Sony Xperia XZ Review: Loaded to the brim… with compromise
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10 By Sheldon Pinto / 11 Nov 2016 , 14:49Sony has not exactly been hitting sixes with every flagship smartphone launch. The Xperia Z3+ was plagued with heating issues, while the Xperia Z5 just managed to keep its head up with last year’s flagships. The one thing that Sony smartphones were known for (since the Sony Ericsson days) was image quality and these days, even that does not seem to be working in their favour. Add to this Sony’s overly complicated camera interface. I have a lot of complaints about Sony’s previous flagships, so does the new and improved Xperia XZ attempt to resolve any of them? Let’s find out!
Build and Design: 7 / 10
The Sony Xperia XZ comes in Forest Blue, Mineral Black and Platinum. We received the Forest Blue option for review and it does impress at first glance. The XZ is the biggest design refresh we have seen from Sony’s smartphone range so far and is a long stretch from what we saw with the Z series (Z3+, Z5 etc.).
The top with the 3.5mm headphone jack. 
The bottom end with the USB Type C port. 
Sony being Sony, it also focuses on design. And this time around the Japanese giant has gone with what it calls the ‘loop surface’ design philosophy. It consists of curved glass, rounded edges that not just looks balanced, but unlike most other smartphone flagships (that have gone on a diet) feels just right when held in the hand.
Upon opening the box, I noticed how the unit somehow did not match my expectations. No it was not scratched, but it’s just that the finish on the frame did not seem right. Soon enough I figured out why and it can be summarised in just one word, plastic.
The back plate is made of metal while the frame is made of plastic. Yes, this premium smartphone, priced at Rs 51,990, comes with a plastic frame. How did I know? Well, it feels warm, while the back that is made of metal feels cold. With that said, the only metal surface on the smartphone is its back that’s made of high purity ALKALEIDO metal.
I’m a fan of ALKALEIDO metal, it’s just that I wished that the frame was made using the same metal or at least polycarbonate instead of painted plastic which feels really cheap and slippery. 
There’s also plenty of bezel on the front, but it kind of feels in place, keeping the design language in mind. Single Page
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Tags: Sony, Sony Xperia XZ, Sony Xperia XZ camera, Sony Xperia XZ design, Sony Xperia XZ display, Sony Xperia XZ features, Sony Xperia XZ performance, Sony Xperia XZ review, Sony Xperia XZ verdict
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