Sony Mobile

Come for the Xperia Z5, Stay for the Free Sony Headphones

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 21, 2015 | 0 comments

If you live in the Nordics and you’ve been eyeing the Xperia Z5 Compact then listen up. If buying a premium flagship phone with all of its features wasn’t compelling enough, Sony is sweetening the deal by throwing in a free pair of their MDR-10RC headphones. Keep in mind, the Z5 Compact already comes with a pair of in-ear headphones – though the sound quality from the over-the-ear 10RC is far superior to that of the stock headphones. Valued at SEK 990 (around €105), if you’ve been eyeing a deal or a new pair of headphones, this might not be a bad offer to take Sony up on.

A promo video and the specific countries the promotion runs in await you after the jump.

Sony’s Xperia Z5 “Best Camera” Video is “Techfusing”

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 18, 2015 | 2 comments

Sony has released a new video to promote and educate us about the camera and technology that’s built into the Xperia Z5. In the video, Sony goes as far as to claim that the Z5 offers the

best camera in a leading smartphone

That’s a large claim, but who am I to judge? Instead, what I find confusing and borderline stupid is frankly the entire video that’s all tech in a confusing manner, hence “techfusing.” I’m not sure who the video is aimed at but throughout the one minute video, we’re treated to dazzling/unnecessary sound effects, long drawn out visuals, and a lack of narrative on why we should care about what’s happening on screen, other than the reason that these things will make your photos better.

The offending video and my thoughts can be found after the jump.

SteadyShot Shown Off on Xperia Z5

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 17, 2015 | 0 comments

It may have not been the most scientific test but a video from IFA 2015 compared the image stabilization found in the Xperia Z5 against its predecessor, the Xperia Z3. Now, Sony has stepped into the ring by showcasing its SteadyShot Intelligent Active Mode which can be found on all three Xperia Z5 models.

It’s worth noting that neither model offers OIS (optical image stabilization) which is done via hardware and instead, rely on the SteadyShot software to help stabilize the video. In short, the results are pretty impressive, showcasing the power of the algorythem Sony is utilizing which in turn will allow for far smoother videos when you’re on the move.

After the jump, a video which pits two Xperia Z5 models against each other. One with SteadyShot turned on and one with it off.

Sony Xperia Z5 is “Made for Bond” or Something

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 16, 2015 | 0 comments

Long before the Xperia Z5 family was unveiled, there were rumors of the next flagship Sony smartphone appearing in Spectre, the upcoming James Bond film. With the phones having now been unveiled, Sony Mobile is running an advertisement campaign with the slogan “Made for Bond.”

After the jump, let’s talk about the 1 minute ad which can also be found there.

Sony Xperia Z5 Series Supports Manual Camera Settings

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 16, 2015 | 4 comments

One of the flagship features on the newly announced Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium is their 23-megapixel front shooter that’s capable of focusing anywhere on screen in just 0.03 seconds. With smartphones replacing our compact cameras and perhaps even our DSLR in our daily lives, the camera on a smartphone is perhaps the most important feature. To that end, the camera on the Xperia Z5 series needs to not only shine, but perhaps offer a few extra functionalities for those who crave more than just an auto setting.

Luckily, Sony has just the thing in store for us.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium’s 4K Display Mostly Shows Content in 1080p

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 15, 2015 | 4 comments

I was a bit skeptical when news initially leaked that Sony would be incorporating a 4K display in their upcoming flagship smartphone. Besides a lack of 4K content that’s easily accessible, battery life and heat played the most prominent role in my dismissal of the news. With the Xperia Z5 Premium, Sony proved that they had the technical prowess to design a smartphone with two day battery life and a 4K display.

However, that appears to be the case mostly because that 4K display isn’t driving 4K at all times. I explain after the jump.

Sony Xperia M5 Dual Arrives in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 10, 2015 | 0 comments

Sony has been on a bit of a roll with a fairly aggressive Asia release schedule. In just the past month, they’ve announced the Xperia C5 Ultra Dual & Xperia M5 Dual for Hong Kong and Taiwan with India soon to follow. Now the wait is partially over as the Xperia M5 Dual arrives in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India.

More details on their release after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z5 Gains Familiar ‘Style Cover Window’ Case

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 10, 2015 | 2 comments

Much like the Xperia Z3+ (Z4) received a Style Cover Window case from Sony, so will the Xperia Z5 family. Designed to accommodate the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium, the Style Cover Window cases take everything you’ve known about them from previous models and built them to fit the new varying screen sizes.

After the jump, details on the new cases await you.

Sony Xperia Z5 vs. Xperia Z3 (Video Stabilization Comparison)

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 8, 2015 | 4 comments

One of the biggest selling factors of a new smartphone is the camera that it offers. From video to photos, smartphones are replacing our everyday cameras and in turn, our expectation of what our phone should be capable of doing has elevated. Announced at IFA 2015, the Xperia Z5 family, Sony’s latest flagship series are no slouch – offering a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a 23-megapixel rear-facing camera, these newest additions also pack some fancy tech under them. They include a mind blowing 0.03 second autofocus and an all new video stabilization thats designed to help curb jittery videos (especially useful when you’re recording while walking around).

So how does the latter one hold up when compared to the Xperia Z3? A video after the jump decides to test just that.

Infographic Puts Into Context How Fast Sony Xperia Z5’s 0.03s Autofocus Really Is

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 4, 2015 | 2 comments

Once of the key differentiators between the Xperia Z5 family, which consists of the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium, versus predecessor models is their 0.03 seconds autofocus speed. Sony, who is no stranger to using high megapixel sensors in their cameras (23MP this time around), wanted to focus less on dramatically upping that number (Xperia Z3+ had a 20.7-megapixel camera) and instead improving the overall camera experience. With such a low autofocus time, Sony claims that you’ll be able to click anywhere on screen and have a near-instant photo taken in focus.

Specifically, using a Hybrid Autofocus system, the camera can focus anywhere on screen in just 0.03 seconds. With Touch Capture and wide AF coverage, you’ll be able to touch anywhere on the Xperia Z5 display and the camera will automatically focus and immediately take the shot. There is also a dedicated camera button on all three models. To drive home just how fast 0.03 seconds is, Sony has put together a fun infographic which can be found after the jump that helps put the camera’s speed into context.

Sony Xperia Z5 Heat Worries Put to the Test With 4K Video Recording

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 3, 2015 | 2 comments

4K video isn’t a new thing for Sony’s Xperia line. I remember testing 4K video which you can find here all the way back with the Xperia Z3 and since then, we’ve had the Xperia Z3+ (Z4) and now, the Xperia Z5 with the Xperia Z5 Premium also offering a 4K display. Unfortunately for Sony, overheating also isn’t a new thing. In my tests with the Z3, heat became apparent very quickly when recording in 4K, limiting how much you could actually record. With the Xperia Z3+, heat has notoriously become a problem. This is mainly due to the usage of Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipsets that have been causing a headache for all manufacturers and not just Sony.

With the Xperia Z5 family also utilizing the Snapdragon 810, is heat once again going to be a problem? After the jump, the Xperia Z5 heat worries are put to the test.

Sony Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact & Xperia Z5 Premium Colors Shown Off

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 3, 2015 | 6 comments

It’s just day two at IFA 2015 and we’ve already covered Sony’s newest flagship products fairly extensively. Consisting of the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium, the new Xperia Z family has a lot to offer, ranging from a powerful 23-megapixel camera to a 4K display. With varying screen sizes, each phone naturally has some unique features like display quality and materials used. Another differentiating factor between the three lines is color selection. After the jump, we have the breakdown of colors offered and a set of photos to go along with them that should make things a bit more clear and colorful!

Sony Xperia Z5 Family Gets Priced in Europe, Comparable to iPhone

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 3, 2015 | 2 comments

Sony_Xperia_Z5_Family

The Sony Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and Xperia Z5 Premium have officially been unveiled at IFA 2015 and give us a real glimpse at what may be a transforming Sony Mobile. While the design is the same body we’ve seen the latest few years, thanks to improved materials and subtle changes, Sony has been able to introduce three very elegantly designed phones. Alongside their premium finishes comes some very refined specs.

While it might be too early to judge the phone, instead of opting for large numbers, Sony has instead focused on the smaller details to make sure each Xperia Z5 is world class. With a world class phone comes a world class price. After the jump, we reveal their price and show how they compare to the market leader iPhone.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Shown Off In Official Video

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 2, 2015 | 7 comments

Earlier today, Sony took the wraps off the Xperia Z5 Premium. As the name suggests, this high-end smartphone is targeted at those who want a bit more out of their smartphone experience. In turn, Sony has incorporated a 4K display, Hi-Res Audio, and a 23-megapixel camera with fast auto-focus that can capture a photo in just 0.03 seconds – a world first according to Sony.If you want to know more about the Xperia Z5 Premium, you can do that by reading our more in depth piece. However, if you want to see the new flagship phone in action, Sony has put together a video, showcasing the best it has to offer.

That video awaits you after the jump.

Meet the Flagship Sony Xperia Z5 & Xperia Z5 Compact

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 2, 2015 | 4 comments

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium isn’t the only big news (and I mean that literally, seeing how it offers a 5.5-inch 4K display) to come out of IFA 2015. Likely to be far better sellers, due to their more practical sizes and likely lower price point, Sony also announced the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact. As near identical devices, the biggest differentiator between the two new flagship smartphones is their 5.2-inch and 4.6-inch displays. After the jump, we’ve got all the details you can handle.