Sony Xperia XZ Review: Motion Eye Camera & Design Insights

Sony Xperia XZ (2016): Flagship with Motion Eye Camera & Premium Design

The Sony Xperia XZ (model numbers: F8331 for single-SIM, F8332 for dual-SIM) is a high-end Android flagship smartphone announced at the IFA 2016 in Berlin and released globally in October 2016. Positioned as the successor to the Xperia X Performance, it marked Sony’s first integration of the Motion Eye camera system—a groundbreaking feature that enabled 960fps super slow-motion video recording, setting a new benchmark for mobile imaging innovation. The Xperia XZ also showcased Sony’s signature OmniBalance 2.0 design language, combining a metal frame, glass panels, and water resistance, targeting tech enthusiasts and multimedia-focused power users.

Core Identifiers

Item	Details
Brand & Model	Sony Xperia XZ (F8331: Single-SIM; F8332: Dual-SIM)
Launch Timeline	Announced: September 1, 2016; Released: October 2016
Positioning	Flagship Android smartphone (2016–2017)
Predecessor/Successor	Predecessor: Xperia X Performance; Successor: Xperia XZ Premium
Launch Price	Approximately $699 (USD) / €699 (EUR)
Color Options	Forest Blue, Platinum, Mineral Black, Deep Pink

Key Technical Specifications

Hardware & Performance

Category	Details
Operating System	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (launch); officially upgradable to Android 8.0 Oreo
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (14nm FinFET)
CPU	Quad-core (2×2.15GHz Kryo Gold + 2×1.6GHz Kryo Silver)
GPU	Adreno 530
Memory & Storage	3GB LPDDR4 RAM; 32GB/64GB UFS 2.0 storage; microSDXC expandable up to 256GB
Display	5.2-inch IPS LCD; 1080×1920 (Full HD) resolution; 424 ppi; Triluminos Display; X-Reality Engine for Mobile; Corning Gorilla Glass 4; 16M colors
Design & Build	OmniBalance 2.0 design; Aluminum frame + Gorilla Glass 4 front/back; Dimensions: 146.0×72.0×8.1 mm; Weight: 161g; IP65/IP68 dust/water resistance (survives 1.5m water immersion for 30 mins)

Motion Eye Camera System

The Xperia XZ’s camera was its flagship feature, introducing industry-first capabilities for mobile devices:

Component	Details
Rear Camera	23MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor; f/2.0 aperture; 24mm focal length; Predictive Hybrid Autofocus (PDAF + laser AF + phase detection); 5-axis SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode (EIS + OIS); 960fps super slow-motion video (720p); 4K video recording (3840×2160) at 30fps; LED flash
Front Camera	13MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor; f/2.0 aperture; 22mm focal length; 1080p video recording at 30fps; SteadyShot for video calls
Camera Features	Predictive Capture: Automatically takes 4 photos before the shutter button is pressed to capture the perfect moment; Object tracking; Auto HDR; Low-light enhancement; Manual mode (aperture, ISO, shutter speed control)

Battery & Connectivity

Category	Details
Battery	2900mAh non-removable Li-Ion; Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 (18W wired charging); Talk time: up to 24h (2G)/19h (3G); Standby time: up to 510h (2G)/450h (3G); No wireless charging
Network	4G LTE Cat.9 (450 Mbps download / 50 Mbps upload); 3G HSPA+; 2G GSM; Dual-SIM (F8332 only, dual-standby)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band); Bluetooth 4.2 (aptX HD for high-res audio); NFC (Google Pay support); USB Type-C 2.0 (OTG compatible); GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo; 3.5mm headphone jack
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, compass, barometer, fingerprint scanner (side-mounted, integrated with power button), heart rate sensor

Core Features & Innovations

Motion Eye 960fps Slow-Motion: The Xperia XZ was the first smartphone to record super slow-motion video at 960fps, enabling users to capture fleeting moments (e.g., a water drop, a balloon popping) with unprecedented detail.
Predictive Capture & Hybrid Autofocus: Predictive Capture solved the common problem of missing the perfect shot, while the triple hybrid autofocus system (laser + phase + contrast) ensured fast and accurate focusing even in low light.
IP65/IP68 Durability: The dust and water resistance rating made the Xperia XZ robust for daily use, surviving spills, rain, and accidental immersion.
Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Integrated with the power button for one-handed, ergonomic unlocking—a design trait that became a staple of later Xperia flagships.
Hi-Res Audio Support: With LDAC and aptX HD compatibility, the Xperia XZ delivered high-fidelity audio for audiophiles, paired with Sony’s ClearAudio+ and DSEE HX technologies for enhanced sound quality.

Market Reception & Legacy

Legacy: The Motion Eye camera system became a signature feature of Sony’s flagship Xperia lineup, and the side-mounted fingerprint scanner design persisted in models like the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 series.

Critical Acclaim: Tech reviewers praised the Xperia XZ’s camera innovation (especially 960fps slow-motion and Predictive Capture), premium build quality, and water resistance. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner was also lauded for its ergonomic design.

Criticisms: The 5.2-inch 1080p display was seen as underwhelming compared to 2K displays on competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S7; battery life was average for heavy users; and the Android update support was limited to two major OS versions (Marshmallow → Oreo).

Commercial Performance: The Xperia XZ sold moderately well globally, with strong demand in Europe and Asia. It solidified Sony’s reputation for camera innovation, paving the way for the Xperia XZ Premium (2017) which added 4K HDR display and 960fps slow-motion at 1080p.