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New Smartphone for 2015 - Dare I Sony?
in Technology
So, I've been extensively researching smartphones. My old Nexus S (which had the perfect form factor aside from the low-res screen) died long ago, and I've been using the Nexus 4 I bought for world travel (unlocked) as my primary phone for a while now.
It's showing its age. No 4G support (just HDSPA+, which is still pretty fast), big and clunky (HUGE compared to the Nexus 4, yet tiny compared to the Nexus 6). Big old crack on the back panel that hasn't caused a problem yet, but will someday.
The smallest smartphone I can find is the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.
http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-z3-compact/
It's actually smaller than the iPhone6, and also cheaper. Sony has promised lollipop any day now as well. Reports are that the battery life is actually the best of any phone out there by weight.
Problems:
1. Sony
2. Not stock Android
3. Fiddly little doors on the ports to make it immersion waterproof
4. Still way too big
This generation of phones is awful unless you have giant sausage hands and/or terrible eyes. I would just wait another generation, but I don't think this trend of giant-ass phones will end by the next cycle. I'd upgrade to the Nexus 5, but it's not enough of an upgrade from the 4 to be better than just waiting.
But man... Fuck Sony...
It's showing its age. No 4G support (just HDSPA+, which is still pretty fast), big and clunky (HUGE compared to the Nexus 4, yet tiny compared to the Nexus 6). Big old crack on the back panel that hasn't caused a problem yet, but will someday.
The smallest smartphone I can find is the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.
http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-z3-compact/
It's actually smaller than the iPhone6, and also cheaper. Sony has promised lollipop any day now as well. Reports are that the battery life is actually the best of any phone out there by weight.
Problems:
1. Sony
2. Not stock Android
3. Fiddly little doors on the ports to make it immersion waterproof
4. Still way too big
This generation of phones is awful unless you have giant sausage hands and/or terrible eyes. I would just wait another generation, but I don't think this trend of giant-ass phones will end by the next cycle. I'd upgrade to the Nexus 5, but it's not enough of an upgrade from the 4 to be better than just waiting.
But man... Fuck Sony...
Comments
The big Sony problem I have with it is the inability to remove the "What's New" application. If you hold the home button a shortcut to it pops up and I regularly activate it by accident. I see people talking about how to get rid of it online but I might wait until Lollipop and see if it's still a problem then. (I think Lollipop will probably come quite a bit later to the UK... They are saying early 2015.)
The fiddly doors are annoying and when they are open the connection feels fragile. I bought the charging dock so I wouldn't have to worry about opening or closing them frequently.
You are right about it still being too big. My hands aren't very big but this was still the best I could get.
I've been impressed with the battery so far! Lets hope it lasts.
Full detailed specs for every phone on the market.
FWIW I am very impressed with the Moto software features that shipped with the Moto X Pure Edition. Huge step up in functionaility over my Nexus 5. Hoping Moto X gets Lollipop soon.
Having played with a coworker's iPhone 6, I'm more convinced that staying with my iPhone 5 another year was a great idea. Maybe the S in iPhone 6s will be for "small"?
Otherwise why not just the new Nexus?
Also, what's everyones' opinion on smart watches?
I have the Samsung Gear 2 Neo. Really cool for notifications, starting up tracking on Endomondo (when I'm getting on the bike) and other useful little gizmos. But especially looking like James Bond when you receive a call.
Oh and about the Lollipop/Moto X thing, apparently it is rolling out in the next day or two. Believe it when I see it, I suppose.
The sole reason I'm looking to upgrade is the huge crack on the back that will eventually kill it, and the lack of 4G. There is nothing else even remotely wrong with it, and there is no other reason to upgrade.
I am impressed the phone is doing so well. I only had mine for less than a year (switched to Android when I got Glass). I didn't mind the no-4G but I got a Nexus 5 for the fuck of it, and paid miserably. It gave me tons of issues.
On lollipop all programs must be removable. This was directed at carrier bloatware but may also assist with handset specific problems. Which carrier didn't upgrade when they stated that they would?
Reviews are already decent on the hardware, that's the main thing about Sony phones, their hardware is great.
Apple can't be trusted to do big screens their 'retina' dropped to 326ppi (in comparison most 4.7" phones like the HTC One (M7) is 468, plus the majority of the phone's front has non functional bezel).
I just assumed the 's' was for 'slick marketing'.
My problem is these phones continue to not meet my expectations as far as responsiveness. My Nexus 4 felt great for about 6 month and then seemed to age rapidly. My Moto X seems to hang up when I have navigation running. Maybe I'm expecting too much from computer that fits in the palm (ish) of my hand.
Are you maybe looking at how fast you get a signal or is it when you're using it in street view?
- The fact that carriers can even be involved between this interaction between owners and manufacturers is messed up.
- Historically, manufacturers have done a poor job of delivering on Android upgrade promises. That said, I haven't paid attention to who's promised Lollypop.
Majority?The bezelution isn't evenly distributed yet.
Now back to your original question, yeah that's gotta be some obscure use case. I've never loaded a flashlight app on my phone. I use it for light fairly often, but I just hit the side button to bring up the lock screen for a second or two.