Sony Xperia Z Ultra The Complete Guide Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra, released in 2013, was a flagship device that redefined the concept of phablets with its massive 6.4-inch display and robust hardware specifications. Even though it has been discontinued, the device remains notable for its innovative design and performance capabilities. This comprehensive article dives deep into its design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more, highlighting both its strengths and limitations.

Design and Build Quality

The Xperia Z Ultra stands out with its sleek and slim design, measuring 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm and weighing 212 grams. It’s crafted with high-quality materials like shatter-proof glass, giving it a premium feel. The choice of colors - black, white, and purple - allowed for some personalization, making it a visually appealing device. Despite its large size, the phone was designed to fit comfortably in the hand, although the sheer size might have been challenging for one-handed use. The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is also equipped with a micro-SIM slot, housed in its sturdy, elegant body.

Display

The Xperia Z Ultra features an impressive 6.4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 344 ppi. This large screen is ideal for multimedia consumption, offering vibrant images and crisp text. The large screen size achieved a 68.3% screen-to-body ratio, enhancing the immersive experience. The incorporation of shatter-proof glass added durability to the display, supporting its role as a multimedia powerhouse.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xperia Z Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset, featuring a quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. This combination made the device highly capable of multitasking and running demanding applications with ease. With 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSDXC card, the device offered sufficient memory for most users. Its original operating system, Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), was upgradable to Android 5.1 (Lollipop), providing users with access to improved functionality and user interface.\p>

Camera Capabilities

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra comes equipped with an 8 MP main camera with a f/2.4 aperture and autofocus. While not as advanced as some modern cameras, it was capable of capturing detailed HDR images and recording 1080p video at 30fps. The 2 MP front-facing camera also offered 1080p video recording, catering to video calls and selfies. The camera capabilities, although not groundbreaking, were satisfactory for its time and provided good photo and video quality under favorable lighting conditions.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3050 mAh battery. Despite the large screen size, the battery offered decent durability, with a stand-by time of up to 790 hours on 2G and up to 820 hours on 3G. Talk time was up to 14 hours on 2G and up to 16 hours on 3G, with music playback time reaching up to 120 hours. These figures make the Xperia Z Ultra a reliable companion for extended use away from power outlets.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Xperia Z Ultra supports a wide range of network bands, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, offering fast internet connection speeds of up to 150 Mbps on LTE Cat4. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS, with additional support for GLONASS. The device includes sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, enhancing its functionality. Ports include a microUSB 2.0 supporting MHL TV-out and OTG, along with a 3.5mm audio jack and stereo FM radio with RDS for music lovers.

Audio Performance

Sony Xperia Z Ultra delivers a satisfactory audio experience with its built-in loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack. The stereo FM radio feature enhances its entertainment capabilities. Audio quality tests indicate decent background noise suppression and minimal cross-talk, providing clear sound output suitable for regular media consumption.

Conclusion

While the Sony Xperia Z Ultra may no longer be at the forefront of smartphone technology, it remains an iconic device that pushed boundaries during its release period. Its massive display, robust performance, and sleek design made it a pioneer in the large-screen smartphone category. Although newer models have surpassed its specifications, the Xperia Z Ultra still holds a special place in the history of mobile devices as a testament to Sony's innovation and commitment to high-quality products.