Phones What 2016 phones are you looking forward too ?

[apolloa]

Ooh looks like the Sony Xperia Z6 is starting to gain some leaks and rumours:

http://www.pricepony.com.ph/blog/sony-xperia-z6-snapdragon-820-and-23mp-to-launch-in-march/

http://docomo.publog.jp/archives/XPERIA_Z6_F6553_F6503.html

Hopefully the Z6 Compact will be announced or follow soon after, in the recent traditional Sony style, by the time MWC lands at the end of February it will have been just over 6 months since the entire Xperia Z5 range was announced, so time for it to be replaced.
Nothing too surprising in the specs bar a 2k screen? Not sure if Sony will do that for the standard Z6? But I guess market pressure may make them do it. With any luck that means a 1080P screen for the compact.

 

[MRU]

Ooh looks like the Sony Xperia Z6 is starting to gain some leaks and rumours:

http://www.pricepony.com.ph/blog/sony-xperia-z6-snapdragon-820-and-23mp-to-launch-in-march/

http://docomo.publog.jp/archives/XPERIA_Z6_F6553_F6503.html

Hopefully the Z6 Compact will be announced or follow soon after, in the recent traditional Sony style, by the time MWC lands at the end of February it will have been just over 6 months since the entire Xperia Z5 range was announced, so time for it to be replaced.
Nothing too surprising in the specs bar a 2k screen? Not sure if Sony will do that for the standard Z6? But I guess market pressure may make them do it. With any luck that means a 1080P screen for the compact.

Oh for pitys sake I've literally picked up a Z5 today and now Z6 rumours. Sony need to stop this ridiculous 6 month cycle, it doesn't help get device traction.

 

[apolloa]

Oh for pitys sake I've literally picked up a Z5 today and now Z6 rumours. Sony need to stop this ridiculous 6 month cycle, it doesn't help get device traction.

It is crazy, BUT and this is a VERY important and big BUT, if Sony do announce the Z6 range so soon then it means they have decided to stick with their mobile division for now. Because they claimed if the Z5 didn't sell well enough, then the mobile division would have been disbanded and sold off.

I would have got the Z5 but it's too big for me, I looked at it before getting the iPhone. I am really hoping the new Compact is a bit of a cross between the Z1 and Z3 Compact models, or a redefined Z5 Compact.

 

[MRU]

It is crazy, BUT and this is a VERY important and big BUT, if Sony do announce the Z6 range so soon then it means they have decided to stick with their mobile division for now. Because they claimed if the Z5 didn't sell well enough, then the mobile division would have been disbanded and sold off.

I would have got the Z5 but it's too big for me, I looked at it before getting the iPhone. I am really hoping the new Compact is a bit of a cross between the Z1 and Z3 Compact models, or a redefined Z5 Compact.

Actually just using it now and I feel it's so small compared to the likes of my 6P and 6S+

Feels very good in the hand.

 

[navaira]

Ooh. Can't wait for Z6 Compact. (Or Z7 Compact, my contract ends in Dec and I can pick a new phone in Aug, so Sony will probably manage to push out another one in the meantime.)

I don't think that the 6-month release course does them much good. If only because towards a 2-year contract I am using a phone that is FOUR generations behind and while in technical terms that might actually not mean all so much, psychologically it's not really a very nice feeling.

I don't need the screen to get any better resolution, 720p looks perfect to me at this size. Truth is this phone (Z3 Compact) has two faults, which have both been corrected already: no fingerprint reader and a flap on the mini USB. It's fast. I never notice any lags. (I don't play games other than Bridge.) I might end up buying Z5 Compact because it will be cheaper than whatever the latest model will be at that point, and it will do everything I need it to do.

(So in 2018 when Z11 Compact comes along my phone will be six generations old, and people will point at me on the street and laugh very loudly.)

 

[MRU]

Ooh. Can't wait for Z6 Compact. (Or Z7 Compact, my contract ends in Dec and I can pick a new phone in Aug, so Sony will probably manage to push out another one in the meantime.)

I don't think that the 6-month release course does them much good. If only because towards a 2-year contract I am using a phone that is FOUR generations behind and while in technical terms that might actually not mean all so much, psychologically it's not really a very nice feeling.

I don't need the screen to get any better resolution, 720p looks perfect to me at this size. Truth is this phone (Z3 Compact) has two faults, which have both been corrected already: no fingerprint reader and a flap on the mini USB. It's fast. I never notice any lags. (I don't play games other than Bridge.) I might end up buying Z5 Compact because it will be cheaper than whatever the latest model will be at that point, and it will do everything I need it to do.

(So in 2018 when Z11 Compact comes along my phone will be six generations old, and people will point at me on the street and laugh very loudly.)

It doesn't do them any good. They havent even release the Z5 in all teritories yet and were already onto the z6, leaving the impression their new device is an outdated buying prospect before it's even launched. That cant help gain any traction.

 

[nj-morris]

Ooh. Can't wait for Z6 Compact. (Or Z7 Compact, my contract ends in Dec and I can pick a new phone in Aug, so Sony will probably manage to push out another one in the meantime.)

I don't think that the 6-month release course does them much good. If only because towards a 2-year contract I am using a phone that is FOUR generations behind and while in technical terms that might actually not mean all so much, psychologically it's not really a very nice feeling.

I don't need the screen to get any better resolution, 720p looks perfect to me at this size. Truth is this phone (Z3 Compact) has two faults, which have both been corrected already: no fingerprint reader and a flap on the mini USB. It's fast. I never notice any lags. (I don't play games other than Bridge.) I might end up buying Z5 Compact because it will be cheaper than whatever the latest model will be at that point, and it will do everything I need it to do.

(So in 2018 when Z11 Compact comes along my phone will be six generations old, and people will point at me on the street and laugh very loudly.)

Apparently Sony are leaving the phone industry after this year.

 

[navaira]

Apparently Sony are leaving the phone industry after this year.

Source?

(Please be fake.)

 

[nj-morris]

Source?

(Please be fake.)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-sony-smartphones-idUSKCN0S10WR20151007

 

[epicrayban]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-sony-smartphones-idUSKCN0S10WR20151007

I thought they've come back after that comment to say they're staying?

 

[nj-morris]

I thought they've come back after that comment to say they're staying?

Not that I'm aware of. I guess it's down to sales.

 

[Tsepz]

Oh for pitys sake I've literally picked up a Z5 today and now Z6 rumours. Sony need to stop this ridiculous 6 month cycle, it doesn't help get device traction.

Good as the Z5 is, I'd say for once Sony are justified for the 6month cycle, due to the Snapdragon810 in the Z5 series. I've been reading around about both Z5 and Z5P, the 810 heat issues are no longer prominent, but the 810 continues to be a battery guzzler. The Z5P despite a 3400mAh battery and a display running at HD1080P most of the time, can barely get the same endurance the 2014 Xperia Z3 was so famous for.

Sony need a Snapdragon 820 device ASAP. I'm telling you now that if the 820 lives up to the hype of more power and far less power consumption, the Z6 range will be incredible. I hope they make a Z6P with 5.7inch 4K display and 4GB RAM, that would certainly have my attention.

 

[MRU]

Good as the Z5 is, I'd say for once Sony are justified for the 6month cycle, due to the Snapdragon810 in the Z5 series. I've been reading around about both Z5 and Z5P, the 810 heat issues are no longer prominent, but the 810 continues to be a battery guzzler. The Z5P despite a 3400mAh battery and a display running at HD1080P most of the time, can barely get the same endurance the 2014 Xperia Z3 was so famous for.

Sony need a Snapdragon 820 device ASAP. I'm telling you now that if the 820 lives up to the hype of more power and far less power consumption, the Z6 range will be incredible. I hope they make a Z6P with 5.7inch 4K display and 4GB RAM, that would certainly have my attention.

Well I have nearly 6 hours SOT with the Z5 so far and I'm still at 19% left .... That's not even starting a full charge, but at 92% .

 

[Tsepz]

Well I have nearly 6 hours SOT with the Z5 so far and I'm still at 19% left .... That's not even starting a full charge, but at 92% .

That is very impressive, are you in Stamina Mode? And what is your screen brightness?

Although, Z3 users did used to get something like 8-10hours SOT, I have seen some truly mad numbers for the LG G2, Z3, Note 4 and Huawei Mate 7 in terms of SOT, those 4 devices remain the benchmark for me.

 

[MRU]

That is very impressive, are you in Stamina Mode? And what is your screen brightness?

Although, Z3 users did used to get something like 8-10hours SOT, I have seen some truly mad numbers for the LG G2, Z3, Note 4 and Huawei Mate 7 in terms of SOT, those 4 devices remain the benchmark for me.

Auto brightness with slider 80% up

Normal mode - no stamina mode enabled

 

[Tsepz]

Auto brightness with slider 80% up

Normal mode - no stamina mode enabled

That is amazing. Maybe the newer units are running a lot better, 810 v3.0 maybe?

 

[MRU]

That is amazing. Maybe the newer units are running a lot better, 810 v3.0 maybe?

Let's just see if it stays like that. That was it's first nearly full charge so will have to see how it levels out next few days and whether mobile signal impacts it as I begin travelling around with it.

My only irritation so far is the xperia keyboard has definite typing lag. Will have to jnstall Google keyboard.

 

[navaira]

First thing I put on my Android devices is Nova Launcher, second is Swiftkey. Every time when I read about how Xperia interface is dated, I can bask in my amazingness knowing that I will spend about 30 seconds looking at that dated interface.

 

[MRU]

First thing I put on my Android devices is Nova Launcher, second is Swiftkey. Every time when I read about how Xperia interface is dated, I can bask in my amazingness knowing that I will spend about 30 seconds looking at that dated interface.

I'm using Action Launcher 3 on mine.

 

[navaira]

Hey I love that clock/weather widget. Is that a part of Action Launcher?

Here's my home screen from the tablet. Sorry I had to blur some bits... but left "cancel Google Play" unblurred on purpose

 

[MRU]

Hey I love that clock/weather widget. Is that a part of Action Launcher?

Here's my home screen from the tablet. Sorry I had to blur some bits... but left "cancel Google Play" unblurred on purpose

View attachment 613018

It's simpleweather app - that's one of its widgets...

 

[navaira]

Me likey. Thanks for sharing this

 

[apolloa]

Apparently Sony are leaving the phone industry after this year.

They are not leaving the market yet, even the story you linked to states that!
They seem to be selling well enough, but we will know for sure if they announce the sales during the year.
[doublepost=1454038343][/doublepost]

Let's just see if it stays like that. That was it's first nearly full charge so will have to see how it levels out next few days and whether mobile signal impacts it as I begin travelling around with it.

My only irritation so far is the xperia keyboard has definite typing lag. Will have to jnstall Google keyboard.

Their is an update for the keyboard. It wasn't pushed to my tablet so I had to get it from the play store. Just look for the Sony keyboard.

I'm old school and like the Sony launcher and interface, well I've kept it on my tablet so far. I love the orange colours they've used for things like the volume slider.

 

[MRU]

They are not leaving the market yet, even the story you linked to states that!
They seem to be selling well enough, but we will know for sure if they announce the sales during the year.
[doublepost=1454038343][/doublepost]

Their is an update for the keyboard. It wasn't pushed to my tablet so I had to get it from the play store. Just look for the Sony keyboard.

I'm old school and like the Sony launcher and interface, well I've kept it on my tablet so far. I love the orange colours they've used for things like the volume slider.

Yeah I have the keyboard update now. I actually decided to flash a newer firmware on it last night and re-setup the phone and now the keyboard is behaving. Sony phone must be the easiest to flash devices.

Will see how battery holds out with this new firmware.

I actually liked the Sony launcher on the Z3 but on the Z5 whilst it's similar they did take away some of the better features leaving some of the more mundane. For example, the left panel in the app drawer has gone and your now left with a very bland app drawer.

I like Acton launcher because I like the way it colourised the interface to match your wallpaper like this..

 

[navaira]

And this is why I like Nova Launcher: (phone this time, not tablet)