Unlocked Sony Xperia Z5 Premium (international variant) now available in the US

posted by Florin T. / Nov 23, 2015, 5:07 PM

Unlocked Sony Xperia Z5 Premium (international variant) now available in the US

While Sony didn't say anything regarding the release of its Xperia Z5 Premium in the US, the handset can already be bought via two online retailers: Amazon and Expansys. More exactly, it's the international variant of the Z5 Premium that can currently be purchased, which means there's no US warranty included. If that's not a problem, the new smartphone can be yours for as low as $776 at Amazon, or $779.99 at Expansys.

Both the single SIM and dual SIM versions of the Xperia Z5 Premium can be bought from Amazon and Expansys, and both have LTE support - but they'll only work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM carriers (no love for Verizon and Sprint).

Officially announced in September, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the world's first smartphone to sport a display with 2160 x 3840 pixels (4K). However, only media is rendered in 4K, with the screen - a 5.5-inch panel - acting as a 1080p one during normal usage. Other highlight features of the Z5 Premium include a water-resistant body, fingerprint scanner, a 23 MP rear camera with fast auto focus, octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of expandable storage space, and a 3430 mAh battery.

Are you planning to buy a Sony Xperia Z5 Premium?

Sony Xperia Z5 Prime

sources: Amazon, Expansys (Xperia Z5 Premium single SIM, Xperia Z5 Premium dual SIM)

Related phones

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

7.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.3

Based on 3 Reviews

Display 5.5" 2160 x 3840 pixels

Camera 23 MP / 5 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, Octa-core, 2000 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3430 mAh(19.17h 3G talk time)

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63 Comments

1. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

I love how GSMArena has done tests with FHD, 2K and 4K screens and they proved that the difference beetween them is impossible to spot with eyes showing once again that anything over FHD doesn't make any sense unless it's tablet or something bigger.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 5:12 PM 11

2. mixedfish

Posts: 1554; Member since: Nov 17, 2013

By 'test' you mean some dude who stared at some screens and said "yep I can't see a difference, must be fact". Until there is a statistical population sample involved to prove otherwise, I'll trust my own eyes that tell me you can see beyond FHD.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 5:16 PM 17

5. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

To be fair to that guy, I am yet to read and watch ANY review that says of yes, we clearly see a difference in sharpness between a 4k screen and a QHD one.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 5:19 PM 7

7. Amo5500

Posts: 16; Member since: Nov 23, 2015

The test is NOT scientific at all. With 4K, my eyes feel more relaxed when reading. This can't be easily tested with simple method.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 5:25 PM 3

10. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

I am convinced now, your explanation seems more scientific than that of GSMARENA's one. Anyways, so I am guessing your eyes gets tired 90% of the time you are using the Z5P right? Because as far as I know, the phone mostly renders content and do the majority of tasks in 1080 resolution.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 5:48 PM 3

15. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

You do realize the phone still has 806ppi, regardless of the screen resolution right? This is probably why the user said their eyes are more relaxed, because no pixels are visible. Also, GSMarena is a complete joke. They claim there's no visible difference, yet with the macro shots there is a clear winner, and that is the Z5P. And how surprising Maherk, once the Z5 was announced and for a couple months onward you claim to adore the devices, and here we are with you bashing it. I swear you liked the Z5P? It's funny, your hypocrisy, since you do this same crap after every Xperia release.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 6:15 PM 9

16. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

So I am supposed to glorify everything about it or else I am a hater who is bashing the phone? Lol And you said it, MACRO shots, only then they were able to tell the difference. There was a time when a CEO of an X company claimed that QHD is useless on smartphones, and their fans jumped on to defend him until like 2 months ago. Anyways my friend, I still believe it is a top notch device, and if you want to go back to the time this phone was announced, I was bullied for stating that it is stupid to offer such a resolution and not give the owner the option to enable it's full potential or not. Cry more, please.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 6:26 PM 6

21. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

I don't expect you to glorify it at all, but at the same time I don't expect you to start attacking it right when its released. I guess you haven't seen videos online comparing the Note 5 display to the Z5 Premium, because many reviews claim there is a huge difference in favor of the Z5P, even without MACRO shots. Yeah, the Sony CEO said QHD was useless, and later released a 4k display. He was absolutely correct about QHD being useless in smartphones, because there's little to no difference from Full HD and its not enough for a perfect VR experience. 4k isn't useless, because there's a major difference between Full HD and 4k, and VR with this resolution is optimal. "I was bullied for stating that it is stupid to offer such a resolution" Seriously, you got bullied on an online tech website? Grow up.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 6:54 PM 7

22. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

4k is locked to media rendering only. To use VR, you need to download 3rd party apps, which means you ll only be getting 1080 when using a VR, WHICH again means, your point is invalid. And please man, stop all that BC, it is fine to say he and us were wrong, but you're still defending that lie? And trust me, I ve seen tons of reviews, and from unbiased channels and websites, they ALL crown the ote 5's screen as the better out of the 2, mentioning how dim the Z5P panel is even when compared to it's smaller sibling, let alone compared to the Note 5. Frustrating and anger is dripping from your comments, chill out buddy, I still like the Z5P, and if my opinion did hurt your innocent feelings, I am sorry, the Z5P has the best screen ever built. Hope you're happy now, I don't want to see you ever cry again.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:08 PM 3

24. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

Seriously Maherk? You're actually insulting your own intelligence right now. You say how 4k is locked to media rendering only, but you do realize if the VR app supported 4k, the Z5P WILL display 4k resolution, right? It's not limited to pictures and videos only. If you actually cared to do a little research, you'd know that the phone can detect 4k content and automatically switch to the respected resolution, being 4k here. Care to provide links to back your arguments about the Z5P display? Because I've yet to see one reviewer have anything negative to say about color reproduction, viewing angles, blacks, etc. Yeah, I'll give you the brightness argument though, but its still not dim by any means. Love it how you try to turn things on me, and say how you hurt my "innocent feelings", yet you were the one claiming to have got bullied on a tech website. Will the hypocrisy with you ever cease?

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:18 PM 8

25. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Camera? Lol Where did I mention anything about the Z5P's camera? And yes, I was attacked based on my comment back then, but where did I say it affected me lol. There are 2 or 3 guys on this site that knows me off this site, ask them how devastated I turn when I get a negative comment on PA lol On the other hand, you are the same guy who was high-fiving me when the Z5 was released, and now you are going bananas over my comments simply because I am not fan of this 4k display. And you do know that no dev will waste his time to support a 4k resolution until it becomes mainstream, which I doubt it will be anytime soon. They are yet to support QHD resolution, atleast the vast, VAST majority of them. Anyways, I am not that tech guy, but since you are acting like one, why not reply to Tyrion's comment? I bet you're scared he ll put you in his mini basket with his valid and scientific arguments. Peace buddy.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:26 PM 2

27. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

How about you re-read what I wrote and try comprehending it before instant replying? Where did I mention camera anywhere in that post? Wakie wakie Maherk. I high-fived you after the Z5 release? Or was it you, because you kept asking which of the three Z5's I was going to be purchasing? It doesn't matter if no dev supports 4k yet, Sony built a future proof device and when the time comes it'll be supported. It's funny, because last year Samsung said they'd put a 4k display on mobile which is this year, and they haven't. Sony did. Nuff said. I'm certainly not claiming to be a tech genius, but I do know my fair share of tech, as does everyone on PA. And, in fact I will reply to Tyrion's comment. He put good points, but still doesn't realize you can't shrink ppi

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:44 PM 9

28. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Nice editing skills lmoa It's ok if you lost focus for a second and typed camera instead of display, but again, you don't have the b@lls to admit you were wrong even in such a silly case lol I feel like I am talking to a 12 years old kid. Again, nice editing lmao

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:48 PM 3

30. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

It's funny, because you completely ignore the paragraph I write about the display, and how I'd like some links to back your arguments, yet you attack me because of a simple error which was edited right away. Thus, I said you should read it before instantly replying. I'll be waiting for your links, BTW.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:53 PM 8

31. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Now you're admitting that it was edited? Lol I thought you never said anything about the camera? Anyways, I am not in the mood for doing your hw this time, go look it up for yourself. Adios.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:57 PM 1

32. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

Technically, I didn't say anything about the camera lol. I just didn't expect you to be checking the page refreshing every 10 seconds, be cause I edited it right after I posted. And of course your not in the mood to post links, because they're probably none, or just one. How can you provide arguments such as those without backing them up via links? Troll

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 8:01 PM 7

18. TyrionLannister unregistered

That's utter BS. If a 4k screen displays 1080p, it is virtually a 1080p panel. 4 pixels will behave and act as one and there will be no way of knowing whether it's one pixel or 4 pixels. Hence making this factor useless. The relaxation of eye depends more on the color temperature, gamma, color grading and many other factors. Eyes get offended when they see aliasing. If a 4k panel behaves as a 1080p one, it will have the exact same aliasing and hence eyes will be equally offended. Let me reiterate this: if 4 pixels have the same color, it doesn't matter if they are one pixel, 4 pixels, 16 or 1 gajillion pixels. It will appear like one square with a color. 806 PPI displaying 1080p will have the same pixelation as a 401 PPI screen. The pixelation will not be hardware limited, but software limited. Still not convinced. Try to watch a 144p video on a 1440p screen v/s a 144p screen. You will see the exact same amount of pixelation, no matter how sharp your screen is. 144p video will look like crap and there will be pixels everywhere.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 6:34 PM 5

19. maherk

Posts: 6828; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Come on man, I said don't post facts, you will get assaulted for doing so.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 6:39 PM 0

29. Busyboy

Posts: 731; Member since: Jan 07, 2015

The comment I made was that 806 ppi is still 806 ppi, regardless of resolution. Sure, it isn't 4k, but it certainly doesn't just go to 400 ppi because its only rendering 1080p. I can go watch a 720p video on a 2k res device, and I still won't be able to see any pixels if I look close. Sure, the picture isn't as clear, but there's no pixel in sight. The fact that you think the pixels dissapear by combining together is rather sad. You claim that the relaxation of an eye only depends on color temperature, gamma, etc and not the amount of pixels? So you're essentially saying that even if there was a 6inch display with 100 ppi, that the eyes wouldn't be affected? That they wouldn't be strained? Give me a break Tyrion

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 7:50 PM 7

40. Hallyu

Posts: 790; Member since: Jul 21, 2015

Seriously, dude. You tried so hard to defend Sony. It's because there are tons of fanboys like you, that's why Sony never acknowledged their faults and flaw, and that's why Sony isn't well-developed.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 9:59 PM 2

48. TyrionLannister unregistered

So you're saying that you don't see pixelation on a 144p video. Try it on youtube now.

posted on Nov 24, 2015, 3:43 AM 1

35. techbuttcheex

Posts: 203; Member since: Jul 25, 2015

The Z5P doesn't display any text in 4k. Everything other than video and photos are downscaled to 1080p. There is no other 4k smartphone on the market.

posted on Nov 23, 2015, 8:46 PM 1

38. sgodsell

Posts: 7318; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

I have HD, Full HD, and QHD devices. I notice a difference in all the screen resolutions. You really notice it when you use VR. Because the resolution is split in two. Half the resolution for each eye. So a HD display has a resolution of only 640x720 per eye. Full HD display has 960x1080. QHD display has 1280x1440. So if you get a 4k display then each eye gets a resolution of 1920x2160. Hopefully this device will also support VR.