Xperia Z2 Review: Worth Every Penny | Pocketnow 

I comment on this in 2020. How weird. I used to have the UK version of this phone when it came out fresh. I still have it although it's been rendered useless when the back panel was totaled and humidity seeped into the internals as it was terribly fragile. I guess people would say it isn't worth the bother to repair it coz it's old and it costs so much compare to what an entire more modern phone would, but I truly loved those photos and videos I made with it. Thinking back I believe this phone's camera was legendary and still would stand a match against many phone cameras out there today.

So much cooler than Samsung. Will definitely continue on buying only Xperia Smartphones.

I have had mine for a few weeks (I live in the UK). Best android phone currently available. I have a S5 and a M8 too. This is the middle ground between those 2: good speakers, good camera, stock-ish OS and simply the best battery life I have ever seen on a Android. Screen on time may not be spectacular but the screen off power drain is tiny (even with multiple accounts syncing). Negatives include the easy scratch body, double tap to wake really needs about 3 or 4 taps after phone has slept for a while, camera is not as good as it could be (S5 gives better daytime shots for me), Sony are slower than some for updates, 4K recording overheats the device. Its not re-inventing the wheel but st least until the G3 it is, for me, the best available. Mind you, I think the 2014 flagships are all quite compromised devices. This has the most acceptable compromises for me.

Pocketnow. I love your video and everything. But would you guys mind reducing the volume of the intro music? It's too loud compared to the rest of the video.

i have an LG G2 and my brother has a Z1 i held it and used it for just a few minuets and it was amazing, i think ill most definitively go for the Z3 when its out

What stands out to me is the fact that you can buy a high end smartphone with the glass and metal you like, still have the waterproofing for your peace of mind, and not have to feel like your going to buy a phone that doesn't look as good as the other big names. I think Sony is doing this the best right now

overall the best flagship imho. overall the best camera imho. end of story.

Three words...Google Play Edition!

Good review

Michael, thank you for a great review! I am sort of a Sony fan and it goes way back to late 90s. I got it from my father, who bought 21'' Sony Trinitron TV at those times and we loved it! After that was a VHS player, MiniDV Camera, LCD TV, DVD, car stereo, several Sony Ericsson phones, etc, etc, etc... So, now I am using Sony Xperia ZR and i follow pretty much everything Sony does now. Z2 is a gorgeous phone, no doubt about it. And you made a very good and thorough review! The only minor criticism I'd like to point out is to you mentioning small apps as a not useful feature. As I see it - it's just because Sony is not Samsung and they not market those features a lot, they don't "teach" people how to use them. But once you know how to use them - you begin to appreciate the convinience of this feature: you simply have to open the recent apps, start the small app you need (let's say a timer or a calculator) and it will pop-up over the app you have been using before that. Then you use the small app while being able to use the "main" app, and after you done with it you simply swipe it with your finger to the edge of the screen and it minimizes to a small icon and stays there! After this you can drag it along the side of the screen and keep using the main app you have been using normally. Then, when you need to return to the small app you simply swipe it back open to the screen and use again. It's as simple as that. For example, I use it a lot when browsing - I open calculator and calculate something I need using data from a web-page (e.g. prices, measurements, etc), I use notes to save some useful info or my thoughts. It's a very clever feature and it's very sad that Sony does not market it at all. If this was a Samsung feature - it would be on every video, in every review, on every print and billboard.

So when he is not too busy saving the world, Tony Stark is also reviewing phones on PocketNow!

It's funny that Pocketnow didn't mention Sony overheating when you use the 4K video recording.

Non-debatable, the most underrated phone on the market with specs, that is often over-shadowed by gimmicks perpetrated by other manufacturers. The 20.7 MP camera is the first plus, or a 'beast' I might add. The glossy finish of this phone is the best aesthetics on the market.

surely it was one of the best phone sony ever made. 👌

didn't know pocketnow is all honest again, or at least maybe Michael is the most honest reviewer in pocketnow. definitely a good unbiased review (y)

Watching this 8 years later and Michael still doesn't have one hair out of place or moved since this video.. 👌👏👏

This is the most solid built sony phone. Attention to detail is awesome.

watching this on my Z2

I never have a Sony Xperia phone so I want to try something else. As a teenager who really loves to take pictures of places and events, Sony Xperia Z2 is the perfect phone/camera to use! It has a 20.7 mp camera to take an awesome picture and specially because it is a waterproof smartphone, I can take pictures underwater! The design of this phone is very simple because of that, it makes the phone OUTSTANDING.

My favourite thing about this phone is its ressistence to water, but also the camera quality and just the design and how it is made because it looks quite good.

Best phone for everyday camera water phone experience and watching videos or listening to music. Hands down

One of the best RU-vidrs made the review I've been waiting for. Excellent work Michael!

i want one... but my xperia z still works perfectly fine... first world problems...

I don't think I've ever heard ***** this excited and impressed in a review before. Definitely one of *the best* phones of the year.

Man this phone is great and a very good review. one of the few who ever tested noise cancelling. A must buy!

the front speakers , CAMERA , camera shutter button and the display are making this Smart phone a fabulous peace of art + i wanna try underwater photography :)

Kind of want a compact version as well as the Z1. Cool thing about Sony is just cause it's "compact" doesn't mean the specs needs to suffer.

This is the most Sony phones line up that I ever liked and wanted to own. Build quality is perfect and matching all around. The IPS LCD display is gorgeous and most important is 3200mAH battery that will sure my whole day bright and peace without any anxiety of charging time.

I love everything about this phone :- the water and dust resistance, camera under water filming.

I love all the people who look at Michael like "Why is this dude recording me?".

man what happened to Sony... it's fallen so hard that this channel barely reviews them anymore

This phone still looks awesome in 2023. Many reviewers have been bashing against its unapologetic simplistic monolith design and Sony did a great job sticking to its guns in setting the standard for its design with later models.

- Mr Laforge. - Yes? - DO A BARREL ROLL!

I wish Sony would just make a dual boot Android and PSVita OS mobile gaming/phone system (plus added waterproof). I would buy that.

The thing that I love the most about this phone is its amazing screen resolution and its camera, simply amazing for being such a thin phone!

I absolutely Love all the Star Trek references in these reviews....including that fact that its a good review

this was my first choice, i was so excited to get this phone. And then the ridiculous delay after delay here in the U.S. eventually irritated me enough to give up on waiting for more months to come, and I got another phone instead.

What I like about this phone is that it's build premium material and attractive look. I like what they done with the minimalistic UI that give mordern look to it.

I have always been a fan of 'glass sandwich' design since the iPhone 4. With the water-resistant feature, I can watch Pocketnow videos and read the Pocketnow News while taking my bath (have always wanted to do that).

I didnt think the camera would be this good! This phone seems to be the best all around phone

IMO, the best Android smartphone out there. The awesom build quality, the 3gb of ram, the camera and the display put it ahead of the S5 and the One M8. The Moto X and the Nexus 5 (my own Android phone) are on a different league. I really look forward to a Sony Windows Phone. That would be really interesting

Z1 owner here, just tought it would be interesting to say I love the Sony apps and experience that came with my phone stock, and I would by no means choose AOSP android over stock Sony firmware. Sure, it's simpler, but what Sony added is mostly actually useful. The multimedia apps are top class, the small apps are actually useful for quick notes, browsing or dialing without the need to interrupt say online gaming, and the launcher keeps simplicity while still being elegant enough to look like a premium handset. If you ask me, the Google Play edition of the Z2 would feel inmensely like a downgrade more than an upgrade, and I praise Sony for being one of the few OEMs that instead of slowing, or adding more junk to the Android experience, it actually makes it better, more beautiful and useful.

I no longer user Android, but this phone with is camera and design, has really tempted me to pick it up. Sony always has such strong design!

Finally! A tech journo company willing to say it like it is. The z2 is a great phone. I hate when people point out the slightest issues for overall great piece of kit and then give it a ridiculously low score. Verge gives it a 7.2 what are they smoking.

Thank you, sir, a very thorough (and fun) review.

The phone is a beast. What I like most is the design and that 20.7 Megapixel camera. It is just amazing.

My fav part about this phone is the design it is just so pretty in my eyes.

***** that must be one of your best reviews yet! The Xperia Z2 looks amazing, but the overheating issue sounds like it would impact battery life.

I just recently purchased the unlocked version from gsmnation and I've fallen in love with this phone. Previously I used the Nexus 4 as my phone of choice and till the Xperia Z2 I never really liked anything other than stock Android.

I ordered my Z2 today! I'm so exiting! Now just waiting delivery! :)

your presentation in this video is amazing mate

Quality review , very informative and yet refined. Almost had me compelled to pick up this outstanding premium smartphone

My favourite thing about the Sony Xperia z2 is the beautiful aluminium band that wraps around the 8.2mm glass sandwich construction ;)

I wanted to get this since Xperia Z but they never reached us markets... Finally found a deal on eBay for 599... Selling M8 ...... Thank you for the review helped a lot making up my mind....

I HAD a Z2. Put it in a sink to see the water resistance. Bubbles immediately came out of the corner of the display, and all the ports were sealed. After two weeks at Sony's RMA center, it's getting sent back because the "liquid damage voided the warranty". So much for a 'waterproof' phone, now I have a $700 paperweight :(

I love about z2 that it is the only flagship that has it all! front firing speakers, water resistance, great camera, sexy design!

The Z2 is a really sleek phone, and the pocketnow logo looks really good on the phone

What like is that Z2 has a great build quality, water proof and it's Camera. This would be a great upgrade from Note 2

I just got an ordinary headset inside the box when I bought mine. I was expecting I will get that noise cancellation headset, I am disappointed for that. About the phone, I just love it and what you have said in this review is exactly true, I love my Z2, I love SONY!

What I like most about the sony xperia Z2 is the snapdragon 801. It's one of the fastest processors out there and its great that sony included it in this years flagship. Also what I like is the 5.2'' LCD screen that sony has included .

I adore Sony

Highly recommend this phone to anyone, it doesn't heat up like some people have said. It's a beautiful phone.

Very good review i think that phone is the best of 2014! Other people say that this phone has nothing special, like 2 cameras or a fingerprint sensor, but i don't agree: Awsome design + Super camera + Beast specs + Sony Bravia (engine) display = THE BEST PHONE TILL NOW!

Now I see that Sony wasn't wrong saying the Z2 has the best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smarphone. I hope this phone gets a lot of sales!

Dude, your review is awesome.Cant wait to get the Z2.

wait so you can record and take pictures underwater?

Wow really stable video even without OIS

Nice vid, still using these exact same headphones, and for photos phone was unmatched at the time i still feel LOVE seeing this phone after so long time...

Just got my Sony xperia z2. Let me tell you its the best phone I ever had. Before I had an lg nexus 4 big upgrade. Great battery life everything about it is the best.

This phone is elegant, the camera is one of the best, the screen is awesome and it has style. That's why I want to have one.

i never really gave sony a chance but after my Note 3 got stolen i am looking for a new one. I cant afford to buy another phone expensive as the Note 3 but i am really diggin the Z1 Compact.

multi window viewing is extremely useful depending on the user's productivity

The thing that i love the must about the z2 is the design. It's just stunning! It's simple get elegant in it's on way. Beside having a great design, i love new front facing speaker! It's a must have for any flagships phone. And lastly the notification light. Oh it is just stunning! I love the long pulse light. It's very attractive. Wish i could win this cause this is my all time favorite phone :)

Basically, it's a Z1 with a minor spec bump and finally, after 2 failed iterations, a good screen... I'm gonna check it out at a showroom :)

Sony is also Constantly responsive since its near android stock rom. Every phone can claim that they are water proof/resistant but when capturing underwater photo nothing beats sony. Especially the camera is excellent at low light environment

Can't wait to get this device. best phone ever. and My favorite thing about the Xperia Z2 is the camera itself, well u've got a dslr(if not literally) with a smartphone that could do anything that a phone is designed for... love this device..

I think the best thing in Z2 is the battery life. It's way better than in many other phones.

Most intriguing feature of the Z2 for me is that its water and dust resistant.

:confused: I have Xperia ZL and the call quality(In call voice of caller) is excellent but same is not so good in Xperia Z (Not sure about Z1 though) so Z2 holders can you specify if the in call volume is good enough. i know waterproofing has effect in speakers as well as in call volume but i just wanted to make sure it doesnot end up like my Xperia Acro S which was worst phone in terms of in call volume.. Z2 owners please respond,

I constantly asked myself, Xperia Z2 or M8. Well, after watching pocketnow review on Z2, I believe I had make a decision to go for a water proof smartphone. Why do I need a water proof smartphone? My previous phone which is SE K550 and Sony Xperia P both have the same fate, dropped into water. Dried it into ricebag for days before can use it. I hope I can win this Z2 with customized PocketNow skin, because I'm a fan of PocketNow!

I think this phone is super cool, one of the big innovations of smartphones. I like Sony's style of phones, its elegant yet user-friendly. Its full of high end specs and is one of the best phones in the market! Keep it up

Not too often a phone is available in Canada before the USA.

It's a great phone but sony ui is just about ok needs to root and use stock android rom.still Sony has done a decent job

Who uses a phone for calls anymore should call quality really matter?

My favorite thing about this great phone is its 4k camera and that its water proof

Problem with the ear piece?? Well i was actually planning to buy this phone but now changed my mind, this wasn't expected from a flagship device.

Hey can you please do a review on Z2 with marshmallow and please explain how to get into recovery mode in Z2.

I'm sorry but your voice is just memorising and is basically the key thing to making me want to buy this phone. Its sorta like robery downey jr, and you look a bit like him too :) Trying to decide whether to wait it out for the iPhone 6 or not though. (Bit of background, I had an xperia T which kept frying micro sds so I swapped it for a 4s, which I love and have loads of apps for because I used to have an ipod touch, but now I want an upgrade from it, either to an iPhone 6 because the 5s doesn't seem like enough of a leap for me from the 4s, or a z2 as the z didn't seem like a big enough one either) So any opinions, as long as you can back them up, would be great. Thanks :)

I never in My life used a Water Resistant Phone before. I enjoy taking my pictures underwater also the camera on the Z2 is stunning from the review i come to know even i may enjoy the noise cancellation feature of the ear phones as i am college student travelling public transport a lot.

That phone looks so fucking sexy. Especially the purple version. Shame it's so expensive, props to Sony for making this gem though. Hope to see them make a Z2 compact.

Buying this phone at 2017?

Good review as always Michael :) Rly liking the back of the phone

Watching this in 2020 cause i miss this phone WAYY too much 😭❤️

I own a zs1 now, and I really like the Sony brand, had a Motorola droid and the battery on the xperia is right there keeping up and lasts long. The z2 looks very nice as it should, personally I like the side port to charge on a dock, big plus, hopefully I can get a chance to win it through pocketnow, thanks

The awesome 20.7 mega pixel camera plus water and dust proof on a beautiful glass body, for me the two most important things to have on a mobile device.

I always love Sony's design + specs are awesome and this phone is a beast.

Idonno, I've got a feeling that the Xperia ZL and I are going to be long time friends, it is such a tough phone. Seeing the Z2, I don't see a reason to skip out on my friend.

I was playing with this in stores today . It feels way better in the hand than the z1. The z1 feels too metal and hard but the z2 feels light and is so smooth ui with great display

My favorite things about this phone is the color, Camera, underwater resistant, basicly all of the phone

Waited for a while for the prices to drop, Bought mine just yest and loving it xD