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My Nexus 4 contract ends in February, yet I'm undecided between the Z2 and Z3.

Greetings XDA!,
My current contract, which is on a LG Nexus 4, comes to a close in February 2015. It will mean that I'll be able to get myself a brand new smartphone!
I've been digging around, and I've already made the choice to go with a Xperia from Sony. Making a decision is kind of hard, because i'll be on the phone for the next 2 years.
So my pick is between the Xperia Z2 and the Z3. What I mostly like is the design of the Z2, especially in white! But by the time that I'll get a new phone, it will be out for almost 1 year.
The Z3 seems to be a bit more ergonomic, plus having a brighter screen. Coming from a Nexus 4, both screens looks a big step up from my phone, yet for some reason I'm comparing the Z2 vs Z3.
The Z2 is currently to the point that I can get it for free while getting a 150 call & 1000mb bundle, where ass the Z3 is 149 euros and 150 call & 1000mb. This might change when the phones are out for longer, it's not yet February!
I would like to hear some opinions about the matter, and what the best decision
Edit: Also like to know about software updates, issues, etc.

Go for Z3 it will be cheaper at that time, Sony will announce Z4 in March/April 2015.
Sent from my Xperia Z2 using Tapatalk

Please post questions in the Q&A section
Thread moved

I upgraded my Nexus 4 this monday to a Z3 and i think it is totally worth it.

ZyreHD said:
Greetings XDA!,
My current contract, which is on a LG Nexus 4, comes to a close in February 2015. It will mean that I'll be able to get myself a brand new smartphone!
I've been digging around, and I've already made the choice to go with a Xperia from Sony. Making a decision is kind of hard, because i'll be on the phone for the next 2 years.
So my pick is between the Xperia Z2 and the Z3. What I mostly like is the design of the Z2, especially in white! But by the time that I'll get a new phone, it will be out for almost 1 year.
The Z3 seems to be a bit more ergonomic, plus having a brighter screen. Coming from a Nexus 4, both screens looks a big step up from my phone, yet for some reason I'm comparing the Z2 vs Z3.
The Z2 is currently to the point that I can get it for free while getting a 150 call & 1000mb bundle, where ass the Z3 is 149 euros and 150 call & 1000mb. This might change when the phones are out for longer, it's not yet February!
I would like to hear some opinions about the matter, and what the best decision
Edit: Also like to know about software updates, issues, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By February the Z4 will be on its way so the Z3 might be free. Between the Z2 and Z3, I'd say the difference should be 100 euros worth. More than that and it's not worth it. IMO

[Q] Z1 compact vs S5 mini?

Hi
I'm aware there is already a similar thread but I wanted some answers more specific to my needs and to current prices. I recently had my uninsured S5 stolen and I'm stuck in a contract so I need to buy a mid-range phone which is going to last me another 16 months or so without feeling too outdated. I want a smaller handset as I was getting sick of the larger phones. My budget stretches to about £270 for which both the S5 mini and the Z1 compact are currently priced. Unfortunately I can't stretch to the z3 compact price. I want to know which phone has the better camera, as this is one of the main selling points for me. I know that neither will match up to the s5 camera. On paper the z1 compact has the best camera, but I've seen a few posts saying it is actually disappointing and often freezes. The S5 minis camera seems to get fairly positive reviews despite being only 8MP. I'm no pro photographer so will I even be able to tell the difference?!
I don't care about the samsungs gimmicks (heart rate sensor, fingerprint scanner etc.) and also don't mind touchwhiz too much. I do like the fact it has a removable battery as I often carry a spare, but maybe the sony battery is miles better anyway?
I'm also wary about changing to Sony. I've had Samsungs for years and they've never broken, apart from when I dropped them. Samsung quickly replaced them for me free of charge after some persuasion it wasn't my fault! I've seen a lot of posts questioning the z1 compacts reliability, and a few more claiming sony aren't too good at dealing with replacements etc. Also slightly wary about the glass back cracking? Though I admit the Sony looks better.
I've never rooted or flashed custom ROMs or anything so I'm probably in the wrong forum (sorry!) but this seems to be the most active phone forum I could find. I'm not completely opposed to rooting etc if it would be really beneficial, though again, I'm wary!
Should point out that I don't game much on mobile, I just like a smooth, reliable experience for browsing internet, watching youtube, using facebook, whatsapp, reddit etc, and a good reliable camera.
So basically, do I play it safe and stick with Samsung, better screen, decent camera, pics may even look better on the better screen, though the phone may be slightly slower? Or do I go for the z1 despite my reliability concerns?! Is rooting going to change the decision between the two??
Thanks, and sorry for the long post! Appreciate your answers, if I get any!

The Z1 Compact is by far the superior device.

Thanks for the reply. On paper it looks the better phone, but is it reliable? Hows sonys customer service? And is the camera better than the s5 minis?

Yeah but I've seen a lot of posts about a sudden unexplained death of the Z1C so that makes me hesitant

It´s fine. Some people doesn't know how to take care of a phone while in other situations things explodes at random. But to the point, i have the Z2 and it's a really good phone. I actually like the Sony UI and their experience. So there isn't a reason to not choose the Z1 compact, if the specs are superior compared to S5 Mini.

There are 3 threads already established that are devoted to discussions about devices, please read, and if necessary, repost your question in one of these threads: The what should I buy thread or the The Device Suggestion Thread or the The Device Comparison Thread.
There are also several other discussion threads that you probably should review to help you. They are What phone do you wish you had? or
The Worst Android Device That You've Ever Had & Why or even this place that talks about The best phone you ever owned.
Will have to close this.

[Q] Z3 still worth it?

With the phone now out for some time, I wanted to see what the overall atmosphere for the phone was.
How does everyone like the phone? Specifically the US T-Mobile variant (D6616). I'm reading nothing but complaints about battery not lasting as long as it should/used to, WiFi issues, issues running LTE and so on. Are these the outliers or are they the common case?
With rumors of the Z4 growing (and all other competition as well), I've been wanting to upgrade from my Nexus 5 (with HORRIBLE battery life) for some time now. I've had my eye on the Z3 because of its purported insanely long battery, great display, great audio, great camera. Again, is this all really the case?
Also, with a hopeful Lollipop build releasing from Sony direct, I just wanted to verify that a user could technically flash the image directly to the phone and only risk losing T-Mobile's WiFi calling ability?

Wait for the Z4, because the Z1/2/3 use almost the same chipset. The Snapdragon 810 in the Z4 is a full generation newer with lower power consumption, much faster and has a 2x2 WiFi antenna.
Also support will probably be better as Sony will go to a one year release cycle unlike before where they had a new device every ~6 months.
As for my experience, it's pretty good I get 7-9Hrs of screen time in a 24-30 Hr period, without power saving options. I even have autosync and location services on. The battery life is just amazing. The UI is pretty smooth almost as quick as HTC Sense UI. Also not much bloat when you compare with Samsung.
Cellular signal is as good as my mother's iPhone 6 and dad's HTC M8. As for camera It's great, just leave it on "manual" as "Superior Auto" sucks. It's probably Sony's best camera module for phones. Remember that even Apple, LG, Samsung use Sony Exmor camera modules.
Only issue I had was cosmetic with gaps between frame and screen and light bleed from gaps. I exchanged mine 3 times for that. Currently happy with the one I have. It's not a big deal because T-Mobile exchanged my phone without any hassles.

There will always be a Z4 5 6 in development, ultimately you have to make the decision, if you want to wait it out no issues, but if your looking to upgrade now then z3 is the best choice among all the smartphones,the battery life is phenomenal and the real world performance is brilliant, I think it's one of the few android phones which can give the iPhone a run for the money in terms of performance and smoothness. The multitasking is hands down the best among android phones.I have never experienced a lag or crash till now. I have always been a Samsung user, have used the galaxy sl, s3 and 4,buying the Z3 was like taking a giant leap of faith and it paid off, theres no way in hell I'll ever go back to Samsung.
P.S Did I mention dipping the phone in a bucket of water a few times aswell? Yeah that too.
Sent from my D6653 using XDA Free mobile app

the Z4 will obviously happen, although it may be the last xperia flagship to hit the market, at least from sony alone - if they are looking to exit the business it's possible that the Z3 will be more fully supported in the long run, but who knows? the other point to bear in mind is how long it took to root the Z3 whilst retaining a locked bootloader - the Z4 may be more difficult again here..... having had the Z3 from launch it's now a known quantity, so you can ascertain fully what you're buying and what you can do with it, and whilst build qualities can be inconsistent just control the risk and buy from a no nonsense retailer with a clear returns policy ? for me it's a 9.5/10 and criminally underrated by the masses, but that at least lets you pick up something a bit different that may possibly be better than the existing competition, depending on who you speak to......

But seriously though tech wise the Z1/2/3 are very similar the Z4 is a big upgrade chipset wise.
Even if Z4 is the last Xperia from Sony, it could still continue under a new owner. Motorola for example still exists, though now under Lenovo. Nexus 6 support did not suddenly stop.

[Q] Z3 or Z2 or something else?

Hi,
I've been combing the Z3 & Z2 threads because I am looking for an upgrade to my Moto X 2013 (Which BTW, I love... super signal, great SoT of 6.5 hrs, great GPS, splashproof with no flaps) because I get about 2~3% of battery drain per hour with the phone just sitting on the side of my desk doing nothing.
So after looking at the GSM Arena Battery list, the Z3 looks to have the looks and the battery, so it was my main candidate, except for all the faults I keep reading about.
Here they are in no specific order:
1- Random battery drains
2- Sudden shattered glass syndrome
3- WiFi connections issues
4- Not so waterproof manufacturing issues
I am a bit scared to invest the kind of money this phone will require, so I have tried to look for alternatives that may meet the great specs of the Z3. Phones like the Z2 which doesn't seem to have so many issues as the Z3 (and let's not talk about the Z3c or the Z3a with the VGA front camera), the Galaxy S5 (I really don't want to, really), the soon to be released M4 Aqua, or the Honor 6.
Any feedback is appreciated, because right now, the Z3 for me is like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde... some people vouch the phone is a tank and others claim the phone is possesed to fail. I don't want to play lottery when buying a phone, I just want a good phone with great battery.

I take complaints about phones here seriously, but try to not let it cloud my view too much. You're honestly on a site of 1% ers... the 1% of people who really get into mobile devices and modding, flashing etc... I have the Z3 6603 and I absolutely love it. I've not tested it for water proofing, but I don't have any issues with the phone bending in my pocket, poor battery etc... I do have some issues with Bluetooth, but it's not a Sony thing, it's an android thing.
I have owned a lot of phones, among those three Sony's, and really I can't say anything else compares quality wise.

There's no guarantee, this is technology and it can be applied to everything else you buy, and its all luck. Ignore the stupid negative threads, as mentioned they only make up a small percentage of the overall. That said, I would wait till z3 neo is announced then get the z3/2 as those prices will drop

I have been using the Z3 (Tmobile) for about a month. Love the phone. Go for it. I have not experienced explosions and glass shrapnel or electrocution. You won't regret it.

I would say any problem can happen with any phone.
If you have a shattered back what happened to me once you are doomed by Sony as they don't repair it for you. But I have doubts others are more cooperative on that point so that's a general risk with glass.
Aside of that the Xperia is a really nice piece of design and hard- as well as software and yet the only (former) top model with dust and waterproof certification. You won't miss anything major.
As for the question of Z2 or Z3 it's rather a question if you need to spend an extra amount of money just to get the newest model on paper. By performance there's not a notable difference in daily use (and I have both next to me).

A sale just made things more difficult
So, both phones are on sale now, one from a big company so support should be better and includes for 60 Euro a 1 year damage warranty which should cover any sudden glass damage issue. The second from some small store... So the prices:
Z2 - 438 Euro with the extra damage protection for 1 year.
Z3 - 425 Euro with just regular warranty and a LOT of reported sudden glass damage issue.
It is a hard choice. Considering the glass issue, I am leaning towards the Z2 (which did have the glass issue, but seems to be a lot less these days).

The price for the Z3 is good, the additional warranty for the Z2 comes about 80 Euros... if really needed.

[Q] is getting the z3 now in the almost ending 2015 a good idea?

I'm considering in purchasing a xperia z3 D6603. I will be coming from the new 2015 moto x pure which I can't put my finger on it but something about the phone I don't like. I know the mot x pure is a brand new phone with brand new specs so why would i downgrade to an older device? I've always sparked interest in the Sony line of devices. The z5 is just way to expensive for me. I'm still in the 14 day return period for the moto x pure and thinking of returning it and ordering a xperia z3. Does the z3 already have 5.1.1 lollipop ota? And which varient of the z3 is the more supported version?. I'm from the u.s but looking in the android dev thread it looks like the D6603 is the more supported version.
Any thoughts and issues with the device?
Thanks in advance

I think you should
It's an awesome piece of device. I bought mine 6 months ago knowing that there will be newer flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge or the upcoming Sony Xperia Z5 and so on. Despite the newer flagships on the market, I still consider this unit at top notch. Sure it has no fingerprint sensor like the 2 that I mentioned, but nonetheless, it's a handsome piece of device. As for the OTA update, I'm not quite sure if it is available there in the US.. But I'm pretty sure with PC Companion, you can update yours easily. Not to mention that the upcoming Android Marshmallow or Android M for Sony will be released before the year ends. Just watch out for dead pixels; those are the common defects I read about on the internet.

I just bought my Z3 a few days ago... My G4 screen died and I decided to get an older device. Like you I had the same issue with the G4... Great device but there was just something about it I just cant get away with, i think it mightve been the clunky interface or the whole G4 package just seemed to much.. Im not sure.
However, Im happy with the Z3.. I also looked at the M9 as Im a bit of a Media lover, but for me the Camera on the M9 just hadnt improved enough to warrant the cash... Yes ok, the speakers on the M9 do give a richer fuller sound than the Z3, but the ones on the Z3 are not to be ignored. They can lack bass and mid-range, sounding a bit tinny at times, but for me it was... Great speakers, Awesome camera, great battery of the Z3 Or Amazing speakers, awful Camera and ok battery of the M9.. The Z3 won... plus I like alot of the Apps that come on the Z3, which save me having to download extra apps to waste more battery, such as:
A podcast App built strainght into the Walkman player
Google Newstand and Xperia lounge for news, music and a few interesting things.
Sony Video
A built-in FM Radio
and Love it oir Hate it... Sonys LifeLog.
The speakers are Loud but again can lack richness.
A great all round package... and even though its very square.. It looks quite cool as well and a nice dearture from all the Samsung sheep walking around.
Here in UK, we have LP 511, but just hope SONY survive with the Z5... Their mobile devision hangs in the balance here.
Z3 is a great device.. ide recommend it to anyone

I bought this phone 3 months ago, and it is an awesomely great looking phone with good specs... I except more from the camera, but the design is outstanding to me... You'll see what i mean when you have this phone, especially the copper colour. Multitasking is great, it is comfortable to hold, the speaker is awesome but sometimes it is a bit low, especially when watching on YouTube., it is fast, no stutter what so ever, except in lockscreen which is frequently stuttered (it is a new bug, haven't discovered this in 5.0.2), low light and outdoor camera is very good, it is very rigid to me, especially if you use tempered glass screen protector on both front and back, the battery is great,but the performance is a bit reduced since. 200 update and later..
Sent from my D6653 using XDA Free mobile app

I'm about to buy that phone next week. Is it still a problem with camera after rooting? I don't know much about it, that's why I'm asking.

Definitely worth it. Esp the price is low now. I have Z3, my brother the S6 and he is thinking of switching to a Z3 too. Mainly bec of the battery, waterproofness, SD Card slot, front speakers and practically everything else except maybe the screen amd fingerprint scanner. If fingerscanner is a must i advised him to get tge Z5, but the price is still quite high.
Sent from my D6653

I bought the xperia z3 a few days ago and i have no regrets. The battery, sleek UI and design is what makes this phone amazing and the community on the Z3 forums on xda are one of my favourites so far