Sony Xperia Z1 Compact / D5503

Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact
Xperia Z1 Compact

Overview:

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, also known by its model number D5503, was introduced in early 2014. It was a unique offering in the smartphone market, providing flagship-level specifications in a more compact form factor. This was Sony’s answer to consumers who wanted high-end performance without the bulk of larger devices.

Features:

  • Operating System: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, upgradable to Android 5.1 Lollipop.
  • Display: 4.3-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, protected by shatterproof glass.
  • Processor: Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400, powered by the Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 chipset.
  • Memory: 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB, and 2 GB RAM.
  • Camera: 20.7 MP rear camera with LED flash, autofocus, and a 2 MP front camera.
  • Battery: 2300 mAh non-removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS.
  • Other Features: IP58 certified – dustproof and water-resistant over 1 meter for 30 minutes, FM Radio, and a dedicated camera button.

Pros:

  • Compact Design: A high-end smartphone in a smaller, more manageable size.
  • Impressive Camera: The 20.7 MP camera was one of the standout features, offering excellent image quality.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: The IP58 certification provided added durability.
  • Performance: Powered by a Snapdragon 800 chipset, the phone offered smooth performance and could handle demanding tasks with ease.
  • Expandable Storage: The inclusion of a microSD slot was a welcome feature for many users.

Cons:

  • Battery Life: While decent, the 2300 mAh battery could struggle to last a full day with heavy use.
  • Non-Removable Battery: Some users prefer the option to swap out batteries.
  • Screen Brightness: In direct sunlight, the screen could be a bit challenging to view.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2014, the smartphone market was highly competitive. The Xperia Z1 Compact faced competition from:

  • iPhone 5s: Apple’s flagship at the time, offering a similar compact form factor with a 4-inch display and a 64-bit A7 chipset.
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini: Samsung’s smaller version of its flagship, though the Z1 Compact had superior specs.
  • HTC One Mini: Another compact version of a flagship, with a 4.3-inch display and a stylish aluminum body.

Launch Date:

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact was announced in January 2014 and released in February 2014.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Overheating: Some users reported the device could get quite warm, especially when using the camera for extended periods.
  • Software Updates: While the phone did receive updates, some users felt Sony was slow in rolling out the latest Android versions.
  • Flap Durability: The protective flaps covering the ports (a necessity for its water resistance) could wear out or break with frequent use.

Conclusion:

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact was a breath of fresh air in a market dominated by increasingly larger smartphones. It proved that consumers didn’t need to compromise on performance or features when opting for a smaller device. While it had its shortcomings, it was well-received by those who valued portability alongside top-tier specifications.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact was part of Sony’s Z5 series, and as the name suggests, it was the compact variant of the flagship Z5. Launched in 2015, the Z5 Compact aimed to deliver flagship-level performance in a smaller, more manageable form factor. Here’s an in-depth review of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact:

Overview:

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact was designed for users who wanted a high-end smartphone experience without the larger sizes that had become the norm. It was a testament to Sony’s commitment to offering powerful devices in compact sizes, a niche that wasn’t heavily catered to by other manufacturers.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), with subsequent updates available.
  2. Display: 4.6-inch HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: 2 GB RAM with 32 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 23 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and a 5.1 MP front camera.
  6. Battery: A 2700 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: IP68 dust/waterproof, fingerprint sensor, NFC, and front-facing stereo speakers.

Pros:

  1. Compact Size: The 4.6-inch form factor was perfect for users who preferred a more manageable device size without compromising on performance.
  2. Performance: Despite its size, the Z5 Compact packed the same Snapdragon 810 processor as its bigger siblings, ensuring smooth performance.
  3. Camera: The 23 MP camera was capable of capturing detailed images, making it one of the best in its class.
  4. Battery Life: The 2700 mAh battery combined with the HD display ensured good battery life.

Cons:

  1. Overheating: The Snapdragon 810, known for its heating issues, was a concern, especially during intensive tasks.
  2. Display Resolution: While the HD resolution was adequate for its size, some users expected a Full HD display given the device’s premium positioning.
  3. RAM: 2 GB of RAM was a bit on the lower side, especially when multitasking.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Xperia Z5 Compact faced competition from:

  • iPhone SE (1st generation): Offering a 4-inch display, Apple’s A9 chip, and a focus on a compact iOS experience.
  • Samsung Galaxy S6: Although not a direct competitor in terms of size, the S6 offered a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display and a premium design.

Launch Date:

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact was announced in September 2015 and released in October 2015.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Overheating: As mentioned, the Snapdragon 810’s heating issues were a concern, especially during extended camera usage or 4K video recording.
  2. Software Updates: Some users felt that the updates were slower than expected, especially given the device’s premium positioning.
  3. Build Quality: Some users reported issues with the build, including gaps between the frame and the display.

Conclusion:

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact was a unique offering in the smartphone market, catering to users who wanted a compact device without compromising on performance. It packed most of the flagship features of the Z5 series into a smaller form factor. While it had its strengths, especially in terms of size and performance, it faced challenges in terms of overheating and certain specifications. For users who prioritized a compact form factor and were fans of Sony’s design and camera capabilities, the Z5 Compact was a compelling choice in the market.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Release 2015, November

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Network Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 – E6853
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300) – E6853
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps
GPRS Up to 107 kbps
EDGE Up to 296 kbps
Launch Announced 2015, September
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2015, November
Body Dimensions 154.4 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.08 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)
Weight 180 g (6.35 oz)
SIM Nano-SIM
– IP68 certified – dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
– Fingerprint sensor
Display Type IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 5.5 inches (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 2160 x 3840 pixels (~806 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch Yes, up to 10 fingers
Protection Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Platform OS Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810
CPU Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU Adreno 430
Memory Card slot microSD, up to 200 GB
Internal 32 GB, 3 GB RAM
Camera Primary 23 MP, 5520 х 4140 pixels, phase detection autofocus, LED flash
Features Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video 2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Secondary 5.1 MP, 1080p, HDR
Sound Alert types Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack Yes
– High-Res audio
Comms WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth v4.1, A2DP, apt-X
GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS/ Beidou (market dependant)
NFC Yes
Radio FM radio with RDS
USB microUSB v2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), USB Host
Features Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Messaging SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, IM, Push Email
Browser HTML5
Java No
– Fast battery charging: 60% in 30 min (Quick Charge 2.0)
– ANT+ support
– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– Xvid/MP4/H.265 player
– MP3/eAAC+/WAV/Flac player
– Document viewer
– Photo/video editor
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion 3430 mAh battery

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium was a flagship smartphone released by Sony 2015, November. It offered several advantages that set it apart from similar phones of its time. One of its standout features was its display. The Xperia Z5 Premium was one of the first smartphones to feature a 4K resolution display, which provided incredibly sharp and detailed visuals. This made it a great device for multimedia consumption, gaming, and virtual reality experiences.

Another advantage of the Xperia Z5 Premium was its camera capabilities. It boasted a 23-megapixel rear camera that delivered impressive image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The camera app offered manual controls, allowing users to fine-tune their photography settings. Additionally, the device had a dedicated camera button, making it convenient to launch the camera app and capture photos quickly.

In terms of design, the Xperia Z5 Premium had a sleek and premium look with a glass back and metal frame. It also featured water and dust resistance, adding to its durability and making it suitable for outdoor use. The device had a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, which provided convenient and secure biometric authentication.

However, the Xperia Z5 Premium did have some drawbacks. One significant disadvantage was its battery life. The 4K display, while visually impressive, put a significant strain on the battery, resulting in less-than-optimal endurance. Users often found themselves needing to recharge the phone multiple times throughout the day, especially with heavy usage.

Another downside was the software experience. While the Xperia Z5 Premium initially launched with Android 5.1 Lollipop, it received updates up to Android 7.1 Nougat. However, compared to other flagship devices at the time, Sony’s software updates were often slower and less frequent. This meant that users had to wait longer for the latest Android features and security patches.

In terms of competition, the Xperia Z5 Premium faced tough competition from other flagship smartphones of its time. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the LG G4 offered comparable performance and camera quality, while also providing better battery life and software experiences.

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium had some notable advantages such as its 4K display and impressive camera capabilities. Its design and durability were also commendable. However, its battery life was a significant drawback, and its software updates were not as timely as its competitors. While it was a unique device with its 4K display, it faced tough competition from other flagship smartphones that offered more well-rounded experiences.