class camera and imaging experience, our renowned battery life of up to two days, and all combined with new innovations in design. Since unveiling our new flagship smartphones at IFA in Berlin last month, anticipation has been building as to when Kiwis will be able to purchase them. So we are delighted to announce that the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact will be available for customers from next week.”

Designed for all lifestyles, the Xperia Z5 Series will provide the same flagship experience in a choice of form factors. Featuring Sony’s superb two-day battery life, each handset displays the company’s iconic craftsmanship, with premium materials used throughout.

Spills and splashes happen – but with the Xperia Z5 Series, there’s no need to worry. With the highest rating of IP65 and IP68 for water and dust resistance, when the rain comes, you won’t be running for cover. In addition, its new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable.

Full ranging details and price plans include:

The post Z5 Compact is Here! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

At IFA 2015, Sony Mobile unveiled its next-generation Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium – each engineered to make everyday experiences better.

“Smartphones are part of people’s lives,” said John Featherstone, Sony Mobile Communications Head of Business Development for APAC and Market Head for Oceania. ”Since users already create, share and enjoy most of their content on the go – we’ve set out to bring Sony’s latest innovations in camera, design and display to ensure the Xperia Z5 series is the best possible lifestyle and entertainment platform.”

Xperia Z5 features Sony’s brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RS for mobile 23MP sensor and F2.0 G Lens which is it’s Sony’s first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1, designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera Alpha technology for clear,  vivid imagery every time.

The camera is capable of the fastest autofocus in a smartphone, a powerful blend of speed and accuracy to capture split-second moments with ease. It delivers a ground-breaking speed of just 0.03 seconds – faster than the blink of a human eye (average 0.1 – 0.4 s), so whether you’re jumping for the frisbee in the park, diving into the pool or catching air on the vert ramp, you’ll have the power to preserve spontaneous action in real-time.

A combination of the large 23MP Exmor RS for mobile sensor and advanced processing software lets you get close to subjects; whether it be a landmark, architecture or other objects of interest, with 5x clear image zoom with minimum loss of quality. And, advancements in low-light photography mean you can capture clearer photos at night or in darker surroundings with less noise and blur – perfect for capturing a sunrise or night skyline.

With the continued popularity of content capture for social media, Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur.

Designed by leading creatives at Sony’s Creative Center studios in Sweden and Japan, Xperia Z5 presents a svelte continuous plate form, with a metal frame and frosted glass back. It’s striking, comfortable to hold and waterproof for everyday convenience. With a 5.2” display, sleek looks and Spring/Summer 2015 fashion and interior design cues, colours range from elegant to expressive for any personal style or taste; White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6” display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Xperia Z5 Compact lets you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black.

Both devices represent iconic Sony craftsmanship with premium materials throughout, including frosted glass finishing to the rear and a subtly etched Xperia logo side engraving, as well as capless USB for quick efficient connection and charging.

To the side, a new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable with a simple pick up and press in one natural movement. It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services – with news on first partners shared closer to launch.

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering.

Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10.

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5” 4K TRILUMINOS Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

And, why not port the memory card from Sony’s 4K Action Cam FDR-X1000V to Xperia Z5 Premium to enjoy your footage immediately – or simply connect to the big screen either wirelessly via DLNA or with MHL 3.0 to enjoy your content on a 4K TV.

Xperia Z5 Premium is designed from the ground up as a high-performance mobile device, also powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor. A high capacity 3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge capability eliminating the need for regular charging.

Xperia Z5 Premium features a large 32GB internal memory, with the capability to take a 200GB external microSD card, which offers extra room for 4K videos and movies, and images too. Xperia Z5 Premium also features Sony’s innovative memory on display feature – the data transfer between processor and device is optimised so Xperia Z5’s display memory technology remembers the display of images seen on your smartphone and caches the image or video so that you don’t need to reload the full image each time you view it – preserving battery power in the process.

Across the Xperia Z5 series, Sony’s rich expertise in audio technologies lets you enjoy sound in incredible detail and clarity. High-Res Audio reproduces high frequency sound for a studio quality experience. DSEE HX upscales the audio fidelity of your existing MP3, AAC or Spotify tracks to near High-Res Audio quality. And for high quality wireless music listening, Sony’s LDAC codec transmits data three times more efficiently than legacy codec over Bluetooth.

And now for the first time, Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio Headset MDR-NC750 allows you to enjoy combined Hi-Res Audio music with Digital Noise Cancelling – your tunes as they were intended to be heard, with ambient background noise reduced by up to 98%.

Keep playing your favourite PlayStation 4 (PS4) games wherever you are in the home with PS4 Remote Play^. Simply connect your Xperia Z5 series device to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller to ensure you never miss a minute of the action – whatever room you are in.

And to ensure you continue to enjoy the best experiences that Sony has to offer, all Xperia Z5 series users will benefit from access to Xperia Lounge Gold – delivering the world of Sony entertainment at your fingertips. Get access to exclusive competitions and offers; be among the first to try out new apps; and enjoy the latest movies, TV episodes and music included with your device.

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally from October 2015, and Xperia Z5 Premium from November 2015.

Local pricing and availability details for New Zealand and Australia will follow in the coming weeks.

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