Sony Xperia Z5 Dual

Size: 5.2 InchResolution: Full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels)Display Type: IPS LCDPixel Density: 424 ppiWhile the smartphone world is going the 2K way when it comes to the display resolution, we know that it hardly makes much difference to the end user. Sony also seems to be supportive of this camp, although it does show off its engineering prowess with the pricier version of the Xperia Z5, called the Xperia Z5 Premium, which is world’s first smartphone boasting a 4K display.The Sony Xperia Z5 bears a standard resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, which on a screen size of 5.2-inches, results in a decent pixel density of 428ppi. The display offers crisp text and impressive colours. The brightness levels are also adequate, and the display is easily visible outdoors.The smartphone also provides the option to turn on Image enhancement with the X-Reality or Super-vivid mode. Users can also tweak the white balance of the display. Another useful option is Smart backlight control, which detects whether you are looking at the screen while holding the Sony Xperia Z5 in your hands and keeps it awake. Protecting the display against scratches and knocks is Corning’s third generation Gorilla Glass. The touchscreen can also work if you are wearing gloves thanks to the super-sensitive glove mode.

Operating System: AndroidOS Version: 5.1, LollipopSony has always kept its customisations on top of Android bare minimal and straight-forward, unlike Samsung’s TouchWiz or HTC’s Sense. The skin on the Sony Xperia Z5 is no different, and runs atop Android Lollipop 5.1. The UI is mostly similar to previous implementations with five home screens and a dedicated app launcher sorting all apps in an alphabetical or custom order.   Sony was one of the first manufacturers to offer a floating window for using popular apps with its Small Apps functionality, and they can be used in the Xperia Z5 too. Simply hit the overview button, and along with the recently-opened apps, you can also open smaller version of apps like the calculator, timer, Gmail, etc. In terms of preinstalled content, the device is quite loaded with apps like Amazon Kindle, AVG Protection, Facebook, Hungama Play among others. It also comes with various apps from Sony such as Sony LIV, Jive, Xperia Lounge, etc. Gamers would also love the inclusion of the Modern Combat 5, although other titles such as Thor The Dark World are demo versions. There’s also a Lifelog app that tracks your steps taken, calories, and sleep patterns. 

Primary camera: 23 MPFlash: LED FlashSecondary camera: 5 MPWhile most of the features in the Xperia Z5 remain the same as its predecessor or have received minor updates, the camera department has got a significant boost. Instead of a 20.7MP sensor as seen on its predecessors, the device flaunts a 23-megapixel snapper at the back. The shooter features an Exmor RS sensor with an aperture of f/2.0 along with Sony’s G lens measuring 1/2.3”. The company also boasts about the fast autofocus capabilities of the primary shooter – just 0.03 seconds is all it takes to lock focus on the subject. The hardware seems powerful, although the images aren’t as detailed and vivid as we’d have liked to see from the sensor mounted on a Sony smartphone. As mentioned in our Sony Xperia Z5 camera review, the camera quality is impressive, but fails to carry forward the legacy of its predecessors.While writing this review, Sony gave a much-needed update to its camera app, which was unchanged for years. The new interface seems to be more user-friendly, and offers a spate of options. In the landscape mode, users can choose between modes like superior auto, manual, video, or check various camera apps, along with toggling the flash or switching to the front camera, with the options on the left. Towards the right, you can find the shutter button, gallery and settings menu. In terms of modes (referred to as apps), users can choose between AR effect, Panorama, Multi Camera, AR Mask, etc. You can also download modes and apps such as Time Lapse, CamScanner and Motion Shot from the camera interface itself. We also loved the fact that we could shoot images by using the shutter key rather than fiddling around with the viewfinder. The landscape and close-up images are brilliant. However, low-light imagery is a different story altogether. Only traces of the subject are visible, and the flash offers too much lighting, and thus ending up overexposing it.The front camera with the resolution of 5-megapixels does a decent job. In adequate lighting, the images are sharp and vibrant. In terms of video capabilities, the phone can shoot videos in maximum 4K resolution and slow-mo videos at 720p.Here are a few samples clicked from Xperia Z5’s 23MP shooter.  

CPU: Quad core, 2 GHz + Quad core, 1.5 GHz, Snapdragon 810GPU: Adreno 430RAM: 3 GBMemory: 32 GB + Up to 200 GBSIM Slots: Dual SIM , GSM+GSMSony has always chosen high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets for its flagship offerings, and same is the case with the Xperia Z5. Just like its predecessor, the Xperia Z3+ (first impressions), the device draws power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC. The octa-core processor offers four Cortex-A57 cores running at 2GHz, while four low-power cores are tuned at 1.5GHz. With such a loaded configuration, using the phone is a breeze, and switching between multiple tasks isn’t an issue either, thanks to 3GB of RAM. We rarely faced any lags with the smartphone, and playing high-end games such as Modern Combat 5 and Riptide GP2 was a delightful affair.Sadly, while the processor is powerful, it’s also notorious for heating issues. The problem seems to grow manifold with the Xperia Z5, since Sony’s previous offerings also struggled with managing heat dissipation. It's not just while gaming or running multiple apps together, the smartphone starts heating up even with the flashlight turned on for a few minutes. That said, the Xperia Z5 doesn't seem to heat as much as the reported issues with the Z3+.

Sony was among the first Android smartphone manufacturers that focussed on the battery life of its devices. It introduced the software-based STAMINA mode to ensure that the juice lasted longer. However, it seems that the brand has now lost its way as the Xperia Z5 offers an average battery life. While its capacity of 2,900mAh isn’t necessarily bad, and the handset doesn’t tote battery-draining 2K resolution, it barely manages to last an entire working day. As part of our standard test, with both brightness and volume levels at 50 percent, it was able to play a 720p video on loop for nine hours, which is less than the results delivered by other high-end offerings. However, the device does come with various battery-saving modes. Along with the STAMINA mode, there’s also Ultra STAMINA mode, which shuts down everything except calls and messages. There’s also support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology, helping the device getting juiced up in a jiffy.