Sony Xperia Z5 review

   Sony's flagship Xperia Z5 is stuffed with a lot of the top tech we expect from a high-end phone. It's got a full HD display, tons of power and a meaty 23-megapixel camera. Mix in its minimalist, waterproof design and you've got yourself the phone of the year, right?
Well, not quite. The mobile phone landscape has changed dramatically in the past year with Samsung really shaking things up with its Galaxy S6 Edge. By totally redesigning its flagship handset with metal and curving glass, Samsung managed to inject some much-needed excitement into its products. LG, meanwhile, made a curved phone and wrapped its devices in real leather.
By contrast, Sony is doing little to push the boat out in its flagship refreshes. The Xperia Z5 is very much a revision of last year's Xperia Z3, with an identical display, mildly tweaked key specs and a similar design. By itself that might be fine, but the Z3 was only a refresh of the Z2 before it, which itself wasn't much of a leap over the Z1. What's more, both Samsung and LG have also equipped their flagships with ultra high-definition displays -- something you won't find on the Z5. If you want that, you'll need to splash some more cash on the 4K Xperia Z5 Premium.

The Sony Xperia Z5 has a waterproof body that is ready for the rain.

It's not that there's anything wrong with the Z5: It looks perfectly fine, and it's got a solid lineup of specs. But its £549 asking price puts it squarely in the elite category, right up against the Galaxy S6 Edge. For that price, "fine" just doesn't cut it. It needs to be amazing, and side-by-side against the Edge, the Z5 is not the phone I'd award the title "amazing."

The Xperia Z5 is available now in the UK for £549, and is up for preorder in Australia starting at AU$999. It'll cost $600 unlocked in the US; sales start February 7, 2016.

Design

Even a passing glance at the Z5 is enough to notice it's from the same family as the Z3 and Z2. It keeps the glass front and back, with a metal edge and minimal Sony branding. Still, it shows a few small changes: the rear glass panel is frosted, which I personally prefer over the glossy panel on the previous model.

The metal edging is now flat, rather than rounded, which gives the phone a blocky look and feel. The metal edges also protrude slightly away from the glass back, making the Z5 feel slightly sharp when I held it. Whether this is an intentional move or not, I can't say, but it does give the phone an unrefined feel. At 7.3mm thick, it's a touch chubbier than some of its rivals too.

The power button also functions as a fingerprint reader.

Another tweak to the new model is the power button on the side. Sony's replaced its almost iconic sticking-out dimple of a button with a long, flat one. It's not just a cosmetic change -- the power button now functions as a fingerprint reader, and it's the first time Sony has included one on its phones.

I find its side position comfortable to use as it's where my thumb naturally sits when I hold it in my right hand. Left-handers among you may consider it less convenient, though. If it's lying flat on a table, however, it's easier to just type in the PIN -- something that's less of an issue with the iPhone's front-mounted fingerprint scanner. It's quick to set up and accurate, rarely failing to recognise my prints.

While I like the stark, minimalist approach Sony takes with its phone design, the Z5 is (as I said) very much a refresh of what we've seen before, rather than a total overhaul. It also doesn't look as luxurious a device as Samsung's curving Galaxy S6 Edge. Personal preference will no doubt come into play a lot here so I recommend going hands on in a shop before making your mind up.

Waterproofing

Sony's website states that the Xperia Z5, like its predecessor, has an IP68 level of waterproofing, which technically states (again, on Sony's own website) that it's submersible in water over 1-metre in depth for 30 minutes. However the fine print on the specific product page for the Z5 says that it should not be submerged in water, unlike the Z3 and Z2 before it which were both advertised as underwater phones.

All the while, Sony has rather downplayed the significance of the waterproofing in its marketing materials for the phone. While the Z2 and Z3 were both shown plunging into water and taking photos of people in swimming pools, the Z5 is shown only in the rain -- not fully underwater.

I asked Sony to clarify and a company rep explained, "The recent changes to guidance we provide to our customers are designed to more clearly illustrate the best ways to protect devices in day-to-day usage. We communicate necessary precautions, and the specific parameters of ingress protection ratings, to help customers to protect their smartphones and tablets in line with the applicable warranty we provide. We have also recently updated our marketing visuals to better advocate sensible usage of our devices." OK, then.

The Xperia Z5 is 7.3mm thick.

What that means for you is this phone is not for underwater use. Instead, its waterproofing is designed to keep it safe from accidentally spilled drinks and to let you take calls in the rain. It may be able to survive a drop in the toilet, but don't keep dunking it in your pint to show off to your mates in the pub. If underwater photography is your thing, you'll need to look at rugged compact cameras which can survive full submersion in the ocean for extended periods of time.

Display

The Z5's display hasn't really changed much from the older Xperia Z3. At 5.2-inches, it's the same size and it has the same full HD (1,920x1,080-pixel) resolution, giving it the same pixel density. It's sharp, with fine text and clear images. Although the display looks admittedly perfectly crisp, I'd have liked to see a higher resolution panel. Both the Galaxy S6 and LG G4 (both of which can be bought for less than the Z5) have ultra HD screens, so Sony isn't doing much to keep up with its rivals here. It's the Z5 Premium that packs the 4K display, as well as an even higher price tag.

The screen has the same full HD resolution as the Xperia Z3.

Sony boasts that the display uses much of the same tech it whacks into its TVs -- the meaningless word "Triluminous" features in the Z5's marketing materials -- which is a convoluted way of saying "it looks good." To its credit, it does. Black levels are deep, resulting in rich colours with good contrast. You can tweak the colour and vibrance settings, too, if it gets a bit much.

It's a great screen for flicking through your pictures, gaming or watching Netflix at home, but it's not super-bright making outdoor use a little more difficult. Even under a cloudy Sussex sky, I found the screen to be a bit dim to read, so those of you who are lucky enough to live in perpetually sunny climates might struggle here.

Android software

The Z5 comes with Android 5.1 Lollipop on board, which is the most recent version of Google's software that's currently available. Android 6.0 Marshmallow has recently debuted on Google's new line of Nexus phones, but as the Z5 was launched back in September, I can't expect it to have it on board already.

On its official blog, Sony confirmed that the Z5, along with the Z5 Compact and Z5 Premium, would receive the update to Marshmallow, although it gave no indication as to timings (I've asked Sony to provide more information). Yet, I wouldn't get your hopes up for it arriving any time soon however as Sony previously has been slow to update its phones -- even the flagships -- to the latest Android releases. Don't buy the Z5 if you're desperate to be among the first to play with Marshmallow. I will of course update this review when we hear any information about the Marshmallow upgrade.

The Xperia Z5 ships with Android 5.1 Lollipop, with plans to update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow in the future.

One reason Sony takes so long to update its phones is that it heavily customises the Android interface. When a new version of Android comes along, its engineers have to work hard to apply the skin over the software. Plus each version of Android requires a whole new approach.

Sony's skin isn't too bad though, so you shouldn't be in any rush to get rid of it. It looks fairly neat, it's easy to learn, and some features like the ability to quickly arrange app icons in the app tray by most used or alphabetical order are more intuitive than some of its rivals.

There are quite a few pre-loaded apps which clutter things up, but mercifully you can uninstall most of them. I recommend a full clear out of all superfluous apps and home screen widgets before you do anything with your new phone.

Processor performance

The Z5's engine is a Qualcomm 810 octa-core chip, with 3GB of RAM backing it up. It's a potent piece of silicon, but this chip has had issues with overheating in the past. Most notably on Sony's own Xperia Z3+, which I found would regularly force close apps due to increased core temperature.

Whether by tweaking the software or simply by throttling the power of the chip, Sony has kept the 810 under control on the Z5 as I found no problems with the handset overheating. Sure, it gets a touch warm around the top of the phone (where the processor sits), but it didn't become uncomfortably hot like the Z3+ and at no point did apps force close. I received a warning when shooting 4K video that the camera app may close if it warms up too much, but even after five minutes of filming, it was working fine.

It's certainly a powerful chip as the Z5 is very smooth to use. There are no unpleasant delays when swiping around the Android interface, with apps and menus loading quickly. Gaming too is handled with aplomb with both Angry Birds 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas playing with high frame rates.

It achieved a multi core score of 2,926 on the Geekbench 3 benchmark test, putting it alongside the LG G4 (2,981), although a significant step down from the Samsung Galaxy S6 (4,608). On the 3D Mark Ice Storm: Unlimited graphics test however, the Z5 racked up a score of 26,885, putting it far above the Galaxy S6 (20,778), the LG G4 (18,611) and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ (24,737). The Z5 then is an extremely powerful device, with more than enough juice to tackle anything you'll want to throw at it.

Camera

Sony has given the Z5's camera a load of tweaks to improve it over the Z3. For one, its 1/2.3" size sensor now delivers a whopping 23-megapixel resolution. The resulting images are very large, clocking in at 5,520x4,140-pixels, and in file sizes, with most shots being around 8-10mb per image at full resolution.

The extra resolution give you some flexibility to digitally zoom into a scene or crop into an image after it's been shot, without losing too much detail. The images themselves though are no crisper than on most phones, and actually rather suffer from compression artifacts when viewed up close.

Sony Xperia Z5 camera test

Battery life

Powering the Xperia Z5 is a 2,900mAh battery, which is a touch smaller than the Z3's battery (3,100mAh), although Sony still reckons you can squeeze up to two days from it. That's a big boast, and not one that's particularly realistic.
In our two battery rundown tests, the Z5 lasted 9 hours 36 minutes and 9 hours 49 minutes -- a bit below the Galaxy S6's 12.4 hours and far below the Motorola Moto X Play's 16 hours. Our rundown test is quite brutal however, so day to day battery life will vary depend on how demanding you are of the phone.
It actually holds its charge well in standby mode, so if you tend to listen to a bit of music on your morning commute, leaving it mostly untouched at work, then enjoy a podcast on the way home, you shouldn't struggle to get a day from the Z5. If, however, you keep the screen on most of the day, sending and receiving messages, streaming music and gaming then you'll probably find the juice running out some time in the evening. You'd have to be extremely careful in how you use the phone if you hope to achieve Sony's boast of two days of battery life.

Conclusion
The Sony Xperia Z5 isn't a bad phone by any means, it just doesn't do much to stand out anymore. Its blocky design remains too similar to past generations to really generate much excitement, and its display and processor are pretty much unchanged from its predecessor. That Sony no longer lets you take it for a swim means the device also lost the one major feature that consistently set the Z series phones apart from its rivals -- the ability to take underwater photos.
It performs well though, wielding as it does sufficient power for intense gaming, and its camera can take some great shots. It's a decent phone all-round, but it lacks the real wow factor I expect to see on a new flagship. At a time when its main Android rival Samsung has overhauled the design of its flagship with a stunning curving glass and metal design, being simply 'fine' doesn't really cut it. This is the year that Sony needed to pull out all the stops and it just hasn't with the Z5.

iPhone 6S Plus review

    I don't usually like really big phones. I want phones that can fit in my hand. But last year I switched from an iPhone 6 to 6 Plus , to see what difference it made it my life. Its advantages turned out to be really useful: a bigger battery, a larger screen with higher resolution. And I realized, when I switched back to an iPhone 6, that optical image stabilization made a difference, too...sometimes.
And yes, I came to love the Plus for its pro-type features, and even for its near-tablet feel. For videos, and games. But as a normal phone, its size never seemed truly comfortable to me.
Just like last year, the new iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone 6S are nearly similar except for a few key advantages on the larger model. The Plus gets you a 5.5-inch display instead of the 4.7-inch one of the iPhone 6S. And while the Plus's camera sensor and resolution is identical to that on the smaller iPhone, it adds optical image stabilization, which can deliver more blur-free photos in certain light conditions (especially if you're zooming). Unlike last year's Plus, that stabilization works when shooting videos, too. And you get a bigger battery that lasts just a bit longer. It costs more, but its perks are worth it if you're a mission-critical user of your phone camera.
But oh, that size.
I'd probably use a Plus over a 6S. But for most people, I still think the smaller 6S is the way to go.

iPhone 6S next to 6S Plus. It's bigger.

What do I mean by 'too big'?

For some people, the Plus might not be too big at all. But for many others I've talked to, it is. There's nothing wrong with a 5.5-inch screen, but the 6S Plus -- like the 6 Plus before it -- seats that screen into a phone that has a larger top and bottom bezel than many big-screened Android phones. End result: it's wider and longer than similar 5.5-inch competitors, albeit thinner. See the photo below for comparison, next to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and last year's Nexus 6. The Note 5 is a tiny bit less wide and tall, but has a larger 5.7-inch screen. The thicker and ever-so-slightly wider Nexus 6 has a 5.9-inch screen.

The width and length usually make more of a difference to me, and my pants. I have pretty large jeans, and my pockets accommodate the Plus fine. Other people I know don't have that luck.

The Plus still doesn't fit easily in one hand, either. I find myself using a pinky tucked underneath.

You do get a 5.5-inch 1,920x1,080 resolution display instead of the 4.7-inch 1,334x750-resolution screen of the iPhone 6S, which matters mostly for photos, videos, and Web browsing. You can fit a bit more of everything on screen at once, as long as apps take advantage (many do, some still haven't upgraded).

Super-powered with 3D Touch and better speed

For more on what the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus offer, read my whole iPhone 6S review . Know that the new A9 processor and double the RAM (2GB) from last year's iPhones means faster-feeling system speed, and apps that load better when you swap between them. And the extra perk of always-on Siri means that, especially for drivers, hands-free operation works even the phone's not plugged in.

3D Touch has potential, but takes getting used to.

3D Touch is the promise of a whole new type of interaction with the touchscreen; this phone has a pressure-sensitive display that does different things when you press in with your finger. Everything from pop-out menus to previews of Web links before you open them, and a growing library of apps and games that are starting to make the most of this tech. It can measure a whole range of pressure gradients, which means this could be used for sketching and art apps in particular. On a larger-screened tablet-type phone, that could get very interesting. At the moment, however, 3D Touch is more subtle additions and potential than anything eye-popping or world-changing. It's definitely worth keeping an eye on, however, because iOS is bound to transform to take advantage of it down the road.

Battery life: Better than the smaller iPhone

I'd like the iPhone 6S to have the battery of the 6S Plus.

Over a regular day of use, the Plus got me enough juice so I didn't panic. It's an all-day experience. On the iPhone 6S, towards the end of the day, you'll need to consider power-saving or recharging.

Our battery run test, which uses a video loop played back on the phone in airplane mode, lasted 11 hours, 54 minutes. The iPhone 6S (non-Plus) lasted 10 hours, 30 minutes. That doesn't sound like a huge difference, but in everyday, real-life use it amounted to a last-through-the-day experience, versus a need-to-recharge one. However, last year's iPhone 6 Plus running iOS 8 ran for longer on that same battery test: 13.3 hours. And there are plenty of larger-screened phones packing larger batteries that last longer than this. The Plus is the longer-life iPhone, but like the smaller 6S, it could still do better.

It's enough to matter to me -- but then again, it means you're carrying a bigger phone. What I really want is the smaller 6S to have this better battery life, and for the larger Plus to last even longer.

A note on different processors in the iPhone 6S

It turns out that this year's iPhone 6S A9 processor has been sourced out to two different manufacturers, meaning your iPhone 6S (or 6S Plus) could either have one or the other. According to Apple, battery performance between the two variants (TSMC and Samsung) only varies by around 2 to 3 percent. Others online are reporting varying performance differences. We are doing our own testing with iPhones containing both types of chips, and will update this when we have definitive answers. Our review iPhones had processors made by TSMC. So far we haven't seen anything worrying, but will alert you if we do...and update this review.

The Plus feels great in landscape mode.

I don't think the Plus can replace a real tablet, even an iPad Mini . But it comes close in a lot of instances, especially for reading, email, videos and games. In landscape mode, the Plus is a pretty perfect travel screen, and videos and games shine. The extra bezel on the top and bottom become pretty good hand-grips, too.

Yes, it's good enough that you probably won't need anything else on a long train ride or flight. That proposition remains the same as last year's Plus, but it bears mentioning if you're considering a leap from regular-sized iPhone to Plus-land.

Some apps still don't take advantage

It's about a year since Apple introduced a Plus-sized iPhone, and I still find a lot of apps that never bothered to optimize for its larger-screened, higher-resolution 5.5-inch screen. Some still don't allow for landscape mode or clever semi-split-screen functions, either, like you see in some of Apple's core apps like Mail. Instead of pushing for unique features, a lot of apps seem to settle for more subtle upgrades.

Does that make the Plus less desirable? I don't think so. The Plus is really about that extra size and resolution for Web browsing, reading, games and videos/photos. I'd love to see more Plus-optimized apps, but I don't know if they'll emerge at the rate I'd like, or make the Plus feel more like an iPad. The Plus really is very much a sibling of the smaller 6S.

Conclusion: If only this phone were a bit smaller

You're paying up for the Plus, and if you consider what it offers, the $100 increase -- £80-90 in the UK, AU$150 in Australia -- at every storage capacity versus the 6S isn't unreasonable. (As with the smaller iPhone, skip the entry-level 16GB model, and pay up for at least the 64GB version.) But it also means a more expensive iPhone, and I still say that most people don't need its extra perks. Its speed and performance, except for battery, are largely the same as its smaller sibling.

If the Plus shaved its bezels down and got just a bit smaller and more hand-friendly, maybe this would be the ultimate phone for me. I actually do want an iPhone somewhere in between the 6S and 6S Plus -- perhaps a 5- or 5.2-inch screen, but very little of anything else to get in the way. Could it happen? I hope so, in the iPhone 7, which should get a redesigned body.

Or, if the dimensions of the Plus shrunk down a bit to accommodate that large screen in a slightly smaller frame. It could happen, especially if the home button were removed (or shifted).

If you're a serious iPhone user or someone who relies on their phone camera for work, you should get the Plus. If you can live with its size.

Even a year later, I'm not completely sure I can. But I envy its advantages.

Sony Xperia Z4 tablet review

   Sony might not be the first to come to mind when you think about tablets, but if you're in the market for a stellar Android model, you should pay attention to its latest release. The Xperia Z4 tablet, not to be confused with the Xperia Z4 smartphone, is a skinny and powerful 10-inch tablet that's both dust- and waterproof.
One of the best reasons to pick an Android gadget (and skip on comparable iOS or Windows devices) is the freedom to tweak it to your heart's desire. Rocking a colorful overlay full of useful customization features, the Z4 takes full advantage of this flexibility.
Whether it's the option to organize the app tray layout by apps most commonly used or the ability to launch Spotify as soon as you connect your headphones, what sets the Xperia Z4 apart is its considerable customization opportunities.

A touch of waterproof durability goes a long way.

Solid Android tablets with a chic design, powerful performance and razor-sharp HD screen are a dime a dozen, but one that hand delivers all the personalization options natively (without having to download any additional apps) like the Xperia Z4, are harder to find.

Speaking of hard to find, although the tablet is currently on sale in the UK for £499 -- and available on Expansys for the same price -- Sony has not made an official announcement regarding official pricing or availability in the US or AU. US shoppers can find the Wi-Fi-only model on Amazon without the keyboard for $699 and with it for $759. The standalone LTE variant starts at $799 and the LTE model with the keyboard will run you $849.

In Australia the LTE variant of the Z4 is a Telstra exclusive, available outright for the bizarre prices of AU$888 or on plan from AU$62 per month. The Wi-Fi only model will arrive in late September at Sony stores and online, for AU$799.

Features

Running the latest available version of Google's operating system, Lollipop 5.0 , the Xperia Z4 features an overlay that slightly modifies the Android experience. It's no complete overhaul like you'd find in the Lenovo Yoga 10 , but the alterations are evident.

You can organize your apps in whatever way you want.

While not a flashy feature, one of the best aspects of the UI is the easy ability to customize how you interact with your Xperia Z4. You can modify practical things, like choosing which settings buttons you'd like quick access to via the pull-down menu, accessible by swiping down from the top of the tablet, or you can change how the apps in your app tray are organized.

You can also customize more complicated matters. Smart Connect is a preloaded app that allows you to tell your Xperia tablet what to do when you connect or disconnect an accessory. You create "events" that trigger a certain response from the tablet. You can set the tablet to automatically launch your running playlist when connected to headphones between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., or set the volume to max whenever connected to the charger, ensuring you won't miss any notifications.

When tethered to the Bluetooth keyboard, a small taskbar on the bottom-left corner of the screen appears. It's customizable -- you can hand-pick which apps appear in it, and you get a maximum of 18. This is an easy way to open your most-used apps instead of finding the shortcut on your homescreen or making your way to the app tray. I found it very helpful and used it often.

If you own other Sony products, like a TV, Xperia phone or PlayStation, the tablet can also seamlessly work with those devices. For example, you can mirror the tablet's screen onto your Sony TV or Xperia phone, and if connected to a PS4 via the preloaded PS App, the Z4 can be utilized as a controller, a second screen, or as a keyboard for text entry.

Customizing the taskbar is everything but taxing.

Hardware

The Sony Xperia Z4 tablet houses a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit octa-core processor, Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory, and a microSD card slot that can store up to an additional 128 GB. Other features include Bluetooth 4.1, FM radio and NFC connectivity.

Our review unit was an LTE variant of the Sony Xperia Z4 tablet. There's no information on where the tablet will be available, let alone which carriers will offer it, so at the time of review we were unable to evaluate the feature.

The microSD and SIM card slots are hidden behind a cover.

Performance

Considering its high-end specs, the Sony Xperia Z4's performance is unsurprisingly stellar. Basic tasks, like checking email, streaming video, or browsing the Web are smooth like butter and even large apps and games run without a hitch.

The Sony Xperia Z4's gaming performance ranks it among the best. This is good news for those interested in mobile gaming, as well as those that want to use the Sony tablet in conjunction with their PS4 gaming console. Graphics are sharp and smooth, and gameplay rarely encounters a hiccup.

The 10-inch screen boasts a 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution display with a wide range of colors that appear lifelike. HD content on the 2K screen looks splendid and even the UI itself is great to look at when adding widgets to your home screens or changing the theme of its appearance.

You'll find a front-facing 5.1-megapixel camera that satisfies for video conferencing and selfies as well as an 8-megapixel camera on the back. For both, colors are a bit washed out, and graininess is prevalent. I wouldn't recommend using either much, unless you like playing with camera features.

The Xperia Z4 rocks an excellent screen

The features built into the native camera app range in usefulness, but they add a unique, fun element to the otherwise drab pair of cameras. In addition to your typical scene modes, the Xperia Z4 has camera apps. They range from wacky to practical, but since the photo quality isn't that great, I enjoyed the wacky options more.

One of the most interesting camera apps is the AR mask, mostly because it's so odd that it's captivating. Using the front-facing camera, you can transform your face into an animal, or even take a photo of a friend and use that as a mask. It makes for some interesting results.

The creative effect app also included its own array of interesting filters. Aside from the expected black-and-white and pencil-sketch filters, there's a trippy kaleidoscope mode that makes the most mundane environments a work of art and a cool comic book one that, well, makes it look like you're inside of a comic book.

The Sony Xperia Z4 tablet houses a 6000 mAh battery with a purported video playback time of 17 hours. After testing it in the CNET Lab by looping a local video in airplane mode, the Z4 averaged 10.8 hours.

What about the competition?

It might appear expensive when compared to the slew of budget tablets available, but the pricing places it right in the wheelhouse of its competition. The chart below reflects current pricing according to availability in the US and UK. This review will be updated with any relevant information that Sony provides us.

The Microsoft Surface 3 and Apple iPad Air 2 are not made in 32GB models, so we included the 64GB versions, taking into consideration that although both the Sony Xperia Z4 and Dell Venue 10 7000include only 32GB of native storage, each has a microSD card slot that makes an upgrade to 64GB a mere $14 away.

Note, the keyboard included in the pricing for the iPad Air 2 is the Logitech Type+ keyboard case (not available via the UK Apple Store), which is suggested by the Apple Store and comparable in function to the Surface 3's and Venue 10 7000's proprietary keyboards. However, there are many other options for the Apple iPad available.

An Android alternative to the Xperia Z4 lies within the similarly sleek Dell Venue 10 7000 . With comparable performance, aesthetics play a part in which 10-inch Android tablet you might prefer; in contrast to the streamlined and skinny build of the Xperia Z4, the Venue 10 7000's slim figure deviates from the norm with a chunky rounded spine, for ergonomic grip support. The Venue 10 7000 also offers a Bluetooth keyboard (sold separately). However the Dell's keyboard fits and works like a dream when attached to the tablet, and it makes the Xperia Z4's keyboard looks like a homely afterthought. As an Android-based workstation, the Dell Venue 10 7000's design outshines that of the Sony Xperia Z4.

If you're open to a different operating system, the Apple iPad Air 2 and Microsoft Surface 3 are two comparable powerhouses. The Surface 3 runs a full version of Windows 8.1 -- soon to run Windows 10 -- meaning it can run any Windows program, and its signature keyboard case is highly lauded for being fashionable and functional. The Xperia Z4 is slimmer and thinner than the Surface 3, and the Google Play store offers more apps than the Windows Store, but the Microsoft tablet is also a better workstation thanks to its cleverly constructed keyboard.

The Apple iPad Air 2 is arguably the most popular tablet, making a comparison between it and the Xperia Z4 a necessary evil. Performance between the two is comparable in speed and consistency, however the Xperia Z4 excels in gaming graphics, and it weighs a little less than the Air 2. If you're already invested in the iOS ecosystem, the choice to opt for an iPad is easy. The Sony tablet is a better alternative if you prefer the Android operating system or if you're big on gaming -- the PS4 compatibility is a huge plus.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia Z4 is currently one of the best Android tablets out there. Not only is it a well-constructed powerful performer with a stunningly sharp screen, its thoughtful overlay puts the control of the Android experience in the hands of the user in a remarkably accessible manner. In the end, the modifications to the interface render the Sony tablet a better option for less tech savvy users. Sure, you can download apps that replicate the fancy features of the Xperia Z4, but if you don't have the time, patience, or will to parse through the Google Play store for those alternatives, the Z4 conveniently offers myriad ways to adjust the tablet's functions to your liking for maximum usability -- and enjoyment.

iPad Air 2 review

     When Apple introduced the 9.7-inch iPad Pro on March 21, 2016, it seized the mantle of best iPad ever. The spitting image of the celebrated iPad Air 2, this smaller sibling of the original iPad Pro brings to the table a marvelous combination of form factor perfection and cutting-edge specs. Noteworthy features include a blazing fast processor; killer cameras (front and rear); an enhanced, antireflective display; and support for Apple's Pencil and Smart Keyboard. With a near-perfect balance between tablet power and portability, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is pricy, sure, starting at $599 -- but also the new gold standard in the tablet category.
That noted, the iPad Air 2, the progenitor of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro design, remains arguably the better value. It costs $100 less and has virtually everything a conventional user needs in a tablet. With a keyboard accessory, it's a great portable writing tool -- unlike the iPad Mini 2 and Mini 4, which are both just a tad too small for keyboards. Its screen is well-suited to watching movies. And it handles multitasking a bit better than the Mini 4.
As Scott Stein suggests in his review of the new iPad Pro, this may be why Apple put the "Pro" in the iPad Pro -- these high-performance models are not for everyone. Yes, they're fast -- and especially great for creative professionals who are going to use their Pencil add-ons. But the upgrades come with a hefty price tag, and many folks would be better off spending that amount of money on a nice laptop.
Given this, the iPad Air 2 is still the Goldilocks in Apple's tablet lineup. We awarded it a CNET Editors' Choice in October 2014, and we heartily re-endorse it now, more than two years later.

Perfect size for reading, writing and viewing

The real reason I recommend the Air 2 over all other iPads is it strikes the perfect balance between a reading/playing/viewing tablet and something a bit more productive. It can be carried pretty easily in one hand and feels like reading a softcover book. Magazines and feature articles look good on its screen. Movies -- even letterboxed ones -- look sharp. But it's big enough to do some work on. Apps run side-by-side in splitscreen (Split View) mode work well, and with a keyboard attached it's a solid portable writing machine. My favorite case right now is Belkin's QODE Ultimate Pro -- it offers protection, a great backlit keyboard and two different tilt angles. With one of these on, the iPad Air 2 is nearly a tiny laptop without a trackpad, and a great emergency device to always have on me.

Even after weeks with the larger iPad Pro, the Air 2 seems fine to me. It even seems cozier and a lot more portable.

Split View apps offer split-screen, and it works really well.

iOS 9 runs perfectly, and adds new tricks

iOS 9 adds a few great new tricks to what the Air 2 can do; Split View is the best of them. Apps can be placed side-by-side for real multitasking, in one of several set orientations. Not all apps can use Split View (only ones that have been updated to allow for it), which can be frustrating. But more are being added all the time, and those that are optimized for split-screen are great. For email, Twitter, or even pulling up a calculator on the fly, it makes for a lot more efficiency.

Picture-in-picture video is also new to iOS 9, and it means the Air 2 can be used to follow livestreamed events -- or just regular old Web video -- in apps that support the feature. I've found it works fairly well via Safari browser windows while doing other things.

Picture-in-picture viewing: "Mulholland Drive," meet "The Southern Reach Trilogy."

The A8X processor in the Air 2 doesn't skip a beat doing any of these things, and all apps I throw at it run wonderfully. It's faster than the iPad Mini 4, and it doesn't even seem slow compared to the more powerful iPad Pro right now (mainly because the Pro doesn't have a ton of optimized apps yet).

Battery life, meanwhile, hits right around Apple's rated lifespan of about 10 hours between charges. You can use the iOS 9 battery-saving feature to extend that as needed, and standby time is especially good. In other words, this iPad will get you through a transcontinental flight with juice to spare, and you won't have to recharge it as often as your phone.

Still the best all-around iPad for now

There are other, more affordable options when it comes to tablets: lots of Android alternatives, Chromebooks and a fair bunch of full-fledged Windows 10 laptops, some as cheap as $200. The iPad doesn't match up as a budget pick, but it's still the king of tablets because of the sheer number of high-quality iPad apps that exist. At the same time, iOS 9 has made some necessary strides towards making the iPad a lot more useful.

And no, not everyone needs a tablet -- especially if you're happy with one of those devices listed above, or even an older iPad model. But if you're considering a new one, the Air 2 doesn't feel old -- it's great, balancing out productivity with useful reading, viewing and gaming apps. The Mini 4 and Pro feel too pushed to one side or the other. In fact, only specialists lusting after the super-accurate Pencil stylus would have a pressing need to upgrade to the considerably more expensive Pro models.

Bottom line: even in this iPad Pro era, the iPad Air 2 still delivers the best bang for the buck.

Cat S60 review

   The Cat S60 is thick and hefty with an unapologetically industrial design. In addition to being a tough SOB that can endure 6-foot drops and the most waterproof phone made to date, it also has one thing no other phone possesses: a built-in thermal imaging camera.
If you have to ask why anyone would need a durable, waterproof phone with a thermal imaging camera, the Cat S60 probably isn't for you. Those of you whose ears perk up at the mention of the phone's features should definitely stick around, however.
The phone is available for pre-order in the UK for £529 unlocked. US and Australian pre-orders have yet to be announced, but the UK price converts to around AU$920. In the US it will sell for $599 unlocked and work with GSM networks like T-Mobile and AT&T.

Thermal imaging camera included
A thermal imaging camera gives you superpowers. It allows you to visualize the temperature of objects, like an animal in the dark or frozen pipes. The built-in Flir thermal imaging camera is located on the back of the phone, above the 13-megapixel rear camera and next to the microSD card and SIM slots. It's the same one found on the Flir One thermal camera accessory, which is available for iOS and Android devices for $250 or £200 (AU$330, converted) -- a bargain considering most thermal imaging cameras cost thousands of dollars.
The Flir camera app takes a whopping 10-15 seconds to launch on the S60. The app offers nine different filters (they range in color palette and help make certain temperatures more visible than others) and you can take photos or videos. There's also the Flir Tools app (free in the Android app store) that allows you to see a variety of detailed data attached to the thermal images (like the temperature of a specific spot or the range of temperatures in the photo) after you take them.

The Cat S60 is the first phone with a built-in thermal imaging camera.

I enjoyed using the thermal camera to take colorful, trippy photos and psychedelic videos, however I, personally, found little practical use for it. It came in handy when a friend needed to know the accurate temperature of her oven while baking a cheesecake (the temperature markings on the stove's knob had faded) and when I wanted to know if my coffee was cool enough to drink, but that's it. If you're a firefighter, independent contractor or work in construction, you're more likely to come across situations where this type of technology comes in handy.

Durable design

Even with its smallish 4.7-inch screen, the Cat S60 still feels cumbersome. It's almost twice as thick as the iPhone 6S and tired out my wrist when I held it too long.

It's still comfortable to use in short spurts. The smooth, rounded edges afforded it a satisfyingly tactile feel and its buttons are conveniently big and easy to press (like a kids toy). The weaved etching on the back panel also makes it easy to grip and use if your hands are wet or you're wearing gloves.

It's IP68 certified and can withstand a 6-foot (1.8m) fall onto concrete and can be submerged up to 16-feet (5m) underwater for up to 60 minutes -- making it the most waterproof phone on the market.

I didn't take the Cat S60 diving, but I used every opportunity to get it wet. (I splashed it with water numerous times and dunked it 3-feet underwater for the duration of three Friends episodes.) After a quick towel off, it worked fine every time. Sometimes, if the screen was still a bit wet, my swipes and taps wouldn't be recognized, even though the Gorilla Glass 4 touchscreen is supposed to be "wet finger-compatible." Completely drying the screen fixed the problem.

Unique features

This phone is definitely meant for more than just Snapchat and Twitter.

The SOS button is hidden behind a waterproof flap and when pressed for a few seconds, it activates an app that can send a location alert to emergency contacts.

There's also a programmable yellow button underneath the power button that can perform custom functions, like opening an app or show notifications.
The pre-loaded curated app store feature specific categories -- like sports and outdoors, construction and farming -- and is pre-loaded onto the homescreen.

But how does it perform?
In comparison to the Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Motorola Droid Turbo 2, the Cat S60's specs are underwhelming. However, I was never disappointed; games and apps launched within seconds, navigation was swift, web pages loaded quickly and the screen was sharp and bright. The front and rear cameras are a bit disappointing (lots of visible noise and graininess in dark environments), but the rare presence of the FLIR camera makes it somewhat forgivable.
Using the provided charger, it took about two hours to fully charge if battery was completely drained. We're currently testing it in the CNET Lab and will update the review with the final results soon. Anecdotally, the phone's battery comfortably lasted an entire day. With heavy use (lots of downloading apps and playing games) and the brightness jacked all the way up, it lasted me about five hours.

Though it works fine for streaming video and playing games, the heavy duty Cat S60 is a niche device.

Should I get it?

Most thermal imaging cameras cost thousands. If, as an alternative, you were to buy a decent, cheap, waterproof Android phone and added on the Flir One accessory, you'd pay only $50 less than the S60.

Having all those features in one device is worth the extra money in my opinion -- if those extra features appeal to you.

The Cat S60's thoughtfully executed design puts functionality and durability at the forefront. The fact that it's made to work under distressing conditions -- ones that would literally break most phones -- makes it perfect for anyone who works in a precarious environment or has a very active, outdoorsy lifestyle. That said, it's not worth it for someone, like me -- who does none of those things -- to lug around and use everyday.

My friend's oven needed to be alot hotter.