At CES in Jan, Sony models stimulated restored interest in its Xperia smartphone line with the release of the Z, a smooth, ultra-thin device with a incredible 1080p 5-inch show, water resistant covering, 13-megapixel photographic camera with HDR movie, and highly effective quad-core Snapdragon S4 processer. But while the Z created awards, its brother, the Xperia ZL, got missing in its darkness. The ZL stocks many of the same specifications and functions of the Z, but deals cup paneling for a curved distinctive back and a a little bit heftier style. Can the ZL take a position on its own and, furthermore, contest with other heavyweights like the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4?

The response, unfortunately, is extremely no. While the ZL has got many of the Z's strong points under the bonnet, the external style is unremarkable. The top side functions an edge-to-edge cup board with a very slim frame, while the back is wrapped in a distinctive nasty. While the white-colored and red versions might help the ZL take a position out, the style does not have any identifying sparkle. Although Sony models has put a few small variations on the spend, like its Cylon-esque signal mild and replicated gold cut on the edges, the Xperia ZL not only is not able to individual itself from the overflow of in the same way nondescript devices available on the market, it's lightyears away from many of the seasons top competitors.

Sony models is also putting its photographic camera technology to perform with the ZL's incorporated 13-megapixel indicator with Exmor RS, enabling the cellphone to catch great powerful range (HDR) high-definition movie. The photographic camera app comes packed with Sony's Excellent Automatic method, which brings together HDR and disturbance decrease technology to catch more specific and healthy images. But because the ZL is calculating several mild resources and using several handling methods at once, the end result can be hit-or-miss. With adequate daylight, the ZL can generate some of the best, most vivid images I've seen on a mobile cellphone, but when circumstances start to differ, picture quality dwindles. In most situations, I was compelled to take several images of the same topic with extreme difference in white balance, color reflection, and focus. HD movie, on the other hand, is much more constant.

And then there's battery power lifespan. Between verifying e-mail before getting out of bed in the morning and scrolling through RSS nourishes on the practice to perform, the ZL's battery power would fall by nearly 20% by the time I got to my table — only about an hour and a half of semi-active use. In most situations, I found the ZL running almost on vacant in less than 5 hours, pushing me to create a twice a day asking for routine — juicing up while at perform and again when I got home in the nights. Sony models has involved power-saving features like Endurance method, which hinders data use while your cellphone is on stand by, but that also boundaries your potential to get force announcements from applications and e-mail.

Software and interface :
Sony Xperia ZL InterfaceClick to Enlarge The Xperia ZL offers a gently skinned edition of Google Android operating system Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2. From the secure display, customers have the option of using to open the camera app, ipod or simply opening the device. As opposed to the HTC One, the Zl doesn't allow you to add applications to the secure display. The only changes you can make are the secure display wallpapers and the type of secure you use, whether that be a PIN, design, face or run secure.

The ZL has five personalized homepages, two of which are empty. The main desltop has a Search bar, time gadget and strategies to the Personal stereo, Record, Films and Sony models Choose applications. A second desltop contains Personal stereo and Record icons, while a third display features weather and tools icons. At the bottom of each desltop are strategies for the Firefox web browser, Search engines Play store, Apps Cabinet, Texting and Dialing software. Below those are the ZL's ever present Back, House and Recent Apps control buttons.

Swiping down from the top of the display shows the ZL's Announcements selection with a quick way to the configurations selection, as well as manages for the handset's ring, Wireless, Wi-Fi and Mobile Data features. However, we wish there were strategies for lighting and Aircraft Method here.

The ZL also contains NFC technology, allowing customers to discuss applications and images via Android operating system Ray or tap to couple with several Sony models Wireless gadgets.