Update 13/03/2013: The Sony Xperia Z is now available from the Vodafone eStore. Stock will be arriving in stores over the coming days with all of it due to be delivered by Friday.
Most people I know have suffered the pain of getting a phone wet, and having done a stint at the Vodafone Service Centre it was an all too common reason for coming in for repair.
For so long I’ve been asked “Why can’t they make a phone that’s waterproof, but actually looks good?”
Well, Sony has finally answered that question and their response is an absolutely gorgeous one. The Sony Xperia Z is one of the most attractive handsets we’ve seen and is certified IP55 and IP57 water and dust resistant.
Sony Xperia Z on Vodafone
Itching to get your hands on the Xperia Z? The wait is nearly over – from the 13th of March feel free to grab it either in-store, online or over the phone.
We’re offering the Xperia Z on a range of plans but your best bet is our $60 Plan where the phone is $0 upfront over 24 months (total min cost $1440).
It’s also 4G Ready so when our super-fast 4G network kicks off this year your phone will be ready to fly.
Putting it to the test.
On our Google+ page we gave our Plussers the opportunity to set us some challenges and help put the Xperia Z to the test. We had great fun trying them out and recorded them all to video.
Check out our YouTube playlist for some serious hands-on videos of this superphone.
The Screen
Xperia Z is the first phone available at Vodafone with a Full HD 1080p display.
It really is something that needs to be seen to be believed. The higher resolution isn’t just good for media playback, but if you’re eyes are sharp enough it’s perfect for fitting more of a webpage onto your screen. Text is crisp, colours vibrant.
However, if I were to nitpick the viewing angles do leave a little to be desired. Overall though, the pros vastly outweigh this small con.
Ruggedly Handsome
The design of the Xperia Z turns heads as it is, but it demands even more attention if you dunk it in the nearest vessel of water. The reactions on people’s faces as you lift it out and dry it off is priceless. But, be prepared to quickly explain what it is and where they can get it!
It’s not just about the water, though – dust is never good for electronics but Xperia Z has that covered too. See how its holds up after a run-in with Colour Runners in Sydney:
Stunning Shooter
The Xperia Z is the “best of Sony in a smartphone”, and their heritage with camera technology really shines.
Its Exmor RS for mobile sensor produces incredible shots just about every time, thanks to its Superior Auto mode which automatically chooses the correct settings for the lighting conditions.
Not once did I find myself needing to fiddle with presets, it was literally point, shoot, share. You can click the sample photo below for a full-resolution shot.
Our thoughts
We’ve been quietly testing the Sony Xperia Z for a few weeks now, so we’ve asked our handset testers for their initial thoughts.
“The Sony Xperia Z is in my opinion the best smartphone I’ve ever seen from Sony. They have successfully blended beautiful design with competitive, outstanding features and not to mention the achievement of being the first premium smartphone that’s water and dust resistant.”
- Lawrence Sank, Device Portfolio Manager
“One thing that astonished me when I first started playing with this phone, was how brilliantly clear and vibrant Full HD video looked on it. I was truly impressed.”
- Simon Dunham, Technical Support Specialist