Sony Xperia Z2

Summary

The Sony Xperia Z2 is an Android-based smartphone unveiled, manufactured, and marketed by Sony and was released in April 2014. Under the codename "Sirius", Xperia Z2 serves as the successor to the Sony Xperia Z1. Like its predecessor, the Xperia Z2 is water and dust proof with an IP rating of IP55 and IP58. The phone features an IPS LED display, a Snapdragon 801 processor and the ability to record 4K videos. The Xperia Z2 also allows removable microSD storage up to 128 GB.

Sony Xperia Z2
CodenameSirius
BrandSony
ManufacturerSony Mobile Communications
SloganDetails make the difference
SeriesSony Xperia
ModelD6502, D6503, D6543, L50t, L50u, SO-03F
Compatible networksD6502: UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV),1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) MHz; GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz.

D6503: UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV),1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) MHz; GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz; LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20).

D6543: UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) MHz; GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz; LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8).
First releasedMarch 24, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-03-24)
Availability by regionMarch 24, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-03-24) (Taiwan)

March 27, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-03-27) (China, L50t model exclusively for China Mobile)[1]

April 5, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-04-05)
(Singapore)

May 1, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-01)
(Australia, United Kingdom)

May 2, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-02) (China, L50u model exclusively for China Unicom)[2]

May 5, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-05) (Canada)

May 12, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-12) (India)

May 17, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-17)
(Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia)

May 19, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-19) (New Zealand)

May 21, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-05-21) (Japan, SO-03F variant exclusively for NTT DoCoMo)

July 21, 2014; 9 years ago (2014-07-21) (United States)
PredecessorSony Xperia Z1
SuccessorSony Xperia Z3
RelatedSony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia Z1
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Sony Xperia Z2 SO-03F (Japan)
TypeTouchscreen smartphone
Form factorSlate
Dimensions146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm
Mass163 g
Operating systemAndroid 4.4.2 KitKat (Launch)
Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (last version for SO-03F)
Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (current)
System-on-chipQualcomm Snapdragon 801
CPU2.3 GHz quad-core Krait (2.3 GHz Qualcomm MSM8974AB Quad Core)
GPUAdreno 330
Memory3 GB RAM
Storage16 GB (32 GB for SO-03F variant)
Removable storageUp to 128 GB microSDXC
Batterynon-user removable Li-ion 3200 mAh
Display5.2 in (130 mm) diagonal IPS LCD
Full HD 1920x1080 px
BRAVIA TRILUMINOS Display with Sony Live Color LED
X-Reality Engine for Mobile
Rear cameraSony G Lens 20.7 MP 1/2.3" Exmor RS IMX220 back-side illuminated sensor with BIONZ™ Engine for mobile image processor and LED flash
2160p video recording @ 30 frames/s
1080p video recording @ 30/60 frames/s
720p video recording @ 30/120 frames/s
Front camera2.2 MP (1080p video recording)
ConnectivityWi-Fi
DLNA
GPS/GLONASS[3]
NFC
Bluetooth 4.0
MHL 3.0
USB 2.0 (Micro-B port, USB charging)
USB OTG
3.50 mm (0.138 in) headphone jack, 5 pole
Data inputsMulti-touch, capacitive touchscreen, proximity sensor
OtherAvailable in black, purple and white
IP55 / IP58 (Dust protected, Water jet protected & Waterproof)
Digital Noise cancellation
Sony Exmor R for Mobile
Sony Exmor RS for Mobile
Sony G Lens
1/2.3 Aperture sensor
Sony BIONZ image processor
SteadyShot
Smile shutter
SensMe
TrackID
Sony Entertainment Network
PlayStation App
Remote Play
1seg (SO-03F variant only)
Miracast
Sony Sketch
Magnetic charge port
Osaifu-Keitai (SO-03F variant only)
NOTTV (SO-03F variant only)
POBox Plus (SO-03F variant only)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Xperia Z2 was unveiled alongside the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and the Sony Xperia M2 during the 2014 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on February 24, 2014,[4][5] and was first released in Taiwan on March 24, 2014,[6] in Singapore on April 5, 2014,[7] and entered more markets between April and May 2014. In the United States, the Xperia Z2 was released unlocked through the Sony Store on July 21, 2014.[8]

Many reviewers praised the phone's screen, camera and waterproof design, but criticized its size and camera software issues that cause the device to overheat when recording 4K video for extended periods.[9]

Design edit

 
Purple, black, and white colour options

Similar to other devices under the Sony Xperia Z series, the Xperia Z2 has an "Omni-Balance", according to Sony, which is focused on creating balance and symmetry in all directions. The phone comes with the same aluminium frame as its predecessor. It also features tempered glass on the front and back with an aluminium power button placed on the right hand side of the device.[10]

Specifications edit

Hardware edit

 
Sony Xperia Z2 And Z5

The Sony Xperia Z2 features a 5.2 inch BRAVIA IPS LCD Triluminos display with a resolution of 1080 by 1920 pixels (Full HD) with a pixel density of 424 ppi.[11] Additionally, display features such as Live Color LED technology reproduces richer colours and more uniform backlighting as compared to the Sony Xperia Z1.[12] It has a large 1/2.3" 20.7 megapixel camera with Sony's in-house G lens with Sony BIONZ for mobile image processor and Exmor RS for mobile image sensor. The camera is capable of HDR and 4K video recording. It also supports 4K video output via MHL 3.0.[13] It also features a front-facing camera of 2.2 megapixels. The phone is available in three different colors, black, purple and white.[14]

The device is equipped with multi-colour LED-backlit stereophonic speakers.[15]

On the inside, the Xperia Z2 features a slightly tweaked Snapdragon 800 processor (known as Snapdragon 801) clocked at 2.3 GHz sealed with a high capacity 3200mAh battery, 3GB of RAM with 16GB (11.57GB user accessible, as shown on the device) internal storage and has microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC support up to 128GB (note that SD card can be used for app storage under android Lollipop v5.0.2 and later). The Xperia Z2 is lighter and also thinner than its predecessor weighing at 163g and measuring 146.8mm by 73.3mm by 8.2mm. For connectivity, the phone supports NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, DLNA and FM radio.[16] It also supports –DUALSHOCK 4. The ability to connect an external USB device is a feature otherwise known as USB OTG which the Xperia Z2 also supports.[17] Digital noise cancellation technology is also built into the phone which works by using the headsets included with the phone.[10]

Software edit

The Xperia Z2 originally ran the Android 4.4.2 "KitKat" operating system with Sony's custom launcher and some applications additions, such as Sony's media applications including Walkman (currently updated to Music), Album and Videos. With NFC on the Xperia Z2, it allows 'screen mirroring' — which mirrors what is on the smartphone screen to compatible TVs — and play music over-the-air on NFC-enabled speakers. Screen recording (Screencasting) was implemented in it years ahead of stock Android, and accessible from the power button menu.[18]

The device also includes Sony's battery stamina mode, which extends the phone's standby up to 4 times. Several Google applications (such as Google Chrome, Google Play, Google Search and Voice, Google Maps, and Google Talk) are also preloaded onto the phone. New features added to the software includes 'Smart Backlight' — which keeps the phone display on for as long as the user is looking at it — and 'Glove Mode'.[12]

The 2160p (4K) video resolution is implemented as separate camera mode in the camera software rather than integrated in the video resolution selector.[19]

Sony announced on their blog that the whole Xperia Z series will be getting the Android 5.0 "Lollipop" update. While the update was planned to be carried out at the start of 2015,[20] the roll-out to the Xperia Z2 did not begin until 7 April 2015.[21] The update in the United Kingdom rolled out on 16 April 2015. The Android 5.1 update was carried out on 21 July 2015.[22]

Sony announced on their blog that the Xperia Z2 will receive the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update after the release of Xperia Z5. Subsequently, on 9 April 2016 the update was officially rolled out to the Xperia Z2.[23]

The Xperia Z2 was not among the Sony's list of Xperia models that will be receiving the Android 7.0 Nougat update.[24]

Marketing edit

In June 2014, the Xperia Z2 was announced as the "official smartphone" of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[25] In Sweden, customers who purchased the phone also received one of Sony's wearable devices, the Sony SmartBand SWR10.[26]

Variants edit

Model FCC id Carriers/regions GSM bands UMTS bands LTE bands Notes
D6502 Worldwide
D6503 Worldwide 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20
D6543 Brazil 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

All variants support four 2G GSM bands 850/900/1800/1900 and five 3G UMTS band 850/900/1700/1900/2100.

Reception edit

Like its predecessor, the Sony Xperia Z2 received mostly positive reviews. CNET's reviewer Andrew Hoyle gave the phone a 4.5 stars out of 5, praising its screen, camera and waterproof design.[27] Vlad Savov from The Verge heaped praise on the Xperia Z2's battery life, and the well-built and waterproof design, while criticizing the phone's camera software and its size.[28] John McCann of TechRadar applauded the camera's features, as well as its stylish screen and the battery life, while devoting his criticism towards the phone for being slow at some times, the large bezel design and 4K recording problems.[29] Linus Sebastian of LinusTechTips referred to the Z2 as "Basically the Z1 but with the big glaring issue (The TN panel) gone".[30]

Successor edit

The successor to the Xperia Z2, the Sony Xperia Z3, was unveiled at IFA 2014 on September 4, 2014.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 TD-LTE L50t (Sony Sirius) @ HWBOT". Archived from the original on 2014-11-01. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  2. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 4G TD-LTE L50u (Sony Sirius) @ HWBOT". Archived from the original on 2014-11-01. Retrieved 2014-11-01.
  3. ^ "Sony's best ever premium smartphone has arrived". Sony. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  4. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 to offer 15.5-megapixel manual mode, 1080p recording at 60fps: Report". NDTV Gadgets. February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on February 11, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  5. ^ "Something extraordinary is coming from Sony..." Sony Xperia. YouTube. February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
  6. ^ "Xperia Z2 goes on sale in Taiwan". Xperia Blog. March 24, 2014. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 now available in Singapore". CNET. April 6, 2014. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  8. ^ Reisinger, Don (July 21, 2014). "Sony's Xperia Z2 goes on sale in US, with $50 discount". CNET. Archived from the original on September 25, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  9. ^ Hill, Simon (July 23, 2014). "10 annoying issues with the Sony Xperia Z2, and how to fix them". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Sony Xperia Z2 vs Sony Xperia Z1: What's the difference?". Pocket Lint. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  11. ^ "Sony's Xperia Z2 Phablet Boasts a Gorgeous 5.2-inch Bravia Display". Techmunchie. Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Sony Xperia Z2 preview". Stuff Tv. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  13. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 hands-on review". PC Advisor. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-06-07. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  14. ^ "The world's best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone*". Sony. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  15. ^ Miller, Matthew (2014-05-15). "Sony Xperia Z2: Eight surprise benefits". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 2022-06-11.
  16. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2". Phone Arena. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  17. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 Price in Malaysia & Specs". TechNave. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  18. ^ "How to record screen on Sony Xperia Z2". www.devicesfaq.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  19. ^ "Sony Xperia Z2 review". Android Authority. 4 April 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  20. ^ "We're bringing Android 5.0; Lollipop to the entire Xperia Z Series". Sony Mobile. October 16, 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  21. ^ Pratap, Ketan (8 April 2015). "Sony Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet Start Receiving Android 5.0 Lollipop Update". NDTV - Gadgets360. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Android 5.1, Lollipop rolls for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 Series". Sony. Archived from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  23. ^ "Android Marshmallow officially arrives on the Xperia Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact (23.5.A.0.570)". Xperia Blog. 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  24. ^ "Which Xperia models will get Android 7.0 (Nougat)?". Sony Mobile. Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  25. ^ Kee, Edwin (June 10, 2014). "Sony Xperia Z2 Is Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Phone". Ubergizmo. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  26. ^ "Köp Sony Xperia Z2, få smart band på köpet!". Mobilect (in Swedish). April 29, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Hoyle, Andrew (April 14, 2014). "Sleek luxury meets lightning performance". CNET. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  28. ^ Savov, Vlad (April 21, 2014). "Xperia Z2 and Z2 Tablet review: One Sony, two devices". The Verge. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  29. ^ McCann, John (May 1, 2014). "The jack of all trades flagship smartphone". TechRadar. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  30. ^ LinusTechTips (4 August 2014). "Xperia Z2 Phone from Sony with Custom LTT Skin from dbrand... and a Surprise!". Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014 – via YouTube.

External links edit

  • Official website
Preceded by Sony Xperia Z2
2014
Succeeded by