Something feels different with the Sony Xperia Z5. After years of too-hasty handset updates from Sony with minimal enhancements (the Xperia Z3+ back in May was no exception), this finally feels like a worthwhile advance on the previous model.
Xperia Z5 feels like a different tack from Sony, and after the mess of the Xperia Z3+ it's good to see some real change.
Sony has also followed Microsoft's Windows 10 example and skipped a number, for the non-Japanese market at least: the Xperia Z3+ was called the Xperia Z4 in Japan, a muddle that the company has now resolved by jumping straight to Z5.
Sony's Xperia Z5 comes alongside the Xperia Z5 Compact and the Xperia Z5 Premium. The Xperia Z5 sits in the middle of the price scale and the same goes for its specs.
Price
In the UK, it's had a pre-release price drop on Sony's official store, from the original listing of £599 (about AU$1,249) to £549 (about AU$1,144). That original price may have been a placeholder, but it seems more likely to be a revision of strategy as it tries to land in a very congested flagship smartphone market.
In the US, there's been no official price drop, since this GSM-only phone still costs $599 through several retail channels. But you can find it for $539 on Amazon. Just don't go looking for a subsidized deal at Verizon or AT&T, because Sony launched this phone without carrier store support.
Design
Sony needed to fix up the design of its Xperia Z series and there have been some big changes this time. It's still angular and glass-backed, but this time it's a frosted material instead of the clear glass we've seen on every iteration since the Xperia Z1.
Design on the front of the phone hasn't changed much. The bezels at the side of the screen have been slightly slimmed down to allow a smaller phone without a change in screen size.
The edges have been rounded off a little more and the placement of the buttons on one edge has been switched.
Colour choices for the Xperia Z5 are green, black, gold and white – all of which look great, although the gold version in the most refined. I had the black and gold versions in for my review. Previously the backs of Sony phones have been fingerprint magnets, but this new frosted glass shrugs off marks and looks a lot classier from behind than the Xperia Z3+.
The branding is a little more tasteful this time. The Xperia name is etched into the side of the phone and I love the fact Sony has included the NFC logo here too. It makes it easy to know where to tap, and is a trick some other Android manufacturers could learn from (I'm looking at you, LG).
Sony has smoothed down the edges on the Xperia Z5 as well. A couple of generations ago, these felt rather sharp on the palm of your hand, so this is a welcome improvement. Even though the design of the Xperia Z5 still feels blocky, it's much more comfortable to hold than the Xperia Z2.
Along the top edge of the Xperia Z5 is the waterproof 3.5mm headphone jack, and the bottom edge hosts the microUSB port for charging and data transfer.
The right hand edge is quite different to other Xperia phones. The power button has been moved down to halfway along the edge. It's now silver and sits flush with the edge of the phone. This is also where the fingerprint sensor is – a great position for your right thumb when you're holding the phone. Sadly, the Sony Xperia Z5 in US any sort of the biometric power button.
Memory and storage
3 GB RAM
Up to 32 GB flash memory
Up to 200 GB micro SD card
SIM capability
Single SIM
Nano SIM
Operating System
Google Android 5.1 (Lollipop)
Processor (CPU)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Adreno 430 GPU
64-bit Octa-core processor, Quad-core 2.0 GHz+ Quad-core 1.5 GHz
Battery
Up to 2 days' battery life
3430 mAh
QC2.0
Durability
Waterproof and dust tight (IP65 and IP68)
Weight
181 grams
Dimensions
154.4 x 76.0 x 7.8 mm
Colour
Chrome
Black
Gold
Display
5.5'' 4K UHD (3840x2160), 806 PPI
Triluminos display for mobile
X-Reality for mobile
Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
Main camera
1/2.3'' 23 MP Sony Exmor RS for mobile sensor
Hybrid Auto Focus 0.03 sec *
5 x Clear Image Zoom
Up to 8x Digital Zoom
Wide-angle G Lens (24 mm)
Up to ISO 12800 Photo / 3200 Video
SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode – video stabilisation
4K video recording
Pulse LED Flash
Front camera -5 MP front camera Sony Exmor R for mobile sensor
Full HD video
-SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode – video stabilisation
Wide-angle lens (25 mm)
Networks
GSM GPRS
UMTS HSPA (3G)
LTE (4G) / LTE (s4G) Cat 6
Connectivity
aGPS
Bluetooth 4.1 wireless technology
DLNA Certified®
Wi-Fi
MIMO
MHL 3.0
NFC
ANT+ sport, fitness, health support
Sound
High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD)
DSEE HX
LDAC
Digital Noise Cancelling
Clear Audio+
S-Force Front Surround
Auto-headset compensation
Stereo Recording
FM Radio
Entertainment
PlayMemories
PS4 Remote Play
Fingerprint Sensor
Fast and secure unlock
Key accessories
Style Cover Window SCR46
SmartWatch 3
MDR-1ABT Hi-Res Audio Bluetooth® Headphones
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