Sony Xperia Z5 Dual Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Sony Xperia Z5 Dual stands out with its sleek design and excellent build quality, a hallmark of Sony’s Xperia series. With dimensions of 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and a lightweight construction of 154 grams, it presents a premium feel. The device is available in an array of colors such as White, Graphite Black, Gold, and Green, catering to various consumer preferences. The dual SIM feature (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) is crafted to accommodate users who wish to keep their personal and professional contacts separate.

Display Technology

The Xperia Z5 Dual features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display characterized by a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, offering profound color reproduction and impressive viewing angles. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 70.9%, users can enjoy immersive visuals, protected by scratch-resistant glass and an oleophobic coating that keep it free from smudges and scratches.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Xperia Z5 Dual is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 chipset, based on a 20 nm process. This octa-core CPU consists of four Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.5 GHz and four Cortex-A57 cores running at 2.0 GHz, paired with an Adreno 430 GPU, providing robust performance suitable for multitasking and gaming. The phone boasts 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSDXC card slot, ensuring ample space for apps and media.

Camera Capabilities

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Xperia Z5 Dual's 23 MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture, 24mm wide lens, and phase detection autofocus (PDAF). The phone supports 4K video recording at 30fps and includes features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes. The 5.1 MP front camera caters to selfie lovers, offering HDR support and 1080p video recording at 30fps.

Battery Life and Charging

Equipped with a non-removable 2900 mAh Li-Ion battery, the Xperia Z5 Dual delivers impressive longevity. Its standby time is up to 520 hours on 2G and 540 hours on 3G networks, with a talk time extending up to 13 hours and 10 minutes on 2G and 17 hours on 3G. Additionally, users can enjoy up to 87 hours of music playback. The device supports 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 2.0, enabling rapid recharges.

Software and User Interface

Initially launched with Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), the Xperia Z5 Dual can be upgraded to Android 7.0 (Nougat), featuring Sony’s custom UI offering a seamless and user-friendly experience. The software is designed to maximize productivity and provide intuitive navigation through applications and settings.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Xperia Z5 Dual offers extensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band capabilities, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot creation. Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP and aptX ensures seamless device pairing and audio streaming. For positioning, the phone supports GPS, GLONASS, and BDS (market-dependent). NFC and an FM radio with RDS are also incorporated, alongside a microUSB 2.0 port supporting MHL 3 TV-out and OTG functionality. The phone features stereo speakers and retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, appealing to audiophiles.

Sensor and Security Features

The Xperia Z5 Dual is equipped with various sensors such as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor (EU models only), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, and barometer, not only enhancing security but also improving the interactive experience with the device.

Network and Band Support

The Xperia Z5 Dual is configured to operate across a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE. It supports various 2G and 3G bands, along with multiple 4G LTE bands, ensuring comprehensive network connectivity and seamless data speeds with up to 42.2/5.76 Mbps on HSPA and 150/50 Mbps on LTE Cat4 networks.

Launch and Market Availability

Announced in September 2015 and released in October 2015, the Xperia Z5 Dual was part of Sony's flagship lineup before being discontinued. It initially retailed at a price of approximately 170 EUR, offering excellent value given its feature-rich specifications and impressive build quality.

Overall Impressions

The Sony Xperia Z5 Dual represents a fusion of premium design, robust performance, and versatile functionality, making it a significant contender in its era. Despite being discontinued, it retains a legacy of reliability and innovation characteristic of Sony’s Xperia line, catering to users seeking a balanced smartphone experience with a retro touch.