Sony

Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
Adreno 540
4 GB / 64 GB
5.5 inch (2160 x 3840 px)
autofocus, optical image stabilization

Sony announced the launch of the Xperia XZ Premium smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 SoC, and 4 GB of RAM. The Xperia XZ Premium series was launched with Android OS v7.1 (Nougat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 5.5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (2160 x 3840 px). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Sony Xperia XZ Premium smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Sony Xperia XZ Premium specifications

BrandSony
NameXperia XZ Premium
ModelXPXZPR
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.88 oz
Dimensions6.14 x 3.03 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, chrome
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Sony Xperia XZ Premium is about 6.88 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.45 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 2.15 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 540

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with Android OS v7.1 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution2160 x 3840 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Memory, storage

RAM4 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. You can expand the internal storage (64 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium / 2

Cameras, flash

Main cameraautofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashLED
Selfie camera13 MP

The main camera of Xperia XZ Premium has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Xperia XZ Premium smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. The Xperia XZ Premium comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3230 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3230 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Xperia XZ Premium isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity, step counter, step detector
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Dual SIM, Fast charging, Quick Charge, Sony Exmor RS, Triluminos display

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The Xperia XZ Premium phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Corning Gorilla Glass is tougher. It resists scratches, impacts, and drops.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Sony phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • adequate memory
  • microSD slot
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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