The Sony Xperia XZ Premium smartphone will receive protection from moisture and dust. Sony Xperia XZ Premium

The world's leading memory manufacturer, TEAMGROUP, will showcase products under its gaming brand T-FORCE at COMPUTEX Taipei 2019 from May 28 to June 1. This year, in the TEAMGROUP pavilion (J0218) at the Nangang Exhibition Center Hall, you will see not only the spectacular T-FORCE RGB line, but also new storage devices for a smart lifestyle. Visitors will be able to appreciate in retrospect TEAMGROUP's outstanding efforts in creating cutting-edge products. Along with this, T-FORCE gaming memory modules, which received the “Red Dot Design 2019” and “iF Design 2019” awards, will be presented. The whole world will see the benefits of the brand on the international stage.

The world's leading memory manufacturer, TEAMGROUP, will showcase products under its gaming brand T-FORCE at COMPUTEX Taipei 2019 from May 28 to June 1. This year, in the TEAMGROUP pavilion (J0218) at the Nangang Exhibition Center Hall, you will see not only the spectacular T-FORCE RGB line, but also new storage devices for a smart lifestyle. Visitors will be able to appreciate in retrospect TEAMGROUP's outstanding efforts in creating cutting-edge products. Along with this, T-FORCE gaming memory modules, which received the “Red Dot Design 2019” and “iF Design 2019” awards, will be presented. The whole world will see the benefits of the brand on the international stage.

NEC Display Solutions has announced a new product that puts the company at the forefront of the “resolution revolution” that will bring ultra-high definition (UHD) to small, relatively inexpensive displays.

Project "Russian Cyber ​​Football Federation" with the support of the company LG Electronics announces a series of LG UltraWide Russia 2019 tournaments. The competition will consist of 6 tournaments, which are scheduled for May, June, August, September, November and December 2019. This program will allow everyone to start their career in e-football, and will allow established e-football players to maintain and improve their shape.

The partnership program between LG Electronics and RaceRoom Russia continues within the framework of the virtual racing championship in the most prestigious and powerful class of Touring cars - LADA e-Championship 2019.

ViewSonic Corporation, the world's leading provider of visual information products, has launched its new VP and VG Series monitors, featuring innovative designs and ergonomics, as well as advanced technologies that enhance productivity and provide a superior user experience.

The main feature that Sony highlights in its flagships and some other smartphones is assigning them a degree of protection against dust and water in accordance with IP certification. In this short review we will tell you which Sony Xperia is waterproof and what degree of protection it has. With the advent of the first models with protected housings, Sony began to actively advertise this opportunity, because this distinguished smartphones from their competitors. Shooting underwater, not worrying when the phone fell into water or was spilled on it, and other life situations with liquid that could simply destroy any other phone, in the case of protected Sony Xperia models seemed like a trifle.

However, even here there are a number of limitations. Firstly, the phone should not be immersed too deeply or for a very long time, secondly, swimming in liquids other than fresh water is prohibited, and thirdly, you need to be careful to ensure that all the necessary slots are closed. The ruler tablets are also protected from water.

What do the certification numbers mean:

So, here are the waterproof Sony Xperia phones:

Sony Xperia Z5 (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z3+ (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z3 (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z2 (IP55 / IP58)

Sony Xperia Z1 (IP55/IP58)

Sony Xperia Z1 Comapct (IP55/IP58)

Sony Xperia Z Ultra (IP55 / IP58)

Sony Xperia M5 (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia M2 Aqua (IP65/68)

Sony Xperia Z (IP55/IP57)

Sony Xperia ZR (IP55 / IP58)

In the latest flagship Z5 line, as they say, “out of harm’s way,” Sony did not so clearly describe the protective properties of the models’ bodies, saying only that they have a degree of protection and this can help you out in different situations.

However, it is not uncommon for owners of waterproof Xperia models to drown their smartphones. Why did my Xperia drown? Causes:

• Failure to comply with operating rules
• Possible marriage.
• The plugs are not closed.
• The plugs simply dried out/were worn out and do not provide proper tightness.
• The phone was dropped, after which damage could appear that is not visible to the eye, but affects the sealing properties.
• The glass has peeled off a little.

In contact with

Last year, Sony surprised a lot: the company released, in fact, two flagships in one year. First, as part of the new series, the Japanese showed the Xperia X Performance - it was the most powerful of the new smartphones, so it seemed that this was the flagship. However, a little later, the company made the Xperia XZ - a device with a similar filling, but a larger screen and a new design concept, which suddenly became the new leader of the family. Perhaps the company was dissatisfied with the sales, or maybe this was a cunning marketing ploy, the essence of which none of the ordinary people understood. One way or another, Sony is doing things differently this year, updating the entire series at once.

The leader of the lineup is the Xperia XZ Premium, which is conceptually similar to the Xperia X5 Premium, and the successor to the previous flagship, the Xperia XZs, becomes a more compact and affordable alternative. Well, the Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra are competing in the first league this season. It seems that Sony is trying to build a single line from different models of past years and think more about quality than quantity. Well, let's see how good the new Xperia flagship is and what it can do against the market leader in .

⇡ Technical specifications

⇡ Design, ergonomics and software

At first glance, there is nothing special for Sony and nothing new. The current flagship is made in the usual Sony style and is similar to the Xperia XZ, increased in size - the same sharp edges, the same large space at the top and bottom. The ratio of the screen area to the total front surface is not at all impressive - only 68: 100. Compare this with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and its 83: 100. However, it should be noted that the side frames remain quite thin, and the protective glass extends slightly onto the side edges, which affects the visual perception of the smartphone.

As befits a flagship in 2017, the Xperia XZ Premium is made of glass and metal. The front and back panels are completely covered with Gorilla Glass 5. Interestingly, in the silver version of the smartphone, the back panel is mirrored, you can look into it, and girls really like it. Apart from the silver variant, the Xperia XZ Premium is available in black and pink. True, the latter option has not yet begun to be sold in Russia.

The side edges are very smooth, rounded, the smartphone is comfortable to hold in your hand, despite its impressive size - I had approximately the same sensations when working with the iPhone 7 Plus. But straight lines at the top and bottom can cause discomfort for those who are used to carrying a smartphone in the front pocket of their jeans. Here Sony is repeating the mistakes made by the designers of the rectangular Lumia on Windows Phone.

The location of the main elements on the body has not changed. At the top there is a 3.5 mm audio jack. It's nice that Sony doesn't follow the dubious trend that Apple and HTC have picked up and doesn't force you to switch to wireless headphones or models with a USB-C connector.

At the bottom is USB Type-C, which has become a new standard, and on the right edge there are volume keys, a power button (with a built-in fingerprint scanner) and a camera launch button. On the left side there is a compartment for SIM cards and a microSD flash drive. The traditional “trouble” of Sony smartphones is that every time this tray is removed, the device automatically goes into reboot, despite the fact that there are no technical restrictions for hot-swapping a SIM card and microSD drive for a long time.

In terms of dimensions, the Xperia XZ Premium cannot surprise: the thickness of 7.9 millimeters has not been impressive for a long time, and the width of 77 mm allows you to somehow work with the smartphone with one hand - you can enter text without problems, but it’s not easy to reach the top edge. And of course, it must be said that the smartphone is too heavy - it weighs 191 grams. It's even slightly heavier than the iPhone 7 Plus, which today feels overly weighty. In addition, I have big concerns about reliability - a heavy smartphone is easier to break. Owners of the Xperia Z5 Premium actively complained about fragility, because even a fall from a height of 60-70 centimeters led to cracks on the back panel or on the screen. In general, I did not test the strength of the XZ Premium, but I advise you to use it with extreme caution.

But there is good news: protection from dust and moisture is still here. Sony Xperia XZ Premium complies with the IP68 standard and can withstand a half-hour stay under water at a depth of one and a half meters. And the presence of a dedicated shooting key makes it suitable for underwater shooting. True, the manufacturer emphasizes that this is just an ordinary rugged smartphone, and not a full-fledged underwater device.

Returning to the dedicated button for the camera, we should note the possibility of a quick launch: you can point your smartphone at the object with the screen turned off and press the camera key - a photo will be taken. In some situations, the saved second can make a difference, so the function will definitely be useful.

Exclusive, Luxury, Special, Singular and Premium. All these prefixes to names have already set the teeth on edge, but nevertheless Sony used this technique when naming the successor to the Sony XZ. The Premium prefix was simply added, although this approach is often used to highlight special rather than new product lines. But is Sony's new gadget worthy of such a name?

At MWC 2017, the jury said it was worthy, and the Sony XZ Premium was recognized as the best smartphone of 2017. Of course, he had no serious competitors at this summit, but nevertheless this is an indicator of recognition. Moreover, in terms of technology, the XZ Premium is truly beyond competition - the fresh, powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, the exclusive IMX400 photo matrix, the ability to record Slow-motion video at 960 frames per second at HD resolution, as well as a 4K HDR display and moisture protection according to IP65/IP68 standard. All this is seasoned with a pair of high-quality system speakers. At the presentation, company representatives said that the XZ Premium is the most technologically advanced smartphone ever released by Sony. Of course, this can be said about any new product in a dynamically developing segment, but in the case of the smartphone being tested, these words are not just a marketing ploy.

Specifications

Appearance and ease of use

For many years now, Sony has not even tried to change the design of its smartphones. There are no slick corners, like most modern smartphones, and the front panel smoothly flows into the back due to the rounded sides. Traditionally, this design refinement is called Loop Surface or “loop surface”. The smartphone is quite large and heavy, so an uninitiated user might think that it has a 5.7-6-inch display. But no, it's only 5.5 inches. But on the other hand, a pair of excellent stereo speakers fit in the lower and upper parts of the front plane. Although the frames are 17 mm wide, this still does not justify it.

The build quality of the case is impeccable, all panels fit perfectly, but when you try to twist and squeeze, the case gives a little and creaks, which is not what you expect from a smartphone with the Premium prefix in the name. Moreover, when you try to twist the case, rainbow stains appear at the corners of the LCD matrix. The front and back sides are covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, both of which are 5th generation glasses. The glass is not afraid of scratches, which is good news, but it collects fingerprints at an incredible speed, so you have to wipe the case extremely often. In addition to everything, an extremely easily soiled option, “Deepsea Black”, was provided for testing. Also available in Bronze Pink and Luminous Chrome. The last option, from a subjective point of view, is the most interesting, but it is no less afraid of prints than the black modification. The side surfaces are made of aluminum with a polished surface to a mirror finish. The lower and upper sides are matte, with small chamfers around the perimeter.

In front above the display there is an LED indicator, a front camera, and a light sensor. The speakers are located symmetrically below and above the display. On the back side you can see the camera window, as well as a unit consisting of an LED flash, a laser and an IR camera assist sensor.

On the left side surface, only the cover of the compartments for installing a nanoSIM SIM card is visible, one of which can be replaced with a microSD flash drive.

Such a replacement can only be carried out by the main tray, which can be removed without the help of pins. But in order to get the second tray, you need to have at least slightly grown nails, otherwise you won’t be able to grab onto the tray’s small hook. Traditionally for Sony smartphones, when you remove the SIM card tray, the operating system reboots. On the right side surface there is a volume control rocker key, a lock key with an integrated fingerprint reading sensor, which is perfect for both right-handers and left-handers. Special attention should be paid to the dedicated photo key, which allows you to activate the camera and take a photo even while wearing gloves, because using the camera does not require unlocking the device.

At the bottom end there is a noticeable microphone and a USB Type-C connector, and at the top there is a second microphone and a mini-jack connector (3.5 mm). The presence of the latter in Sony's flagship product indicates that it is too early to bury this connector.

Display

Sony XZ Premium became the world's first smartphone with a 4K HDR display. Of course, Sony doesn't miss a single opportunity to mention this. Although, by and large, such a high resolution is not always necessary, and it does not have the best effect on battery consumption. Of course, the manufacturer took this feature into account, so the desktop is drawn with FullHD resolution, while when watching videos, photos and playing games, it is rendered in full resolution.

In the display settings, you can select one of three familiar modes: “standard”, “Ultimate brightness mode” and “professional mode”. The most vivid picture is in the “standard” mode, but the accuracy of color display in it is far from ideal, at least when using content created in the sRGB/Rec color space. 709. The same can be said about the “maximum brightness” mode. But in these modes the color gamut is huge and close to Rec. 2020, which is used in the HDR10 standard adopted by Sony. But in order to enjoy all this splendor you will need appropriate content, and there is little of it, and this is mainly the streaming services Amazon Prime and Netflix.

In the “professional” mode, the color gamut is much smaller, and clearly corresponds to the standard sRGB color space. The color deviation, Delta E, in this mode on the gray wedge ranges from 1.2...10.7, and on the primary colors (RGBCMY) - 0.7...3.9, and these are excellent indicators. And visually the picture seems more natural. In addition to mode selection, separate manual adjustment of RGB channels is possible.

The measured brightness of the white field was 387.2 cd/sq.m, while the brightness of the black field was 0.44 cd/sq.m, that is, the static contrast is 880:1. You can often find references to much higher brightness, but in our sample, when running Android 8.0, these are the indicators.

Extreme brightness mode

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"Standard" mode

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Professional mode

Sound

Like its predecessor, the XZ Premium is equipped with a pair of speakers in the front plane. The sound quality is excellent by smartphone standards. By and large, only the ZTE Axon 7 can compete with the hero of the material in terms of sound quality, but from a subjective point of view, the Sony XZ Premium is preferable. When playing a test sinusoidal signal with a frequency of 1 kHz at a distance of 1 meter, a level of 75.0 dBA was recorded. It's funny, but in the case the volume level was almost the same. But the predecessor of the tested smartphone, Sony Xperia XZ, has a much lower volume level – 64.6 dBA.

As for the quality of sound reproduction in headphones, the experimental device is in perfect order. Even without activating various “improvers” it sounds good. The only thing I can complain about is the automatic detection of the headphone type, which does not always work correctly. The audio settings contain standard Sony features, namely DSEE HX (upgrading sound quality to Hi-Res Audio), Clear Audio+, dynamic normalizer, surround sound settings, as well as a 5-band equalizer with a separate “Clear BASS” bass control. In general, everything is like in Walkman players.

The output level on the analog audio output was low. When playing a test signal with a load of 32 Ohms, a value of 212.7 mV was recorded. This is already on the verge of a foul, but it is enough if you use headphones with low impedance. For comparison, under similar conditions the result showed 275 mV, and the ZTE Axon 7, which can be put on par with the experimental one in terms of music playback quality, showed 305.7 mV. It’s funny, but in our database of testing results, the record holder for output signal level is a product from Sony, namely a budget product, which produced a whopping 928.5 mV!

Performance

The smartphone is built on the basis of the flagship system-on-a-chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, made using the 10 nm FinFET process. Of course, this is not a breakthrough Snapdragon 820 model, but there are quite a few differences from its predecessor. There are twice as many cores, and they are all based on Kryo 280 (Cortex-A72), the frequency is slightly higher, a slightly improved video subsystem based on Adreno 540 is used, there is support for Bluetooth v5.0 and X16 LTE (with download speeds up to 1 Gbit/s ). By modern standards, the smartphone does not have much memory - 4 GB. Of course, LPDDR4X memory operates in dual-channel mode.

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The following smartphones were chosen as opponents:
: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4 cores (2x2.15 GHz+2x1.6 GHz), 3 GB RAM, 5.2 inches, 1920*1080;
: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4 cores (2x2.15 GHz + 2x1.6 GHz), 4 GB RAM, 5.5 inches, 1440*2560;
: Samsung Exynos Octa 7880, 8 cores (1.87 GHz), 3 GB RAM, 5.7 inches, 1920*1080.
System performance was measured in synthetic PCMark, 3DMark, Geekbench 4 and AnTuTu v6. Memory speed was assessed using the AndroBench application. Testing was also carried out in cross-platform javascript tests (Mozilla Kraken JavaScript and SunSpider). The results of these tests significantly depend on the browser used, therefore, to minimize the impact, Google Chrome will be used in all reviews, as the most common one.

Camera

One of the main features of the smartphone is the main camera based on the exclusive Exmor RS IMX400 sensor, which Sony kept for itself and does not sell externally. This sensor has a resolution of 19 megapixels, which is significantly less than in the case of the predecessor camera. And this is correct, because the extra millions of dots only complicate the task of processing the image, and the noise is more noticeable, because the level of distortion of this type is extremely dependent on the physical size of the pixel. By the way, in the case of the IMX400 sensor, the pixel size is 1.22 microns with a matrix diagonal of 1/2.3 inches. In general, this figure is by no means a record, because the Sony Exmor RS lineup includes sensors with a physical pixel size of 1.4 and even 1.55 microns, which is achieved through the use of a 12 megapixel resolution. The camera is also not impressive with its record aperture numbers – f/2.0. However, the camera is capable of taking high quality pictures even in low light conditions, such as indoors or on a cloudy day with heavy clouds. It is noteworthy that in the first versions of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium firmware, the images were greatly overexposed, stretching out the shadows and at the same time knocking out the light areas. But in the current version of the firmware there is no such problem, so it is extremely rare to resort to manual settings.

But the main feature of the matrix is ​​completely different. Thanks to the built-in extremely fast memory, the smartphone is capable of recording Slow Motion video at 960 frames per second with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. But, as usual, there is a small “but” - the duration of the slow-motion video is limited to 0.182 seconds. What can you accomplish during this time? Well, actually, nothing, because in such a short period a freely falling body can only overcome 16 cm. And in general, such figures are beyond the bounds of human reaction, therefore, in order to catch a worthwhile video sequence, it must either be staged, or you have to catch it for a long time, or - it's just luck. In addition, for the function to work correctly, you need good lighting (the test video uses a fluorescent lamp, which provided 1000 lux of illumination at the shooting point). This function works as follows: while recording a regular video sequence, you need to press the dedicated Slow-motion key, after which the smartphone will record a slow-motion video lasting 0.182 seconds and continue recording as usual. It looks something like this.

Video example 960fps

In general, there is a “wow” effect. But for now it’s just a toy that looks like a demonstration of abilities, a foundation for the future, as well as research and analysis of the market reaction to such “tricks,” but nothing more.

The smartphone's flash turned out to be catastrophically weak. At a distance of a meter, a level of only 5.05 lux was recorded. This is the worst result among all the smartphones we tested. Of course, the result is not much better, but it was difficult to expect any deterioration in the new product. In order to assess the scale of the tragedy, it is enough to compare the result with.

UPD: power measurements were carried out in video light mode. As repeated measurements have shown, in the “flash” mode the results are slightly better - about 20 lux.

To evaluate image quality, a test pattern was shot on the main camera with sensitivity from ISO 50 to ISO3200 in 1 EV steps. It is worth noting that in automatic mode the limits of available sensitivity are expanded to ISO 12800.

Example pictures

Macro photography

Illumination 50 lux	Illumination 50 lux + flash	Illumination 3 lux + flash

Video recording

In addition to super slow-motion video, the smartphone, of course, can record videos with 4K resolution. The flow rate is limited to 30 frames per second, and you can select the video compression format (H.264 and H.265). FullHD video can be recorded in 30p and 60p modes.

Example entry 4K-video

1080/60 recording examplep

Autonomous operation

The smartphone is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 3230 mAh, which is not so much for such a powerful smartphone, and competitors have larger batteries. Plus, don't forget about the 4K display. When tested in gaming mode, the smartphone lasted 252 minutes. This is a modest result, but worse has happened. In video mode, battery life is only 377 minutes. Short battery life during video playback is a long-standing problem with Sony smartphones, but in the case of the XZ Premium it manifested itself in all its glory. In reading mode, the smartphone was able to work for only 620 minutes.

It is worth noting that the desktop, and as a result, reading programs, is drawn in FullHD, but in video and game modes full resolution is activated, which, as tests have shown, does not have the best effect on battery life. Fully charging the battery from the charger provided with the test sample (5 V/1.5A) took 176 minutes, and to 85% in 115 minutes. It is worth noting that the Snapdragon 835 SoC used supports Quick Charge 4 fast charging technology, and the smartphone itself and the included charger support Quick Charge 3.0.

Traditionally, Sony smartphones support a battery care mode that automatically detects the charging stop time and subsequently charges the battery up to 90% with a high current, and the last 10% falls within the normal charging stop time. But with the existing charger, the need to use this function is doubtful.

Conclusion

I have liked the design of Sony smartphones for a long time. It doesn’t have the sleekness of Samsung and Apple smartphones, it doesn’t try to borrow other people’s ideas, it’s not like everyone else. The design of Sony smartphones may either not be liked at all, or may cause delight, but it will not leave anyone indifferent. Just look at the idea of ​​using a separate key for taking photos and a fingerprint reading sensor on the lock key. The other side of the coin is the dimensions and weight that are typical for smartphones with a slightly larger display. Unexpectedly, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium showed quite a few other shortcomings. And this despite its high cost! But overall I still liked the new product. It is noteworthy that this is not due to the “wow feature” - super slow motion. But the magnificent display, high sound quality in the headphones and amazing (by smartphone standards) sound of the system speakers are what makes you think hard about purchasing the smartphone we are testing.
Minuses:
— extremely easily soiled body;
— weight and size indicators;
— weak LED flash;
— low signal level on the analog audio output;
- battery life;
- price.
Pros:
— great design (purely subjective);
— protection against moisture ingress according to IP65/68 standard;
- excellent 4K HDR display with a huge color gamut and accurate color reproduction;
— high-quality system stereo speakers;
— high sound quality on analog audio output;
— slow-motion video with a speed of 960 frames/s and HD resolution (duration 0.182 s);
— Bluetooth v5.0;
- USB Type-C;
— WiFi module with support for the 5 GHz band and MU-MIMO;
- high performance.

Although Sony's Xperia XZ Premium ticks almost every box on the high-end smartphone test, and also offers users Android 7.1 combined with excellent performance, it still doesn't make the cut. -5” of our respective rating. In particular, the quality of photos taken in low light leaves much to be desired. And also because Sony, even in its flagship smartphone, refuses to have a fast charger, the ratings in the “Battery” test category are lower than those of its direct competitors.

Advantages

very fast processor
excellent equipment
high quality workmanship

Flaws

The mirror surface of the case collects a lot of fingerprints
Camera in low light does not correspond to high-end level

• Price-quality ratio
  Fine
• Place in the overall ranking
  17 out of 200

• Price/quality ratio: 73
• Performance and Control (35%): 93.2
• Equipment (25%): 93.8
• Battery (15%): 80
• Display (15%): 89.7
• Camera (10%): 73.4

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Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a mirror

For several years now, Sony has not fundamentally changed anything in the design of its smartphones, and this time it continues to rely on the minimalistic look that we know from the Xperia series devices. In principle, it all looks good and elegant, but in the case of the Xperia XZ Premium it already reaches its limits.

Firstly, the phone turns out to be very large, since the screen is surrounded on all sides by clearly defined frames. In addition, at the bottom, Sony has placed an additional black strip with soft control buttons, which also takes up a certain space.

On the other hand, the silver/chrome body of the device we tested reflects everything like a mirror. Within a short time, both the front and back surfaces became covered with numerous fingerprints and greasy stains. Of course, they can be rubbed off on clothes, but they certainly won’t be recognized as beautiful. But now there are no problems taking selfies with the main camera. The edges here are also glossy, rounded and very smooth, which makes the device weighing 190 grams easier to slip out of your fingers during a telephone conversation.

Mirror surface: Xperia XZ Premium allows you to take selfies with the main camera

Brilliant 4K display

In terms of equipment, Sony is rolling out several heavy artillery pieces to the position at once. These include an extremely clear 4K display with a 5.5-inch diagonal. Xperia XZ Premium in UHD resolution presents not only photos and videos, but also displays the user interface.

However, in everyday life, a picture with a pixel density of 800 ppi hardly provides any advantages compared to 400 ppi. Even if we bring the smartphone very close to our eyes, we most likely will not be able to notice the difference in clarity. However, VR (virtual reality) fans will be able to get some benefit from this.

Like competitors LG and Samsung, Sony advertises support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology. The screen boasts a truly wide color gamut and excellent image quality, but it doesn't shine as brightly as a Full HD display does. The latter reaches a remarkable 582 cd/m2, but Sony can only offer XZ Premium users 485 cd/m2. However, in most cases the content reads quite well.

Battery: Sony is saving on the wrong things

Of course, UHD resolution on a large display took its toll during our online testing. Here, the Xperia XZ Premium managed to last a good eight and a half hours, but it's still a long way from the almost ten hours of the cheaper Xperia XZs.

The device missed a certain number of rating points, not least because of the duration of the charging process, which lasts more than three hours. And although the XZ Premium itself supports Quickcharge 3.0 fast charging technology, Sony decided to save a little money and included a regular power supply with a power of only 7.5 W in the package.

Xperia XZ Premium camera with its advantages and disadvantages

Sony paid great attention to the digital camera of its new flagship and equipped it with a high resolution of 19 megapixels, as well as a high-speed video recording function with 960 frames per second. The camera is essentially the same as the one in the Xperia XZs, but showed slightly better results during testing. The reason may most likely be a new firmware version.

The photo quality here can be considered good for the most part, however, in comparison with such direct competitors as above all, the Xperia XZ Premium still reveals certain shortcomings. Pictures taken in low light do not correspond to the high-end level of the device. This is clearly shown by comparing photographs taken by the smartphone we tested and the HTC U11.

However, even in daylight, the Sony camera does not reach the level of competitors that cost about the same. Contours are often noticeably indistinct and surfaces blurred. Most likely the problem is that the matrix is ​​too small for the high resolution used.

High speed video camera

The camcorder's "High Frame" mode is an interesting feature that makes shooting in daylight a lot of fun. In this mode, the camera shoots video in HD resolution at up to 960 frames per second, so you can then playback the footage very slowly.

However, because the shutter speed per frame is extremely fast in this mode, indoor results often appear too dark and noisy. The ability to take “pre-emptive” pictures is practical. In this mode, the camera takes photos before you press the shutter button, so you can then choose a better shot - this mode is especially useful when shooting moving subjects.

Top performance

In terms of performance, the Xperia XZ Premium is on par with the best models on the market (and in our smartphone rankings). Snapdragon 835 provides a fast user interface, smooth scrolling, pleasant response speed to commands and quick application launch. This “system on a chip” also contains gigabit LTE and Bluetooth 5 modules.

If 64 GB of internal memory is not enough, you can expand it using microSD cards. Data exchange with a computer will also be pleasantly fast thanks to the presence of USB 3.1 Type-C. Last but not least practical is the protection of the case in accordance with the IP-68 standard, which for users means the ability to drop the smartphone into water without consequences.
Sony sells the Xperia XZ Premium in chrome and black colors at an initial cost of 54,990 rubles.

Alternative: Sony Xperia XZ

Cheaper, not as well equipped, but with a longer battery life: Sony fans can't go wrong by choosing. At the same time, the smartphone, which has been on sale since last fall, costs about 13,000 rubles less. In some online stores you can find it even cheaper than 40,000 rubles.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium test results

Characteristics and test results of Sony Xperia XZ Premium