Sony Xperia Z5

Sony Xperia X vs Xperia Z5 – What’s the Difference?

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 27, 2016 | 3 comments

Just last week, I posted a video which compared the Xperia X against the Galaxy S7, its competition from Samsung. But how does the Xperia X compare against its predecessor, the Xperia Z5? I’d previously posted a similar piece, albeit a written one, but today’s comparison comes in the form of a video by Nicole Scott, a self proclaimed Sony fanboy. In the video, Nicole:

takes a look at Sony’s new midrange smartphone, the Xperia X, [and] she put it up against last years flagship the Sony Xperia Z5. if you’re wondering what is missing in the Xperia X vs the Xperia Z5, Nicole takes a look at what they’ve added an what they’ve improved upon.

Sony Xperia Z5 Firmware Update (32.2.A.0.224) Now Available

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 2, 2016 | 3 comments

That feeling when a new firmware update is finally available from Sony

That feeling when a new firmware update is finally available from Sony

If you’ve got an Xperia Z5, it’s time to fire it up as a new firmware update (32.2.A.0.224) is now available.

Sony Mobile has begun to roll a new firmware update for the Xperia Z5 family with build number 32.2.A.0.224 (from version 32.1.A.1.185). At the time of writing, the update is available to the Xperia Z5 (E6603), Xperia Z5 Dual (E6683) and Xperia Z5 Compact (E5803, E5823), but we expect the Xperia Z5 Premium to go live shortly too.

Sony Xperia X vs Xperia Z5: What’s the difference?

by Sohrab Osati | May 31, 2016 | 10 comments

Sony Xperia X vs. Xperia Z5

As I’ve noted a few times, the Xperia X family is a completely new way for Sony to look at mobile. It’s certainly been a divisive one for Sony Mobile fans, but it’s for a good reason: the long term stability and outlook of Sony’s mobile efforts. Chris Barraclough writing for recombu:

this new mobile range represents a fresh mantra for Sony Mobile, namely ‘if it ain’t essential, drop it’. By keeping the premium features that consumers demand and trimming the less popular stuff, Sony has managed to cut the price of the Xperia X to make it cheaper than most other flagship mobiles, including last year’s Xperia Z5.

Sony Xperia Z5 Gets a Price Cut in UK

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 19, 2016 | 5 comments

The flagship Sony Xperia Z5 just got a bit cheaper in the UK.

Sun’s rising, price is dropping! Enjoy £80 off the #XperiaZ5 at the #SonyXperiaStore https://t.co/WP5clB4mwA

— Sony Xperia GB (@sonyxperiagb) April 9, 2016

From what I’ve gathered, this isn’t a temporary sale and instead the new pricing for the Z5. Sony could be looking to move more units as summer approaches which is when the Xperia X family is set to arrive. More about the deal after the jump.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Returns in Canada for Xperia Z5 & Z5 Premium Owners

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 11, 2016 | 2 comments

Android 6.0 Marshmallow has returned for owners of the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium in Canada after being mysteriously pulled two weeks ago.

We’re pleased to announce that #Marshmallow is now available for #XperiaZ5/#XperiaZ5P for @Bell customers. Thx for your patience. Enjoy!

— Sony Xperia CA (@SonyXperiaCA) April 11, 2016

No details yet on what exactly was the culprit but it’s nice to have the update back. Now, could you imagine the outcry if Apple released an update, only to pull it and now have it return after two weeks?

Sony Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, & Z3+ Gain New Marshmallow Build (32.1.A.1.185)

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 9, 2016 | 0 comments

Sony is pushing out a new Android Marshmallow update for

Xperia Z5
Xperia Z5 Compact
Xperia Z3+

Curiously, the update isn’t available for the Z5 Premium, but it could just be a matter of time before it lands on that device as well. It’s interesting that despite the Premium being their most prestigious flagship smartphone, it tends to get things last and have a highly scattered availability. As for the update, it takes the

build number from 32.1.A.1.163 to version number 32.1.A.1.185.

So what does it do? Not a whole lot it seems, other than minor bugs that Sony is squashing so don’t expect any new features.

Sony Mobile – Resolving Google Play Store Issues with Android 6.0 Marshmallow

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 28, 2016 | 1 comment

Over the weekend, Sony Mobile Canada pulled the much anticipated Android 6.0 Marshmallow update from the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium. Though they’ve yet to issue a reason for pulling the update, a great many have been having minor issues like Bluetooth connectivity woes among other things.

Sony is certainly aware of the problems and has issued an update on how you might be able to make matters better. It’s unclear if this is meant to address all the problems people are experiencing but it’s likely worth doing, no matter how minor of an issue you’re having.

Details on how to resolve Google Play issues after the jump.

Sony Canada Pulls Android 6.0 Marshmallow from Xperia Z5 & Z5 Premium

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 26, 2016 | 8 comments

It’s unclear why, but, after nearly two weeks of release, Sony Mobile Canada is pulling Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Xperia Z5/Xperia Z5P owners: we’ve removed the Android 6.0 update at this time & will advise once it’s been re-issued. Thx for ur patience.

— Sony Xperia CA (@SonyXperiaCA) March 26, 2016

From what I’ve gathered from the community, there hasn’t been any known issues affecting users. Curiously this is for Canada only so if there is a bug, it could be limited to issues with carriers there. I’ll keep you updated when I hear more.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Now Available for All Sony Xperia Z5 Phones

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 8, 2016 | 0 comments

Sure, NTT DoCoMo might have received Marshmallow a week before everybody else, but you can take solace that they were also the Guinea pig in case something went wrong. With the Japanese launch running smoothly, Android 6.0 Marshmallow is now here globally for Xperia Z5 owners.

At the time of writing, firmware build 32.1.A.1.163 is currently live across all variants of the Xperia Z5

Sony is also bringing their latest Android build to the other models in the Z5 family though that rollout is appearing to be a bit slower.

we are also starting to see the firmware seed for the Xperia Z5 Premium and Xperia Z5 Compact.

More after the jump.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow Arrives for Sony Xperia Z5 in Japan (Firmware 32.1.F.0.43)

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 2, 2016 | 5 comments

It’s been teased, unofficially delayed and teased again but Android 6.0 Marshmallow is finally here for the Sony Xperia Z5 family. Specifically, the Sony Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium running on NTT DoCoMo in Japan are receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow (firmware 32.1.F.0.43).

More details after the jump, including screenshots.

Official: Sony Xperia Z Series Ends with Xperia Z5

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 24, 2016 | 12 comments

Ever since the Xperia X family, which consists of the Xperia X, Xperia X Performance, and Xperia XA, was unveiled at MWC 2016, there’s been chatter about the demise of the Xperia Z5. Today, Sony has confirmed what many had thought – that the Xperia Z5 line will be no more. Sony will continue to ship the Xperia Z5 till summer but after that, expect inventory to trickle to a stop as the Z series, the moniker for Sony’s flagship phones, reaches the end of line.

A statement from Sony after the jump.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow to be Released on March 7th for Xperia Devices? (updated)

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 19, 2016 | 1 comment

Mum’s been the word on the release date for Android 6.0 Marshmallow but according to Sony Mobile’s UK Twitter account, the release is right around the corner. When asked about when they could expect to get the latest Android build, the response was a no frills ‘March 7th for Xperia Z5 series, Z4 Tablet and Z3+.’ Specifically:

Sony_UK_Twitter_Marshmallow_Release

Things just got more interesting and I’ve updated the article to reflect that. More after the jump.

Sony Xperia Z5 Price Cut Only One Week After US Launch

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 17, 2016 | 1 comment

This news is simply shocking. Release a product in the US with no marketing or carrier support and cut out a feature like the fingerprint sensor that your loyal hardcore users would have liked and a week later, you’re forced to cut its price because they’re not moving. Having launched with the absurd unlocked price of $599 for the Z5 and $499 for the Z5 Compact, Sony is slashing prices by $60 and $50 respectively.

Frankly, I’m not convinced the Z5 price cut will help drum up any sales, seeing how even if the phones were priced at $99 each, it wouldn’t make much difference, as most people have no idea they exist. But for those of you who are interested in what is otherwise a pair of fantastic Android smartphones, you can now enjoy them at a lower price than before. I guess even at CES 2016, Sony anticipated their Z5 line collecting dust on US shelves.

Sony Xperia Devices Receiving Android 6.0 Marshmallow Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 11, 2016 | 2 comments

According to mega Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, the following devices are set to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow:

Xperia Z3 SO-01G
Xperia Z3 Compact SO-02G
Xperia Z4 SO-03G
Xperia A4 SO-04G
Xperia Z4 Tablet SO-05G
Xperia Z5 SO-01H
Xperia Z5 Compact SO-02H
Xperia Z5 Premium SO-03H

And yes, the sleek Xperia Z4 Tablet is on that list as well. Of course, this isn’t indicative of every territory and no specific timeframe was given. However, with NTT DoCoMo officially announcing such a list, it means that Marshmallow can’t be far off.

Fred, an Engineer at Sony Mobile, Wants You to Buy an Xperia Z5 – He’s Willing to Dance & Yell For It

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 9, 2016 | 10 comments

Sony Mobile wants you to buy an Xperia Z5 or Xperia Z5 Compact in the US. Sure it has no fingerprint sensor or carrier support but that’s ok and Fred is here to tell you why. I see what Sony is going for in their nearly two minute video, a low budget marketing piece with ‘cool guy’ Fred who is smart, but yells at random things like YouTubers do, but man, if this is what Sony’s marketing has in mind for the US, expect their nonexistent marketshare to further disappear.

The video is after the jump, but consider yourself warned.