Sunday Debate: Will the Z5 Trio Redeem Sony?

Join us in a fun Sunday Debate on the Z5 trio. Come with your opinions and feel free to read some of our thoughts, then pick your side or play devil’s advocate to get your voice heard and engage in friendly discussion. You can read our food-for-thought or jump straight into the fray below!

We’ve talked a lot about Sony, and how it is the OEM that XDA wishes to save. We even held a debate where we discussed how Sony ended where it is and how they could step up  in a globalized world. This week we saw the Japanese giant announce three new flagship phones in their Xperia Z line, a compact one, a regular version and a premium variant with a ludicrous 4K display. All of these phones host the Snapdragon 810, with 2GB of RAM in the Compact and 3GB for the other two. The devices look sleek, and the new Sony IMX230 sensor looks promising. That being said, is it enough?

Sony has been stretching onto new price brackets and regions of the market in an attempt to grab a bigger slice of pie. This is a good move, but the new Xperia Z5 trio seems to have missed the mark around various enthusiast circles. So we ask you:

• How will the Xperia Z5 trio benefit Sony?
• Will they help re-establish enthusiast’s faith in Sony?
• What factors can make the Z5 phones succeed, and which can keep them down?
• Would you personally buy one?

Some factors worth considering are listed in the table down below:

Good for Sony / Good Enough

Bad for Sony / Not Good Enough

Having 3 options, including one for those who want compact phones, can help Sony cover more demographics. The new 4K display is an industry first. The Z5 Premium apparently has dual heat pipe cooling, thermal paste, which could help the 810 handle 4K The 4K resolution could be downscaled for non-4K content to save performance and battery life. The Sony IMX230 sensor and the Z5 cameras look very promising. Amazingly practical fingerprint sensor location. With big batteries, quality build and great displays and camera, these phones offer a lot. The designs have pleasantly changed and distanced themselves further from the traditional formula.

All three phones are expensive, even after their price drop. 4K on a smartphone display is largely considered unnecessary. The MiNote Pro also had thermal control measures and its performance still struggled to push 1440p consistently. Content in 4K is not quite abundant. In order for them to be spectacular, Sony not only must tame the 810 but also improve their camera software. Impractical glossy mirror back on the Z5 Premium. Prices are still high even after today’s cuts, and availability is limited. Sony has not upgraded the RAM since the Z2, and the Snapdragon 810 is a reason to worry, even with the thermal control measures.

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