What Samsung (not Google) hardware or software features would you like to see in the next Galaxy Note 3.
Indestructible screen
Water proof
1080 ips screen
Bigger battery
3D
Better Camera Telephoto maybe
Dual SD
Front stereo speakers
No bevel on screen
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
That all lol
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Not necessarily stereo speakers, but I can't figure out why the rear speaker exists. I feel the front one could be used for speakerphone as well as normal phone calls. No one really wants to put their phone screen side down on a table and games and media would sound louder to us without being as loud to others with the speaker on the front.
flaring afro said:
Not necessarily stereo speakers, but I can't figure out why the rear speaker exists. I feel the front one could be used for speakerphone as well as normal phone calls. No one really wants to put their phone screen side down on a table and games and media would sound louder to us without being as loud to others with the speaker on the front.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? I use my phone on speaker a lot and it seems like the sound still comes from the back.
I don't think putting it on the front would be possible, but putting it on the bottom or sides like an iPhone would be nice. Mophie made a nice case that would re-direct the sound from the speaker to the front.
The only thing i want right now on this phone is multiwindow resizing. I hate opening two apps and not being able to resize the apps in the window to the window size. I would like to play some games and also watch NetFlix... impossible since the screen still runs in full (although netflix resizes nicely.)
kimdoocheol said:
? I use my phone on speaker a lot and it seems like the sound still comes from the back.
I don't think putting it on the front would be possible, but putting it on the bottom or sides like an iPhone would be nice. Mophie made a nice case that would re-direct the sound from the speaker to the front.
The only thing i want right now on this phone is multiwindow resizing. I hate opening two apps and not being able to resize the apps in the window to the window size. I would like to play some games and also watch NetFlix... impossible since the screen still runs in full (although netflix resizes nicely.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it does come out the back. Why wouldn't putting the rear speaker in the front as the only speaker be possibly? It's small enough...
Flip case sound reflection.
flaring afro said:
Not necessarily stereo speakers, but I can't figure out why the rear speaker exists. I feel the front one could be used for speakerphone as well as normal phone calls. No one really wants to put their phone screen side down on a table and games and media would sound louder to us without being as loud to others with the speaker on the front.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally think the sound is loud enough and good enough with the speaker on the back. I do however think it sounds better when i flip the flip case all the way to the back of the phone.
As of features I would like to see:
Hardware: How about a barcode scanner or camera lens that was positioned on the top edge next to the headphone output. Just think what a powerful sales/business/inventory tool we would have.
Software: Fullscreen TouchWiz with a free grid (no grid!?).
Software: SwipePad with all add-ons as standard.
a better build quality on the exterior.
an IR blaster at the top(tab 7 2 and tab 10.1 2 have it, a lot of old Ipaqs had them) this would make it an awesome universal remote.
a desktop mode so when connected to a TV or PC you can fit more in the screen. if you havent tried this yet, its not that good. maybe the tablet version of android and phone version.
built in micro hdmi out - then dont need same port to charge and external video
i actually had an HP Ipaq that had a speaker on the ground, right under the Dpad on the front. makes a huge difference.
flaring afro said:
Yeah, it does come out the back. Why wouldn't putting the rear speaker in the front as the only speaker be possibly? It's small enough...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few reasons, aesthetics, acoustics, and idiots.
aesthetics because I don't think it would look that great to have the front speaker on the phone. They would have to either make room for it by manipulating the current layout, or by putting some other things on the side (ex. home button.) Even if there is enough room, I don't think have a front facing speaker would look that great unless they used the ear piece -- which they would never do.
Acoustics because setting the phone down on a flat surface, while it may seem quieter, the sound actually sounds better to me.
idiots because you know some idiot is going to put the speaker on blast and put it up to their ear and claim they thought it was the ear piece and sue whatever company decided to do this.
Samsung made a 5.8" galaxy player with stereo front facing speakers. They could so something similar with the note. In fact I was disappointed when they didn't.
Balsta said:
Samsung made a 5.8" galaxy player with stereo front facing speakers. They could so something similar with the note. In fact I was disappointed when they didn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There even was an old windows mobile phone that did. I think it might have been the Motorola Q? Pretty sure it was a Motorola...
look at the size of the speaker grill on the back...there is plenty of room for that at the top front of the phone. and you could easily make it Aesthetically pleasing with a different speaker grill.
Dmwitz said:
Hardware: How about a barcode scanner or camera lens that was positioned on the top edge next to the headphone output. Just think what a powerful sales/business/inventory tool we would have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you updated your google search .apk? you can tap the mic and say "scan barcode" and then use your camera to scan it. It's not exactly what your looking for but pretty cool Google functionality..
zenvita said:
What Samsung (not Google) hardware or software features would you like to see in the next Galaxy Note 3.
Indestructible screen
Water proof
1080 ips screen
Bigger battery
3D
Better Camera Telephoto maybe
Dual SD
Front stereo speakers
No bevel on screen
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is IPS just a panel type? I mean cold you have an IPS AMOLED screen?
I know the difference between like, LCD/LED backlighting and Plasma, but could someone explain AMOLED and IPS displays to me? Also their advantages and such
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
The screen needs a bezel cause cases would be impossible. Then case companies would lose money.
Sent from my rooted galaxy note 2... U mad?
nnnnr14 said:
The screen needs a bezel cause cases would be impossible. Then case companies would lose money.
Sent from my rooted galaxy note 2... U mad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not unless there was some kind of indentation on the side the case could snap into, or if the case replaces the back panel (ala flip case)
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Haloman800 said:
Is IPS just a panel type? I mean cold you have an IPS AMOLED screen?
I know the difference between like, LCD/LED backlighting and Plasma, but could someone explain AMOLED and IPS displays to me? Also their advantages and such
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IPS is a type of LCD. It uses much less energy and has a faster response time than AMOLED.
zenvita said:
IPS is a type of LCD. It uses much less energy and has a faster response time than AMOLED.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So AMOLED is another type of LCD? How does Super IPS compare with HD Super AMOLED with RGB matrix?
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Haloman800 said:
So AMOLED is another type of LCD? How does Super IPS compare with HD Super AMOLED with RGB matrix?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are so many articles on which display type is best. I personally love my GN2 screen, it's brilliant, clear and with my eyes i can't tell the difference past 250ppi anyway. From what i hear and like about IPS is the low energy consumption. As you know it takes a lot of power to get that huge lovely 5.5 inch screen going.
Related
Is the Galaxy S II worth upgrading to from a Desire HD? Other than the extra camera and the processor I don't see much of a difference. Help me out cause I'm on the fence.
I wouldn't buy an SGS2 but if it comes with a plan it's a nice upgrade
Yes
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
d19375 said:
Is the Galaxy S II worth upgrading to from a Desire HD? Other than the extra camera and the processor I don't see much of a difference. Help me out cause I'm on the fence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as you can see in my signature i come from a desire hd as well. compared with the dhd the sgs2 is superior in almost all things:
WAY better screen (although some people have problems with yellowish tint, dead pixels, ...),
far more processing power,
better cam,
WAY better internal speaker and sound quality (you can use the speaker phone with almost no distortion with high volumes),
nice look and feel (first i feared the "plastic" look, but i got used to it and like it now),
much less weight,
to name only what comes to my mind!
so if you trust me, switch to the SGS2, you won't regret it!
d19375 said:
Is the Galaxy S II worth upgrading to from a Desire HD? Other than the extra camera and the processor I don't see much of a difference. Help me out cause I'm on the fence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IT's worth it. This device...2GB ROM, 1GB RAM, 1.2Ghz Dual Core which android isn't even completely reeady for yet. The GSII won't be outdated for a long time. Yes, there are the quad cores at year end and about this time next year, but the GSII will still be able to keep up. Don't see more than 1GB RAM in a phone any time soon!
Yes upgrade .
jje
Thank you people for your replies, as I too am seriously considering the upgrade.
I have heard a lot of positive things about the speaker.
The one thing, is music quality through headphones, compared to the DHD. I listen to a lot of music and love the SRS. I use PowerAMP, and understand you can use an equalizer as well.
Your thoughts on music quality through headphones?
Much appreciated
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
muzens said:
Thank you people for your replies, as I too am seriously considering the upgrade.
I have heard a lot of positive things about the speaker.
The one thing, is music quality through headphones, compared to the DHD. I listen to a lot of music and love the SRS. I use PowerAMP, and understand you can use an equalizer as well.
Your thoughts on music quality through headphones?
Much appreciated
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The headphones fit nicer in the ear, because they're the soft rubber (circular-squidgy) style, compared to my old HTC hard earphones with only a thin layer of foam for softness.
However the quality still isn't that good, but then again I am comparing to Bose in-ear headphones which I've gotten used to over the past year.
The quality compared with my iTouch playing a song bought from iTunes, is better. I didn't think it would be but playing Poppiholla - so it's got the bass, treble and a range of different sounds, is better. Of course, the improvement is barely noticeable, but one thing I really do like, is the fact at the top right of the player there's a 5.1 surround sound button. This actually works. I could hear the sound of the song change and it sounded really good. It felt as if it were coming from behind me.
So yes, the quality of sound through ear-phones is damn impressive. I just tested it now. (also if you're playing music, you can tap the home button or unlock the screen and a small widget/console/3 buttons slide in from the top making it easy to skip, rewind/go back or pause the music)
daivik said:
The headphones fit nicer in the ear, because they're the soft rubber (circular-squidgy) style, compared to my old HTC hard earphones with only a thin layer of foam for softness.
However the quality still isn't that good, but then again I am comparing to Bose in-ear headphones which I've gotten used to over the past year.
The quality compared with my iTouch playing a song bought from iTunes, is better. I didn't think it would be but playing Poppiholla - so it's got the bass, treble and a range of different sounds, is better. Of course, the improvement is barely noticeable, but one thing I really do like, is the fact at the top right of the player there's a 5.1 surround sound button. This actually works. I could hear the sound of the song change and it sounded really good. It felt as if it were coming from behind me.
So yes, the quality of sound through ear-phones is damn impressive. I just tested it now. (also if you're playing music, you can tap the home button or unlock the screen and a small widget/console/3 buttons slide in from the top making it easy to skip, rewind/go back or pause the music)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the reply, I use a pair of Shure SE210's which I am very happy with. It was just that I had heard lots of comments about the speaker but little about the sound quality through a decent pair of head/earphones.
Thanks again
muzens said:
Thank you very much for the reply, I use a pair of Shure SE210's which I am very happy with. It was just that I had heard lots of comments about the speaker but little about the sound quality through a decent pair of head/earphones.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can say that both are good. I was streaming off my NAS Box this morning. Sound quality from it was really good. I had it below half volume and the speaker was a surprisingly good quality, and I was listening to rock (which if I tried to do the same on my Desire, would be very distorted)
Of course the loud speaker comes down to a fair bit of personal opinion, the fact that is on the back, but it's on the bottom of the back - the slightly thicker bit - which is in contact with the surface you put it on. I think it's the sound bouncing back off the surface that actually creates a good sound. Used it on a wooden table and table cloth and the sound quality was good on both.
The front facing speakers on the Nexus 10 are so much better than a speaker on the back or two speakers on the bottom edge.
I wonder how long it will take for Apple to copy and patent it then take eveyone to court for stealing their ideas.
Heh, kind of just figured the speakers to be surround (sounding the same on both front and back) but yeah after some closer checking, they do seem front-facing It is pretty awesome indeed.
Only thing is, that the speakers mainly produce sound from the top corners of the tablet, and not the entire speaker grill. Would of been awesome if it was the entire grill, but I'd imagine the tablet wouldn't be as thin as it is now. In any case though the sound is still pretty awesome.
There was also talk of VoodooSound coming to Nexus 10 at some point too, which means even more awesome
Gaugerer said:
The front facing speakers on the Nexus 10 are so much better than a speaker on the back or two speakers on the bottom edge.
I wonder how long it will take for Apple to copy and patent it then take eveyone to court for stealing their ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Should be a standard feature on tablets!
Let's not get started on Apple & their precious patents lol. I had an Apple sheep the other day tell me that Google stole Siri...lol...and that the iPhone 5 is better b/c it has panoramic photos...uuuugh
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I agree, the sound quality is very nice! Having stereo sound just makes for a richer experience. Pairing them with the screen I think should put this thing at the top when it comes to multimedia and gaming.
When you read some of the reviews from sites like the verge and Engadget, it makes you think twice about the value. But having this thing in my hands, it feels about as premium as it gets.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using xda app-developers app
Have to agree. Galaxy Note and Tab 10.1 and Nexus 10 have the industry's best speakers for a tablet because they're front mounted stereo. I won't buy crappy backfacing mono speakers like on iPads.
To achieve their (imo, minor) improved "sleekness", Apple and Asus designed their Tabs for smaller bezels and no speaker grills on front at the cost of speaker performance. Microsoft surface is the same way. They probably believe that this aesthetic aspect gives the consumer a better experience.
Now you got those people calling the N10 "ugly" without thinking about benefits they would lose to make it were prettier.If these brands continue with this mentallity, I don't see them making front facing speakers for future models, which, I believe, is not a difficult achievement.
On the other hand, it is quite smart of Apple to have their speaker the way it is. They can subject their consumers to purchasing external speakers...more revenue potential. I'm sure you've seen tons of them. All my friends with Ipad have them and they don't see it as a problem.
mi7chy said:
Have to agree. Galaxy Note and Tab 10.1 and Nexus 10 have the industry's best speakers for a tablet because they're front mounted stereo. I won't buy crappy backfacing mono speakers like on iPads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you meant the Tab 2 10.1, as the original Tab 10.1 has the speakers on the side.
CazeW said:
I think you meant the Tab 2 10.1, as the original Tab 10.1 has the speakers on the side.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, the German market Tab 10.1N was the first with the front facing speakers. Re-designed to get around the Apple "community design" sales ban of the original Tab 10.1 in Germany. But internally it was still just a Tab 10.1.
Agreed. Very impressed.
The speakers are the main reason I bought one and I'm not disappointed one bit.
Gaugerer said:
The front facing speakers on the Nexus 10 are so much better than a speaker on the back or two speakers on the bottom edge.
I wonder how long it will take for Apple to copy and patent it then take eveyone to court for stealing their ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely better than the Acer a500, or any phone I've used, but no Tablet has yet to match the freakin' HP Touchpad for sound quality or volume.
Matthileo said:
Definitely better than the Acer a500, or any phone I've used, but no Tablet has yet to match the freakin' HP Touchpad for sound quality or volume.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a touchpad and have to agree with that. The speakers on that thing were awesome
Blown 89 said:
I have a touchpad and have to agree with that. The speakers on that thing were awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol thats what you get when your tablet weigh like 2 pounds. The touchpad is so much heavier than I thought it would be.
xIC-MACIx said:
+1
Should be a standard feature on tablets!
Let's not get started on Apple & their precious patents lol. I had an Apple sheep the other day tell me that Google stole Siri...lol...and that the iPhone 5 is better b/c it has panoramic photos...uuuugh
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just show them your live wallpaper and they will shut up!
Yep, really enjoying them too. It makes so much sense on a tablet and the N10 and Note 10.1 shows great function along with form.
I do wish they were a bit louder though hehe.
Some people were saying that only sound comes from the top. I noticed in a bright light there are vents at the bottom too (but not the middle).
I covered the top vents to block the sound and you can hear it coming out the bottom ones.
Bru87tr said:
ome people were saying that only sound comes from the top. I noticed in a bright light there are vents at the bottom too (but not the middle).
I covered the top vents to block the sound and you can hear it coming out the bottom ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 10 teardowns show that the speakers are indeed at the top corners. There are no speakers at the bottom.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
True, but vented speakers release sound from the vents as well....
beamed from a Nexus 10 far, far away
jonstrong said:
True, but vented speakers release sound from the vents as well....
beamed from a Nexus 10 far, far away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
There is definitely sound coming from both ends and blocking the vent does decrease the sound. Nice way they did the speakers.
Ordering my nex 10 next week hopefully but I do have an Hp Touch pad running cm9 and yeah, I have always been blown away by the sound. If the nex 10 is close I will be happy.
One running cm9 I actually think the touch pad is pretty decent. It seems way underrated.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Okay, okay, I know we have only seen rumors so far on the note 3. But for the first time, a new phone release is right down the pipeline, and I just don't see what is going to make me upgrade. Mind you, this is coming from a phone junkie who in the last year has had the following devices(galaxy nexus, iphone 4s, galaxy s3, iphone 5, note 2).
I was just curious, what does Samsung actually have to do with the note 3 to make you give up the note 2.
For me it will be a better screen. As much as I love my Note2, it SUCKS shweddy balls trying to see the screen in sunlight. Also, I'd like to see what they're doing with the camera/sensor. I no longer lug my dedicated camera around when I go around town because the photos from the Note2 are very nice, but can be improved upon. I've heard it will have 3GB of Ram....so that's another plus.
-IR sensor
-dedicated camera button
-better screen that is visible under bright lighting
!
knewbee10 said:
-IR sensor
-dedicated camera button
-better screen that is visible under bright lighting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES! Dedicated Camera Button! I do miss that from my Motorola Days!
very true. IR, screen and camera would be nice. If those features are make or break for you then I totally understand the upgrade. It just seems to me that for the 200+ upgrade cost those features would be such a minor upgrade.
Not to mention there most likely won't be a Zerolemon battery for a little while.
If the new camera had some impressive low light capabilities, and maybe some nice front facing speakers on top of the features you both mentioned I might be able to justify it.
It just needs to come out for me to buy it.
Sent from my note 2 ya bish!
The main thing will be NOT getting shafted by Verizon again.
I want nfc and wireless charging.
Also, a screen that is easier to read in sunlight would be very nice (say what you will about PenTile displays, it is just plain beautiful how well they work in direct sunlight).
I don't want it to be over 6". At 5.5", the Note2 is already about as large as I can comfortably (and safely) carry while on the go. I might go for a 5.7" device, but 6" might actually be too much.
Other than that, I think the Note2 is about as close to perfect as a phone can get. Additional sensors would be cool though, bring us ever closer to a tricorder.
LocoRon said:
The main thing will be NOT getting shafted by Verizon again.
Right, but knowing Verizon and its track record...they're going to cram it full of bloat and disable stuff
I want nfc and wireless charging.
NFC is present in the Note2 but Wireless Charging would be awesome. I had the HTC DNA for a few days and loved just laying my phone on the charging pad...had one in the kitchen and one at my desk.
I don't want it to be over 6". At 5.5", the Note2 is already about as large as I can comfortably (and safely) carry while on the go. I might go for a 5.7" device, but 6" might actually be too much.
Maybe the Phone dimensions will stay close to what they are now....a thinner bezel could help and ramp the screen size up while the phone won't get much larger. I think it may get a tad longer but not wider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
knewbee10 said:
-IR sensor
-dedicated camera button
-better screen that is visible under bright lighting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The camera button would be nice, but what would be REALLY awesome is if I could USE THE F&%$ING STYLUS ON THE DAMNED BUTTONS!
Sorry... that drives me insane lol
The unbreakable screen that was rumored a while back would be nice as well
Morkai Almandragon said:
The camera button would be nice, but what would be REALLY awesome is if I could USE THE F&%$ING STYLUS ON THE DAMNED BUTTONS!
Sorry... that drives me insane lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That slipped my mind completely! Although using gmd spen gestures has made it convenient enough for me to perform those functions without using those buttons
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Why front facing speakers isnt standard on all phones; ill never know.
better build quality; i hate that my phone squeaks when i touch it.
s-note being much faster to load stuff.
moe bass.
6" screen; come ON. i wa sso depressed when all the rumors point to a 5.7"...=(
It depends on which of the three screen sizes Verizon is getting and how it is linked to the quality of the device. I would prefer a larger screen then I have now with 1080P. Wireless charging is preferred but I do not expect it. A custom ROM will take care of the bloatware.
1080p, brighter display, optical zoom and image stabilization, bigger battery, bigger screen, IR, front facing speakers, QI, back notification LED, projector.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
All the above and a f m radio.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
Morkai Almandragon said:
The camera button would be nice, but what would be REALLY awesome is if I could USE THE F&%$ING STYLUS ON THE DAMNED BUTTONS!
Sorry... that drives me insane lol
The unbreakable screen that was rumored a while back would be nice as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can do that with the Note 8.0, so I'd be beyond shocked if the Note 3 doesn't include that functionality.
For me, the major thing that would make me want to upgrade is big improvements on the camera front.
joshm.1219 said:
1080p, brighter display, optical zoom and image stabilization, bigger battery, bigger screen, IR, front facing speakers, QI, back notification LED, projector.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't some of those things a bit of a stretch? Like the projector perhaps?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
xXJay_RXx said:
Aren't some of those things a bit of a stretch? Like the projector perhaps?
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt most of that will be included, but it's all been in phones before besides optical zoom. 3x optical zoom has been rumored for this device.
as far as the pico projector check out the Samsung Galaxy beam!
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium 2 beta
A release date.
1. Be able to jump past Verizon's inevitable BS
2. USB DAC support for Fiio E17 (already works in Android 4.2+ anyways)
3. Wolfson audio chip
4. a.) Exynos based SoC (so none of the fragmented developer support where international versions get most of the love)
b.) Snapdragon-based SoC wouldn't have Wolfson audio, either.
5. 1080p RGB-striped display
6. Will somebody besides CM team integrate the "empty app-mounted directories" fix into the ROMs?
We were lucky with the Note 2. The hardware is the same as the international variants. RGB-striped display and Wolfson audio. Android 4.1.2 doesn't have the completely broke app-mounted directories issue so I can run CIFS. We have the lowest possible unlock thanks to Adam and others.
The Fiio E17 doesn't natively work without the USB Audio Recorder Pro app, but that isn't as big of a deal since the Note II already has the Wolfson DAC.
Camera is huge. If it's better I may bite. The N2 camera is good but man it could be much better.
Having paid a lot of money for a high end device this Sony has some very annoying issues I would of thought Sony could have resolved before sale or after a quick update! Which I'm still waiting for 2 weeks later.....
Auto backlight does not adjust
Adaptive light and optimised backlight does not work. It does not dim or brighten with changing light conditions.
It's more than annoying having to adjust the brightness yourself.
If one or the other is selected or not selected and you restart your device it will get stuck in a loop and not turn back on.
The speakers both suck. Volume quality is terrible on calls and quality of music produced from speaker is even worse!
But the headset quality and volume is outstanding I give them that.
The camera sucks too...
Spending the sort of money and expecting high standards it knocks my confidence in Sony as a maker of phones. And angers me even more they have not fiXed these things yet with updates. Don't they care or don't they have a clue how to fix them?
My other issue is the the phantom/random clicking...
I can get by the other issues but this random clicking may eventually cause me to return it...
qazzi76 said:
My other issue is the the phantom/random clicking...
I can get by the other issues but this random clicking may eventually cause me to return it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony sucks goatballs if they not can fix ghost clicking sometime my phone has it own Life
sell your device and buy HTC One max.
Found a video of the random clicking I'm also experiencing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBD49ogR8c0
qazzi76 said:
My other issue is the the phantom/random clicking...
I can get by the other issues but this random clicking may eventually cause me to return it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM10.2 is the solution to almost all of these problems... or wait for a sony update..
- sound quality. You can't expect a waterproof speak/mic to be as loud and receptive as other devices. There is a waterproof membrane covering these, so of course they wont be as good as non water proof devices.
- camera. But surely you knew 8mp camera wasn't going to be as good as a 13mp camera.. or even the Z1 21mp camera... I find the 8Mp camera adequate... of course would rather have a better camera, but not at the expense of a fatter device...
like @avetny said... If you wanted a different device then sell and move on
Speaker does not suck. It's very clear. Not that loud, but it's waterproof. How many other phone speakers can make that claim? And anyway, this is only my personal opinion, but you've purchased a high-end device--just bite the bullet and get a great quality headset to go with it. A good Bluetooth headset will sound better than any phone speakers anyway, as well as allow you to make hands-free calls, something that suddenly becomes very important with the Z Ultra. IMO, the phone's speaker is only for notification sounds, and maybe occasionally sharing a video or song with a friend.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using xda app-developers app
AntiLazarus said:
Speaker does not suck. It's very clear. Not that loud, but it's waterproof. How many other phone speakers can make that claim? And anyway, this is only my personal opinion, but you've purchased a high-end device--just bite the bullet and get a great quality headset to go with it. A good Bluetooth headset will sound better than any phone speakers anyway, as well as allow you to make hands-free calls, something that suddenly becomes very important with the Z Ultra. IMO, the phone's speaker is only for notification sounds, and maybe occasionally sharing a video or song with a friend.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
couldn't agree more
AntiLazarus said:
Speaker does not suck. It's very clear. Not that loud, but it's waterproof. How many other phone speakers can make that claim? And anyway, this is only my personal opinion, but you've purchased a high-end device--just bite the bullet and get a great quality headset to go with it. A good Bluetooth headset will sound better than any phone speakers anyway, as well as allow you to make hands-free calls, something that suddenly becomes very important with the Z Ultra. IMO, the phone's speaker is only for notification sounds, and maybe occasionally sharing a video or song with a friend.
Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea. i didnt expect the speaker to be any good except for small stuff or quick videos. i actually picked up the SBH20 for pretty cheap from a sony hook up while im waiting for the SBH52 to be released here in the USA. for the price, it works like charm.
This is really weird all you say, me I only have a problem with the adapt and optimized.
The camera is the best I had on a phone so far, just need to not use automatic mode and use my head. And since .532 system files update, noise on low luminosity and the jpeg artifact has been grandly improved. But I believe that all reviews about the phone told photo quality was poor in auto mode so I am surprise you can be disappointed by that.
Ghost clicking? Only got it with wet or dirty hands. But I don't remember ever used a phone with wet hands before this one, certainly because I could damaged them.
But I have the feeling since the beginning I see you on this forum, you don't even own a XZU and just made a compilation of problems some people posted on the forum.
Envoyé depuis mon C6802 avec xda premium 4
In future OP I'd suggest you read/watch some reviews of the products you intend to buy as you would then be a lot better educated on what to expect from your devices.
bASKOU said:
This is really weird all you say, me I only have a problem with the adapt and optimized.
The camera is the best I had on a phone so far, just need to not use automatic mode and use my head. And since .532 system files update, noise on low luminosity and the jpeg artifact has been grandly improved. But I believe that all reviews about the phone told photo quality was poor in auto mode so I am surprise you can be disappointed by that.
Ghost clicking? Only got it with wet or dirty hands. But I don't remember ever used a phone with wet hands before this one, certainly because I could damaged them.
But I have the feeling since the beginning I see you on this forum, you don't even own a XZU and just made a compilation of problems some people posted on the forum.
Envoyé depuis mon C6802 avec xda premium 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently bought an app called "Camera CV-5" on the Play store after a member here (forget who) recommended it, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the pictures it takes, even on full auto mode. Especially for a device with a "bad camera." Sony makes good sensors.
AntiLazarus said:
I recently bought an app called "Camera CV-5" on the Play store after a member here (forget who) recommended it, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the pictures it takes, even on full auto mode. Especially for a device with a "bad camera." Sony makes good sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the sensor is really good. Just a shame Sony mess up with the auto mode of the stock camera and the ISO management. Can get good result in manual (from 100 to 400 ISO cause at 800 and more the result is not good) and when in low light can use scene HDR backlight mode. Not really want to pay for a camera app.
Envoyé depuis mon C6802 avec xda premium 4
AntiLazarus said:
I recently bought an app called "Camera CV-5" on the Play store after a member here (forget who) recommended it, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with the pictures it takes, even on full auto mode. Especially for a device with a "bad camera." Sony makes good sensors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is camara CV-5 or FV-5?
And how do you configurated it?
The ghost clicking happens to me if I'm using the phone while it's connected to the PC via USB. It's not a problem specific to ZU 'cause it also happened on my Note II if connected to a PC. Sometimes, sweat and water on the screen are also the cause.
natispain said:
Is camara CV-5 or FV-5?
And how do you configurated it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops, you're right, it's FV-5. I don't know much about camera settings, so I basically just put it in auto mode, I just choose the output type as high-quality JPEG.
numbnutsuk said:
Auto backlight does not adjust
Adaptive light and optimised backlight does not work. It does not dim or brighten with changing light conditions.
It's more than annoying having to adjust the brightness yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry and never mind if it is irrelevant, but I also used to think that the auto adapt was not working.
But under usual circumstances, it is very hard to detect. At least for me, this was the case anyway.
Under settings > brightness I have the slider bar set to just a notch above dimmest, in order to increase battery life.
I found out 2 ways that it is indeed functioning.
I was under a counter at a bar the other day where there was very bright LED spotlight. When I walked away while browsing into the unlit area, I saw the screen dim. In over a month's use, this is the first time I noticed this active screen brightness adjustment (due to this extreme circumstance)
I happened to look in GSAM battery monitor and under screen, where all my power consumption was normally in ''DARK'' category, I found some usage under DIM and MEDIUM as well.
Thinking about it, in over a months use, not once did I find it difficult to see the screen because of the Dimness. But unlike my other previous phones, I never saw an exaggerated adjustment to lighting conditions. So it has been doing its job adequately, and in retrospect, effectively to make the screen lit 'just' bright enough....
I actually find the camera quality to be OK and am pretty impressed with the superior auto mode. I'm coming from using a HTC One X which has a pretty good camera too and I don't have much of an issue with the Z Ultra's camera. Sure it doesn't have a flash but flash generally makes your photos look **** anyway - I rarely used flash on my One X if I could avoid it.
my biggest issue now is the sucking balls camera
compared it to my same 8M iphone4s and galaxynote ,, i was aghast at how horrible it is that at first i even doubted it was a defective one,,,
anyone, just try to shoot a book page and compare it to anyother 8M phone,, it REALLY SUCKS
KonW said:
my biggest issue now is the sucking balls camera
compared it to my same 8M iphone4s and galaxynote ,, i was aghast at how horrible it is that at first i even doubted it was a defective one,,,
anyone, just try to shoot a book page and compare it to anyother 8M phone,, it REALLY SUCKS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with the stock sony camera app yep it sucks, but with another app the camera is pretty much as good as the iphone 4s I had back in the days
I'm debating to move to the Z2 and I would very much appreciate any feedback from Z2 owners who have experience with the Note 3.
I am looking at the sound quality of the noise reduction in the headphones and the camera, which are two of the primary draws for me.
How does the sound and camera and overall speed compare in real world use?
donalgodon said:
I'm debating to move to the Z2 and I would very much appreciate any feedback from Z2 owners who have experience with the Note 3.
I am looking at the sound quality of the noise reduction in the headphones and the camera, which are two of the primary draws for me.
How does the sound and camera and overall speed compare in real world use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Former Note 3 user here! In a nutshell, the Z2 is better.
Read my full honest review here - https://www.dropbox.com/s/mpxhmrbqc7dy6nk/Xperia Z2 FULL Review.txt
stanley08 said:
Former Note 3 user here! In a nutshell, the Z2 is better.
Read my full honest review here - https://www.dropbox.com/s/mpxhmrbqc7dy6nk/Xperia Z2 FULL Review.txt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response.
Does the 20.7 MP superior auto hack reduce the quality of the shots over the standard 8MP size superior auto mode?
Those gaps you mentioned in the review have me worried. I would have thought Sony would have that worked out by now, after the Z1 had the same problems.
How can anyone trust the water resistance like this?
stanley08 said:
Former Note 3 user here! In a nutshell, the Z2 is better.
Read my full honest review here - https://www.dropbox.com/s/mpxhmrbqc7dy6nk/Xperia Z2 FULL Review.txt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be picking this phone up tommorow, have you noticed any serious over-heating or 4K camera recording issues? i.e phone random rebooting while recording video?
I was a former note 3 user and moved on to Z2.
A lot better software stability. More premium design and better handling regarding the smaller size compared to note 3. Unique amongst all samsung users. Waterproof mania and I've been using phones under water since xperia z. People informing they used it even with gaps and it's safe. Any pen stylus can be used and there is one made for sony (sony stylus es22). Camera is outstanding. 4k download is fun. Noise reduction is real. No need for opening flaps as magnetic charging does the job. Sound quality is really good inspite of the waterproof design. Only missing the IR blaster.
Overall u will never regret the switch!
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
sevoflurane said:
I was a former note 3 user and moved on to Z2.
A lot better software stability. More premium design and better handling regarding the smaller size compared to note 3. Unique amongst all samsung users. Waterproof mania and I've been using phones under water since xperia z. People informing they used it even with gaps and it's safe. Any pen stylus can be used and there is one made for sony (sony stylus es22). Camera is outstanding. 4k download is fun. Noise reduction is real. No need for opening flaps as magnetic charging does the job. Sound quality is really good inspite of the waterproof design. Only missing the IR blaster.
Overall u will never regret the switch!
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea I have both devices at the moment I will play around with both to see what I like most. but I think I will take the sony z2 over the note 3. The screen on the z2 is a lot better then the note 3 the colours are much better. The note 3 is a good phone but the z2 wins on a few more things then the note. As for the gaps tho on the z2 it is true you do get them I had to go through 3 of them before I got one with out gaps. But im very happy with it. And it is still waterproof even with gaps. But when paying 900 for a phone I do not expect there to be gaps between the frame and screen. Some people will be fine with it and some will not. But I can honestly say out of all the other phones I have had they have never had gaps between the frame and screen
donalgodon said:
TThose gaps you mentioned in the review have me worried. I would have thought Sony would have that worked out by now, after the Z1 had the same problems.
How can anyone trust the water resistance like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of people with gaps of different sizes (including me) have taken the bullet and tested the waterproofing of the phone and we have all concluded that no gap has ever compromised the waterproofing. I've yet to see a report of someone saying the gap compromises the waterproofing of the phone. This is probably due to the construction of the phone as the plastic injection molding goes deeper into the phone and then sandwhiched by the glass.
christoph_2013 said:
I will be picking this phone up tommorow, have you noticed any serious over-heating or 4K camera recording issues? i.e phone random rebooting while recording video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally have experienced over-heating only when recording 4k video for longer than 7 minutes. I think for most, if not all, of the over-heating cases the camera app just shuts off. I don't think anybody's phone ever rebooted due to over-heating from recording 4k.
christoph_2013 said:
I will be picking this phone up tommorow, have you noticed any serious over-heating or 4K camera recording issues? i.e phone random rebooting while recording video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not tried 4K recording, because i know i don't need it. But TBH, i never use my Video recorder really. Lol.
sevoflurane said:
I was a former note 3 user and moved on to Z2.
A lot better software stability. More premium design and better handling regarding the smaller size compared to note 3. Unique amongst all samsung users. Waterproof mania and I've been using phones under water since xperia z. People informing they used it even with gaps and it's safe. Any pen stylus can be used and there is one made for sony (sony stylus es22). Camera is outstanding. 4k download is fun. Noise reduction is real. No need for opening flaps as magnetic charging does the job. Sound quality is really good inspite of the waterproof design. Only missing the IR blaster.
Overall u will never regret the switch!
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very well said. IR blaster would have been nice. But oh well!
donalgodon said:
Thanks for the response.
Does the 20.7 MP superior auto hack reduce the quality of the shots over the standard 8MP size superior auto mode?
Those gaps you mentioned in the review have me worried. I would have thought Sony would have that worked out by now, after the Z1 had the same problems.
How can anyone trust the water resistance like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't tested this mod excessively but i believe it would be noisy. Will tell u when i test. And AFAIK, water resistance is ok even with gaps.
donalgodon said:
I'm debating to move to the Z2 and I would very much appreciate any feedback from Z2 owners who have experience with the Note 3.
I am looking at the sound quality of the noise reduction in the headphones and the camera, which are two of the primary draws for me.
How does the sound and camera and overall speed compare in real world use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a former Note 3 user - Also reviews would differ depending on the Note 3 variant used.
I have used N9005 LTE and I wont say switch is great. Handset is having lots of issues as discussed by users worldwide. Software crashes which is a common problem and thats the reason Sony till date has real poor reviews for the same. Phone is surely bulky and heavy compared to Note 3. Battery life is pretty much equivalent so no dramas there. Note 3 never heats (N9005 only) even with an hour of game play - Z2 surely does with 5 min camera usage too. Sound Output of Note 3 is way louder compared to Z2. Camera Z2 has a real good one No doubts about that. Build Quality also is pretty superb.
Sent from my D6502 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
donalgodon said:
I'm debating to move to the Z2 and I would very much appreciate any feedback from Z2 owners who have experience with the Note 3.
I am looking at the sound quality of the noise reduction in the headphones and the camera, which are two of the primary draws for me.
How does the sound and camera and overall speed compare in real world use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I owned the Note 3. Bitterly disappointed with it despite its being a very able mobile. It just didn't work for me. In terms of camera, cant help not my area of expertise. Now sound reproduction is another matter.
In terms of portable sound reproduction Sony started the ball rolling with their Walkmans decades ago. The quality of sound reproduction on most Sony mobile devices is above average to top quality IF one uses dedicated head phones. Here we go..........Headphones or speakers can only reproduce what the amplifier amplifies so the source and amplification are vital. Sony is a leading manufacturer in this area in terms of mobile sourcing and amplification, they have many years of experience and have more or less pioneered portable sound. To this end what we have in the Xperia range is very good amplification and when used with a hi-fidelity headphone those phones are able to take full advantage of the excellent source.
The Xperia Z2 comes with the Sony MDR-NC31EM noise cancelling head phones I am listening to them as I type this and yes they are more accomplished than the stock headphones bundled in most mobiles, better by far BUT..........There are far better still. I am not keen on ear bud type head phones. I prefer an over the ear 'open back' headphone like the Sennheiser PX-100-11. They simply amaze every time I use them and have become a reference point in reviewing other headphones despite their meagre price of around 40.00€ :good:
.
In terms of the ear bud type the Sennheiser CX-300-11 make the Sony ear buds sound amateur. Now if you can afford say 80.00€ the AKG K452 are designed for Android devices and are based on the award winning 450 and 451's They are also portable and come with their own carry case, they are closed back and not ear buds. The AKG can reproduce frequencies between 11-29500Hz, that's from very low base to very high treble! In comparison the Sony MDR's only manage 20-20000Hz meaning they cannot produce the full spectrum of sound frequencies the Z2 is capable off. I am generally not a fan of Sony headphones.
Please do accept that the type of sound you enjoy will not be the same as others. There are numerous brands of head phone and you are bound to find one that you enjoy. Main point is here the Samsung you mention on headphones produced a very decent sound BUT the Sony does produce a greater band width and more open stage to the music. As for the speakers or speaker on the phones themselves, neither are worth even listening to, having written that the Sony again leaves the Sammy dead in the water.
I hope I have been of some small help to you?
Best wishes, Ryland
Well I went the other way, in that I bought a Z2 and gave it up for a Note 3. I will echo what everyone else is saying, the Z2 makes a mockery of the Note's sound, especially with those bundles headphones. Nothing I do to the Note will bring the audio close to the Z2's, I'd be very interested to hear from a Note user that managed to make good on the Note's audio.
The Z2's screen is better but I wouldn't say to a degree that I wouldn't let it impact on the decision to pick it up. We're talking about a significantly smaller screen with that damn navigation bar in place of the buttons. The camera on the Z2 is where it really shines for me. Photos and videos are simply phenomenal. If this matters to you then it's a no-brainer seriously.
It really depends if you're like me and stuck in your ways. I use the Note for work and constantly using the S-Pen for drawing layouts and switching to calculator, I also like my physical buttons. It didn't take me long to switch back for those reasons but I really struggled with the decision to give the Z2 to my girlfriend due to the quality of the audio and video/photo capture. The Z2 is a solid handset it just depends what you want to use it for I guess.
Karnax_ said:
Well I went the other way, in that I bought a Z2 and gave it up for a Note 3. I will echo what everyone else is saying, the Z2 makes a mockery of the Note's sound, especially with those bundles headphones. Nothing I do to the Note will bring the audio close to the Z2's, I'd be very interested to hear from a Note user that managed to make good on the Note's audio.
The Z2's screen is better but I wouldn't say to a degree that I wouldn't let it impact on the decision to pick it up. We're talking about a significantly smaller screen with that damn navigation bar in place of the buttons. The camera on the Z2 is where it really shines for me. Photos and videos are simply phenomenal. If this matters to you then it's a no-brainer seriously.
It really depends if you're like me and stuck in your ways. I use the Note for work and constantly using the S-Pen for drawing layouts and switching to calculator, I also like my physical buttons. It didn't take me long to switch back for those reasons but I really struggled with the decision to give the Z2 to my girlfriend due to the quality of the audio and video/photo capture. The Z2 is a solid handset it just depends what you want to use it for I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. It depends on ones prioritise and what one does with the mobile.
I was disappointed with the Note 3. My own fault, I made a pre sale purchase and was the first customer in this country to own one. What horrified me about the Note 3 was the plastic leather back with plastic stitching then the plastic chrome sides. No way could I live with the feel of that mobile despite its many other qualities.
Music is important to me and the Samsung on this occasion was awful. The original cost was 1100€ for the Sammy and the Gear watch. With that sort of outlay I expected better materials and construction than the Sammy offered.
If you need the S-pen the Sammy Note is THE phone to own. In that respect its rather unique.
I think when we purchase something we are going to use and hold every day we need to feel pride of ownership and with those plastics made to look like other materials no way could I stomach it. Maybe if the Note 4 is made from decent high end materials I would take another look at the Samsung range BUT as music is important to me it sort of rules out the present Samsung range.
Its great to have all this choice though :highfive: .
Ryland
Ryland Johnson said:
I owned the Note 3. Bitterly disappointed with it despite its being a very able mobile. It just didn't work for me. In terms of camera, cant help not my area of expertise. Now sound reproduction is another matter.
In terms of portable sound reproduction Sony started the ball rolling with their Walkmans decades ago. The quality of sound reproduction on most Sony mobile devices is above average to top quality IF one uses dedicated head phones. Here we go..........Headphones or speakers can only reproduce what the amplifier amplifies so the source and amplification are vital. Sony is a leading manufacturer in this area in terms of mobile sourcing and amplification, they have many years of experience and have more or less pioneered portable sound. To this end what we have in the Xperia range is very good amplification and when used with a hi-fidelity headphone those phones are able to take full advantage of the excellent source.
The Xperia Z2 comes with the Sony MDR-NC31EM noise cancelling head phones I am listening to them as I type this and yes they are more accomplished than the stock headphones bundled in most mobiles, better by far BUT..........There are far better still. I am not keen on ear bud type head phones. I prefer an over the ear 'open back' headphone like the Sennheiser PX-100-11. They simply amaze every time I use them and have become a reference point in reviewing other headphones despite their meagre price of around 40.00€ :good:
.
In terms of the ear bud type the Sennheiser CX-300-11 make the Sony ear buds sound amateur. Now if you can afford say 80.00€ the AKG K452 are designed for Android devices and are based on the award winning 450 and 451's They are also portable and come with their own carry case, they are closed back and not ear buds. The AKG can reproduce frequencies between 11-29500Hz, that's from very low base to very high treble! In comparison the Sony MDR's only manage 20-20000Hz meaning they cannot produce the full spectrum of sound frequencies the Z2 is capable off. I am generally not a fan of Sony headphones.
Please do accept that the type of sound you enjoy will not be the same as others. There are numerous brands of head phone and you are bound to find one that you enjoy. Main point is here the Samsung you mention on headphones produced a very decent sound BUT the Sony does produce a greater band width and more open stage to the music. As for the speakers or speaker on the phones themselves, neither are worth even listening to, having written that the Sony again leaves the Sammy dead in the water.
I hope I have been of some small help to you?
Best wishes, Ryland
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful indeed. My question is this: Sennheiser CX-300-11 does not allow the noise cancelling features built into the device to function, but how do they compare in terms of noise reduction/isolation on their own?
The others are out of my price range at the moment, but the Sennheiser CX-300-11 might get me by.
donalgodon said:
Very helpful indeed. My question is this: Sennheiser CX-300-11 does not allow the noise cancelling features built into the device to function, but how do they compare in terms of noise reduction/isolation on their own?
The others are out of my price range at the moment, but the Sennheiser CX-300-11 might get me by.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me put is this way. When my dear to my heart wife starts to tell me off..............I just pop those in and its bliss.
They come with several sizes of rubber ear bud. When they are in the ear you cannot hear a word outside.
Noise cancelling is not always a good thing. This means the source of the music is not pure. The less distortion your music has the more natural the sound. Processing the sound, as in noise cancelation, is not something I would consider its much like the use of graphic equalisers they just made a mess of the original sound. Sony produce a very good source so I would not want it processed.
The Sennheiser is a very respectable head phone and through me many of my friends and family now own them. I fail to see how one could go wrong with an ear bud that price? I think you will be rather surprised. :highfive:
Let me know what you decide to do.
Ryland
Ryland Johnson said:
Let me put is this way. When my dear to my heart wife starts to tell me off..............I just pop those in and its bliss.
They come with several sizes of rubber ear bud. When they are in the ear you cannot hear a word outside.
Noise cancelling is not always a good thing. This means the source of the music is not pure. The less distortion your music has the more natural the sound. Processing the sound, as in noise cancelation, is not something I would consider its much like the use of graphic equalisers they just made a mess of the original sound. Sony produce a very good source so I would not want it processed.
The Sennheiser is a very respectable head phone and through me many of my friends and family now own them. I fail to see how one could go wrong with an ear bud that price? I think you will be rather surprised. :highfive:
Let me know what you decide to do.
Ryland
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'll go for the Sennheiser CX-300-11 because it seems like a great option for me. I would prefer buds for portability. I wasn't aware of the model, but I do know and trust the brand.
How sensitive are they? I mean, can they be driven properly by the Note 3's sound hardware for the meantime while I decide what device (if any) to replace it with?
I'm torn between the LG G3, G Pro 2, or the OnePlus One, but the latter is not available without invite, and the former are rather expensive Korean imports at the moment.
I went from the Note 3 to the HTC One M8 (for a few days) to the Xperia Z2 and couldn't be happier. I feel it's a huge upgrade for me, notably not having to deal with TouchWiz. Sony's Android UI is far nicer in my opinion. Battery life seems to be better than my Note 3 as well.
I came from the Note 2, but have used my friends' Note 3's extensively. Phone is really nice, the build quality, responsiveness, battery life, and stability are all nice. I did have a problem with my GPS in that it couldn't find my location once but restarting the phone fixed it. However, I will point out that the Note 2 and 3 are better for two handed texting, and the Z2 is great for 1 handed swyping. The speaker phone, because of the water proofing, is quieter and not as clear on the note 2, but has comparable quality to the note 3 speaker (although note 3 is louder). Z2 does get points for front facing speakers though, but flipping the note 2 face down while on speaker gave both parties better results.
Using the Neutron music app, (disgusting UI, but the BEST in sound quality) I found that the note 2 has better sound quality. There is a slight background noise, but that is diminished with moderate volume. Through hi-fi headphones, the note 2 has a better lows, the bass hits harder, with no bleed into the mid or high range. The Z2 has a bit of a bright but overall balanced sound. If you are a basshead then the note 2 is more preferable/fun to listen to but the Z2 is cleaner.
As for the UI, Sony has done a great job with keeping everything simple and clean. It's fast, responsive, and I have had no problems with lagging or hang ups. However, Samsung gives you more customization and even though it feels bloated some times, it lets me do what I need quickly and easily. Like changing the vibration intensity, blocking calls with acceptations, changing brightness in the notification area w/o going to the second tab, tapping the brightness icon, and then changing it. Stock Sony is limited, like stock Android.
Notification light under the speaker is sweet, I just wish it could be a little brighter/customizable. Screen is smaller and easier to reach across, but is lightly mitigated by the bezel size and ergonomics. The blacks are REALLY good for an IPS screen, and I don't notice much of a difference from the true blacks on the AMOLED screen, the colors are accurate yet still vibrant, which is great. The one thing lacking on the Sony screen is the viewing angles, which are OK and the screen is kinda reflective, but I can still see if I max the brightness under the brightest day.