In my extended time with the Sony Xperia Z1S one thing has become clear: this is a very specific phone that appeals to many on paper. Although the handset packs great hardware and a fantastic design on top of it all, there's just something that seems to be missing.

Before we get into all of that, however, let's take a look at the hardware inside the Xperia Z1S. Powering the phone is an impressive 2.2Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 and 2GB RAM. The Xperia Z1S comes with 32GB internal storage, although it's closer to 26GB out of the box. A microSD slot allows for an extra 64GB and the Xperia Z1S is

The display looks great on paper: a 5-inch 1,080 X 1,920 resolution pushing out 441 pixels per inch. Sadly, however, there are some gripes to be had. The phone's LCD display lends itself to viewing angle issues and the glossy design (which I'll touch upon later) means fingerprints and smudges galore. It's a nice looking display, it's just not as good as some of the other options out there, including Samsung AMOLED phones.

Sony's packed a beefy 20.7-megapixel camera capable of taking pictures at a resolution of 5,248 X 3936 pixels. There's also a 2-megapixel front-facing camera that shoots video at 1080p, just like the main lens.

While it's definitely not my favorite smartphone camera to use (my personal iPhone 5s is still my mobile shooter of choice), the Xperia Z1S's camera is fun to use. There's a ton of options photographers can customize and while the focus time isn't the best, it doesn't take too much away from the overall experience. Sony has even included a fun little AR mode that allows for real-time 3-D objects like dinosaurs to be dropped into the picture for hilarity.

A picture taken with the Sony Xperia Z1S outdoors:

The Xperia Z1S performs well outdoors, but suffers from the same issues in low-lighting conditions most smartphone cameras have. Still, it does offer a great perk: since it's waterproof, users can take underwater pictures.

Waterproof

Since we're on the topic, might as well get it out of the way: the Xperia Z1S is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in depths up to 1.5 meters and dust-resistant as well. Sony does state in fresh water only, but a trip to the beach proved that the phone could handle being submerged by Pacific Ocean waves underneath sand. Other Androids are beginning to adopt this technology, but the Xperia Z1S is great for those who really don't want to worry about water or dust damage. Plus, it means you can take and share photographs all while being under water.

Design and Usability

Make no mistake, the Xperia Z1S is a gorgeous, sleek phone. Sony designed the Xperia Z1S with symmetry in mind, and coated the entire handset in reflective glass except for some metal banding along the sides. The phone feels solid and exactly as a top-tier, expensive gadget should. The power and camera buttons are on the right side, while a 35mm headphone jack sits up top. Other than that, the micro USB and micro SDs are hidden under flaps that keep them water-and-dust proof. There are no physical home buttons on the phone's face either and the speaker is a thin grill on the bottom.

The Xperia Z1S isn't too difficult to manipulate, although as a lover of smaller smartphones (once again, the iPhone 5s is the ideal size in my book), I still find the Xperia Z1S a tad too large for my tastes. Of course, the market has proven that there are plenty of lovers of larger smartphones, so this one is simply a personal preference.

The phone's sleek look and feel come at a price, however. The reflective glass means the Xperia Z1S is a magnet for smudges and fingerprints. It's not a deal breaker, but is certainly annoying when combined with glare and poor viewing angles. 

The Xperia Z1S comes equipped with a non-removable 3,000mAh battery that seems to do the job. As always, the longevity of the phone will vary based on the kind of use, but in my experience, the Xperia Z1S held up well for daily use. There is one problem, however -- the phone heats up pretty fast after prolonged usage. 

All of the Xperia Z1S's hardware ensures the phone runs smoothly. There is no real noticeable lag when running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and animations are crisp. the phone comes preloaded with Sony apps and a light layer over stock Android, but the bloatware never really gets in the way or bogs down system performance. Like all interfaces, the only way to now if you'll enjoy it is to try it out for yourself -- I personally always end up sticking to stock Android features.

Conclusion

So what's not to love about the Xperia Z1S? Sure, it has a great design, top-tier hardware, and functionalities that include resistance to the elements, but there's something missing. The numerous features of the phone seem great on their own (except for the display), but in a package, there was always something missing for me. I began gravitating more and more back to my personal iPhone during the review process despite the novelties of the Xperia Z1S. Perhaps it was the display, which isn't the best for directions while driving in the sun, or maybe it was the focus time on the camera, but something kept me from enjoying the Xperia Z1S as much as phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3. Be sure to try one out in-person before buying -- you just might have the same feeling something's missing.  

The Sony Xperia Z1S is a T-Mobile exclusive smartphone currently available on sale for $552 (instead of $600) or in 24 installments of $23. Buyers will also receive the late Michael Jackson's recently released album "Xscape" free with purchase.

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