I've gone from the Xperia Z to the Xperia SP

[Ffosse]

Two main problems with the Xperia Z for me: Poor battery life and ergonomics.

I found the battery life to be pretty bad even with power saving features on; I suspect this is because of the fHD screen and the quad core processor. The screen quality also isn't up to the level of the competition, but I've become accustomed to this.

And I found it too large and uncomfortable for everyday use - sharp angular edges which digged into me, especially when it was in my pocket.

So I bought a Sony Xperia SP which, although a step down in specs is still fairly respectable: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_sp-5364.php

It has a larger battery and I'm finding it to last a lot longer doing typical smartphone tasks; and this phone is smaller - although a little heavier - so is much more comfortable to use, especially in my pocket when walking outside.

Here it is next to the Z:

I like the transparent notification bar:

The SP has Gorilla glass and an aluminium surround; the removable back cover is plastic. It feels very solid and of good construction - like the Z but different materials.

So, I've no use for the Z anymore...I'll keep it around to see what Android 5 is like, but the SP is better for me for everyday use.

 

[mattopotamus]

I am all about that smaller screen size. What version of android is it running and what was the cost?

 

[Ffosse]

I am all about that smaller screen size. What version of android is it running and what was the cost?

It's Android 4.1.2 - Sony have said it will get 4.3, probably around the same time as the Z.

I got this from someone who didn't want it, new and unlocked for £180. It was the phone I wanted in the first place, really. Typical price is around £250 to £300.

 

[MRU]

^ That's an excellent price for what you have with Xperia SP

It's also proof that sometime 5" is bot the perfect size for everyone. If anything the last couple of weeks with the BB Z10 have shown me that I prefer a 4.3" screen than 4.7 or 5".

 

[Ffosse]

^ That's an excellent price for what you have with Xperia SP

It's also proof that sometime 5" is bot the perfect size for everyone. If anything the last couple of weeks with the BB Z10 have shown me that I prefer a 4.3" screen than 4.7 or 5".

I haven't read your thread yet, but will.

5" is fine when you're sitting on your sofa playing around with your phone, but when you're outside and have to dig the device out of your pocket, not so - at least for me.

 

[MRU]

I haven't read your thread yet, but will.

5" is fine when you're sitting on your sofa playing around with your phone, but when you're outside and have to dig the device out of your pocket, not so - at least for me.

Yep exactly Why there is an insistence in the android space that flagship handsets have to have the bigger screens, when there is a good audience who would pay for flagship specs but in a slightly smaller form factor. Seems like there is auto-assumption if you want smaller screen - you must want less specs.

 

[jamezr]

^ That's an excellent price for what you have with Xperia SP

It's also proof that sometime 5" is bot the perfect size for everyone. If anything the last couple of weeks with the BB Z10 have shown me that I prefer a 4.3" screen than 4.7 or 5".

You prefer the 4.3 screen size over your HTC One and its 4.7 screen size?

----------

Yep exactly Why there is an insistence in the android space that flagship handsets have to have the bigger screens, when there is a good audience who would pay for flagship specs but in a slightly smaller form factor. Seems like there is auto-assumption if you want smaller screen - you must want less specs.

That is a great point.....but some people LOVE that 5 inch screen on the S4. Then some Love the 4.3 screen size on the S4 Mini. Same thing with HTC and the One (4.7) and the One Mini (4.3) screen sizes. I have heard a lot of people on these forums complain about all the different releases of phones with different screen sizes........but it is just the Android handset makers giving the people what they want......versus say Apple say here we decided what the best screen size is for you and thats what you will get....

 

[MRU]

You prefer the 4.3 screen size over your HTC One and its 4.7 screen size?

Yep... but you've been away - read the Galaxy S4 read me thread ;-)

(quick abridged update, I'm back on an S4 - I - flashed GE rom, then realised my S4 was a lemon (it doesn't read sim cards) - because I got it through the equivalent of 'craigslist' i couldn't swap it with the carrier directly, so have had to send it back to Samsung for a warranty repair...... I then had to flash everything back and reset the counter etc... what a learning experience. So at the moment I'm both HTC one & S4'less... till next week when it returns .. At which point the Moto X will likely have been announced and I may be tempted then just to sell the S4 and buy a moto X.... (more stock like skin, and smaller screen) the madness never ends )

 

[jamezr]

Yep... but you've been away - read the Galaxy S4 read me thread ;-)

(quick abridged update, I'm back on an S4 - I - flashed GE rom, then realised my S4 was a lemon (it doesn't read sim cards) - because I got it through the equivalent of 'craigslist' i couldn't swap it with the carrier directly, so have had to send it back to Samsung for a warranty repair...... I then had to flash everything back and reset the counter etc... what a learning experience. So at the moment I'm both HTC one & S4'less... till next week when it returns .. At which point the Moto X will likely have been announced and I may be tempted then just to sell the S4 and buy a moto X.... (more stock like skin, and smaller screen) the madness never ends )

No I have just been lurking....but you said you liked the 4.3 screen on the BB Z10 better but switched to the 5 inch screen on the s4?

 

[MRU]

No I have just been lurking....but you said you liked the 4.3 screen on the BB Z10 better but switched to the 5 inch screen on the s4?

I've got both (i didn't technically switch I would utilise both devices) I picked up the BB10 just on impulse because it was cheap on eBay (put the bid in and didn't think I'd win tbh).

But yeah from a basic smartphone only'perspective and for texting I do prefer the smaller screen size, and for using one handed - of course app wise there is no comparison because most of my most popular apps aren't there - so for that reason I would utilise both or need an android or iOS device too.

But it has made me realise that a if I did have the combination of a 4.3 or 4.5 " screen - but with the near flagship specs of a top of the range device - that for me personally would be the 'perfect' device.

So yeah, bring on quad core, 2gb ram, 440ppi + screen, 13mp camera, 2300-2600 mAh battery in a smaller formfactor screen size - and I'll snap it up .....


(well for at least 3-5 months before I crave something else )

 

[danakin]

Uncompromized flagship under 5"

According to GSM Arena:
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_zr-review-959.php

Excerpt:
"So at the end of the day, the Sony Xperia ZR remains the most compact Android smartphone to deliver the full flagship experience. And as if that's not a great place to be already, the IP58 certification, the microSD card slot and the user-removable battery take it another step forward. With Sony already committed to updating it at least through Android 4.3, it's really one of the easiest smartphones to recommend.

 

[MRU]

According to GSM Arena:
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_zr-review-959.php

Excerpt:
"So at the end of the day, the Sony Xperia ZR remains the most compact Android smartphone to deliver the full flagship experience. And as if that's not a great place to be already, the IP58 certification, the microSD card slot and the user-removable battery take it another step forward. With Sony already committed to updating it at least through Android 4.3, it's really one of the easiest smartphones to recommend.

Thanks for that, will check that out in more detail. What is the 'krait' cpu ?

 

[Ffosse]

I think the SP is mid-range but with last year's high-end specs.

The Z is high-end but doesn't feel so; I prefer the SP in every way, size being the most important metric.

I'd wondering what to use the Z for..I will keep it for now.

 

[TacticalDesire]

I'm 6 2 and have rather large hands. I can palm a basketball and can use a 4.7-5 inch screen one handed quite easily. I have an iPhone 5 here as well and I'm just not sure I could do a smaller screen for my daily driver. Especially for typing.

 

[Ffosse]

I find the 4" screen is the perfect size for my iPod Touch..but I'm only really using music and ebook apps on there, plus it's nice and light.

But for a phone 4" is too small nowadays, and the Z is too big for me. Somewhere around the 4.6" of the SP is the sweet spot.

 

[Ffosse]

This has happened with my Z, too, basically from the power button up to the camera the back screen has lifted.

A number of users have been complaining about the back panel glass, which has lifted slightly on one side. Some people are concerned that the phone has lost its water resistance due to the raised panel. For most users it hasn’t caused any issues, but for others it has led to the water resistant indicators on the ports turning red – even if all of the flaps had been closed.

The issue seems to happen either in hot weather or when the phone is being stressed heavily through gaming or other high intensity tasks. This causes the phone to heat up and the theory is that this leads the glue holding the back panel in place to melt. It affects the top half of the handset on the left side – where the Snapdragon chipset resides.

The problem with this type of issue is that Sony repair centres are turning people back, judging by comments on forums. Repair centres have no way of telling if water damage has been caused by a loose back panel or whether someone has inadvertently left a flap open.

People are taking the issue into their own hands by using a hair dryer to melt the glue, push the glass back in, clamp it in place and then wait for the glue to cool down. Others have applied glue externally around the edges as a temporary fix.

http://www.xperiablog.net/2013/08/0...ose-back-panels-water-resistance-compromised/

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2304680

It seems to be a serious problem as the waterproofing is compromised. I'm not actually that bothered as I use the SP as my daily driver.