The Xperia Z2, Sony’s latest flagship, is a powerful and intuitive smartphone that runs on Android v4.4.2 (KitKat). This handset includes accessibility features that render it suitable for users with visual and hearing disabilities. However, it may not be adequate for people with dexterity disabilities and/or with poor comprehension skills. Amóvil was able to review this device thanks to a loan by Orange.

The phone that measures 146.8 x 73.3 x 82.2 mm and weighs 163 grams, has a design similar to previous Xperia Z models. It comes with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution. The handset is IP58 certified for protection against dust and water to as deep as one meter and up to 30 minutes.

The Xperia Z2 also includes a 20.7 MP primary camera with autofocus and flash LED, and a 2.2 MP secondary camera for videocalls. Regarding connectivity it includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi direct. It also supports GPS and 4G data network.

Accessibility review

Vision

As previously mentioned the Xperia Z2 is suitable for blind users. The device comes with a version of TalkBack that reads these users through most of the visual content available in the display. However, as observed in other Android models, it is unable to identify a few minor elements in native apps, such as the calendar, probably due to lack of proper labeling.

People with low vision will also be able to use this smartphone with some comfort. It is equipped with an inbuilt screen magnifier and allows changing both the size of the text and the screen brightness. However, customizing color contrast or reversing the colors of background and foreground is not possible in this device.

Hearing

The Xperia Z2 is hearing aid compatible (HAC rating, M3/T3). It also includes features that may contribute to enhance these users’ experience, such as a basic sound equalizer, a background to cancel background noise and an option to slow the speech of the other calling party to improve intelligibility. The device also supports text messaging, chats and video calls.

Dexterity

People with dexterity disabilities may have a limited experience with this handset. Although it comes with voice recognition system that works rather well, it is not possible to reproduce the function of side buttons from the display. Thus, users with severe dexterity issues may be unable to handle this phone using assistive devices such as mouth sticks or head wands.

The Z2 may also be unsuitable for users with poor dexterity skills. Because it is dust and water resistant, cable slot come sealed rendering hard to manipulate to these users, particularly to those with little strength or tremors in the upper limbs.

Comprehension

The Xperia Z2 is unsuitable to users with poor comprehension skills. The display includes icons with a design that is hard to identify and that do not comply with accessibility standards.

However, this device includes an app that may improve the experience of these users. This app has been designed to guide them through the entire configuration process. It has been written in a simple and easy to understand language. Also, menus can be customized to meet these users’ needs.

For more information about accessibility in Xperia Z2, please consult the full accessibility report available in Amóvil.