Sony XPERIA Z announced, damn!

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/s...nced-ces-2013/

Sony's flagship smartphones may not have set the world on fire so far, but the company is making another concerted push in 2013, launching two top-end phones with near-identical internal specs. The Xperia Z is the main player here, with refined mirrored panelling across the sides and back and a machined power button being the only physical undulation from the 5-inch oblong. Sony's put in its latest tech from across the family, being the first device to house its Exmor RS sensor capable of HDR video, and a 1080p 5-inch TFT Reality Display (that's 443 dpi), packing the upgraded Bravia Mobile Engine 2 to augment colors and contrast on videos and stills. From its imaging arm, Sony's cleaned down its on-screen camera interface and is now more inline with its standalone point-and-shoots and NEX range.

Work has also been done on improving the algorithms behind its automatic settings -- now dubbed "auto i+" -- while the phone-maker has caught up to the competition with a 9-megapixel burst mode at 10 fps and the ability to capture stills during video. It's even upgraded the front-facing camera to a 2-megapixel Exmor R sensor, while the rear-facing 13-megapixel primary shooter will be able to capture HDR video -- offering up a new solution to dim filming conditions. Software additions to Jelly Bean Android, alongside those Sony entertainment services, include a battery stamina mode that will monitor and switch off apps when the screen is off, while you'll also be able to add necessary apps to Sony's white list. The phone will be LTE-capable, with a potent Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and (perhaps surprisingly, given how the phone looks) IP55 and IP57 certified water-resistance. It'll also be the first phone to communicate through NFC with Sony's family of new HDTVs, something we'll be hearing plenty more about later this week.

Those specs are pretty sick on that smartphone. In the past the Sony Ericsson based smartphones have been known to lag. Let's see if this one lags. If the new Galaxy S4 from Samsung comes out with a pen the the sales from Sony will lag but if the Galaxy S4 does not come out with a pen then they stand a small chance. I believe the new Sony does not come with a removable battery but the we Galaxy S4 supposedly will come with a removable battery so this will hurt or affect sales a bit for Sony as this will give Samsung the edge over Sony with their new Smartphone. Otherwise the specs on that new Sony smartphone are pretty sick.

Trying to compete with iPhone 5? Pretty slick to me.

It looks like an iPhone.

Originally Posted by MatWiz

It looks like an iPhone.

with no "home" button that is prone to self-destruct, and way better specs on all counts and are almost worlds apart.

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

Those specs are pretty sick on that smartphone. In the past the Sony Ericsson based smartphones have been known to lag. Let's see if this one lags. If the new Galaxy S4 from Samsung comes out with a pen the the sales from Sony will lag but if the Galaxy S4 does not come out with a pen then they stand a small chance. I believe the new Sony does not come with a removable battery but the we Galaxy S4 supposedly will come with a removable battery so this will hurt or affect sales a bit for Sony as this will give Samsung the edge over Sony with their new Smartphone. Otherwise the specs on that new Sony smartphone are pretty sick.

I think it's all down to marketing. Sammy has become very good with that. Unless Sony can match it, they don't stand a chance.

How is Sony with OS updates?

Five inch screen = pass for me. No need for so much screen on a supposedly mobile device. The sad thing is how hard it is becoming to find a high spec phone with normal dimensions. Looked at the g3 and dna the other day. The G3 was huge and very cheap to the touch... I can see why so many people have screen breaking issues. Dna felt better made but still far too big to carry around in a pocket all day.

New rules on unlocking are dispiriting too.

Originally Posted by brkf

Five inch screen = pass for me. No need for so much screen on a supposedly mobile device. The sad thing is how hard it is becoming to find a high spec phone with normal dimensions. Looked at the g3 and dna the other day. The G3 was huge and very cheap to the touch... I can see why so many people have screen breaking issues. Dna felt better made but still far too big to carry around in a pocket all day.

New rules on unlocking are dispiriting too.

Yea, **** that. I already have a proper tablet (iPad 2) for large screen needs, no need for a smartphone which I won't be able to comfortably use with a single hand. Hopefully next iPhone won't have similarly ridiculous display size...

Top looking specs on a top looking phone, however I think the Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5 will trump the Xperia Z the moment they become available. (Not too long!).

Originally Posted by ed325i

How is Sony with OS updates?

Not good lol.. Here in Asia they have a bad reputation for OS updates. Their smartphones are also usually leggy but are well known for their screens and pictures taken with their camera phone. Earphone speaker and speaker are usually poor quality and lack sound volume.

So you have one ? How do you like it or not like it?

With a "damn" in the title, I came here expecting something cool and not just yet another smart phone.

Originally Posted by JohnAddams

Top looking specs on a top looking phone, however I think the Galaxy S4 and the iPhone 5 will trump the Xperia Z the moment they become available. (Not too long!).

The iphone5 is already out. do you mean iphone6?

Originally Posted by ed325i

How is Sony with OS updates?

pretty terrible. They've ****ed up every XPERIA launch. I hope they don't mess this up.

Originally Posted by stylinexpat

Not good lol.. Here in Asia they have a bad reputation for OS updates. Their smartphones are also usually leggy but are well known for their screens and pictures taken with their camera phone. Earphone speaker and speaker are usually poor quality and lack sound volume.

leggy smartphones? do they run away from you?

Originally Posted by HW

The iphone5 is already out. do you mean iphone6?

Sorry I meant the iPhone 5S.

uh oh these things are bricking on their own


http://www.phonearena.com/news/Some-...-a-fix_id41065

Some owners of the Sony Xperia Z are finding that their high-end device is turning into an expensive, but water resistant, paperweight. Based on the experience of those whose phone has died in front of their eyes, one minute the Sony Xperia Z is alive and vibrant, and suddenly it has moved on toward the light. Some have managed to bring their Xperia Z back with a hard reset by pressing on the power button while at the same time, pushing the volume button up. But this has worked only in a small number of cases.

Sony says that the problem is related to a low battery charge, but that is refuted by those whose Sony Xperia Z passed away with a full charge. The good news is that Sony Mobile is fully aware of the problem and a fix is being readied to go out with the next software update. Unfortunately, Sony does not have an exact date when this update will be going out.

Just when I thought that Sony has had a winner on their hands.

Originally Posted by HW

uh oh these things are bricking on their own


http://www.phonearena.com/news/Some-...-a-fix_id41065

awesome phone.

Originally Posted by HW

uh oh these things are bricking on their own


http://www.phonearena.com/news/Some-...-a-fix_id41065

I think when it comes to laptops and smartphones Sony is not all that great.