The Xperia Z1 is Sony's second device we meet running on the Qualcomm's latest and greatest Snapdragon 800 chipset. It is powered by a quad-core 2.2GHz Krait 400 processor, with Adreno 330 graphics and 2GB of RAM.
The Krait 400 processor clocked at 2.2GHz (2.15GHz according to GeekBench) is among the fastest processors on the market, second to only the LG G2 (2.26GHz) and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (2.3GHz).
Our first test is all about single-core performance, where the Xperia Z1 scored similar results to the other Krait 400-powered competitors.
Lower is better
Next up, we put all four cores to the test in the multi-core version of the Linpack benchmark. The Sony Xperia Z1 didn't disappoint.
Higher is better
We also run the GeekBench 3 CPU benchmark. The Xperia Z1 matched the score of its Xperia Z Ultra sibling, both occupying the top spots in our chart.
Higher is better
Quadrant and AnTuTu 4 gauge the overall device performance instead of just the CPU and the Sony Xperia Z1 managed to conquer the first spots on both charts.
Higher is better
Higher is better
It's time to test the new Adreno 330 graphic processing unit. We ran both GLBenchmark tests in off-screen mode, testing raw GPU power. The Xperia Z1 scored identical results to the Xperia Z Ultra and outpaced all other phones we've tested so far.
Higher is better
Higher is better
The Epic Citadel benchmark was updated recently with the new Ultra High Quality setting. We've re-run every 1080p device we had around and, as we expected, the Xperia Z1 matched perfectly the Xperia Z1 Ultra and both are sharing the first place once again.
Higher is better
The JavaScript performance of the Sony Xperia Z1's Chrome browser is our all-time second-best. The Xperia Z Ultra is the only phone with a better result.
Lower is better
The combined BrowserMark 2 benchmark saw another great result by the Sony Xperia Z1, but this time it didn't manage to come on top.
Higher is better
Finally, the Sony Xperia Z1 hit the third place on the Vellamo browser benchmark, just a whisker below its Xperia Z Ultra sibling and the LG G2.
Higher is better
The Sony Xperia Z1 is one of the fastest smartphones (phablets included) available on the market right now. There's a noticeable performance lead over the Snapdragon 600 competitors and the snappy chipset makes its presence felt in almost everything you do around the Android OS. Once you get your hands on the Z1, you can't help but appreciate the muscle under the hood.
Google Now gives you a short overview of information it believes is relevant to you right now. Going to work in the morning? Google Now knows this and lets you know if there's a big traffic jam on your usual way to the office, and offers you a re-route.
It can interpret a lot of things from your search history as well. If you've been searching for, let's say, your favorite football team, Google Now will prepare a card showing you the next match the team is playing and will provide score updates once the game begins.
Google has also integrated Voice Actions. They can handle stuff like sending messages (SMS or email), initiating a voice call, asking for directions, taking a note or opening a site. Google Now can also launch apps, check and manage your calendar and look for nearby places of interest and stuff like movie openings in theaters.
Thanks to the large resolution of the Xperia Z1 display, you can get a lot of information from Google Now with just one glance at the screen.
Google Now on the Xperia Z1 gets activated with an upward swipe from a press-and-hold of the Home button. You can either type or talk to it and the app will give you one of its info cards (if available) and read you its contents aloud (you can disable this from the app settings). If there's no card to help with the answer to your question Google Now will simply initiate a Google web search instead.
We have a separate review of all popular voice assistants, where you can learn even more about Google Now. Just follow this link.
Tip us
1.5m 109k
RSS
EV
Merch
Log in I forgot my password Sign up