Sony Xperia Z1 Review! 

2013: Does anyone even need IP54 dust and water resistance in a phone? 2017: Every phone must have at least IP67 dust and water resistance!

Sony Xperia Z1 changed my life. It will change yours to, trust me.

No one: Me: Watching this video in 2019 with a Sony Xperia Z1

funny how here you complained about phones being waterproof and no one needing them, yet now you complain when phones aren't waterproof. How ironic

Watching this video in 2021 on my Galaxy Note 10 Plus. I still love this phone and miss that magical moments of my life . Hope Sony will bring something fresh and exciting for us again. 🙂 I am a fan of Samsung but I always respect Sony.😊

Still using it in 2020. This device fulfills all my needs : RU-vid, email, browsing, occasional photography, and watching movies(if travelling). It is as fast as day 1 and I find no reason to upgrade.

you seem to have a personal issue with sony, i don't get why you don't do the reviews for z2 and z3, you gave z and z1 average rating but when z2 and z3 basically fixed all your criticism and receiving great reviews from everywhere, you totally ignored them?

Actually you can remove the screen protector, and are you seriously complaining about this phone being waterproof?

My brother as a surfer has decided to get this phone due to its waterproof capability. There is actually more of a market for waterproof premium phones than you give Sony credit for in this video.

I just got one a couple days ago and after extensive usage, and to be honest after revisiting this, this is a completely biased review. For Camera: After the firmware update, the camera on manual 21MP deliver extremely crisp images, even the downsampled 8MP superior auto delivers nice pictures. Try it and tell me it's worse than that from an S4/Note, and make sure it's not about 'dull' colours. Colours are not dull but infact;realistic, ***** is too used to the flowery bright colours of Samsung phones. It's not bad, just different. For Display: Neutral, 'poor' viewing angles depends on personal preference, i like privacy and 'good' viewing angles don't fulfill the purpose. Nobody is going to be using his own phone 30 degrees off axis when vertical. If you're sharing your phone you would tilt it slightly towards him/her unless you're a selfish ass|He/She is sneakily watching. And when on horizontal for videos, viewing angles are fine up to ~40 degrees. For Ruggedness: Did you even see Android Authority's drop test? This phone is easily the most rugged piece of shit there is available right now, the screen disconnecting is -not- a problem either, there is a hard reset switch in the SIM card latch for such occurences, which is a built-in feature of the Xperia Z1 to protect your data in the event of possibly-damaging drops. Josh Vergara missed that in his video and he should redo it as well. And don't tell me Aluminum + Gorilla glass is less rugged than plastic, Hint: it isn't. The only point you got correct in your video was that the speaker may have suffered due to the IP58 implementation - but hey, is any other phone waterproof? The shortfalls of this phone is rather, not anything you bashed about it on your video, but rather the low output volume during a call[Even when maxed] and somewhat-lackluster speakers, although the headphone output is great. Android 4.4 Kitkat update would also be highly anticipated, although 4.2.2 at the moment is fine due to the lack of bloatware on this phone. It is also a fingerprint magnet. Please use it more after all updates and redo a more accurate review video... Edit: I am in no way affiliated with Sony, but i cannot stand to see a distinct and blatant biased bullshit review of a flagship product from any tech company. Hence this post.

Just got this phone, I absolutely love it. First phone I've had in 5 years that isn't an iPhone, really impressed by it, never going back to iPhone again

Still using this phone in 2015 and my it is one good device! Loving it

Your reviews are interesting to watch even when I'm not interested in the reviewed product.

I've owned this phone since September, and boy, I can say that it is a very impressive device. For starters, the entire thing just works. The setup process takes just a few seconds to complete and after that it just... works. USB connectivity is flawless, and it never disconnects/bugs out. The software on this is quite similar to stock Android. There's no useless gimmicks, keeping this phone nice and zippy. And of course, the build quality and performance is absolutely superb. Never stutters the smallest bit. I do recommend getting a screenprotector, however, as the built-in screenprotector is not very scratch-resistant. The cons of this phone are, as mentioned in the review, generally terribad speaker performance (though for some reason, only music sounds bad: games generally sound loud and clear), the flaps, and the fact that there are no "hardware" buttons on the screen, causing soft keys to take up unnessecary screen space. As a former HTC Sensation user, I heartily recommend this phone to anyone looking for a fast, premium device that just works!

Why you did'nt rewiewed Z2 ,Z3 ...? tell as, we are your fans,we need to know !!

"Does anyone really need water proofing in a phone" 2018 it's a standard feature so fuck yes

Please MKBHD start reviewing Sony phones in 2018 please!!!

Dude, you're a racist! How can you think all these plastic phones are stronger than glass and metal one? That is not true! Sony Xperia Z1 is one of the strongest phone ever!

This is the best phone that I ever used and the most steady and solid one even though the negative sides. I still miss it😢

***** What are your thoughts on Sony phones? Many of us feel you have a bias against them? Perhaps you have a very valid argument against them. No one knows.

Why don’t you do Xperia phone reviews anymore?

I enjoyed your input on sacrificing screen and speakers for waterproofness. As an HTC one user, my biggest fear is water but I realize that boom sound probably would not boom if it were waterproof. I think many people share this fear and I guess the z1 could appeal to the people who don't mind the adjusted physical features for the added security against water. Great video!

I'd actually prefer covered ports on a phone. I mean, there is all kinds of crap your phone will go through, and alot can get into those charging ports. Dust mainly thats hard to get out. As for the speaker, that is pretty stupid.

Water resistant is quite useful in Asian countries especially tropical forest country that rains alot. In my country, there are more than half of the days that rain in a year. So water resistant is quite useful in my country haha. In my country , it rains a lot especially during raining season.

Got a z1 this week and is a beast of a phone! Wicked speed, awesome battery and the viewing angles are not that bad. Just need to get used to the camera. Good review. Mate

got it and love it.

When he used to review Sony phones. Wtf happened?!

Ur videos are same as now in 2022 that perspective 🔥 that voice just u grewup

Consider this. 4 years later and IP certification is a big feature in smartphones nowadays. I really think it's unfair that such a useful feature was treated with contempt back in the day. :(

HI ***** ... The screen protector is not related to IP certification, Xperia S and earlier (T, TX, SP, ZL) use the same screen protector. I think that is related to Dragontrail (Sony does't use Gorilla Glass) and the oleophobic feature, maybe Dragontrail don't support oleophobic surfaces. So, why are they still using Dragontrail? Remember, Sony is japanese, the bussiness in Japan are in a hard situation, that's why many display producers joined and made Japan Display Inc. And Dragontrail is also japanese (Asahi Glass Co.).

3:40 i wasnt paying attention to anything except how intense that motobike race was..

Just wanted to give props to your reviews Marques. You have your own opinion but remain unbiased in your product reviews, which is pretty hard to come across. I also like how you sound very genuine, so kudos to you and you just got yourself another subscriber :)

i think the flaps on the phone makes the phone look more symetric and premium

I notice this review seems to be very condescending. Clearly he doesn't like the phone and you can tell.

Poor and biased review. I was expecting a more in depth video.

It's a rare sight to view mkbhd to review xperia phone

will you be considering making a sony xperia z3 review... not found the best review for this phone yet?!

Where's the Sony Xperia Z2 review coming out?

Daft Punk and Sony Xperia Z1! Great combo

01:57 so ironic huh

Why Don"t you do a Review on "Xperia Z3"?

What do you think about the forthcoming Z2?

Me who is watching Xperia Z1 reviews in 2024🙌 I still keep it in my drawers, and the phone is running fine, I say the phone design does age well in comparison. It is a peak Sony phone right after the Sony-Erisson era.

Could you make a z3 review

Can you do the Sony xperia z2 review please

I have held a belief for a long time: A phone is not mobile if it can't get wet. Why would I want a device that can't be used in the rain? Does rain not happen in real life? Sure, most people just don't use their phone in the rain. But, as someone who had to work in the outside world before and had a phone completely die because it got wet -- a phone is not mobile unless it's water proof. That means, Apple, LG, Nokia, HTC -- all of these guys aren't getting it. Samsung and Sony, are getting it. And I'm buying the Xperia Z1S Soon because it's waterproof.

Watching this with my z1. I lovet. Using mine for 10 months

I always enjoy your reviews, keep it up Marques :)

Seriously man! Xperia Z1 is one of the best phones out there! I saw your iPhone 5S review and to me you are not being objective! this phone has Bravia and Cybershot tech, also it is way better than the iPhone, yet, in both reviews you gave a hard hit on this phone and almost a praise to the 5S (heck, even Z1 is better than S4!)

hmmm weird, because DxOMark scored the Z1 2nd highest (for IQ), only 1 point less of the top spot held by Nokia 41 MP phone. odd that it wouldn't do very well in low lighting/high ISOs because generally when a device has a bigger sensor (vs competition), it's suppose to handle noise better.

this video was made 9 months ago and already there is an XPERIA Z3, OMG and im still with this phone i feel old ....

Damn man, i still use this phone.

SONY RULES!!!!!!!!!!.... 999

2013: Who needs water resistance? booo 2016: Google pixel 1 doesnt have water resistance booo

Features like IP certification and glass design people are dying to get now SONY was there first but here I see MKBHD demanding a more normal-looking phone. Clearly, Sony was way ahead of its time back then.

Wow, time flies man

MKBHD Hated sony phones.

Dude wtf, you hate Sony or what?

Thanks for this review. I was thinking of getting this phone but this review has saved me from being disappointed.

You sound nice, genuine and reliable. Great to have a break from all those annoying voices and reviewers crawling around the web.

Are you planning on a review of the xperia z3?

I don't care, as a biker, i need phone like this....when rain, i don't have to stop and cover my phone with plastic bag etc....as long Z1 can survive under water...it's fine with me...can HTC do that? :D

Hey great Talk! I like the straight forward answers from you like whether good or bad. Thats gr8. Keep up the work going this way!

THIS IS THE BEST PHONE I HAVE EVER HAD TILL THIS DATE.

I have "xperianced" a lot of issues with this phone.

I think the term "fans" is now being completely misused. Being the passionate people they guess we are, we should be interested in what's new on a device... a faster CPU is not new, is expected. Talking to a phone, that is novelty. I think you should refer to the tech-freaks as simply as "nerds", because that's what they are :)

Watching it in 2022 on my Pixel 7. Xperia z1 was my 2nd smartphone after galaxy s3. Back in 2013 I really enjoyed the Z1 camera.

Great review man! You really cover all the bases but if given the option, which would you choose out of the Xperia Z1 and the HTC one?

Anyone in 2019 😂

did u know why they put glass? if u put metal.. water would still go inside if u put glass... its impossible for water to go inside ur phone

I just got it maybe a week ago and I loved it, I also hadn't noticed or felt like the awesome screen was actually lacking. Until you pointed it out, but still I think galaxy's are over saturated, I put it side by side with a friends note and the note always seems to have a blue greenish tone during video playback. The camera is top of the line! And with a 2 hand a half year old son having a IPS rated device works perfect with our lives. Witch is better im your opinion the Z1 or NOTE 3?

bravo Marques Brownlee. you pointed some facts that no other did. i'm looking forward to your reviews about features like exmor, bionz and in depth camera review. thanks again.

Sony > samsung

I don't like your review you are being subjective, just shows us the details and not your personal opinions. About the camera you just don't know how to use it anyway. Get some facts from experts who tested the camera and compared it to different smartphones, and by the way, you just don't know how important it is for a phone to be waterproof especially when you accidently drop it at the water or its raining very hard. Under rated review.very bias

I've using this phone since November 2013, to my surprise I am totally in love with this phone. People everywhere complaining about the phone's screen getting cracked and stuff, believe me I have had so many falls that were very blunt and nothing has happened to my phone. I would keep using this phone till the day it dies but ultimately it is just a phone, I am getting bored out of it. Will go for Oneplus 2, just hope I get an invite soon. One thing more, throw any app, any game, anything to this device, it handles everything like a charm. I love this phone. Just one down side, the speaker of the phone. Ps.- I know am too late to write a comment on this post for such an old phone.

He's only complaining about 'viewing angles' because there's hardly anything wrong with the phone :) it's an all-round faultless smartphone from SONY... The company I grew up on back in the day with the PS1/2 .. K750i/K800i ... Walkman etc... Respect them too much

I still don't understand why does he say "Xpearia"... :D lol

Marques could you please checkout the Sony Xperia 1 mk II 😁

When will you be doing the Xperia Z2 review I actually came to you're page first expecting to see it here

That is right! Consumers buy any tablet because of the phones features, and do not focus on specs / processors, battery longevity or bloatware.

I love watching these reviews.

Watching in 2024 and feeling nostalgic

Thanks for the review mate. I just got this very phone as a hand-me-down from my brother and I'm getting to grips with it. I'm not a phone enthusiast or anything but it's about time I got one of those smartphones.

hey MKBHD, this is an excellent review but i would like to see how you think about the brand new Xperia Z3, which is in every aspects a ton better than Z1.

OMGGG I HAVE THE PHONE TILL NOW! IT'S SO COOL!!! IT'S HEAVY AND STRONG!

"I like to watch movies, play games and read ebooks on my smartphone, so that is the reason why I would want a phone with great viewing angles." How do viewing angles effect any of those things ? even when you play games and tilt the phone you barely notice it.

Feels like I'm watching this video from another time line.. feels like I'm time traveling

Another in depth review Marques, thanks!

I've been using my Z1 since feb 2014... almost 15 months...I heavily used it throughout the period it never failed me. was a great companion and waterproof thing really helped me as a biker and those viewing angles hardly ever bothered me. Its nw running on lollipop and that's great. Should say that sony has the best aftermarket service software and firmware update wise. I always admire this as I cannot help noticing other android phones my friends bought even after I did are abandoned by the company and still running on kitkat or jellybean. I love my phone and still dont feel like i should move on. if I do so I can assure it will be a Z3 or upcoming z4

That glass-like build makes the phone really damn slippery! Case is a must, it almost slipped out of my hands a couple of times when I took it off my pocket. Overall it's a really good phone, battery life is decent, and as mentioned it's very fast.

I've been thinking about buying by this phone , I'm a carpenter and love the idea of leaving the phone out in all the dust and rinsing it off when its home time .

Thanks for taking the time and making this video. I just love my Xperia Z1, camera is not as amazing as I hoped but overall is a great phone

I hope you review either the Xperia Z1 Compact or the Xperia Z2 in a future video. They supposedly fixed a lot of the flaws you mentioned in the video, and I'm curious as to whether or not you've slowly warmed up to the idea of dust-proof/waterproof phones since the Galaxy S5 came out. Anyway, I still love your videos, and I look forward to watching more of them.

Your reviews are superb!!!! keep em coming!

You give this device a slightly hard time? I am looking forward to getting it. It is miles ahead of the iPhone 5! 2.2GhZ processor! Awesome, 20MP camera! Water resistant, premium device. 3,000 amp battery!

Thank you for the great information on its physical look and feel. I hike and I mountain bike every weekend so I always look for how well something feels or will hold up. I know you pointed out some of the camera highlights and lows but I wished you touched more on the modes. I currently have a Galaxy S2 and I love it so I think I will hold out for something that doesn't make question it's ruggedness. Will you by any chance be reviewing the newSony Smartwatch ? Thanks again for the review.

Are you gonna do a review on the Z2 soon?

Hey MKBHD, I really enjoy watching your videos especially your video effects so I just wanted to know what, according to you, is the best video editing software for a PC?

That ip58 certified would be a selling point for me honestly. If HTC or Google or anyone made a device as rugged as this I would buy it

hey bro👋 until now my sony Xperia z1 still working 💪 it's truly amazing and tested brand😎