Xperia Z2

[soulreaver99]

Here's a camera comparison test

Xperia Z2 Camera Test

Nexus 5 Camera Test

iPhone 5S Camera Test

Xperia Z2's colors are most accurate but somewhat overexposed

Interesting how the Nexus 5 automatically does a fluorescent white balance and does a good job at it

iPhone 5S is pretty decent but doesn't perform as well in low-light

 

[MRU]

Here's a camera comparison test

Xperia Z2's colors are most accurate but somewhat overexposed

Interesting how the Nexus 5 automatically does a fluorescent white balance and does a good job at it

Was just going to remark how the Nexus 5 has the best white balance.

 

[jamezr]

Was just going to remark how the Nexus 5 has the best white balance.

Me too....i was impressed with the Z2 and the Nexus 5 shots. Funny how everyone raves about the IP5s camera but I never thought it was that great when I had one....

 

[tbayrgs]

Me too....i was impressed with the Z2 and the Nexus 5 shots. Funny how everyone raves about the IP5s camera but I never thought it was that great when I had one....

At first glance, I'm pleasantly surprised by the Nexus--seems to have the best level of detail. However while the whites are certainly bright, it almost seems overexposed--the glare on the table is too pronounced and the numbers on the calculator are overpowered by the brightness.

I'm not impressed by the Z2 at all. It has the worse level of detail of all three (look at the paper tabs in the back of the photo and the wall texture) and while I know soulreaver claims its colors are most accurate, it seems overly warm with a yellow tone throughout. The $10 bill in my wallet isn't that color.

I think the iPhone has the best overall balance of color accuracy, detail, and brightness. It's far from a perfect shot but it's flaws seem a bit less pronounced. Of course I'm only making these observations with my VERY amateur eye and basing it solely on my personal preferences in a photo. I certainly wouldn't pass any judgement on any of these cameras based off of a single photo.

And yes I own an iPhone but promise my observations wouldn't change if the photos were unlabeled.

 

[Sensamic]

The Nexus 5 picture seems the best IMO. Really good shot. It's a shame it doesn't have enough battery. Would have been almost perfect for me.

 

[soulreaver99]

The Nexus 5 picture seems the best IMO. Really good shot. It's a shame it doesn't have enough battery. Would have been almost perfect for me.

Install the Franco kernel on the Nexus 5 and it will make a world of difference in the battery life.

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At first glance, I'm pleasantly surprised by the Nexus--seems to have the best level of detail. However while the whites are certainly bright, it almost seems overexposed--the glare on the table is too pronounced and the numbers on the calculator are overpowered by the brightness.

I'm not impressed by the Z2 at all. It has the worse level of detail of all three (look at the paper tabs in the back of the photo and the wall texture) and while I know soulreaver claims its colors are most accurate, it seems overly warm with a yellow tone throughout. The $10 bill in my wallet isn't that color.

I think the iPhone has the best overall balance of color accuracy, detail, and brightness. It's far from a perfect shot but it's flaws seem a bit less pronounced. Of course I'm only making these observations with my VERY amateur eye and basing it solely on my personal preferences in a photo. I certainly wouldn't pass any judgement on any of these cameras based off of a single photo.

And yes I own an iPhone but promise my observations wouldn't change if the photos were unlabeled.

It's because of the lighting situation. Z2 actually takes impressive photos.

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/louietran/sets/72157643245725553/

 

[Sensamic]

Install the Franco kernel on the Nexus 5 and it will make a world of difference in the battery life.

I did try Franco kernel while I had it. It did improve battery life, but I live in an area with poor reception so that still made the battery life worse.

And all this without trying 4G. If my battery life was bad with just 3G imagine what would it be like with 4G.

 

[soulreaver99]

Some of you may have seen my post in evernote format but here is the review on the Xperia Z2

http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=20664&review=sony+xperia+z2+android+smartphone

 

[jamezr]

Some of you may have seen my post in evernote format but here is the review on the Xperia Z2

http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=20664&review=sony+xperia+z2+android+smartphone

Very nice review soulreaver99! You make me want to run out a get a Z2. I have never had a Sony phone before so I have nothing to compare it to. Over at the XDA Z2 forums there are rumors going around about production delays and parts shortages...... have you heard anything? Do you know when it will be released in the US? I checked on Sony Mobile's site and they are no help....

 

[soulreaver99]

Very nice review soulreaver99! You make me want to run out a get a Z2. I have never had a Sony phone before so I have nothing to compare it to. Over at the XDA Z2 forums there are rumors going around about production delays and parts shortages...... have you heard anything? Do you know when it will be released in the US? I checked on Sony Mobile's site and they are no help....

There are rumors that this will come to Verizon. Not sure when this is coming to the US but you can import it from eBay.

 

[jamezr]

There are rumors that this will come to Verizon. Not sure when this is coming to the US but you can import it from eBay.

Yeah but they are expensive on ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Sony-Xperia-Z2-D6503-20-7-MP-4G-LTE-Factory-Unlocked-w-1-Year-Warranty-WHITE-/331174061958?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item4d1b832786

 

[akuma13]

At first glance, I'm pleasantly surprised by the Nexus--seems to have the best level of detail. However while the whites are certainly bright, it almost seems overexposed--the glare on the table is too pronounced and the numbers on the calculator are overpowered by the brightness.

I'm not impressed by the Z2 at all. It has the worse level of detail of all three (look at the paper tabs in the back of the photo and the wall texture) and while I know soulreaver claims its colors are most accurate, it seems overly warm with a yellow tone throughout. The $10 bill in my wallet isn't that color.

I think the iPhone has the best overall balance of color accuracy, detail, and brightness. It's far from a perfect shot but it's flaws seem a bit less pronounced. Of course I'm only making these observations with my VERY amateur eye and basing it solely on my personal preferences in a photo. I certainly wouldn't pass any judgement on any of these cameras based off of a single photo.

And yes I own an iPhone but promise my observations wouldn't change if the photos were unlabeled.

I was about to say. I thought I was the only one who saw how much detail the iPhone was able to collect with it's 8megapixel camera. I love Sony products but have not been impressed with the pictures I've seen of the z2 recently. I mean the camera is good, just not phenomenal.

 

[Sensamic]

There are rumors that this will come to Verizon. Not sure when this is coming to the US but you can import it from eBay.

You also bought the M8 I think right?

If so (or if you've at least tried the M8), which of both phones do you like most and which is faster and more fluid?

 

[soulreaver99]

You also bought the M8 I think right?

If so (or if you've at least tried the M8), which of both phones do you like most and which is faster and more fluid?

I like both but I like the Z2 more because of the camera. They both very quick and fluid.

Sense is cool but the Z2 has more of a stock android feel to it so everyone's tastes may be different.

 

[Explicitic]

Finally got my Z2 today (thanks for the delay, Customs...). First impressions are mostly positive, but I haven't played around with it enough to give a serious review yet. Also, kudos to Sony for not restricting bootloader access. Unlocking it was extremely easy, though there is currently no way to backup the TA partition which means you will lose your DRM keys (permanently). This doesn't matter to me as I'm not interested in using Sony's services or the X-Reality feature.

Two gripes I have based on first impressions:

• The microSIM card slot - this is probably my fault, but I put in my SIM card after I took out the black placeholder, or that's what I thought it was. After putting in my microSIM, I realized I couldn't pull it out because it was simply stuck in there. It dawned on me that the black "placeholder" that I pulled out was supposed to hold the SIM card in place and allow me to pull it out easily. Can any Z2 owners confirm this? I'm a bit worried that I won't be able to pull my SIM out. I've tried a couple of times without luck.
• Volume buttons - the placement of these buttons is definitely awkward, especially with a case.
• Software - Sony's take on Android is definitely less intrusive than any other I've ever tried, but it's just so boring. This isn't necessarily a bad thing...I just wish Sony would add some style and color.

 

[Switchback666]

I actually having that problem with my not (if I understood you correctly) that I don't see a way for me to pull out my sim card, nothing to grab/grip lol

 

[Explicitic]

I actually having that problem with my not (if I understood you correctly) that I don't see a way for me to pull out my sim card, nothing to grab/grip lol

Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about.

The phone originally came with a thin black piece in the SIM tray that had a tab to pull out. Looking at it, it seems like the SIM card was supposed to go in the black placeholder thing...

 

[Menneisyys2]

Was just going to remark how the Nexus 5 has the best white balance.

Fluorescent WB has always been challenging. Older iPhones, in general, couldn't really get it right.

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Here's a camera comparison test

Just a friendly remark: always remove your location data from your images you publish on flickr. (Both your 5s and Z2 images have it.)

 

[soulreaver99]

Just a friendly remark: always remove your location data from your images you publish on flickr. (Both your 5s and Z2 images have it.)

Thanks for pointing that out. I keep swapping phones and I forgot to remove the location data

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You also bought the M8 I think right?

If so (or if you've at least tried the M8), which of both phones do you like most and which is faster and more fluid?

M8's Sense 6.0 feels a little bit more fluid than Sony's interface but performance wise they are about dead even. I prefer the feel of the M8, but the style and camera function of the Z2 is much better.

Both great phones - can't go wrong either way unless camera is really important to you.

 

[jamezr]

Looks like the Z2 is delayed again coming to the US carriers..... Disappointing. I wanted to get my hands on the AT&T version.....

Sony Xperia fans in the US will be disheartened to hear that it is increasingly looking like that the Xperia Z2 will not appear in the US until Summer 2014. TechCrunch is reporting that deals with US carriers are still ongoing, but that an unlocked version of the Xperia Z2 should hit the Sony Store website at some point in the summer.

TechCrunch is also reporting that Sony has no current plans to bring the Xperia Z1 Compact to the US market. By this, we assume that this also includes unlocked versions. With the Xperia Z2 in already short supply, we can imagine Sony is concentrating marketing efforts in Asian and European markets. It’s increasingly looking like, we’ll have to wait until 2015 to see any big entry into the US market for Sony.

http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/04/26/unlocked-xperia-z2-to-see-summer-launch-in-united-states/

 

[samven582]

Looks like the Z2 is delayed again coming to the US carriers..... Disappointing. I wanted to get my hands on the AT&T version.....





http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/04/26/unlocked-xperia-z2-to-see-summer-launch-in-united-states/

its not coming out for US carriers. Unlocked only

 

[jamezr]

its not coming out for US carriers. Unlocked only

you're right......by the time it reaches US carriers the Z3 will be a couple of months away.....if Sony sticks to the 6 month release schedule they planned.

 

[wonderspark]

Is it safe to assume the Canadian Z2 will be the same as the US Z2 as far as radio frequencies and such?

 

[Jspring86]

This situation is a real shame. I think the Z2 would compare favorably with the S5 and M8 if Sony would get it over here. I probably should be glad they aren't though...well my bank account should be glad anyway!

 

[jamezr]

This situation is a real shame. I think the Z2 would compare favorably with the S5 and M8 if Sony would get it over here. I probably should be glad they aren't though...well my bank account should be glad anyway!

Agreed...it was on my radar as a must have phone! But you can't even get one except through eBay and then it is way over priced.......