Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact announced at IFA

timetogo

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

That sounds awful.

Can I ask some of the other Z3 owners to comment on how they'd rate the phone, having owned it for a few weeks?

I'll be upgrading during the summer and thought the Z3 would be my next new phone, but having read more and more comments online from owners, I've seriously been reconsidering. I'd appreciate advice from owners.

I've had mine since November. Without a doubt its the best I've had by a long shot. I traded in a Galaxy S5 to get the Z3. This is much faster and very reliable.

I obviously haven't had the cracked case issue. That would change my opinion Id imagine. I'd prefer it without the glass back. That's a stupid design in my opinion. I know some people care though. I don't. I've a gel cover on mine (about €5 on Amazon) and it's spotless.

laraghrider

I have mine a while now and no cracks at all on it and to be honest I wouldn't be the most gentle of users. Battery life took a while to get used to having come from a 4 year spell with iphones. It's fantastic and if like me you switch stamina mode on overnight it's actually almost taking the p!$$ for a smart phone battery.

The rest of the phone the pink hue issue I haven't had but from what I've read only affects a small percentage of phones. Photos from my phone are perfect. I have rooted, still running the xperia software and actually really like it.

Based purely on my experience I would highly recommend the phone. Also I've a 64gb SD card in there and it hasn't slowed it down at all which can sometimes be a complaint from android handsets and the very reason why apple don't allow it.

dRNk SAnTA

Thanks so much for the feedback guys - you're talking me back to it.

Laraghrider - you rooted, and did this have any affect on your photo quality? Personally I'd love to root it, as I always prefer a stock experience, but would be nervous about losing the DRM keys.

laraghrider

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

Thanks so much for the feedback guys - you're talking me back to it.

Laraghrider - you rooted, and did this have any affect on your photo quality? Personally I'd love to root it, as I always prefer a stock experience, but would be nervous about losing the DRM keys.

No sorry slight typo. I've not rooted, still running the Xperia software. I won't root it now as my eldest loves playing with augmented reality camera

3rdDegree

dRNk SAnTA wrote: »

That sounds awful.

Can I ask some of the other Z3 owners to comment on how they'd rate the phone, having owned it for a few weeks?

I'll be upgrading during the summer and thought the Z3 would be my next new phone, but having read more and more comments online from owners, I've seriously been reconsidering. I'd appreciate advice from owners.

Have it a few months after as S3 and it's the best phone I've ever had. Great battery, walkman and no problems at all. I love it.

delly

I have a Z3 mini about a month now, upgraded from an S3 mini. I cannot find a single fault with the phone, it works well in all areas, very responsive, good size, great battery life. I was convinced at the start that I wouldn't get used to the on screen nav keys, with the return on the left, but after a few days it was grand. The cracked rear glass issue is a strange one for sure, but I've mine covered from the start, so wouldn't actually know if it happened.

devnull

Well my single one long line crack has now developed into about 20 other cracks and shatter marks coming from it, looks a right mess now which is a shame.

Looks like the original crack weakened the rest of it, since whilst the inital crack is about half way down, all of the new cracks and shatters are below it, none above.

I love the phone, but you know as much as Samsung got grief for their plastic back covers, I'm starting to see why they used them.

Just a little Samba

devnull wrote: »

Well my single one long line crack has now developed into about 20 other cracks and shatter marks coming from it, looks a right mess now which is a shame.

Looks like the original crack weakened the rest of it, since whilst the inital crack is about half way down, all of the new cracks and shatters are below it, none above.

I love the phone, but you know as much as Samsung got grief for their plastic back covers, I'm starting to see why they used them.

Phone Xperia Care and see what they say?

Sam Mac

This is clearly a widespread issue. Why are people still buying these models of phones after all the reports of them cracking by themselves?

devnull

There is a shatter mark right on the line of where the original single long line crack was, and lots of smaller cracks, coming from that part underneath.

As said nothing above it is cracked, so all the later cracks and shatter marks have stemmed from the original crack.

From my dealings with Sony, they say if it has a shatter mark it must have been dropped, however the shatter mark only occured because of the original crack which weakened the glass which was a design flaw.

The original crack was like this
http://www.gizmobolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sony-Xperia-Z3-Screen-Cracked.png

Now it has a shatter mark right on and underndeath the line and lots of little cracks coming over the bottom half of the phone.

Everything above the original crack line is intact.

quarryman

delly wrote: »

I was convinced at the start that I wouldn't get used to the on screen nav keys, with the return on the left, but after a few days it was grand.

I rooted mine and switched them (and reduced the size). Much handier having Back on the right if you are right-handed.

brevity

The wait for Android 5 is pretty frustrating...

mooseknunkle

Yeah 5.1 was released yesterday and we still haven't even got 5.0 yet

laraghrider

brevity wrote: »

The wait for Android 5 is pretty frustrating...

Imagine how bad it is for everyone else who doesn't have a Z series!

cormie

I might be suggesting my friend to get a Z3 compact, I got mine in carphone warehouse, 419 unlocked with meteor, does anyone know have the prices come down or what the best way to buy them now is please?

Just a little Samba

cormie wrote: »

I might be suggesting my friend to get a Z3 compact, I got mine in carphone warehouse, 419 unlocked with meteor, does anyone know have the prices come down or what the best way to buy them now is please?

419 is as cheap as you're going to get, especially if it's unlocked. Go for it. I'd recommend getting tempered glass screen protectors for the front and rear though. and a case.

EmptyTree

cormie wrote: »

I might be suggesting my friend to get a Z3 compact, I got mine in carphone warehouse, 419 unlocked with meteor, does anyone know have the prices come down or what the best way to buy them now is please?

Was 419e bill pay or pay as you go and/or did you buy it in the shop or online with carphone warehouse??

I've been looking at getting this phone for the past few weeks but I think it's 439e in the carphone warehouse shop and I don't see it online with carphone warehousefor pay as you go.

cormie

It was PAYG with meteor at the time, I can't see anything on the CPW, meteor or emobile site about it now. Both Meteor and emobile had it for 419 I think!

LastLagoon

So my gf dropped her z3 compact today and smashed the screen(she hadn't got a screen protector on it) she's only had it 2 weeks, anyone know where/how much it will cost to fix screen?

Just a little Samba

LastLagoon wrote: »

So my gf dropped her z3 compact today and smashed the screen(she hadn't got a screen protector on it) she's only had it 2 weeks, anyone know where/how much it will cost to fix screen?

If she phones Xperia Care they can replace it and not void the warrenty, they can tell you their approved service centres in Ireland.

If she's not worried about the warranty you can can just phone around the usual mobile repair places and they will sort you out.

LastLagoon

Just a little Samba wrote: »

If she phones Xperia Care they can replace it and not void the warrenty, they can tell you their approved service centres in Ireland.

If she's not worried about the warranty you can can just phone around the usual mobile repair places and they will sort you out.

Cheers, just to add phone wasn't insured, how much would xperia care charge? Will do some ringing around today

billbond4

Android Lollipop will be rolling out next week. id say its true as its coming from multiple sources now.
more info here
http://www.xperiablog.net/2015/03/11/now-sony-mobile-france-also-confirms-lollipop-rollout-for-next-week/

cormie

Is lollipop already on the custom roms you can get if rooting?

I'm still holding out for Cyangenmod with OTA updates, but I'll gladly take the regular sony OTA update in the meantime what does lollipop add anyway? It changes the permission allowed by the ext memory card, right?

Jasper79

Hi, Looking for opinion.

I am due an upgrade from vodafone, currently have the Xperia Z last 2 years but currently battery not lasting great ( still get full day if careful) and messaging app sticking alot and not deleting text after message sent.

So Options with Vodafone are the Z2 for free, or Z3 for €100( €150 less a carphone warehouse voucher from their website ) .

Just wondering if the Z3 is a big improvement over the Z2, as in is it worth the €100 compared to the free Z2, they seem very similar from reviews I've read ?

Thanks

AstraMonti

Z3 is a bit smaller, that's about it tbh.

mooseknunkle

Has anyone ever had problems getting a signal?,i haven't had one all day just a red x over the signal bars,its recognising the sim card but just wont connect ,would the problem be with the sim card?

laraghrider

No problems at all with signal. It's actually a lot better and quicker and getting and holding a signal that my iphone was.

Also of interest to those waiting on lolipop it's reported that 5.1 is close to release as well so there may well be two updates in quick succession.

Occono

cormie wrote: »

I might be suggesting my friend to get a Z3 compact, I got mine in carphone warehouse, 419 unlocked with meteor, does anyone know have the prices come down or what the best way to buy them now is please?

Unlocked at sale or did you unlock it yourself?

cormie

unlocked at sale

billbond4

rollout of the new lollipop firmware is starting to rollout now, its available for baltic and nordic now via XPERIFIRM
Video from Sony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyGVDc1Wtmw

flazio

Guys, got a question. What does the phone logo on the status bar on the right mean? The device is a Sony xperia Z3 compact WiFi tablet.

EmptyTree

Just looking for an opinion on this:

I recently bought the Z3 compact (nice piece of kit, very happy so far). I now want to get a cover to protect it and stop it sliding everywhere (it's worse than an ice cube!). I was wondering should I just go for a basic silicone covering (something like this or is it worth investing a bit more and going for a hybrid case like this ??

There's a big price difference price-wise, does one really provide more protection than the other or is it just a gimmick?

timetogo

EmptyTree wrote: »

Just looking for an opinion on this:

I recently bought the Z3 compact (nice piece of kit, very happy so far). I now want to get a cover to protect it and stop it sliding everywhere (it's worse than an ice cube!). I was wondering should I just go for a basic silicone covering (something like this or is it worth investing a bit more and going for a hybrid case like this ??

There's a big price difference price-wise, does one really provide more protection than the other or is it just a gimmick?

Can't help with the comparison but I got one of the gel ones when I got my phone before Christmas. Obviously it stops the sliding. My phone still looks brand new.
However I'm careful with my phone. I haven't dropped it from any huge heights.
I had a Samsung before and dropped that phone from waist height onto concrete with one of those covers on it and it was perfect. Dunno if I'd like to do that with the Sony sure to the glass back. I'm not going to experiment

Not too mad about your colour choice though. I got mine in black.

delly

EmptyTree wrote: »

Just looking for an opinion on this:

I recently bought the Z3 compact (nice piece of kit, very happy so far). I now want to get a cover to protect it and stop it sliding everywhere (it's worse than an ice cube!). I was wondering should I just go for a basic silicone covering (something like this or is it worth investing a bit more and going for a hybrid case like this ??

There's a big price difference price-wise, does one really provide more protection than the other or is it just a gimmick?

I would not be convinced of either of those examples, there is a large area of exposure on the side of that hybrid case. Personally I got this and it is perfect. Fits great and gives very good protection. I had the same type of case for my S3 mini, so knew it was quality despite the low price.

EmptyTree

timetogo wrote: »

Can't help with the comparison but I got one of the gel ones when I got my phone before Christmas. Obviously it stops the sliding. My phone still looks brand new.
However I'm careful with my phone. I haven't dropped it from any huge heights.
I had a Samsung before and dropped that phone from waist height onto concrete with one of those covers on it and it was perfect. Dunno if I'd like to do that with the Sony sure to the glass back. I'm not going to experiment

I'm generally very careful with my stuff too (over the 3 years I had my last phone I think I dropped it twice, no damage tho), but I know the second I buy something fragile/expensive I'll turn into a complete butter fingers.

delly wrote: »

I would not be convinced of either of those examples, there is a large area of exposure on the side of that hybrid case. Personally I got this and it is perfect. Fits great and gives very good protection. I had the same type of case for my S3 mini, so knew it was quality despite the low price.

Fair point on the exposure of the hybrid case. The reviews on that case aren't great, tho I could be tempted by the clear case to avoid the paint peeling issue. Am coming around to the idea of a basic gel case.

Thanks guys!

cormie

delly wrote: »

I would not be convinced of either of those examples, there is a large area of exposure on the side of that hybrid case. Personally I got this and it is perfect. Fits great and gives very good protection. I had the same type of case for my S3 mini, so knew it was quality despite the low price.

I have a very similar one to this and it does the job well. Haven't tested it so much with the Z3, it's only had a few drops so far, but I had a similar case for my last XT890 phone and dropped it some deadly drops over the course of use and it survived every one, even the most nasty. Hoping the Z3 will be as tough now because the case is doing its job from what I gather :

Pangea

I have this case, cheap and does the job http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NWA5TKG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

I have dropped my Z3C a few times, it fell of the bed one time flat on its face, I have tempered glass on it, so thankfully it was fine. Only thing I would say intially about tempered glass is that is not as smooth scrolling the screen using your fingers but after a few days you get used to it.
Im using a 128GB SD card (Yes I know overkill) but no complaints of slowness. Only thing I noticed recently is facebook freezes the odd time, not sure what is the cause.



Out of curiosty, after your Z3 or Z3C phone is on full charge and you go into Power managment to see the remaining time left, what does it say?
Heres mine with wifi switched off



Heres with stamina mode on




If my memory serves this is somewhat reduced from when I first got my one, likely because of apps etc.
I usually have stamina mode on all the time, I havent seen any difference in performance but it makes a big difference to the battery.

Just a little Samba

It adjusts to your usual power consumption, If you're a power user it will give you an estimate to match that, if you're someone who just uses it to text call and a bit of browsing you'll get an estimate of 2 days + on stamina mode.

Location based wifi-will be draining a bit of battery. Also check your advanced wifi settings and turn off "Scanning always available" which I find a massive drain on battery life.

Ghost Train

Yes had to get a rubbery case for my z3 compact just because it was so smooth and slidey. Case has the S shape on the back

Also got a magnetic charging cable as the usb cover was annoying and read stories about screen cracks starting near the USB port if I remember right

Pangea

I wonder when will we finally get lollipop?

EmptyTree

cormie wrote: »

I have a very similar one to this and it does the job well.

Yes, I saw your previous posts on this, I'll probably get the one you spoke about (even as a stop gap). Seems like a good fit.

Ghost Train wrote: »

Also got a magnetic charging cable as the usb cover was annoying and read stories about screen cracks starting near the USB port if I remember right

Out of interest, what magnetic cable did you get? / How do you find it? I'd like to get one too but some of the reviews have been vey mixed (not fitting properly, taking ages to charge etc)

Pangea wrote: »

I wonder when will we finally get lollipop?

As it happens I got a notification to update yesterday. Will do it over the weekend.

54kroc

Pangea wrote: »

I wonder when will we finally get lollipop?

I installed it yesterday, very nice indeed.

Pangea

54kroc wrote: »

I installed it yesterday, very nice indeed.

Does the update pop up manually or do you have to search for it?

54kroc

Pangea wrote: »

Does the update pop up manually or do you have to search for it?

I just used xperiFirm and flashtool, couldn't be arsed waiting for it to show up.
It doesn't effect the warranty either.

laraghrider

Plus you don't get the operator bloatware or horrible start up image.

antodeco

Still no sign of the update for me. Have an unbranded first release version. Do I have to wait until the network update (eMobile) version?

toby2111

Yeh, I'm Emobile also... Still waiting on update.

madfcuker

54kroc wrote: »

I just used xperiFirm and flashtool, couldn't be arsed waiting for it to show up.
It doesn't effect the warranty either.

Did this myself yesterday. It now seems snappier. Really impressed so far.

Pangea

Im on top up vodafone, but bought the phone with meteor, will I still get lollipop update?

3rdDegree

Not sure when the update is due, but not seeing any reported problems, which is promising. I got an update on an S3 a year or so ago and it destroyed the phone. Am very wary of upgrading since, but I want the SD card functionality back that Lollipop restores.