To store content and applications, only a harsh minimum is provided - 8 GB of internal memory, and we probably have less available. The problem is solved by a microSD card, cards up to 32 GB are supported. There is no "cloud" bonus for Xperia ZR users.

In terms of communications, the smartphone is also almost no different from the flagship. The MHL port, located on the left side, combines the functionality of USB and HDMI, so that it can be used not only for recharging and synchronization, but also for displaying images on big screen. Max Speed data reception for HSDPA is 42 Mb / s, and for LTE - 100 Mb / s. In addition, Bluetooth 4, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n and NFC are supported.

A nice feature of the device is a removable lithium-ion battery. Now this is a rarity, because manufacturers are chasing every millimeter, and rolling a lithium-polymer battery into a pancake and making it non-removable for such purposes is much easier and more efficient. The battery capacity is decent - 2300 mAh, and everything is in order with the autonomy of the smartphone. Even with a serious load, it is enough for the whole day. If you save at least a little, then enough for a day and a half.

Interface, software

Initially, the smartphone runs on OS android version 4.1, but more recently, Sony has already begun to distribute the update to version 4.2.2 through carriers. We didn't have a chance to see how the smartphone will look after the update, but it's safe to assume that the interface and software suite will be no different from those of the Z and ZL.

To store content and applications, only a harsh minimum is provided - 8 GB of internal memory, and we probably have less available. The problem is solved by a microSD card, cards up to 32 GB are supported. There is no "cloud" bonus for Xperia ZR users.

In terms of communications, the smartphone is also almost no different from the flagship. The MHL port, located on the left side, combines the functionality of USB and HDMI, so that it can be used not only for recharging and synchronization, but also for displaying images on a large screen. The maximum data reception rate for HSDPA is 42 Mb / s, and for LTE - 100 Mb / s. In addition, Bluetooth 4, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n and NFC are supported.

A nice feature of the device is a removable lithium-ion battery. Now this is a rarity, because manufacturers are chasing every millimeter, and rolling a lithium-polymer battery into a pancake and making it non-removable for such purposes is much easier and more efficient. The battery capacity is decent - 2300 mAh, and everything is in order with the autonomy of the smartphone. Even with a serious load, it is enough for the whole day. If you save at least a little, then enough for a day and a half.

Interface, software

Initially, the smartphone is running Android version 4.1, but recently Sony has already begun to distribute the update to version 4.2.2 through telecom operators. We didn't have a chance to see how the smartphone will look after the update, but it's safe to assume that the interface and software suite will be no different from those of the Z and ZL.

The Japanese corporation Sony is one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world. Naturally, the company could not ignore such a profitable niche as the production of smartphones with the Android operating system. In this review, we will focus on a device from the top Z line. Sony, smartphone Xperia ZR. The gadget was announced in the summer of 2013, its main feature is protected against water and dust according to the IP58 standard.

The gadget was announced in the summer of 2013

Specifications

Completion and packaging

The smartphone comes in a nice medium-sized rectangular box. On the front side of the package there is an image of the device, there is a company logo and the model name. At the bottom of the package there is a photo of the gadget in various color options for the case. short information according to the main characteristics of the smartphone, as well as other technical data.

The smartphone is supplied with the following:

• the apparatus itself;
• power adapter;
• docking station for charging a smartphone;
• micro-USB cable;
• warranty documentation;
• stereo headset;
• instructions for using the phone with a description of the main functions.

Sony delivers its rugged phone in an excellent package. The presence of headphones is pleasant, not to mention the docking station, which makes it easier to charge the smartphone.

The smartphone comes in a rectangular box

Video

Appearance and design

The hero of the review loses much in design to his older brother - flagship phone Sony Xperia Z. Maybe the point is in its purpose, after all, the IP58 protection class implies a somewhat extreme use of the device. As a result, the device received a body made of plastic that was pleasant and rough to the touch and was deprived of spectacular metal or glass inserts. So what does the Sony Xperia ZR look like?

The front panel is made in black. Above the display are located speaker, front-camera, standard sensors: proximity and illumination. Under the screen, despite the wide frame, there was no place for control buttons, Sony traditionally has them on the screen. But below there was a place for another branded chips firms: LED indicator notifications and events, made in the form of a narrow band. This indicator can change the glow color depending on the type of notification.

The frame around the display is too wide. A good protective film is pasted on the screen from the factory, which can be considered a nice bonus.

The back cover is removable, made of high-quality soft-touch plastic, thanks to which the phone lies well in the hand and does not slip even in a sweaty (wet) palm.

Black front panel

All the main elements of the back of the gadget are lined up in one vertical line: the lens of the main optical module is located at the upper edge, a little lower is the LED flash. Under them, approximately in the geometric center of the rear panel, the inscription "XPERIA" flaunts, at the bottom edge is the main speaker of the device. Only a small NFC zone, located to the right of the flash, breaks the harmony.

By removing the back cover (by the way, a rubber seal is glued to it for water resistance), you can access battery, as well as micro-SIM and micro-SD slots.

At the bottom end there is a microphone and a hole familiar to Sony devices with an eyelet for attaching a wrist strap. At the top end there is a socket for connecting a stereo headset, closed with a rubber plug.

Power button

On the left side there is a micro-USB connector, designed to connect to a computer and recharge the battery. The connector is closed with a solid rubber plug. The manufacturer, apparently assuming that the frequent use of the USB socket for charging the battery, the plug can quickly become unusable, put a docking station in the box, using which the connection of the power adapter is possible without access to the micro-USB connector, using the contacts.

In the center of the right side of the body of the Sony Xperia ZR is another signature feature of Sony smartphones - a round aluminum power button. Just below it is a double sound volume button: a very controversial decision - controlling the volume while holding the phone in one hand is inconvenient for both right-handed and left-handed people. Even lower is the button responsible for launching the camera.

The smartphone is available in four body colors: white, black, pink and turquoise.

Now about the sizes. The phone looks smaller flagship Xperia Z, while losing to him in the thickness of the body, it also weighs a little less.

Sony XPeria ZR has the following dimensions: length - 131.3 mm, width - 67.3 mm, thickness - 10.5 mm. The weight of the device is 138 grams.

The overall impression of the smartphone leaves a good impression. The design, of course, is simple, but the device is focused primarily on people using the phone in unusual conditions, so this fact should not be considered a disadvantage.

The build quality of the smartphone is at a high level, everything is tightly fitted, as it should be with a secure device. Maybe someone will not have enough metal in the design of the case, but with such a positioning of the device, it is not needed, it is easier to pay a little extra and buy a flagship model.

Display

The Sony Xperia ZR has a 4.55-inch TFT display. The screen resolution is 720x1280 (HD). The screen is covered with a protective film from the factory to avoid scratches. Implemented support for multi-touch for ten touches.

Display diagonal 4.55 inches

The color rendering quality of the display was not pleasing, the picture seemed pale. There are no complaints about the brightness margin: it is enough for comfortable work under the bright rays of the sun. In the dark, you can also easily set the minimum display brightness to avoid excessive load on the eyes. Function automatic adjustment brightness works correctly.

Viewing angles are normal, but nothing more. With a strong tilt, a strong lightening of the picture is observed.

In general, the screen quality of the smartphone is average, but most users will be satisfied with it, despite the HD resolution.

Software

The smartphone is operated in tandem from the operating room Android systems 4.2 and proprietary shell Xperia Home. The shell features are:

• advanced management of desktops, the ability to change their number;
• effective power management system and energy saving STAMINA;
• convenient multifunctional keyboard with support for gesture input;
• a program for reading a barcode using a built-in camera;
• availability of OfficeSuite 7, convenient software package for working with documents:
• a good Walkman program for playing music.

The smartphone is running operating system Android 4.2

In general, the proprietary firmware of the Sony Xperia ZR is excellent and, thanks to its functionality and practicality, will satisfy all the needs of even the most demanding user.

Sound

Listening to music on a Sony Xperia ZR smartphone using the main speaker will not bring much joy. Firstly, it is practically devoid of bass, and secondly, there are no special bumps along the edges of the main speaker that prevent the sound from being muffled when the device is placed on a horizontal surface.

In the bundled headphones, the sound quality is quite high, not a reference, of course, but it will satisfy the needs of most users. The proprietary Walkman has many settings to customize the sound to your liking. You can use the function auto tuning sound - ClearAudio +.

Unfortunately, the quality of voice transmission through the earpiece can hardly be called good. When talking, the interlocutor is heard as if from under the ground, metallic notes appear. Therefore, when communicating on the phone, the caller can be difficult to recognize precisely because of the distortion of the voice.

Auto Audio Adjustment Function - ClearAudio+

The smartphone has an FM radio, to listen to which you need to connect headphones as an antenna.

Performance

In 2013, when the smartphone just went on sale, its characteristics were considered top-end.

The device received a QualcommAPQ8064 quad-core processor with a core frequency of up to 1500 MHz. The GPU Adreno 320 is responsible for the graphics.

Volume random access memory is 2 GB, at the time of the release of the device it was an excellent indicator. The built-in disk has a frankly small amount of 8 GB. Fortunately, the size of the internal storage can be increased by using micro-SD memory cards (up to 32 Gb). Connectivity available external drives using OTG technology.

When running the AnTuTu synthetic test, the gadget scored 20845 points, even slightly exceeding the flagship Xperia Z (20225 points). How will the device behave in games?

With such performance, there are no problems with any, even the heaviest, games. Real Racing 3 and gta vice City launch without question and work at maximum settings. Of the minuses, it should be noted that the device tends to noticeably heat up the case under heavy load.

Playing on a smartphone is very comfortable

Camera

Main optical Sony module Xperia ZR has a resolution of 13 megapixels. It would seem that there should be no questions about the optical component of the apparatus. But it was not there.

Despite the good resolution of the matrix, the pictures lack sharpness, noise appears in the photo even under ideal shooting conditions. The flash will help in this situation, although sometimes it can ruin the frame.

The main camera supports shooting video in FullHD resolution.

The shortcomings mentioned above are unpleasant, but, with a certain skill, you can get good quality photos from the device.

The main camera supports shooting in FullHD

The front camera with a resolution of only 0.3 megapixels can be used for video calls. It is difficult to get pictures of digestible quality with its help.

Wireless interfaces and communication

The manufacturer equipped his gadget full set wireless interfaces. Present Bluetooth version 4, Wi-Fi 802.11a, which supports operation at a frequency of 5 GHz, there is also an NFC module.

The navigation filling of the phone can work with GPS and GLONASS satellites. There are no complaints about the operation of navigation in the smartphone: the module starts quickly, the connection maintains a stable one.

The phone can use only one SIM-card form factor micro, implemented support for 4G frequencies.

Battery

Protected Sony smartphone Xperia ZR is equipped with a removable battery, its capacity is 2300 mAh. At the time of the release of the smartphone, this is the average for an Android device. How long can a device work without an outlet? Operating time of the device at various modes loads as follows:

Sony Xperia ZR features a removable battery

• talk time - up to 11 hours;
• reading in the FBReader program - 10-12 hours;
• playback of audio content - 40-45 hours;
• watching videos on the internet WiFi connection– 9-10 hours;
• game mode - 4-5 hours.

So what time is it battery life ultimately received by the buyer? If you use the built-in power saving system STAMINA, which limits the use of wireless interfaces when the screen is inactive, then the average user will be able to "squeeze" out of the device 2 days of uninterrupted operation. For a gadget with such parameters, this is a good indicator. If you wish, you can buy a spare battery, fortunately, it is replaceable in the device, which will extend the life of the smartphone away from civilization.

Pros and cons

The recommended cost of the Sony Xperia ZR in Russia at the time of release was 25,000 rubles. The price is inadequately high considering the functionality of the device. True, as often happens, the cost of a smartphone a few months after the announcement fell to the "divine" 17-18 thousand.

The gadget is interesting and will find its fans, especially after lowering the cost. Many will like the compactness of the device.

Advantages of Sony Xperia ZR:

• excellent performance.
• decent battery life.
• good amount of RAM (2 GB).
• IP68 dust and moisture protection.
• practical body materials.
• support for micro-SD memory cards.
• decent kit.

Gadget Disadvantages:

• high price at the start of sales.
• The display is not of the best quality.
• small built-in storage (8 GB, of which about 5 are available).
• mediocre optical module.