Switched from 5s to Sony Xperia Z2

[Risco]

I picked up one of these, as not had a large phone before. I also know Apple will bring a bigger phone in the 6, so wanted to sorta road test! I went for this one as I tried it at the Gadget Show live in Birmingham and was the first Android I have been impressed with. Here are my thoughts so far:

Pros

• Fabulous screen, much better for internet and videos
• Superb battery life
• Great sony intergration with my TV / amp such as NFC connecting, TV mirroring etc.
• Awesome pictures and videos.
• Visual contacts in main contacts. This drives me nuts on iOS.

Cons

• No true imessage alternative. Hangouts is great, but does not send pics over data. Whatsapp is great, but does not send SMS!
• No decent Facetime alternative that I have found
• All the email apps are pretty crappy, except MyMail. Only issue being it does not have unified inbox.
• It is a tad TOO big for one handed use.
• Naturally it does not integrate as well with my Macbook.
• Performance is not as smooth as iPhone. Especially in games.

I will most likely end up with iPhone 6, but it was nice to hop to the other side and try. This is my very first Android phone.

 

[MRU]

• No true imessage alternative. Hangouts is great, but does not send pics over data. Whatsapp is great, but does not send SMS!
• No decent Facetime alternative that I have found

• 
  
  
  I've shared pictures with hangouts over cellular data. The other user must be on hangouts rather than SMS however, otherwise like iMessage it just becomes a MMS message.
  
  I use Skype or again Hangouts for video calls.

 

[kingalexthe1st]

I picked up one of these, as not had a large phone before. I also know Apple will bring a bigger phone in the 6, so wanted to sorta road test! I went for this one as I tried it at the Gadget Show live in Birmingham and was the first Android I have been impressed with. Here are my thoughts so far:

Pros

• Fabulous screen, much better for internet and videos
• Superb battery life
• Great sony intergration with my TV / amp such as NFC connecting, TV mirroring etc.
• Awesome pictures and videos.
• Visual contacts in main contacts. This drives me nuts on iOS.

Cons

• No true imessage alternative. Hangouts is great, but does not send pics over data. Whatsapp is great, but does not send SMS!
• No decent Facetime alternative that I have found
• All the email apps are pretty crappy, except MyMail. Only issue being it does not have unified inbox.
• It is a tad TOO big for one handed use.
• Naturally it does not integrate as well with my Macbook.
• Performance is not as smooth as iPhone. Especially in games.

I will most likely end up with iPhone 6, but it was nice to hop to the other side and try. This is my very first Android phone.

So the big question I suppose is, is it enough to keep you? Or do you think you'll pick up the new iPhone when it's released?

I personally think Sony have really upped their game the last few years. Their phones, tablets and cameras especially have been top-notch. Their new camera sensor for the Z3 is the kind of innovation I would have expected from another certain, multi-national company we all know of

Alex

 

[Savor]

OP,

How long is your screen time usage before the batt dies out? Read the Xperia Z2 has amazing battery life even besting the OnePlus One on one site.

I can never go back to phones with shorter battery life. Bigger dimensions doesn't bother me as much as shorter battery life. Esp with screen time usage shorter by 3-4 hours per charge. I would rather carry a larger phone that can provide me 40-50% more batt life than become a wall hugger with a smaller phone. Having phones with 9-10 hrs screen time usage is like having two full charges for a slightly smaller phone with avg 5 hr screen time usage. Looking for an outlet to recharge is more of a hassle to me than carrying around a bulky phone esp in country full of typhoons and blackouts.

 

[mrex]

- Doesnt generic android email app (not the gmail app) let you put several accounts and use unified inbox? How about K9 mail app?

- Hangouts sends mms and sms too or share pics. (Check your settings.)

- skype is a choice if you want to use video calls. Facetime works only among ios/osx, skype works with all.

- how do you want to use your phone with your mac because you said it doesnt integrate to it? Mine works fine with MBPr (late 2013 model).

 

[m98custom1212]

I'm Jelly! I'm hoping the Z2 comes to Verizon

 

[twintin]

[*]Naturally it does not integrate as well with my Macbook.

Not sure what you consider as "integrate", but Have you tried Sonys Bridge For MAC ?

 

[Risco]

Not sure what you consider as "integrate", but Have you tried Sonys Bridge For MAC ?

Things such as bookmarks, keychain and contacts. Also lack of iTunes match and updating my iTunes plays etc.

 

[mrex]

Have you seen this?
http://www.macworld.com/article/2039052/how-to-sync-an-android-phone-to-your-mac.html

There is also an app called SyncMate, never used it myself. It probably does everything you named above.

I dont know about Keychain and syncing - never used it and wont use it. Im using mSecure in my devices.

 

[Risco]

OP,

How long is your screen time usage before the batt dies out? Read the Xperia Z2 has amazing battery life even besting the OnePlus One on one site.

I can never go back to phones with shorter battery life. Bigger dimensions doesn't bother me as much as shorter battery life. Esp with screen time usage shorter by 3-4 hours per charge. I would rather carry a larger phone that can provide me 40-50% more batt life than become a wall hugger with a smaller phone. Having phones with 9-10 hrs screen time usage is like having two full charges for a slightly smaller phone with avg 5 hr screen time usage. Looking for an outlet to recharge is more of a hassle to me than carrying around a bulky phone esp in country full of typhoons and blackouts.

Well just given it quite a test today. Made phone calls, 4K videos, pictures and internet. So far it says 45% battery and 53% screen time with 17 hours remaining. Seems good to me?