GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

1.7m
126k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENTS
GSMArena team, 24 April 2013

Off the bench


Sony Xperia ZL review: Off the bench

  • Comments (91)
  • User reviews
  • Xperia ZL

11. Conclusion
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Unboxing, 360-degree spin, design and handling
  3. 3. Display, controls, battery performance
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Synthetic benchmarks
  6. 6. Google Now, Phonebook, Telephony, Messaging
  7. 7. Multimedia - gallery, music and video players, FM radio, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera, image quality, video recording and quality
  9. 9. Connectivity, web browser, social integration
  10. 10. Organizer, navigation, app store
  11. 11. Conclusion
  12.  
  13. Sony Xperia ZL specification
  14. User opinions and reviews
  15. Review comments (91)

Sony Android

Final words

So, why the Sony Xperia ZL and not the Xperia Z? To begin with, this is a question many of you will never be asking, as the pair will not be officially available at the same time on most markets. At first glance, the best case scenario for the Xperia ZL would be for them to never cross paths.

We mean, the Xperia ZL is a seriously good regional version of the current flagship but one that we would be hard-pressed to recommend over the more sophisticated, on top of being waterproofed, Xperia Z. On a second thought though, a more compact - and therefore more comfortable to handle - package will be an alternative enough people would be willing to consider.

The Xperia ZL is powered by the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset ticking inside the Xperia Z and though it's no longer the best there is (Snapdragon 600, Exynos Octa), it still is a top-notch piece of hardware that will handle whatever you throw at it. The 5" 1080p TFT screen could've been at least slightly better though. OK, you can put the privacy spin on the limited viewing angles but you will have a lot harder time finding an excuse for the mediocre contrast.

However, this shouldn't be held against the Xperia ZL alone - in fact, our unit come with a screen better than the proper flagship, so it might actually work to its advantage.

Anyway, these are virtually identical packages and the choice boils down to premium looks and better grip, water proofing and more comfortable handling. There're things too like a hardware shutter key and an infrared port on the Xperia ZL. Probably enough for a regional version - but is it enough to justify a pair of almost equal high-end phones? Given that wider choice always works to the benefit of users, we'd say yes.

Sony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia Z

And to make it even more complicated, the real competition comes into play. The already available HTC One has a slightly smaller but clearly superior screen, an optically stabilized camera, better audio output, a pair of stereo speakers and killer looks. Sure, the 4MP camera, whatever HTC calls it, might not be everyone's cup of tea but it gets the job done on most occasions and it's low-light performance is something to look forward to. The non-expandable storage is hardly ideal and the HTC One costs about €50 more than the Xperia ZL (not to mention the supply shortages), but it's definitely worth checking out.

HTC One
HTC One

The more serious threat for the Xperia ZL is, of course, the Samsung Galaxy S4. It has the richest hardware and software package on the market, no matter whether you are looking at the Snapdragon 600 or the Exynos 5 Octa powered model. The latest Galaxy flagship boasts a 5-inch SuperAMOLED, a more impressive camera and a set of advanced gestures. In fact with the Xperia ZL lacking the sleek look of the Xperia Z, it's quite easy to recommend the Samsung flagship (which has uninspiring design as its sole shortcoming) over it despite the slightly higher asking price.

Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4 Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4
Samsung I9500 Galaxy S4 • Samsung I9505 Galaxy S4

The Oppo Find 5 and ZTE Grand S come from makers that are rising in popularity and offer flagship specs, without the premium name tax. Finding either of those in your local stores can be quite hard, though. There is the Asus Padfone Infinity too, which adds a 10.1" tablet dock, but you should make sure you need that as it costs an arm and a leg.

Oppo Find 5 ZTE Grand S Asus PadFone Infinity
Oppo Find 5 • ZTE Grand S • Asus PadFone Infinity

The Sony Xperia ZL is not as good looking as its glass-clad sibling, or most of the direct rivals for that matter. Nor is it the most powerful device on the market. We're tempted to call the Xperia Z the better part of the pair and forget about it.

The most compact FullHD five-incher is the Xperia ZL's defining feature - and the emphasis is on compact. But ... the Xperia ZL is a FullHD five-incher after all, and for Sony having two horses in the flagship race must feel good. Plus, there's always people who like to cheer for the dark horse.

11. Conclusion
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 2. Unboxing, 360-degree spin, design and handling
  3. 3. Display, controls, battery performance
  4. 4. User interface
  5. 5. Synthetic benchmarks
  6. 6. Google Now, Phonebook, Telephony, Messaging
  7. 7. Multimedia - gallery, music and video players, FM radio, audio quality
  8. 8. Camera, image quality, video recording and quality
  9. 9. Connectivity, web browser, social integration
  10. 10. Organizer, navigation, app store
  11. 11. Conclusion
  12.  
  13. Sony Xperia ZL specification
  14. User opinions and reviews
  15. Review comments (91)

Reviews Sony Xperia ZL reviewPage 11
  • Comments (91)
  • User reviews
  • Xperia ZL

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • BlackBerry
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Vodafone
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • TCL
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • Doogee
  • Blackview
  • BLU
  • Panasonic
  • Plum

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENTS

Related articles

  • Weekly poll: are the Sony Xperia 1 V and Xperia 10 V on your shopping list?
  • Sony Project Q unveiled: a game-steaming handheld
  • Backbone One - PlayStation Edition now available for Android smartphones
  • Sony announces the ZV-1 II vlogging camera for $900
ADVERTISEMENTS

Popular reviews

Apple iOS 14 review

Apple iOS 14 review
Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G review

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Tesla Roadster delayed to at least the end of 2024 Tesla Roadster delayed to at least the end of 2024 Mercedes-Maybach unveils EQS SUV Night SeriesFaraday Future FF91 passes crash test requirements
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS feed Youtube Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2000-2023 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data