CES 2013: Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZL hands-on

Sony Xperia ZL hands-on

The Sony Xperia ZL is not a completely different device but rather a regional version of the Xperia Z for a different set of markets. The two devices will not compete, the ZL will replace the Z in some parts of the globe.

Update: It turns out that the Xperia Z and ZL will be available side by side in some places. For now only Canada has been confirmed.

Sony Xperia ZL

The Xperia ZL is almost the same phone as the Z, almost. Most notably it's not dust-protected and water-resistant. The Xperia ZL is shorter (131.6mm vs. 139mm), but also thicker (9.8mm vs. 7.9mm) than the Z, and slightly heavier too, at 151g (vs. 146g). Note that the Xperia ZL is smaller (shorter and narrower) than the Samsung Galaxy S III, but packs a bigger screen!

Sony Xperia ZL next to a Samsung Galaxy S III

The front-facing camera has been downgraded - it can only record 720p video (down from 1080p on the Xperia Z). The front cam is unusually positioned in the lower-right corner, along the lines of the Nokia N9.

The ZL drops the glossy back for nice patterned plastic (which we like as it's a lot more resistant to fingerprints).

Sony Xperia ZL in Black and in White

The battery capacity is 2,370mAh, a little more than what the Xperia Z has.

We've shot a brief hands-on video of the ZL, check it out here: