Hardware

The Sony Xperia Z1's design is "Omni-Balance", according to Sony, which is focused on creating balance and symmetry in all directions. Xperia Z1 has subtly rounded edges and smooth, reflective surfaces on all sides, which are held together by a skeleton frame made from aluminium. The phone features tempered glass, which is Sony's own and they claim is even tougher than Gorilla Glass, front and back, covered by shatterproof film on front and back. The aluminium power button is placed on the right side of the device. A dedicated hardware shutter key for easy access to camera is provided on the lower right side. The location is said to make operation easier. The metallic look and positioning of the power button is inspired by luxury watch crown design. Easy access to external memory card and sim card slots are provided. The sim card can be removed easily with bare hands. The phone is available in three colours: black, white, and purple. The Xperia Z1 is thicker (8.5mm) and heavier (169g)^[3] and has thicker screen bezels than the Xperia Z, even though the two phones share the same screen size. Sony said that the frame had to be enlarged due to the larger than average camera sensor.^[4] The camera sensor size is 1/2.3" same as commonly are used in bridge camera.^[5] The phone is certified waterproof to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes.^[6] The Z1 is dust resistant with an IP rating of 55 and 58. Unlike the Xperia Z, the Xperia Z1 doesn't have a flap covering its headphone jack, but maintains its waterproofing, a move welcomed by many due to the waterproofing warranty on the Sony Xperia Z being reliant on all ports being sealed. Additional less obvious connectivity includes support for USB OTG allowing for the connection of external USB devices^[7][8] as well as support for MHL output connection.^[9] The Xperia Z1 comes with 2GB of RAM and Qualcomm's quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.15 GHz. It also contains a 5.0 inch Sony Triluminos and its X-Reality Engine for better image and video viewing, the displays resolution is 1920x1080 with 441 pixels per inch. The Sony Xperia Z1 has a 3000mAh battery.^[6]

Software

The Xperia Z1 was initially shipped with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) with Sony's custom launcher on top. Some notable additions to the software include Sony's Media applications – Walkman, Album and Videos. NFC is also a core feature of the device, allowing 'one touch' to mirror what is on the smartphone to compatible TVs or play music on a NFC wireless speaker. Additionally, the device includes a battery stamina mode which increases the phone's standby time up to 4 times. Several Google applications (such as Google Chrome, Google Play, Google search (with voice), Google Maps and Google Talk) already come preloaded. Sony also radically changed its camera user-interface; it added new features, such as TimeShift and Augmented reality (AR) effects such as a walking dinosaur.

^[10]

As of firmware update .290 the bootloader can officially be unlocked without losing camera functionality.

On 28 January 2014 Sony began the roll out of firmware update .136, in addition to bug fixes Sony included the White Balance feature which allows the user to customize the white balance of their display.

On 7 November 2013, Sony Mobile announced via their blog that the Xperia Z1 would receive the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update in December. It also announced that the Android 4.4 update will eventually be released for the Xperia Z1.^[11]

On 19 March 2014, the Xperia Z1 received the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) update.^[12]

On 27 June 2014, the Xperia Z1 received the Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) update, which corrected various bugs introduced in the previous Android 4.4.2 update.^[13]

On 18 November 2014, the Xperia Z1 (And other Xperia devices) got an update that removed the "What's new" application when swiping up, because of user complaints.^[14]

On 15 April 2015, Sony Mobile officially released the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update for the Xperia Z1 starting with build number 14.5.A.0.242. The PlayStation App on the Xperia Z1 came preinstalled on the Lollipop update, whereas it was previously not preinstalled on earlier Jelly Bean and KitKat updates.^[15]

In September 2015, Sony Mobile officially released the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Xperia Z1 starting with build number 14.6.A.0.368

On 5 November 2015, Sony Mobile officially released another update to newly released Android 5.1.1 Lollipop for the Xperia Z1 bearing the build number 14.6.A.1.216 ^[16][17]

On 4 December 2015, Sony Mobile released another small bug-fixing update for the Xperia Z1 models with build number 14.6.A.1.236. Initial reports suggest few noticeable changes over the previous build (14.6.A.1.216).^[18]

Camera

With a focus on camera, Xperia Z1 also introduces many new camera modes and apps.^[19]

• Social live, developed in cooperation with Bambuser, allows users to broadcast their video live via Facebook and gets comments from their friends in real time.
• Info-eye instantly gives information about the objects captured by Xperia Z1's camera.
• Timeshift-burst captures 61 frames within 2 seconds, starting before the shutter button is pressed, allowing users to select the best picture. But shooting in 1080p resolution.
• AR Effect switches camera to augmented reality effect mode and adds some fun animations to pictures.
• Creative Effect gives options for various photographic toning effects.
• Sweep Panorama takes panoramic views of almost 270 degrees viewing perspective.
• AR Fun (Added in recent update) allows user to fire projectiles at targets using augmented reality effect. (Not shown)
• Time Lapse (Added in recent update) allows user to make a time lapse video, with extensive settings. (Not shown)
• Background defocus (Added in recent update) allows user to make a DSLR-like picture with background blur. (Not shown)

Although featuring similar CPU and GPU chipsets as used in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 that supports 2160p at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps video recording, the Xperia Z1's video recording is capped at 1080p@30fps.^[20] However, this limitation can be bypassed by applying custom third-party modifications to the device.^[1][2]

A gimmick in the Z1's camera software is the "Clear image zoom" feature within the "Superior Auto" mode, which is simple lossless digital zoom enabled by a lower (8 megapixel) resolution setting on a 20 megapixel sensor.^[21]

Remote-controllable

The phone is capable of being fully remote-controlled from a computer through the free TeamViewer QuickSupport app.^[22][23]