Skip to main content

Sony reveals the Xperia Z5 Premium’s secret: It only shows 4K when you actually need it

sony xperia z5 premium part time 4k screen news
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Sony’s new Xperia Z5 Premium is gorgeous, and the 4K (well, UHD) resolution screen a technically amazing achievement. However, many question how Sony will get the device to reach the quoted two-day battery life with such a high pixel count. Now we know why. The Xperia Z5 Premium only fires up all 3840 x 2160 pixels when you’re watching 4K video, or viewing images. The rest of the time, the screen’s showing at 1080p.

In a statement provided to PhoneArena, Sony says: “The Xperia Z5 Premium features a 4K display with a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels based on SID Standard and enables all video and image content to be enjoyed in 4K resolution. All other content is displayed at 1080p or lower resolution in order to optimize the performance and battery stamina for this device, ensuring you can enjoy the 4K resolution when you need it most.”

The Z5 Premium has a big 3430mAh battery inside, and in our hands-on test of the phone, we noted a two-day battery life seemed plausible after checking the battery usage meter on the device. While some may feel cheated that not all 3840 x 2160 pixels will be lit up at all times, it’s a very clever way of delivering high-res performance when we actually need it, without sacrificing a sensible standby time. The automotive industry has been doing something similar for years, creating big engines that run on fewer cylinders to conserve fuel, and only unleashing all of them when you step on the gas.

Sony announced the Z5 Premium alongside the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact, both of which have a fixed resolution screen — 1080p and 720p respectively. The phones are expected to go on sale near the beginning of November in the UK, but we’re still waiting to hear if any of the three phones will come to a U.S. network.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Grab a 4-pack of Apple AirTags while they’re on sale
Person holding an Apple AirTag.

If you're one of those people who always keep misplacing their stuff, then you may want to take advantage of Walmart's offer for the Apple AirTag. Four of the Bluetooth trackers, which will make sure that you never lose anything again, are available for just $80, following a $19 discount on the bundle's original price of $99. There's no telling how long this lowered price will last, so if you think you'll find some use for these tracking devices, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase as soon as possible.

Why you should buy the Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag is highlighted in our roundup of the best Bluetooth trackers as the top choice if you're invested in the iOS ecosystem. In addition to a quick and easy one-tap setup to link the tracking device to your iPhone or iPad, the Apple AirTag uses Apple's Find My network to keep track of your things. Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology will lead you to your Apple AirTag, with the help of the millions of devices in the Find My network that will work together to locate your missing item when you activate Lost Mode.

Read more
Huawei’s gorgeous Pura 70 phones just got expanded availability
Huawei Pura 70 pink, green, white, and black colors.

Huawei Pura 70 Huawei

After being announced for China in mid-April, the Huawei Pura 70 series is now confirmed for the EU market. Those in the European market can expect to preorder the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and the top-tier Pura 70 Ultra starting May 2 for 999 euros, 1,199 euros, and 1,499 euros, respectively. This pricing is in line with what we saw in China, with the Ultra coming in at 9,999 yuan ($1,400) and the base Pura 70 at 5,499 yuan ($760).

Read more
The Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new favorite Android phone of 2024
Someone holding the Honor Magic 6 RSR outside.

There's no doubt that 2024 has already been an exciting year for Android phones. Samsung wowed us with the Galaxy S24 series at the beginning of the year, the OnePlus 12 and 12R are two of the best phones available right now, and Google is expected to impress later this month with the Google Pixel 8a.

But for the last few weeks, I haven't been thinking about any of those phones. Why? Because I've been using the Honor Magic 6 RSR. After launching in China this past March, the Magic 6 RSR is now available in the EU, and that's allowed more folks than ever to get their hands on the phone. And that's great, because the Honor Magic 6 RSR has quickly become my new favorite Android phone of 2024.
It has some of 2024's best smartphone hardware

Read more