Sony XPERIA Z, woah!

[ChazUK]

My wife ordered an Xperia Z today and it should be with us by Tuesday.

She isn't at all worried about benchmarks and stuff like that so it should be more than enough for her. Good thing is, she has given me her galaxy s 3 so we've both gotten something out of it.

I can't wait to get some hands on time with the Xperia.

 

[onthecouchagain]

My wife ordered an Xperia Z today and it should be with us by Tuesday.

She isn't at all worried about benchmarks and stuff like that so it should be more than enough for her. Good thing is, she has given me her galaxy s 3 so we've both gotten something out of it.

I can't wait to get some hands on time with the Xperia.

Post impressions for sure.

 

[ChazUK]

Post impressions for sure.

Can't wait to!

I'll have to tear it away from her hands first though.

 

[OS X Dude]

I can't wait to get some hands on time with the Xperia.

I'm very close to getting this phone, been an Apple fan and user since 2001 and I've owned an iPhone since they came out - but this might be the one to lure me to the dark side If you could give impressions in relation to an iPhone, that'd be amazing!

 

[daveathall]

Can't wait to!

I'll have to tear it away from her hands first though.

I'm also looking to reading your first impressions.

 

[El3ctronics]

What are the benefits of the Xperia Z compared to the HTC One?

 

[ChazUK]

Well, first impressions.

It's big. Really big.


The sharp cornered design makes it less of a snug fit in the hands compared to the Nexus and S3 but it's not totally unwieldy for my larger hands. Single handed use is a no go.
(excuse the poor pics!)

Geekbench results:
Xperia Z: 2067 http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775620
Nexus 4: 2070 http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775641
Samsung S3: http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775659

It's a really nice phone but the screen does seem more washed out than the iPhone and (obviously) the SAMOLED screen on the S4.

It is a nice handset though and (initially) seems to be a smooth runner. The Xperia ui isn't too bad but I do love stock Android.

I'll let everyone know if she runs into any issues using it.

 

[dojoman]

This phone is still not coming to US right?

 

[daveathall]

I read somewhere that some phones were only allowing the US address version in the contacts, i.e. zip code but no way of entering UK post code, how is yours Chaz?

 

[ChazUK]

I read somewhere that some phones were only allowing the US address version in the contacts, i.e. zip code but no way of entering UK post code, how is yours Chaz?

As soon as I went to put a postcode in, it displayed a US only number zip code.

Bit of a fail there from Sony. Checked the regional settings and it is set to UK to.

Oops!

 

[Oohara]

Well, first impressions.

It's big. Really big.


The sharp cornered design makes it less of a snug fit in the hands compared to the Nexus and S3 but it's not totally unwieldy for my larger hands. Single handed use is a no go.
(excuse the poor pics!)

Geekbench results:
Xperia Z: 2067 http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775620
Nexus 4: 2070 http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775641
Samsung S3: http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1775659

It's a really nice phone but the screen does seem more washed out than the iPhone and (obviously) the SAMOLED screen on the S4.

It is a nice handset though and (initially) seems to be a smooth runner. The Xperia ui isn't too bad but I do love stock Android.

I'll let everyone know if she runs into any issues using it.

Thanks for posting impressions

How's the brightness of that screen compared to the iP5? Also white accuracy, and those infamous viewing angles?

 

[cube]

Sorry, but the battery is not removable, so no sale.

 

[MRU]

Well, first impressions.

It's big. Really big.

I get that feedback / comment all the time





Usually followed by "can I touch it ?"

 

[ChazUK]

Thanks for posting impressions

How's the brightness of that screen compared to the iP5? Also white accuracy, and those infamous viewing angles?

At full brightness (with the auto adjust off) I'd say its a hair dimmer than my iPhone 4. Viewing angles do suffer compared to the iP4 too.

Whites are warm (like my iPhone ) where's my Nexus seems to have cooler (bluer) whites. At full brightness they are bright though!

I think something that isn't helping the display seem odd is all the backgrounds and soft buttons are a dim grey colour. Against the black frame, it does seem a bit off.

Screen resolution is astounding though. Its really nice on Retina but the 1080p screen is very nice on the eyes. I didn't think I'd notice it but it is there.

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I get that feedback / comment all the time





Usually followed by "can I touch it ?"

Perfect "that's what she said" moment!

 

[stevensr123]

I was gonna order this tonight then seen a YouTube video were the screen scratched amazing easily...this is fine though because the phone comes automatically with a pre installed shatter proof film that you can take off....only if you take it off you lose the sony logo ( which IMO looks pretty nice/makes the phone look more than just a plate of glass) and the glass screen underneath doesn't contain that coating which prevents normal phones from becoming even greater finger print magnets.


Meaning we would have to choose between
A: a screen with a protector already on it, which can easily , easily scratch.
B: a screen with no protector on it, thus making it a huge finger print magnet like no other.

Or c: putting an extra protector on it, which will probably distort the light coming through the screen.

 

[MRU]

I was gonna order this tonight then seen a YouTube video were the screen scratched amazing easily...this is fine though because the phone comes automatically with a pre installed shatter proof film that you can take off....only if you take it off you lose the sony logo ( which IMO looks pretty nice/makes the phone look more than just a plate of glass) and the glass screen underneath doesn't contain that coating which prevents normal phones from becoming even greater finger print magnets.


Meaning we would have to choose between
A: a screen with a protector already on it, which can easily , easily scratch.
B: a screen with no protector on it, thus making it a huge finger print magnet like no other.

Or c: putting an extra protector on it, which will probably distort the light coming through the screen.

Sony actually include a screen protector to go ontop of the shatterproof protector in the box.

You are meant to put a screen protector ontop of the screen protector.

It shouldn't cause distortion unless the one you apply is rubbish/cheap.

 

[akuma13]

So after watching several reviews I decided to order the ZL today. The viewing angles is a concern but the positive reviews put my mind at ease mentioning who actually looks at their screen (for long periods of time) at extreme tilts. Some even mentioned as using it as their daily driver.

I actually like the smaller form factor, non glass back, shutter button, ir, and notification sliver. I think all these things trumps the flagship z design and is more practical.

If I don't like it I'll just return it within 30 days and look at the GS5 and HTC One. But I think the only thing they have on the ZL is the better processor and screen (HTC One).

 

[Tankmaze]

It's a really nice phone but the screen does seem more washed out than the iPhone

Disappointingly I agree with this. after playing a while with the phone, the color really do look washed out... and this is a deal breaker for me. I would switch the waterproof feature with better screen color.

 

[Marco123]

I am thinking of jumping from my iphone5 to the xperiaZ as someone has offered me a new one in exchange for my ip5. I bought an ipad mini and find I need my ip5 less and less.
I have never owned an android phone before so it is tempting for me to switch to something new.
Are there any reasons why I shouldn't?
Thanks.

 

[tjl3]

I wish they would give us some sort of sales estimates. Since the XZ was at one point in time sold out EVERYWHERE, I'd like to see how Sony is doing w/ their 'flagship' that is supposed to compete w/ Samsung and Apple. TBH, I can't take them serious w/ a 0% marketshare in the US.

 

[fredaroony]

I am thinking of jumping from my iphone5 to the xperiaZ as someone has offered me a new one in exchange for my ip5. I bought an ipad mini and find I need my ip5 less and less.
I have never owned an android phone before so it is tempting for me to switch to something new.
Are there any reasons why I shouldn't?
Thanks.

No reasons at all but if you haven't used Android at all then give yourself the time to learn it. The Xperia Z is a great phone

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I wish they would give us some sort of sales estimates. Since the XZ was at one point in time sold out EVERYWHERE, I'd like to see how Sony is doing w/ their 'flagship' that is supposed to compete w/ Samsung and Apple. TBH, I can't take them serious w/ a 0% marketshare in the US.

Yes but Sony was number four in the global market for the last quarter in 2012

http://bgr.com/2013/01/25/smartphone-market-share-q4-2012-306399/

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Disappointingly I agree with this. after playing a while with the phone, the color really do look washed out... and this is a deal breaker for me. I would switch the waterproof feature with better screen color.

I thought the same thing before I bought one but I found the main reason is Sony stupidly use a grey theme that gives the appearance of being washed out.

When the phone display black it is black. I also have an Xperia TX that does not have this grey theme and its fine.

Viewing angles are average on both though.

 

[tjl3]

Yes but Sony was number four in the global market for the last quarter in 2012

http://bgr.com/2013/01/25/smartphone-market-share-q4-2012-306399/

But that was pre Xperia Z, and according to most sites they were operating at a loss in the smartphone market. Doesn't matter how much buzz any company is going to generate if they can't even break even.

That said, there still isn't any sales info about it =(

 

[fredaroony]

But that was pre Xperia Z, and according to most sites they were operating at a loss in the smartphone market. Doesn't matter how much buzz any company is going to generate if they can't even break even.

That said, there still isn't any sales info about it =(

Yes because the Xperia Z wasn't even released then. Sony has been doing a huge marketing campaign here in Sydney which is great to see for once.

They were also very smart in having this phone for sale two months before the G4 and HTC One comes out.

 

[tjl3]

Yes because the Xperia Z wasn't even released then. Sony has been doing a huge marketing campaign here in Sydney which is great to see for once.

They were also very smart in having this phone for sale two months before the G4 and HTC One comes out.

Completely agree with you. My point though is that I believe if Sony were serious players they have made a major mistep in not targeting the US market. They missed out on millions of customers if not 10s of millions. But by now the GS4 and HTC One will become available, so unless those 2 are duds, they have a lot more to compete against.

 

[0dev]

Not interested in this phone personally but I must admit I'm very impressed by the water resistance. I saw a Sony booth where they were demonstrating these and the guy played a video on it while he dunked it in a glass tank full of water and it just kept on playing. More phones need to be water resistant, seriously.