Sony Xperia XZ Premium - Unlocked Smartphone - 5.5", 64GB - Dual SIM - Luminous Chrome (US Warranty)

A great phone.Purchased after 4 iPhones over the years. Also thoroughly reviewed the newest Samsung and LG phones, and did like the Samsung, but not as much as this one. The 4K display is at the cutting edge, and those who say "Who needs 4K on a tiny phone?" have no idea the difference it can make! If you ever want to use a VR 3D viewer, then you'll SO notice the difference. And even if you don't, you'll see details you never saw on other phones. The design/styling is very "Bauhaus" and looks simple and elegant. Classic even. I really like the Galaxy too, but I'd call it a little over-styled. I like the curved glass edges on the Samsung - yeah, they're cool - but they can also be a source of reflected glare, making edge details hard to see or read. And while some don't like the edge bezels on the Sony, I think they look clean and refined. I also found that - holding the Samsung - I'm constantly covering up information on the screen edges that I want to see.On the Sony, I do wish that the speaker volume were a little louder, but it is very usable. I use some Sony headphones I've had for years, and they have a decently high 'sensitivity' rating, about 105 db, which gives a really strong volume for music and videos - it is not the least bit weak. I can blast my ears off with it. I think some may be using low sensitivity headphones, which can sound great with a lot of power - but they tax the power of weaker headphone outputs. Try a headphone with good sensitivity, and you'll be happy.The Camera is everything you could ask for in a modern phone - perhaps a half notch below that of the Galaxy. Not perfect, but nothing is - still excellent. And it does have that ultra-slow 960 fps slow-motion, and the 4K is outstanding. I have no issues with the still camera, the autofocus, and other features. But I have an excellent big camera for when I need true pro features. No phone is there yet, but they are improving each generation. And the XZ Premium still comes very close in quality to low-level pro cameras, and might actually be overkill for personal use.Speed of use is SUPER FAST opening apps, checking mail, using the phone, browsing - even viewing images and videos in full 4K - all you could want and more. Snapdragon 835 is no slouch - neck and neck with the very best!The touch screen is effortlessly smooth and a pleasure to use, gestures interpreted well.So you don't think I'm only positive, here's the mostly minor other side...I do hope that Sony will fix a few things in their First firmware update:1. Do boost the volume, and dispense with the unnecessarily low 'loud limit,' which is too low (though you can always override it). Don't forget the ringer volume (or louder ringtones please?).2. Make the Fingerprint Reader work for US customers!... What, are we so inferior to Europeans, Brits, and Japanese in your eyes, Sony? Not a deal-breaker, but really??3. Give us full control of the Resolution and Audio Settings for the phone, so that we can decide when full resolution - 4K - is important, and when battery life is more important. Sony can't know when we NEED something, but we are capable of making that choice ourselves, I think.4. I'd take a few more "modern" ringtones, but I can do that myself ...If you use your phone a LOT, and the display image is important to you, then this is just about the only phone that jumps ahead in resolution - and the other phones WILL be upping theirs (perhaps in another generation or two), but the Sony has 4K now ...The stereo speakers will not knock your socks off or power your Block Party, but they are nice if you want a medium low background sound, and it's in Stereo. And the audio sounds beautiful and powerful through good, sensitive headphones or most any stereo input.It feels great and solid in your hand, and it can be operated with just one hand, though two is better due to size.The menus are really not bad at all - just takes a few minutes to get it after 4 iPhones. No prob.I'm loving this phone.I just can't stop myself finding reasons to look at everything on the 4K display. (3840 X 2160 pixels!)A very few detractions, but still five stars.

coming from the HTC 10 the this phone is leaps ahead in my opinion and that phone was a beast also. Beautiful display, quality build, the battery is amazing I've only charged it once since Sunday and this is posted on a Thursday, and that's with browsing, photos, slo-mo videos, and installing all my apps (at 30% since Tuesday at time of review). My HTC 10 would of needed charging at least 6 times, one of the reasons I upgraded to this. I keep Bluetooth on all the time(which has better range, faster to connect to devices and sounds way better streaming to my car radio.) I also keep Wi-Fi on all the time.Everything works like it should, love the "lifelog", been using that since I got it. The remote play works flawlessly to your PS4 f you have one. Another selling point for me. Signal is strong, I have full bars most of the time where my HTC 10 never was really full.The screen is top notch, I don't see what the point of the new edges, that would cause me problems more than anything, I like my bezels. The screen hue/colors even on normal are great, there's also a vivid color mode that even brightens that up, Ill stick to normal though. 4k display and the HDR samples were beautiful.The camera 960fps slow motion is awesome I was playing with it at a theme park and got some great videos. Vr effects are pretty cool and more are downloadable.The apps on this phone are minimal, its not loaded with games and other useless apps, there is a couple but they are great apps, like the lifelog, movie creator, news, etc. I really like how its more of a stock google experience, the dialer and messenger are close to stock or if I'm wrong stock google. Icon packs can be purchased from the play store and used, no need for launchers like Nova and the like, so that's customizable. Dpi is editable, same with icons grid and sizes.some cons: the new sony lenses, they will be in other devices also, will have a minor distortion to straight line objects, not really noticeable unless your looking for it, and if your picky can be fix with minor image edits. sony has commented on this and says its just the way the new lenses will be, and will start being visible on other devices as they are used. they will look to improve in the future. software updates may also help. Me personally only notice when trying to duplicate it to show someone. normal photos I took looks great.another is it is a fingerprint magnet. Trying to find an good case at this point has been a challenge, have a few more on order to see if they are better.speakers could be a bit better, but I've been using HTC boom sound for years, these match up to the HTC 10 but not so much the front facing older gen HTC phones, cant compare to U11 since ive never heard one. But using headphones or Bluetooth audio it seem the Sony does a better job at sound.I definitely will be using this phone till it breaks or goes too obsolete, which I doubt.