Xperia Z3

[Sm00thSm0k3]

So on Friday evening I procured two brand new Z3's for the wife and myself at an absolute bargain of a price. Both my wife and I are coming from S3's so an upgrade was definitely due.

Having had the weekend to play around with the phone I thought I'd share my impressions thus far.

If anyone wants to contribute to this thread as far their experience with the Z3 is concerned, then please feel free to do so.

Hardware:

There isn't much I can say here that hasn't been said in several reviews already. Everyone knows the specs on this thing are top notch and my S3's age is very evident against this new beast. An IR port would have been a nice touch though but it's not a deal breaker.

Build quality is outstanding and the device feels really solid and well made...makes the S3 feel like a cheap piece of plastic. The phone also feels really good in the hands.

Software:

Now this is the area where things fell a bit flat for me...for now anyway.

1) I didn't think any stock launcher could be a step below Touchwiz but IMO the Xperia launcher is exactly that. The lack of customization options is rather disappointing. I mean gees am I using an iPhone here?! What the hell?! Don't expect to change much other than wallpapers, widgets and shortcuts.

Fortunately I purchased Nova for my S3 so I just installed that on my Z3 so now my customization options are back. The problem with this however is that there are some really nice widgets on the Xperia Home Launcher that are unavailable/unselectable when using a third-party launcher. I had the same problem with some of the widgets on Touchwiz on the S3. Why is this and can it be changed?

2)This is my first experience with KitKat 4.4 so this was the first time I realized that the Android Gallery app is no more. Apparently Google ditched it and now one has to use the stock Xperia "Albums" app or Google "Photos".
I don't mind a replacement app if it's better than the original but both of these are pure 5h!t...layout/view options is just about non-existent. They've replaced the very functional Gallery with an app for dumb people.

Why fix something if it ain't broken Google?! Meh...now I'm stuck with QuickPic.

3) Another problem I've discovered is that with Kitkat 4.4 I'm no longer able to write to the SD card with some (maybe all?) 3rd-party apps, in this case ES File Explorer. When I try to rename a folder, create a new one or copy content to the SD card it gives me an error; "Your system forbids ES from writing on external SD card, so ES can only write on it after rooted."

Not sure what Google broke here but they've just made my SD card pretty useless. I apparently have to make use of the stock file manager app (File Commander) if I want to write to the SD card. This is all good and well but File Commander is a pure turd when I compare it with Samsung's "My Files". What pisses me off though is that if I want to enjoy ALL the functionality of File Commander I have to purchase the premium version whereas with My Files all the functionality was built-in.

There are rumours that 5.0 (Lollipop) is supposed to resolve the SD write issue but if not then I guess I'll have to root the phone eventually...when enough guinea pig's have done it and it's safe enough for me to attempt.

This sounds more like a rant than anything else but these are currently some of my gripes with it (and version 4.4 Android).

 

[Chevron]

1. On the launcher Sony has kept it quite close to the default Android experience without the fluff. Most see this as a positive and means we should be getting Android L very soon.

2. On the SD card issue that's a kit kat thing. Full SD card functionality is coming back with Lollipop.

3. Sony has already confimed Lollipop for the Z3.

So just be a little patient

I should be getting my Z3 in about 2weeks.

 

[TJ99]

1) I didn't think any stock launcher could be a step below Touchwiz but IMO the Xperia launcher is exactly that. The lack of customization options is rather disappointing. I mean gees am I using an iPhone here?! What the hell?! Don't expect to change much other than wallpapers, widgets and shortcuts.

Bullshít.

The Sony and and htc interfaces are the MOST customisable of them all. On the Sonys you can change all the icons etc and even the menu colours through Xperia Themes. Show me where to do that in TouchPiss. You'd need something like Cyanogenmod to do that on most Androids.

2.) Yes, that's Google gayness, they keep ****ing with things that aren't broken. See Youtube.

3). More Google gayness, and something that pissed people off immensely. So much that it's coming back in Android 5.0. Samsung has always bypassed this though and the SD card works as normal on Touchpiss phones.

 

[kooldude]

What is this bargain price that you speak of?

 

[mr_norris]

I had the same write to SD card issue with the M8 when I got it, but the update to 4.4.4 fixed it. I'm surprised that Sony didn't do the same :/

The old gallery is also gone, but HTC have replaced it with an app of their own - didn't even realise it till reading your post

I can't comment on the UI, as I've never used a Sony, but I'd be quite surprised if they really did limit customisation.

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

2. On the SD card issue that's a kit kat thing. Full SD card functionality is coming back with Lollipop.

3. Sony has already confimed Lollipop for the Z3.

So just be a little patient

Thanks. That's good to know.

I should be getting my Z3 in about 2weeks.

Nice. Enjoy!
If I may ask, what phone are you currently using?

Bullshít.

The Sony and and htc interfaces are the MOST customisable of them all. On the Sonys you can change all the icons etc and even the menu colours through Xperia Themes. Show me where to do that in TouchPiss. You'd need something like Cyanogenmod to do that on most Androids.

Perhaps I exaggerated a tad but no need to get nasty.

That being said I don't care for themes or menu colours but it would have been nice of them to provide a basic function like adding more grid rows and columns which AFAIK one still can't do without a third-party app.

What is this bargain price that you speak of?

Picked up the phones for R5K a piece (unwanted upgrades).

 

[Chevron]

Nice. Enjoy!
If I may ask, what phone are you currently using?

Currently using an S4. The original Xperia Z before that.

 

[TJ99]

Perhaps I exaggerated a tad but no need to get nasty.

That being said I don't care for themes or menu colours but it would have been nice of them to provide a basic function like adding more grid rows and columns which AFAIK one still can't do without a third-party app.
D

Not nasty at all, just stating the facts.

Yes, you do need a different launcher unfortunately but again that applies to all Android phones, it's not a Sony thing. You can't change the number of rows, columns etc on a Samsung phone either without a 3rd party launcher.

 

[CraZee]

I've had the Z3 for almost a week now and I am extremely happy.
I also came from the S3 and the build quality on the Sony is phenomenal. However I feel like it can slip out my hands at times with all the glass. I desperately need a cover but there arent too many to choose from yet.
Really the only "gripe" I have is the inability to swap the soft buttons around like you can do on the G3 but its really not an issue.

Other than that, camera, battery life, screen and sound I'm extremely happy with.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Does WhatsApp have notification badges on the icon?

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Does WhatsApp have notification badges on the icon?

Nope not with the stock launcher.

I'm using the TeslaUnread pluggin with the Nova Launcher (same as I did on my S3) to get unread counts (notification badges) on WhatsApp, Gmail, standard messaging (SMS) and standard Email.

For some reason though the unread count badges on the standard Email app (Google edition) aren't working? It's set up correctly in the TeslaUnread settings but still no joy.

 

[Lupus]

Thanks. That's good to know.



Nice. Enjoy!
If I may ask, what phone are you currently using?



Perhaps I exaggerated a tad but no need to get nasty.

That being said I don't care for themes or menu colours but it would have been nice of them to provide a basic function like adding more grid rows and columns which AFAIK one still can't do without a third-party app.



Picked up the phones for R5K a piece (unwanted upgrades).

Nice, but what is an unwanted upgrade? Samsung bypassed the write to SD card thing, but my Tablet Z has that issue you can use the Simple File manager that comes on the device to write to it though, I find it annoying as before 4.4 I could do it with no problems but now argh as sometimes you want to quickly dump something on a memory card and slot it in to your phone.

 

[MaximusZA]

I got mine on Friday and i am extremely happy so far. I came from a Z1 and its quite a large step up. the screen is yards better... cant even compare the 2 and the general feel of the phone is better. its faster and smoother than the Z1 i am very happy with the upgrade. i am a bit nervous about the battery life though. My Z1 would last 2 days comfortably. but my battery life with the Z3 seems less, only a day and a half. i know not much of a difference but i noticed it. Maybe its just cause its knew and needs to be run in a bit.

i found this on XDA might be handy to test before you decide to swim with your Z3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3/general/guide-test-waterproofing-water-t2897886

 

[Chevron]

I got mine on Friday and i am extremely happy so far. I came from a Z1 and its quite a large step up. the screen is yards better... cant even compare the 2 and the general feel of the phone is better. its faster and smoother than the Z1 i am very happy with the upgrade. i am a bit nervous about the battery life though. My Z1 would last 2 days comfortably. but my battery life with the Z3 seems less, only a day and a half. i know not much of a difference but i noticed it. Maybe its just cause its knew and needs to be run in a bit

I'm surprised no one has said anything about the colour balance of the screen.

Most places say that it's too cool.

If you want you guys can try set green to 90 and red to 90 and see if the colour is more natural to you.

 

[Chevron]

Nice, but what is an unwanted upgrade?

Let's say someone has an iphone 5 and their contract is up for renewal. So they upgrade taking the Z3 and then sell it again as it's unwanted.

Hence "unwanted upgrade".

 

[Lupus]

Let's say someone has an iphone 5 and their contract is up for renewal. So they upgrade taking the Z3 and then sell it again as it's unwanted.

Hence "unwanted upgrade".

You don't get "upgrade"s any longer on the contracts, you are paying for the device in the price of the contract, hence why I find it odd, if you don't want the new phone. Keep your contract on month to month paying less due to no device fee or "upgrade" to a new contract and pay less cause of no device fee .

 

[Chevron]

You don't get "upgrade"s any longer on the contracts, you are paying for the device in the price of the contract, hence why I find it odd, if you don't want the new phone. Keep your contract on month to month paying less due to no device fee or "upgrade" to a new contract and pay less cause of no device fee .

But then you don't get the nice holiday cash bonus. And since your normal contract price is already part of your budget there's no extra cost.

 

[Lupus]

But then you don't get the nice holiday cash bonus. And since your normal contract price is already part of your budget there's no extra cost.

Suppose, but they could be saving money by dropping the device fee, that they ended up selling anyway. As it seems all SP's do that now, you pay R229 for the contract and R200 for the device.

 

[Sm00thSm0k3]

Nice, but what is an unwanted upgrade?

Erm...when you qualify for an upgrade but already own your preferred device so hence the "unwanted" upgrade?

Well the guy I bought the phones from has several high profile business contracts with Vodacom (or something to that effect) and this month he qualified for several "free" upgrades on those contracts. He however has no use for the actual phones so he's just selling them off.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Nope not with the stock launcher.

I'm using the TeslaUnread pluggin with the Nova Launcher (same as I did on my S3) to get unread counts (notification badges) on WhatsApp, Gmail, standard messaging (SMS) and standard Email.

For some reason though the unread count badges on the standard Email app (Google edition) aren't working? It's set up correctly in the TeslaUnread settings but still no joy.

So it's only Samsung TouchWizz that supports badges?

As for TeslaUnread, it's a joke. On my S3 it was hardly ever accurate.