Appearance of the first Android flagships in 2014 made it clear that the revolutionary changes in hardware terms this year as compared to previous years are going to be very significant for smartphone industry. Beginning of the year brought a string of new products, but the most interesting, of course, was the android market and among them was the Sony Xperia Z2, which we will consider in detail.

In autumn last year Sony introduced the new Xperia Z1 flagship, replacing the six-month older Xperia Z. With this new flagship, Sony made it clear that it will not change flagship in a year but in every six months, in response to increased competition. Later, in February this year, it was reported that, in order to strengthen the position of the mobile device, Sony is getting rid of VAIO laptops. However, talking about Xperia Z2 this transaction had no effect, but the consequences of redistribution of resources will be seen by the end of this year or in the early next year.

Externally, the new flagship is very similar to its predecessor, which, in general, is not surprising. But the differences need to be carefully look out for. The most obvious one’s are the new hardware stuffing, better display and new features and the built-in camera. So, let’s evaluate Sony Xperia Z2.

Screen

One of the main innovations in Xperia Z2 as compared to the previous flagship is the new screen technology for Sony. Earlier in their mobile products company used TFT displays, with their typical drawbacks. Now fans of the brand must be relieved, because Xperia Z2 has its screen based on IPS-matrix. Reading in the sunlight is much better with IPS matrix screen. Viewing angles were also much better.

As for the display characteristics, its size increased from 5 to 5.2 inches, the resolution remains the same (1920×1080 pixels), and the density of the image thus decreased from 441 to 424 ppi. But to the naked eye it is not noticeable.

Camera

Camera in the smartphone also remained the same. It is equipped with a proprietary CMOS-sensor Exmor RS backlit matrix. Sensor format is the same as in the entry-level digital cameras i.e. 1/2, 3 “, and the overall resolution is 20.7 megapixels (5248h3936). However, by default the camera turns on automatically and takes pictures with a resolution of 8 megapixels. But for shooting at full resolution, choose the manual mode.

In manual mode, by the way, you can change other camera settings. For example, the sensitivity (from 50 to 800 ISO), white balance, exposure compensation etc. It has one of the best camera in smartphones in modern times.

The only difference from the previous generation is that now the maximum video resolution is of 4K, and you can shoot Full HD at 60 frames per second. However, it did not merit the camera itself, but the processor is capable of handling more data per unit time. It is important to know that for shooting in 4K, there is a separate shooting mode, which is accessed through the menu selection mode, along with the M mode for shooting photo mode with augmented reality AR Effect and other pleasures. If you switch from photo mode to video mode, the maximum available resolution is Full HD.

The actual resolution for 4K movies is 3840×2160 pixels, and despite the strong compression, video in this resolution are rather heavy with 23 seconds record occupies approximately 150 megabytes. A similar clip in the resolution 1920×180 weighs only about 50 megabytes. We cannot say that the quality of 4K is particularly impressive. When viewed on a large screen, the compression artifacts are visible.

Performance

Another key difference between the smartphone from its predecessor is the new Qualcomm Snapdragon processor 801 instead of 800. Higher ability, higher clock speed, faster memory operations, as well as increased from 2 to 3 GB of RAM gives the smartphone significant performance gain and lead it to the Top in synthetic tests. Perhaps it is in the test. Subjectively, applications, maps, games, gallery with hundreds of pictures opens very quickly. Even the original memory usage in Android OS does not interfere with work, so that 3 GB we can say that it’s even a little for the future.

Stuffing

Built-in memory, as before, is 16 GB. But this time, in the expansion slot card can be placed up to 128 GB, which last year was not. Communications include the most complete set of standards, with the exception, perhaps is only the IR port, which is in the other flagships.

Battery

Built-in battery has become more capacious with 3200 mAh instead of 3000 mAh. This battery standby time as compared with Z1 is decreased slightly, and while talking and listening to music it has increased. In fact, the smartphone shows the average runtimes. If you are driving to work and sit on the Internet, make a dozen calls and will not be distracted by a smartphone during a working day, the battery will hold on until the evening.

But there are a number of software chip, allowing to extend the operating time when the battery is low. Stamina Mode mode we already know, is a new Low-battery mode. For it, there is even a separate section of the settings in which you can mark the function that will be switched off in this mode. Among them there are not only the GPS and data transmission, but also features like X-Reality, xLOUD, vibration feedback when using the keyboard. In addition, you can limit the maximum brightness and the automatic display. Switch to black and white mode, as in the Samsung Galaxy S5, is not provided. Probably, in the case of IPS-matrix OLED instead it makes no sense.

Software

Sony Xperia Z2 is running Android 4.4.2 KitKat. No special changes, except for a pair of new applications and additional configuration sections, were seen. The most useful feature that Sony added is the ability to sort shortcuts in the main menu alphabetically, by frequency of use and in any random order. It is very handy when applications are installed on the 5-6 menu screens.

Branded set of applications and services has not changed. There is a separate browser, music player, as well as programs like Whatsapp, showing the trends in Sony Entertainment with the new applications from Google Play and so on.

Competitors

A flagship needs worthy opponents and there are various smartphones in the market that are giving healthy competition to Xperia Z2. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Technologically, the main figure of Samsung is more than worthy: faster processor, a maximum of communications and other features, and even fingerprint is. But it looks a little frustrating because all expected from the company to finally introduce something new, but it turned out as always.

Cost of the smartphone is the same as that of the Sony Xperia Z2, but all the factors are in favour of the latter is incomparably the best selling product for sure. Samsung, then decides to aggressive marketing.

Apple iPhone 5S

Last Apple smartphone has a much smaller screen, a completely different architecture, running another OS. Main point of contact between two of the different devices – a similar price. Screen size, however, for many is not the main criterion for selection.

However, another similarity – built-in cameras. In both cases, they shoot great, but Xperia Z2 can bring the ability to shoot 4K-video. But all in all, probably, Z2 will be more appropriate when compare with the iPhone 6, which should be submitted at the end of the summer.

HTC One (M8)

This smartphone is worth a little more expensive, but does not have protection against dust and moisture. But it has an excellent appearance and metal casing, perfect ergonomics and interface HTC Sense. Talk about serious competition between HTC and Sony is quite difficult, each of these companies has its own circle of followers which would neither change for Xperia nor for One or vice versa.

Conclusion

Sony Xperia Z2 has been just recently launched and is getting very nice response from critics, so the xperia flagship has seen another successful addition to it. Now, the wait is for another smartphone in this flagship i.e. Sony Xperia Z3. Sony Xperia Z3 features are going to be much exciting and the smartphone is expected to be a huge hit in the market. Already there is a sea of rumours for Sony Xperia Z3, some saying it may have a front projector, some saying it may have flexible display and some saying it may be having a stretchable display. Sony Xperia Z3 have a long to be released and so many rumours on it already, this has made the launch of the smartphone even more exciting and has increased the curiosity among the smartphone users and everyone is waiting for the launch of it very anxiously and as the rumours shows Samsung galaxy S6 release date also very near to XperiaZ3  . With Sony Xperia Z2 being a huge success in market, Sony Xperia Z3 is expected to better the success of Xperia Z2.