Sony Xperia Z2

[Nismo]

I am not trying to badmouth the Z2, it works and everything is fast. I just thought it might be more special.

 

[StrontiumDog]

...
The other issue is the navigation buttons takes more off the screen so in actual fact the screen is smaller than the S5.

I've had my Z2 for one day and haven't started using it yet so I can't comment too much yet. You're right, when the onscreen buttons are visible then the usable area is substantially reduced in size. The larger screen only comes into its own when looking at movies or other media.

Before taking the plunge, I had resigned myself to the fact that there wasn't really much between the different flagships (S5 / Z2 / M8). My choice in the end came down to what sort of chassis did I prefer and pricing/availibility. S5 has now increased in price and the M8 is only now available and the most expensive of the lot. S5 is dependable but didn't have that wow factor for me.

 

[TJ99]

Maybe you can point out what makes it more special that the s5 or M8??

Well, it has a much better camera, especially in low light or underwater.

It looks better than the S5 (not sure about the M8 though, that's tougher to call)

More RAM than either of the other two.

It's NOT CHEAP PLASTIC like the S5.

It has 2 front-facing speakers, much better audio quality than the S5. But then pretty much anything has better sound quality than Samsung's crap, that's the only thing I don't like about my Note 3. Here the Sony is beaten by the M8 though.

Its resolution is actually 1080x1920 unlike the fake Pen(t)ile matrix the Samsung has. Colours also seem better than the M8

As for not being WOW... Yeah, that unfortunately happens these days with the phones being released so insanely close together. You need minimum a year to 18 months to see any real improvement. Plus all smartphones are compromises these days, one is always lacking something.

The thing about the on-screen buttons is true, and I actually prefer the Samsung way of doing it. But: Google doesn't. According to the Android standard, devices must only use on-screen buttons like the M8 and Xperia do. I'm used to it on Nexus devices though so not bothered too much.

 

[Nismo]

Well, it has a much better camera, especially in low light or underwater.

It looks better than the S5 (not sure about the M8 though, that's tougher to call)

More RAM than either of the other two.

It's NOT CHEAP PLASTIC like the S5.

It has 2 front-facing speakers, much better audio quality than the S5. But then pretty much anything has better sound quality than Samsung's crap, that's the only thing I don't like about my Note 3. Here the Sony is beaten by the M8 though.

Its resolution is actually 1080x1920 unlike the fake Pen(t)ile matrix the Samsung has. Colours also seem better than the M8

As for not being WOW... Yeah, that unfortunately happens these days with the phones being released so insanely close together. You need minimum a year to 18 months to see any real improvement. Plus all smartphones are compromises these days, one is always lacking something.

The thing about the on-screen buttons is true, and I actually prefer the Samsung way of doing it. But: Google doesn't. According to the Android standard, devices must only use on-screen buttons like the M8 and Xperia do. I'm used to it on Nexus devices though so not bothered too much.

TJ99,

Its true, like I said I am not bad mouthing the Z2, I must say it looks SO much better than the S5. I suppose you have to compromise on certain things.

I also like the way the Z2 feels in the hand, I suppose I just need to watch more movies to appreciate the screen as well.

 

[blaaislaai]

Ordered my Z2 today from Orange store, and already shipped as well. Should have it later this week

 

[TJ99]

TJ99,

Its true, like I said I am not bad mouthing the Z2, I must say it looks SO much better than the S5. I suppose you have to compromise on certain things.

I also like the way the Z2 feels in the hand, I suppose I just need to watch more movies to appreciate the screen as well.

Nothing wrong with bad-mouthing something, if it's deserved. You just asked for reasons why it's better and I provided some. There are also areas where the S5 is better, but for me it's not enough to make up for the ****ty speakers, plasticky feel, and looking exactly like my last 2 Galaxy phones.

Gimmicks like Air View or S Voice are fun and all, but you don't use them on a daily basis, they're more to show off than actually useful..

 

[Dolby]

Who bought theirs through the orange store, and what accessories was in the box?

Stepfather should be getting it this week and will let you know

He got the earphones - but no Smartband, dock etc

 

[blaaislaai]

He got the earphones - but no Smartband, dock etc

I ordered the one with smartband:
http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...ia-z2-free-sony-smartband-swr10-black-262693/

Not sure if earphones will be included, time will tell. It's on the way to SA now

 

[SpiralS]

Coming from the S3 this phone is more than wow. Performance is great. Battery life more than great. Screen is awesome and who can fault the looks. I was holding out for the iPhone 6 but I am happy with my choice.

IPhone will be crazy in price compared to the Z2. Loving this phone atm. They will be all more or less the same in performance. It will just come do what you like looks and feel wise. I for one think it's pretty sexy.

 

[Dolby]

Check this

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/sony-xperia-z2-black-258868/

Same price and no mention of the band for his!

 

[StrontiumDog]

Did anyone here bother to run the battery down to zero before doing a first charge of 6 to 8 hours? The Vodacom consultant advised me to do that as the device comes pre-charged with 60% battery life.

Also, I noticed the in the 'Important Legal Information' documentation that came with the Smartband , under Product Care it says "Do not expose your product to liquid or to moisture or to humidity" :wtf:

 

[opinionhated]

Did anyone here bother to run the battery down to zero before doing a first charge of 6 to 8 hours? The Vodacom consultant advised me to do that as the device comes pre-charged with 60% battery life.

http://mashable.com/2014/06/18/phone-charging-myths/

Myth 5: Don't charge your phone until it's completely dead.

The truth:*It's better to charge your phone every day than to do a "deep charge" from time to time.

Lithium-ion batteries, like the kind used inSamsung*and*Apple*products fare better when they're charged. If you constantly*let them drainto 0%, they become unstable. Your battery has a finite number of charge cycles, and every time it fully dies, that's another cycle out the window.

And batteries are factory calibrated.

Also, I noticed the in the 'Important Legal Information' documentation that came with the Smartband , under Product Care it says "Do not expose your product to liquid or to moisture or to humidity" :wtf:

The band is supposed to be ip55, splash proof if I remember reading correctly.

 

[blaaislaai]

Check this

http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/sony-xperia-z2-black-258868/

Same price and no mention of the band for his!

I have noticed that as well, am glad I found the other one before ordering this one without the band for the same price!

Mine is currently in customs at the moment, should have it by tomorrow or thursday. Will report back then

 

[Anakha56]

My band has gone into the shower with me on multiple occasions and it still works. I also don't have the fitting on the tightest for my wrist so lots of room for water and air to come in and out.

 

[StrontiumDog]

The band is supposed to be ip55, splash proof if I remember reading correctly.

My band has gone into the shower with me on multiple occasions and it still works. I also don't have the fitting on the tightest for my wrist so lots of room for water and air to come in and out.

Thanks I realise it must be water resistant, but still it's :wtf: that the standard product documentation assumes that is not the case

 

[StrontiumDog]

How did you guys find the process of applying the screen protector that comes with the Z2? I only managed a semi-decent job because once I peeled the factory fitted sheets off the phone was like a dust magnet. Dust started settling on the phone and then I would wipe it off and then more dust would settle. Then I couldn't put the screen protector on so that it was a 100% fit and I had to peel it off and refit it a couple of times

 

[Dolby]

I ordered the one with smartband:
http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...ia-z2-free-sony-smartband-swr10-black-262693/

You were lucky ; they've discontinued that link

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Picked up and played around with the Z2 for the first time yesterday. Very sexy indeed and very solid feel to it. Build quality seems to be top notch. S5 doesn't come close in terms of looks, style and feel.

...now to decide whether I should get a Z2 now or wait to see if the Z2 Ultra or Z3 land this year.

How are you guys finding the Smartband? A lot of reviews say it's very hit or miss and could do with a lot of refinement especially on the software/app side of things.

 

[SpiralS]

How are you guys finding the Smartband? A lot of reviews say it's very hit or miss and could do with a lot of refinement especially on the software/app side of things.

I work in a very noisy environment and its good for letting you know you have a message.

 

[blaaislaai]

Got my Z2 today.

Noise cancelling earphones and the Smartband was included