5 things that would've made the Sony Xperia XZ Premium a better phone

by Preslav Kateliev / Feb 27, 2017, 9:37 AM

5 things that would've made the Sony Xperia XZ Premium a better phone

Sony has just announced its second 4K smartphone — the Xperia XZ Premium — and it is as shiny and as powerful as expected. Melding top-of-the-line hardware with the Z series' industrial design has given us a powerful jewel of a smartphone, which is capable of pushing a 2160 x 3840 pixel resolution at all times, instead of only when watching pictures and video.

But as pretty and as impressive as it is, the Xperia XZ Premium is not the perfect smartphone. Call it nitpicking, or call it a reasonable wishlist, we found 5 things that rub us the wrong way about the XZ Premium... or, well, a lack of 5 things. Check out our list below, feel free to add to it via the comments section.

5 things that would've made the Sony Xperia XZ Premium a better phone

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.7

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.8

Based on 5 Reviews

Display 5.5" 2160 x 3840 pixels

Camera 19 MP / 13 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Octa-core, 2450 MHz

Storage 64 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3230 mAh(24.7h 3G talk time)

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26 Comments

1. Doakie

Posts: 2478; Member since: May 06, 2009

As an American I'm always surprised when I hear that Sony still makes phones. We never see them here. I see way more unlocked Chinese phones in the wild than Sony phones.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:38 AM 0

2. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

Sony dont give it to all carrier and mosty only exclusive thats dont help. Also tech review website are always nitpicking at all sony handset even if by example its the only phone with waterproofing not prone to overheating..

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:46 AM 0

7. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

"Also tech review website are always nitpicking at all sony handset even if by example its the only phone with waterproofing not prone to overheating.." Sources? I know for a fact my 7 Plus has never overheated. In fact, I've never once seen a non-Android device stop functioning because of heat issues. Martin, you can't just post this crap and expect people to believe you.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:55 AM 0

9. maherk

Posts: 7017; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Sony phones are prone to overheating, so he is absolutely wrong in here. But also, the 7 Plus is also know to overheat, and it's a widely spread issue. Anyways, almost every phone is known to overheat at different tasks these days, I don't know any flagship that doesn't.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:01 AM 3

12. Bankz

Posts: 2550; Member since: Apr 08, 2016

While you might be correct, i think u need to look at the bigger picture in the sense that he isnt saying that other phones stop functioning properly because of overheating due to their water resistance but that sony (water resistant) phones are hardly embroidled with any scandal like exploding, overheating and the like and in that sense we'd have to give them credit. Moreover u cant deny that reviewers are sort of bias when they review sony phones (though hardly their fault when sony decides to make some questionable decisions but still..). For instance sony makes some of the best designed on the planet but u hardly see any professional reviewer giving them due credit save for the occassional compliment. Same with stereo speakers and water resistance.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:15 AM 0

26. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

its an issue with every phone these days thin walls + tightly packed battery + plugging it in to charge while using it.. or even having the screen on for a long period while gaming all equal high heat.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 3:11 PM 1

4. Busyboy

Posts: 738; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

What a disappointing day :(

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:48 AM 0

5. maherk

Posts: 7017; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

May I ask why?

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:53 AM 0

11. Busyboy

Posts: 738; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

Insane bezels, terrible battery size, no Daydream compatibility (what's the point of UHD?), probably another crap camera, and the more than likely astronomical price. Oh, and they disabled the fingerprint sensor again? This is destined for failure.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:13 AM 0

13. maherk

Posts: 7017; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I don't mind the top and bottom bezels as long as the side bezels are slim. I won't say terrible, but I agree, they could've went with a bigger battery. I've lost interest in VR a long time ago, so that's not an issue for me. Camera we'll have to wait and see the production version, although an OIS would've made it a lot better camera. And yeah, it's stupid they still deactivate the fingerprint sensor in the US till thia day. Sure I would've loved it if Sony didn't pass on some of the upgrades you're asking for, but it didn't disappoint me tbh. Anyways, I'll wait for HTC and Samsung to announce their flagships before I make my purchase decision this year.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:23 AM 0

25. eelpout

Posts: 34; Member since: Oct 13, 2016

Sony doesn't have the US patent to the fingerprint sensor on a power button. It's possible HP (who I think holds it now) won't grant them a license. Just buy it overseas (like I did with the XZ) or flash it.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 2:36 PM 1

6. Madmax

Posts: 110; Member since: Aug 19, 2016

Great.. Even if you hate Sony, you only found five shortcomings Sony... And from them too, two are useless, OIS and Bezels... Sony already had 5 axis image stabilization, they don't need no OIS... Their EIS is enough.. Remember, DxOmark rated the image stabilization of X series smartphone and Z5 series tge the highest... And as for the bezels... Yes they are big, but that gives an uncanny charm to the phone.. Xperia XZ premium would not be the phone we see today if it had reduced bezels... Bezels do not necessarily make a phone look good... The LG G6 looks good but S8...I am sorry to say, but I don't like the new S8 design.. their earlier design was GREAT... but now, the new design seems kinda disproportionate... Anyways, it's only my views.. So bear with me.. Excited for this new phone though(Xperia XZ Premium)

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:53 AM 1

8. maherk

Posts: 7017; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I only found one, and it was the battery, wished it was bigger. And since I don't live in the US anymore, number 5 isn't an issue for me. Apart from that, the XZ Premium is a great flagship, at least on paper for now.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 9:57 AM 1

10. TechGirl90 unregistered

Are you kidding me with this article?? This device was just announced and already we complaining about what SONY should have done. -_- We are children who get chocolate chip cookies, and then when we want a different version of chocolate chip cookies, we get it, and it has M&Ms on the cookies. You wanted something different, but in the same breath cry about that difference. Gone are the days we let Reality be our purchasing decision over Specs, now it's Vice Versa. SMH

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:05 AM 1

16. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

Well that bigger battry couldn't hurt. I expected at least a 3600 mAh battery with such big bezels...

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 11:45 AM 0

21. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

LMAO, exactly because the only improvement Sony make over predecessor is tiny bit specs that all manufacture do.and this phone is actually has bigger bezel with smaller battery compared to z5 premium, what's not to complaint?

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 12:35 PM 0

14. Settings

Posts: 2943; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

This site is too whiney for something not Samsung or Apple. I'm just here for entertainment. For more balanced news, I go to GSMArena.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:26 AM 2

15. FCB-Eto

Posts: 64; Member since: Aug 17, 2013

Funny enough despite the bezels it's still smaller than the iphone 7 plus which has the same screen at 5.5 but receives so much praise here it's not funny. I can't with tech sites always bias towards who gives them free stuff. Try any sony phone in person it's smooth as butter, as for finger print blame HP with it's patent and the USA for it's outdated patent system or flash international firmware and you have a working fingerprint reader.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 10:46 AM 2

17. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

Haha, I'm also just here because the comment section is a lot of fun. Even though I agree with this article, PA is usually so biased against Sony, it's not even funny anymore.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 11:48 AM 0

18. Moose

Posts: 418; Member since: Jan 05, 2015

I agree totally with the comment that this phone is way too bulky also that the battery is pathetic, but there is another problem and that will be the exorbitant price they will be asking for it. OK if you are a camera buff but not a phone for the casual picture taker or one who takes very few photos at all. With regard to the wide bezels, we have to conclude that Sony just doesn't listen to feedback or is not aware of how the market is changing. They must not have noticed the Xiaomi Mix with it's lack of bezels.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 11:58 AM 0

19. Xperia14

Posts: 1208; Member since: Sep 01, 2015

The difference between Sony and other companies is that Sony uses big 1/2.3" camera sensors. Sony takes design very serious and therefore doesn't want to add a camera hump. LG got rid of the hump by implementing a small (and cheap) 1/3.06" sensor, and Sony does it by putting it in the upper bezel. Choose what you want.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 12:13 PM 1

22. SleeperOne

Posts: 370; Member since: Feb 25, 2017

The bezels are the way they are so you can actually hold the damn phone properly to take pictures.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 12:40 PM 0

23. Plasticsh1t

Posts: 3109; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

This looks very good. I'll wait until it's available and try it for myself.

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 12:50 PM 0

24. Omarc07

Posts: 574; Member since: Nov 12, 2012

i like it but not gonna lie i dont care for it i know for a fact like always its not gonna release on any carrier here in the US. Funny how i was in mexico last month and over there all carriers , Telcel, Movistar and Even At&t mexico all carry sony phones . I dont get why at&t mexico carriers sony phones but not at&t here in the US?

posted on Feb 27, 2017, 1:59 PM 0

27. monoke

Posts: 1197; Member since: Mar 14, 2015

Such a sleek elegant design, especially in chrome, just held back by bad screen to body ratio imo. Phone would've look perfect with a 5.8 screen in the same footprint.