I love your reviews man, you're very professional. After watching many reviews I decided to buy this phone in June 2013 and I'm very happy with it. BTW, the position of the camera is to use it in wide-screen mode. Thank you and keep the good work.
I have one and absolutely love it! I like how it's much less clutered and simple and is just sleek. Nothing really fancy and works FAST! Battery life with Stamina is impressive, about 90% battery after 10 hours of almost no use.
a great, great little phone. I held off for years getting a new phone while keeping my old trusty samsung flippy. after lots of homework on what i was looking for and sony rarely letting me down, I found the ZL and even if I'm the odd man out with most of my friends and their iphones I don't regret my choice at all.
I will definitely buy this phone! :D I saw all the Xperia phones and I like this one the most. :) Big screen and smaller body is just a perfect combination! I'll have it in lass than two months. :)
I actually don't notice the viewing angle problem that much, because of how much I've got the brightness turned down. However there is this option that is SUPPOSED to enhance picture quality. TURN IT OFF, this feature is what's causing the wash out effect. All in all, love my ZL!
As a xperia owner, the viewing angles does suck, but colour saturation/ contrast is fine, very vibrant actually. The camera doesn't do it justice. Note make sure to adjust the brightness so that the blacks look black. You don't worry about the non blacks as they will stay bright and vibrant even when the brightness is down.
As of the first minutes of this being post, and I watching. As usual another informative, but simple review. Easily understandable. Keep it up. ohh yeah first.
4 years later, after being the first or one of the first to shrink its bezels, Sony are now the only phone manufacturer which has increased bezel size with every new iteration of it's phones. Sad.
The ZL is one if the best smart phones out there I have in the USA unlocked with LTE and the camera is great the ir sensor is awesome I can wirelessly connect my ps3 controller to it and play ANY game like the n64 emulators with no problem, the screen is fantastic I dont care about viewing angles, the speaker is awesome loud better than the tl or ion. Call quality is loud and there's an option to have the other caller have it's voiced slowed down. From sleep to snap is quick.
I must say I am damn impressed. Because you never get to see the smooth panning, ultra-clear voice and many more effects that I saw in your video, I know it takes a lot of time, but I appreciate it. I usually hate the green screen rough cut videos that have grammatical mistakes and miss a lot of imp points. Its good to see that today when every phone review channel does that, someone actually takes time to put in the art of movie making into reviews, thanks.
Nice professional review. I plan on getting it with tmobile 4g since there is no data cap when compared to the at&t 3g offered by Net10. Just wanna make sure about which model to get so it will work with band 4. Alot of ppl complained the c6502 and c6603 would not work on 4g LTE bands but only with outdated 2G bands. Am I right that only the unlocked c6506 will work with 4g LTE bands?
there are so so many aspects to make the choice, to start with... price. the zl is considerably cheaper If you are into benchmarks and stuff, the HTC one is super fast. But the ZL will do just fine with everything you may want to throw at it. Both phones look great, but with just pure design to matter. I'm in favour of the ZL. and yes, Sony is considering to give the ZL the AOSP treatment.
Itaku Dead comment thread I know, but I recently traded an Xbox 360 Arcade for one with a guy on reddit. LTE model, unlocked bootloader. I couldn't be happier either, this phone is great. I honestly like it better than the LG G2 that I used to have
I'm deciding between this and the Samsung galaxy S4... Is the camera on the S4 noticeably better? Because I don't know if the low light problems apply on the s4. How do you feel about the UI on the ZL? I know Samsung has a bunch of user friendly stuff now. I'm just looking for a personal opinion cause I really can't decide!
You know, Sony has one more Device called ZR. It lies between the SP and ZL, spec wise. So if you are confused between these two, may be you should go for the ZR :P
I am using xperia zl in india and i am unable to get back cover or screenguards or temperd glass can any one help me out with this issue please .I love my xperia zl
I ditched my LONG overdue Galaxy S III for the ZL! I am SO GLAD I DID and will NEVER regret my decision! The build quality ALONE is FAR superior to the glossy plastic materials that Samsung uses on all of it's flagship devices.
Oh and a nice review, shame the ZL isn't international as with these stupid size screens I think a small bezel is more important then being waterproof and dust proof.
I honestly do not care about viewing angles either, and this looks like a great phone as well. If it can been seen in direct sunlight that is all I need.
I'm meaning to buy this but opted for the SP and now I kinda regret it. Oh well, I'll just give the SP to my mom and buy this one. The SP is good but it has poor RAM management specially with only 1GB of RAM. Walkman and some other apps (keyboard) are constantly being forced closed when RAM is insufficient. The ZL having 2GB of RAM like my Z Ultra is for sure the best bet!
The only thing pushing me away from the HTC One is that 4 megapixel camera, I love to take pictures and that camera is a really deal breaker but at the same time I absolutely love the design of the HTC One. At the same time the ZL is just an incredible phone but something is pushing me away from it and I don't know what it is.
good review.. not worth it compared to the S4.... personally can't wait for Note 3... after using Note2 and being a cell phone dealer working with phones all day... i don't think i can ever use anything else
I love water resistance so i think the only thing that would win xl over z is obviously price and definitely plastic especially cuz its dotted and grippy
hey brother i just got my phone in a few days ago and i have a question i saw u are T-Moblie and i brought the unlocked verison of ZL and i had verizon and switched to ATT....My question is that is the ZL able to show LTE instead of H+?? i get good speeds but i look in the setting its says LTE gsm wcdma
When you're winning at the small bezel game, 3 YEARS BEFORE IT BEGINS....
bought this in Dec 13 and still rocking it as a daily driver. love this phone >D
Im in 2019 and still rocking this as my daily driver I'm watching this video on it
I bought this in 2013 it died in 2015
Awesome review! I was in the middle of taking a decision between the ZL and ZR and this video helped a lot! Thanks Joshua!
This phone did not need a case it was super easy to use. Many employees on Sony and couldn’t realize this was the way.
I love your reviews man, you're very professional.
After watching many reviews I decided to buy this phone in June 2013 and I'm very happy with it.
BTW, the position of the camera is to use it in wide-screen mode.
Thank you and keep the good work.
I have one and absolutely love it! I like how it's much less clutered and simple and is just sleek. Nothing really fancy and works FAST! Battery life with Stamina is impressive, about 90% battery after 10 hours of almost no use.
3 years later and it's still the smallest 5 inch screen phone.
This phone was the perfect size. Great bezels too.
My go to phone after SP. Sadly it was phased out on my country before i can get a hand on it.
Great review. I was trying to decide between the Sony xperia ZL and the Pantech Vega no. 6. This review helped a lot. I am going with the xperia ZL.
I just bought this phone and so far it's met my expectations and I'm happy!
Hey Josh. Always enjoyed your handset reviews. Keep it up :D
You make awesome reviews man. Very informative.
the front facing camera looks so cool and unique!
Great review! You forgot to mention the IR, but nonetheless nice presentation and again, great review!
a great, great little phone. I held off for years getting a new phone while keeping my old trusty samsung flippy. after lots of homework on what i was looking for and sony rarely letting me down, I found the ZL and even if I'm the odd man out with most of my friends and their iphones I don't regret my choice at all.
Joshua, you are a pride of the Philippines
How I wish that the Xperia XZ Premium had the small bezels of this phone. The top and bottom bezels are damn thin!
I simply can't stop loving this phone! Best 5 inch compact phone guaranteed!
hey....is this phone good enough?? I wanna buy it but it is getting discontinued.
Should i buy this or some other alternative??
Sohil Mehta Dear Sohil,
I honestly would advise you to buy the new Z1 compact. As it is the best xperia phone you could get now.
Hope this helps
I will definitely buy this phone! :D I saw all the Xperia phones and I like this one the most. :) Big screen and smaller body is just a perfect combination! I'll have it in lass than two months. :)
Many thanks for the review. Im planning on getting this phone soon
I actually don't notice the viewing angle problem that much, because of how much I've got the brightness turned down. However there is this option that is SUPPOSED to enhance picture quality. TURN IT OFF, this feature is what's causing the wash out effect. All in all, love my ZL!
Spectacular phone! Definitely switching from my Iphone to the ZL.
I want this over z cuz it has bigger screen. Thanks for this josh. Kudos!
As a xperia owner, the viewing angles does suck, but colour saturation/ contrast is fine, very vibrant actually. The camera doesn't do it justice. Note make sure to adjust the brightness so that the blacks look black. You don't worry about the non blacks as they will stay bright and vibrant even when the brightness is down.
Sony makes awesome smart phones...Stoked with mine..
As of the first minutes of this being post, and I watching. As usual another informative, but simple review. Easily understandable. Keep it up. ohh yeah first.
The best review, thank you josh
The best Zl review so far
4 years later, after being the first or one of the first to shrink its bezels, Sony are now the only phone manufacturer which has increased bezel size with every new iteration of it's phones. Sad.
metcard does this phone support 4g?
The ZL is one if the best smart phones out there I have in the USA unlocked with LTE and the camera is great the ir sensor is awesome I can wirelessly connect my ps3 controller to it and play ANY game like the n64 emulators with no problem, the screen is fantastic I dont care about viewing angles, the speaker is awesome loud better than the tl or ion. Call quality is loud and there's an option to have the other caller have it's voiced slowed down. From sleep to snap is quick.
another fantastic review , you are awesome
Thanks, this really helped me! Soon I will buy this phone!
Great review, certainly adds weight to me grabbing this droid, thanks
Own it love it, and everyday I find new cool things why this phone is the best thing to come out of Sony. Nfc is a godsend
I must say I am damn impressed. Because you never get to see the smooth panning, ultra-clear voice and many more effects that I saw in your video, I know it takes a lot of time, but I appreciate it.
I usually hate the green screen rough cut videos that have grammatical mistakes and miss a lot of imp points. Its good to see that today when every phone review channel does that, someone actually takes time to put in the art of movie making into reviews, thanks.
AND...............It also have an dedicated camera key and a IR remote...:)
Should I go for the Xperia ZL or the Xperia SP? I have no idea which to get and love both phones!
Still looking for this to complete my Z collection. Still using the Xperia Z though.
Nice professional review. I plan on getting it with tmobile 4g since there is no data cap when compared to the at&t 3g offered by Net10. Just wanna make sure about which model to get so it will work with band 4. Alot of ppl complained the c6502 and c6603 would not work on 4g LTE bands but only with outdated 2G bands. Am I right that only the unlocked c6506 will work with 4g LTE bands?
That Camera button placement seems like I would hit it all the time when holding it, same with the Power button.
No mention of the IR Blaster and remote control app? Biggest difference from the Z. Nice review though, some of the best.
there are so so many aspects to make the choice,
to start with... price. the zl is considerably cheaper
If you are into benchmarks and stuff, the HTC one is super fast.
But the ZL will do just fine with everything you may want to throw at it.
Both phones look great, but with just pure design to matter. I'm in favour of the ZL.
and yes, Sony is considering to give the ZL the AOSP treatment.
Finally someone who dosen't make a big deal out of viewing angles :)
Just ordered it;)) unlocked version
Hope I can buy this phone soon.
Thanks anyway,really nice review.
bought the ZL and it was a steal of a deal and what a great phone it is :D
Same here, I got the LTE model for $220 brand new lol huge steal.
Itaku Dead comment thread I know, but I recently traded an Xbox 360 Arcade for one with a guy on reddit. LTE model, unlocked bootloader. I couldn't be happier either, this phone is great. I honestly like it better than the LG G2 that I used to have
I love these reviews
I'm deciding between this and the Samsung galaxy S4... Is the camera on the S4 noticeably better? Because I don't know if the low light problems apply on the s4. How do you feel about the UI on the ZL? I know Samsung has a bunch of user friendly stuff now. I'm just looking for a personal opinion cause I really can't decide!
it is not washed out, at least not when you view it head on, colour saturation wise it is right between ips and amoled.
I use it too.. The camera and video is the awesome one
Should i buy Xperia ZL or Xperia ZR.Which is better?
you like it better?
You know, Sony has one more Device called ZR. It lies between the SP and ZL, spec wise. So if you are confused between these two, may be you should go for the ZR :P
Smaller footprint than the S4 and HTC One, I say it is good.
Also, one of the most underrated smartphone.
Very good review!
Bought this phone yesterday! :)
The screen and the feel is awesome..
The battery is going to be only the problem I guess :/
Which should I buy, black red or white?
love how the brought the walkman to the modern day
The ZL has a better software implementation than the Z.
It has a screen calibration software which is quite useful to calibrate the screen.
Those settings toggles look surprisingly familiar.....
Should I get this over the Galaxy S4?
thank you for the review great job
I like your channel
YES and YES. This is the ONLY phone that have T-Mobile and AT&T 3G and 4G radios.
We must appreciate sony's work
A very detailed review :)
I am using xperia zl in india and i am unable to get back cover or screenguards or temperd glass can any one help me out with this issue please .I love my xperia zl
Agra shaa market
I ditched my LONG overdue Galaxy S III for the ZL! I am SO GLAD I DID and will NEVER regret my decision! The build quality ALONE is FAR superior to the glossy plastic materials that Samsung uses on all of it's flagship devices.
gr8! i liked the sp for its value 4 money but this would be my second choice any day!
me too, thinking between ZL & HTC One, what did you buy?
Oh and a nice review, shame the ZL isn't international as with these stupid size screens I think a small bezel is more important then being waterproof and dust proof.
I honestly do not care about viewing angles either, and this looks like a great phone as well. If it can been seen in direct sunlight that is all I need.
YES. C6506 will work on 4G LTE of AT&T and T-Mobile.
Which is better, this or LG Optimus G Pro? :)
I'm meaning to buy this but opted for the SP and now I kinda regret it. Oh well, I'll just give the SP to my mom and buy this one.
The SP is good but it has poor RAM management specially with only 1GB of RAM. Walkman and some other apps (keyboard) are constantly being forced closed when RAM is insufficient.
The ZL having 2GB of RAM like my Z Ultra is for sure the best bet!
Sony is pretty notorious for bad RAM management. 2 Gigs would be a boon!
Bought Z instead, as ZL weren't available almost everywhere I went. Is it true that it'll be discontinued?
it was fixed quit some time ago lol
coolest intro ever!!!
man im torn between this vs the xperia zr.. which would you guys get? cuz at my place theyre pretty much the same price already
awesome review.
The only thing pushing me away from the HTC One is that 4 megapixel camera, I love to take pictures and that camera is a really deal breaker but at the same time I absolutely love the design of the HTC One. At the same time the ZL is just an incredible phone but something is pushing me away from it and I don't know what it is.
ZL or Moto X?
hey should I buy the xperia SP or spend a little more to buy the xperia ZL? cuz the price difference here is around 60$ .
ZL because it has better specs and kitkat
i don't know which one to choose. zl or zr. please help. why are both phones priced similarly if zl is obviously so much better on paper? cheers!
good review.. not worth it compared to the S4.... personally can't wait for Note 3... after using Note2 and being a cell phone dealer working with phones all day... i don't think i can ever use anything else
your keyboard doesnt look like the one on the z. did you do something or is it preinstalled this way?
I love water resistance so i think the only thing that would win xl over z is obviously price and definitely plastic especially cuz its dotted and grippy
where can I buy it? I was looking for it on ebay but I couldn't find the exact model
Also the difference is in weight and thickness the ZL is heavier and more chunky
josh could you also do a review of the xperia sp when it comes to the us? and also a comparison between that and the zl :-)
great review
ZL is better in a term of specs and design too, but i like the SP as well!
Freaking LOVE the intro
hey brother i just got my phone in a few days ago and i have a question i saw u are T-Moblie and i brought the unlocked verison of ZL and i had verizon and switched to ATT....My question is that is the ZL able to show LTE instead of H+?? i get good speeds but i look in the setting its says LTE gsm wcdma
hey, do you have any idea if the logo gets removed with the screen??
Would you say the camera bests the Nokia Lumia 920 camera? ...or iPhone 5 camera
i love your megaman lock-screen, where i can get it ?
Thinking between this and the HTC One...
Xperia ZL, the one in the review, has an IR Blaster.
ZL or Z ?
you should replay as it notes in the beginning it is not water resistant.