Sony Xperia Z1 review: Specs of the 5-inch Android-powered Sony Xperia Z1 includes a Full HD display, quad-core processor and an internal storage of up to 64GB. The unit sports great performance and is a top of its class device.

The design and display of the Sony Xperia Z1 has definitely gained positive traction amongst tech influencers. Its 20.7MP camera and new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor has made an impressive mark and with up to 64GB storage, the Sony Xperia Z1 is a true contender in the Android handsets category.

Camera

With Sony adding a button at the right hand bottom completely dedicated to the camera’s shutter, it becomes evident that they take the mobile’s camera feature seriously. T3 terms the camera as one of the biggest advances on the smartphone when we compare it to the Xperia Z. Majorities of the smartphones in the market are using 5 or 8MP sensors while the newest ones have 13MP. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom has a whopping 16MP but the Z1 beats them all. With a 20.7MP camera with a large sensor and Sony’s G Lens, it is the closest competitor to the Nokia Lumia 1020 which has 41MP.

The device has a Superior Auto setting that captures shots at 8MP when it is on default. This means that without zooming in even once, you still get the superior shots that other smartphones would allow at their maximum capability. If you switch to Manual, you can then shoot at the full resolution of 20MP.

As much as you need a data connection to use the Info Eye setting, this option allows you photograph an object and then get some information associated with the object. In other words, it is possible to take the photo of a landmark building or your bottle of wine and find out all about them. You can even zoom into a large picture to a specific section of the photo that you want to get data about. This definitely gives it a competitive edge over other phones.

Screen
The waterproof Sony Xperia Z1 has a 5-inch high resolution display, Micro SD card for expanded coverage and a 20.7MP camera that snaps high-quality images and is one of the highest camera spec for smartphones in the market.
According to T3.com, this mobile’s screen is similar to its predecessor the Xperia Z which they describe as excellent. Apparently Sony states that the Xperia Z1 has even more technology borrowed from the successful TV division of their company than the Z did. T3 states that the details are great and colorful making it pleasant for enjoying smooth video playback.

Storage
 Storage for the Sony Xperia Z1 starts at 16GB and runs on 2GB of RAM. Through the MicroSD card slot, the device can go up to 64GB in storage, enabling the user more room for media library and other applications.

Performance
As one would expect, the processing power of the Xperia Z1 beats that of the Xperia Z which many reviewers gave a thumbs up. The Xperia Z1 has a quad-core processor from the now highly popular Qualcomm range. It is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2.2GHz. This means that it gives you fast results whether you are surfing the web, playing video games or just reading emails.

The Xperia Z1 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. According to CNET, it has the same basic functionality of Android with multiple home screens but easier to change the order of app icons. It could show the most-used apps or simply your preferred arrangement.

Battery Life
Where a lot of powerful devices fail is in their battery life. Being so large, the Xperia Z1 fits in a 3,000mAh cell that can let you use it for the entire day. The phone also has the Battery Stamina mode that allows you to set how the device reacts in order to save on battery consumption. For example, when the battery level drops, it can automatically inactivate some wireless connections.

The unlocked base model of the Sony Xperia Z1 starts at $649.99 at the SONY store, but a quick search at Amazon shows a $595.00 is available from independent retailers. Stay tuned for deals throughout the holidays for this in-demand Android device.