This blogging world is a weird beast at times, in that sometimes every now and then, someone asks you to play with a new toy, in exchange for a little bit of feedback. The amount of feedback isn’t always clear, and that’s probably a good thing when it comes to trying out the Sony Xperia Z5, in that this phone has so much stuff going for it, I find myself asking where do I start?
I should start at the beginning with a confession. I have an iPhone. I’ve had an iPhone in some shape or form for years. The Sony Xperia Z5 is very different.
Switching it on for the first time, it felt like I was hit by a fantastic looking storm of many options, and programs asking for my permission for various actions. The storm ran around my head, I put the phone down and went to bed. It felt like a complicated start to a new relationship.
Instead of trying to get my head around it in one sitting, I figured I would take it slow, and gently get to know the Sony Xperia Z5. The headline function that I guess the Z5 has is its awesome camera. It’s the simple things in life that can impress me. The simple thing this phone has is a simple camera button to its side. You can simply grab the phone, hit the camera button, and you’re there. Hit the camera button again, and picture is taken. (Apple where is this on the iPhone??). It’s fast to focus, and its depth of field is great.
A lovely touch is after a day taking photos, the Movie Creator springs to life, and creates a slideshow of the memories that you’ve captured.
I should make a note about Android, the operating system that runs the Sony Xperia Z5. It’s a powerful beast with many options to tailor how to use your phone, all backed by the world of Google and its app store. This device is fast, the speed particularly shown when switching between apps.
It’s not all great though, I’ve found a few niggles that have bugged me. The screen seems massively sensitive, possibly a non issue – and more then likely a personal issue with it, but the thing feels so damn sensitive. If you’re not careful it’s easy to find yourself on a random option when you’re using the camera. I’ve also found the phone had unlocked itself in my pocket once or twice.
On a more positive note, if you’re someone who is wanting to dip their toe into the world of mobile app development, having an android phone is one way of doing it, without needing to pay for a Mac. It’s straightforward to test apps on android phones, and having this phone has given me a chance to try that out. If anyone would like to help finance me to have a new Android phone – or indeed a Mac, please feel free to get in touch!
In short, the Sony Xperia Z5 is a good looking serious smart phone, which I would be more tempted to use for work, rather than personal use, but it does have enough flexibility and little touches to make me consider turning my head away from Apple.
If only for a moment.
(Phone loaned for review by Three.co.uk)