Sony Xperia XZs Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to Sony Xperia XZs

The Sony Xperia XZs, announced in February 2017 and released in April of the same year, is a versatile and well-rounded smartphone that represents Sony's commitment to innovation and high-quality technology. Positioned as a successor to the Xperia XZ, the XZs brings several key enhancements to the forefront, particularly in the realm of photography and media consumption.

Design and Build Quality

Designed with durability and aesthetic appeal in mind, the Sony Xperia XZs features a sophisticated build with a glass front made from Corning Gorilla Glass 5, an aluminum back, and a plastic frame. The phone's dimensions measure 146 x 72 x 8.1 mm, and it weighs approximately 161 grams, making it a compact yet robust device that is comfortable to hold.

Display

The Xperia XZs sports a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The screen-to-body ratio stands at approximately 70.9%, offering users a vibrant viewing experience with its high pixel density of 424 ppi. The incorporation of Gorilla Glass 5 ensures that the display is protected against scratches and accidental drops.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Xperia XZs is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, featuring a Quad-core CPU (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) and the Adreno 530 GPU. This combination ensures a smooth and responsive performance across various applications and tasks. The device is available in two storage variants: 32GB and 64GB, paired with 4GB of RAM, providing adequate space for apps, media, and more. Additionally, it offers microSDXC support, allowing expansion via a shared SIM slot in the dual SIM model.

Camera Features

The camera is a standout feature of the Xperia XZs. It boasts a 19 MP main camera with an f/2.0 aperture and predictive PDAF, Laser AF. Notable features include LED flash, HDR, and panorama. It supports video recording in 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30fps with gyro-EIS, and a unique 720p at 960fps for super slow-motion videos.

On the front, the 13 MP selfie camera comes with an f/2.0 aperture, 22mm wide lens, and 1/3.1" sensor size, delivering clear and detailed selfies. The front camera supports video recording at 1080p at 30fps.

Battery and Charging

The Xperia XZs is equipped with a 2900 mAh Li-Ion non-removable battery, which supports 18W fast charging through Quick Charge 3.0 technology. This ensures swift charging times, allowing the device to be powered up quickly for on-the-go use. The battery endurance rating stands at 73 hours, providing substantial usage time between charges.

Sound and Audio Quality

For audio, the Xperia XZs offers stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who appreciate traditional audio interfaces. The loudspeaker performance is adequate with voice call clarity measured at 62dB, noise at 65dB, and a ringtone at 73dB. The audio output quality is impressive, with low noise (−93.5dB) and crosstalk (−92.7dB) values.

Connectivity and Sensors

Connectivity on the Xperia XZs includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA; Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, aptX, LE; and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG capabilities. NFC is supported, while FM radio is absent. Positioning capabilities encompass GPS, GLONASS, and BDS.

The device is equipped with several sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor (region dependent), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, and a color spectrum sensor.

Software and User Experience

The Sony Xperia XZs initially launched with Android 7.1 Nougat and is upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo. This ensures that users can benefit from the latest features and security updates offered by Android. Sony's user interface and customization options leverage Android's adaptability, providing a seamless and user-friendly experience.

Color Options and Pricing

The Xperia XZs is available in several appealing color options, including Black, Warm Silver, and Ice Blue. This variety allows users to choose a model that best fits their personal style. The device was initially priced at approximately 220 EUR, a competitive range considering its features.

Performance Tests and Benchmarks

In terms of performance benchmarks, the Xperia XZs scores solidly across various tests. Its AnTuTu score is recorded at 170,766 (v8), while GeekBench shows a single-core score of 808 (v5.1). In graphics tests, GFXBench scores the device at 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen). The display contrast ratio is measured at 1223:1 (nominal) with a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.818, reaffirming its display quality.

Conclusion

In summary, the Sony Xperia XZs stands out for its robust build, high-quality camera capabilities, and adequate performance. While it might not compete with the latest flagship smartphones of subsequent years, it offers great value for those seeking a reliable device enriched with Sony's renowned media features. The combination of advanced camera technology, competent hardware, and stylish design makes it an appealing choice for a broad range of users.