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Ok dudes, Sony announced that the ICS upgrade may not be a good idea regarding device performance.
I know that I will not update my phone, since I don't see any use for it. Already tried ICS on transformer, and didn't see much reason to risk any performance issues.
Feel free to write your own opinion.
I don't mind the thing regarding device performance or its effect on the battery since I do not use the phone for gaming or something; just browsing/sms/calls/music/videos&photo and it lasts 24hours or more *am currently satisfied and using stock with no tweaks*. I like to try something new
i will try ICS
I will surely update to ICS as the web browsing is better in it and i mainly use it for calling and browsing
Performance issues are made up by sony. the miniCMsandwhich by Kamarush is running really well, everything is buttery smooth. and battery is really ok, too.
so if sony would put some serious effort into ICS, I'm sure they could make it run, I think they just look for an excuse to sell new phones and not put any effort in old phones.
although it doesn't look like sony will make a new keyboard-phone, at least i haven't read about any.
Kira.Lawliet said:
I don't mind the thing regarding device performance or its effect on the battery since I do not use the phone for gaming or something; just browsing/sms/calls/music/videos&photo and it lasts 24hours or more *am currently satisfied and using stock with no tweaks*. I like to try something new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
am using mini pro buddy but my battery doesnt last upto dat... if i should browse heavily on it, it wont last up 4-5hours!!! but music playing is ok. sometimes my battery drops without usage.
am gonna update for sure... love ICS!
Sure gonna try it.... But can anyone tell if sony releases official ics..... Then our devs will be abe to solve most of the present bugs ?!
Sent from my WT19i using XDA
You'll never know, if you don't try... if we can revert to ginger then it's not a problem..
batman368 said:
Performance issues are made up by sony. the miniCMsandwhich by Kamarush is running really well, everything is buttery smooth. and battery is really ok, too.
so if sony would put some serious effort into ICS, I'm sure they could make it run, I think they just look for an excuse to sell new phones and not put any effort in old phones.
although it doesn't look like sony will make a new keyboard-phone, at least i haven't read about any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know something about development at least? Sony has to put all the Timescape and xperia interface to it and stuff, Thats the main problem, is not just a clean rom.
Sent from my SK17a using xda premium
batman368 said:
Performance issues are made up by sony. the miniCMsandwhich by Kamarush is running really well, everything is buttery smooth. and battery is really ok, too.
so if sony would put some serious effort into ICS, I'm sure they could make it run, I think they just look for an excuse to sell new phones and not put any effort in old phones.
although it doesn't look like sony will make a new keyboard-phone, at least i haven't read about any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not mean that sony has excellent or worse devs, they have to integrate other things like their xperia facebook sharing and other stuffs possibly including another new drm feature *yes it is minor* but they also have to ensure that it will be stable and good on our phone; remember ICS was built and designed for a powerful phone so it will take a while to port it to our phones; i.e. bugfree, stable and easy on battery.
There is already a thread with the same type of discussion...
As I said on that particular thread, all current ICS users (kamarush,exMIUI,CM9), what is your battery drain %/hour? Because mine with Spartan Rom is around 0,5%/hour with 2g only active, and in deep sleep mode.
IF Sony's 4.0 manages to have that sort of battery drain I will update. Until then, GB is more than enough for me.
ChavitoArg said:
Do you know something about development at least? Sony has to put all the Timescape and xperia interface to it and stuff, Thats the main problem, is not just a clean rom.
Sent from my SK17a using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just heard that the official ICS update is postponed again, mid april for the first few 2011 xperias, mini and mini pro coming later, like end of may to mid june:
http://blogs.sonymobile.com/products/2012/03/30/the-vans-around-the-corner-android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-software-upgrade-coming-to-2011-xperia-smartphones-starting-from-mid-april/
I can see it's tough to put all those things in a ROM, and I agree on the longer testing period. At least Sony does release updates, we should be happy we don't have a SGS
mid Aprils is NOW!
Haven't seen anything about a released version for the Arc S yet, but it should be just around the corner. Let's see if Sony keeps the revised schedule.
I will update my SK17i as soon as there is a final ICS available. Let's see if it will be CM or Sony ;-)
Tested CM9 (RC0, 115) already and it looks promising. The BT media issue made me switch back to stock for now.
Alex
alexander.kilian said:
Haven't seen anything about a released version for the Arc S yet, but it should be just around the corner. Let's see if Sony keeps the revised schedule.
I will update my SK17i as soon as there is a final ICS available. Let's see if it will be CM or Sony ;-)
Tested CM9 (RC0, 115) already and it looks promising. The BT media issue made me switch back to stock for now.
Alex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if Sony dont want to update to ICS our xperia 2011 for low end device such as xperia mini/pro, live for walkman etc. Why dont they just make it open source for our device just like beta for Play or Ray? They afraid they will lost customer but they already lost many customer. Thats why they use promotion for new device but same performance. Stupid strategies.
Xperia Mini and others are not low-end devices. First, specs are higher than some devices. Second, these phones are inside same as Arc, Ray, Neo. Chipset is the same. That means if ray gets ICS, then others can have it also.
Sent from my WT19i using xda premium
OK, so I bought an Xperia Z Ultra a few days ago, and I ensured it was a unlockable device, after owning all my previous Xperia phones unlocked.
The main reason I was unlocking before on my previous Z, S and T was because battery savings, meaning custom kernel undervolting, and several battery friendly moded stock kernel options. And of course, some easy rooting, mainly for changing the ugly high dpi the Z has, and have some real screen state, not big clunky icons, fonts and stuff on a 5" display.
I never been attracted to CM and or PAC for that matter either, because they break too many things to even consider them my daily drivers IMHO, and with the arrival of the Snapdragon 800 chipsets speed is never an issue, unlike before on weak handsets like S and X10 on which a custom rom did wonders for the performance.
On the Z Ultra, on the other hand, battery life is proving itself to be outstanding, way more than I expected it to be, as I was afraid the 3000mah battery wasn't gonna cut it due to screen to battery size ratio. Standard dpi is also excellent, alongside kit kat performace. Also, having a quick look on the development section, there isn't too much going on, unlike the Z, I can't seem to find a completely stock kernel that has just undervolting and some recovery options, heck, I don't recall there being a stock based kernel at all.
So, what's your main reason for unlocking this precise device?
Also, how the battery life on stock rom compares to Google Play edition?
DrKrFfXx said:
OK, so I bought an Xperia Z Ultra a few days ago, and I ensured it was a unlockable device, after owning all my previous Xperia phones unlocked.
The main reason I was unlocking before on my previous Z, S and T was because battery savings, meaning custom kernel undervolting, and several battery friendly moded stock kernel options. And of course, some easy rooting, mainly for changing the ugly high dpi the Z has, and have some real screen state, not big clunky icons, fonts and stuff on a 5" display.
I never been attracted to CM and or PAC for that matter either, because they break too many things to even consider them my daily drivers IMHO, and with the arrival of the Snapdragon 800 chipsets speed is never an issue, unlike before on weak handsets like S and X10 on which a custom rom did wonders for the performance.
On the Z Ultra, on the other hand, battery life is proving itself to be outstanding, way more than I expected it to be, as I was afraid the 3000mah battery wasn't gonna cut it due to screen to battery size ratio. Standard dpi is also excellent, alongside kit kat performace. Also, having a quick look on the development section, there isn't too much going on, unlike the Z, I can't seem to find a completely stock kernel that has just undervolting and some recovery options, heck, I don't recall there being a stock based kernel at all.
So, what's your main reason for unlocking this precise device?
Also, how the battery life on stock rom compares to Google Play edition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only need to unlock bootloader is to install the custom room set or custom kernel, but I'm like you and find the stock Sony experience ticks all the boxes I'm interested in. They've done a great job with the stock rom.
Guess the main appeal is for the gpe build.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
SpyderTracks said:
The only need to unlock bootloader is to install the custom room set or custom kernel, but I'm like you and find the stock Sony experience ticks all the boxes I'm interested in. They've done a great job with the stock rom.
Guess the main appeal is for the gpe build.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its funny you guys are trying to get the gee rom and I'm trying to get away from it.
So, what's your main reason for unlocking this precise device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes rooting incredible easy. Are you on KitKat? Just flash Jackie's kernel and flash SuperSU. Done. I also like to change ROMs and environments once in awhile, so i typically flash between stock and the GPe ROM, which brings me to....
Also, how the battery life on stock rom compares to Google Play edition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's quite good actually. The GPe ROM doesn't have Stamina, so you have to be a little careful with IM services and stuff like that, but it's not bad at all.
canarycny said:
its funny you guys are trying to get the gee rom and I'm trying to get away from it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the thing with "Nexus'" (Nexi?). Want a different ROM environment? Too bad. You're stuck with AOSP. Got the original Ultra? You got two environments to choose from. Stock Sony and AOSP, so when you get bored with one of them, you can easily swap. That's one thing that's scarying me away from the Nexus-line. And we also have the GPe version which means that the GPe will get 4.5/5.0 early, and we'll be able to just flash it (after some minor modifications).
I guess it's possible to get a Sony ROM running on the GPe version, but there aren't that many devs around here, so stuff like that will take a fair bit of time. Just hang in there though!
LordManhattan said:
It makes rooting incredible easy. Are you on KitKat? Just flash Jackie's kernel and flash SuperSU. Done. I also like to change ROMs and environments once in awhile, so i typically flash between stock and the GPe ROM, which brings me to....
It's quite good actually. The GPe ROM doesn't have Stamina, so you have to be a little careful with IM services and stuff like that, but it's not bad at all.
That's the thing with "Nexus'" (Nexi?). Want a different ROM environment? Too bad. You're stuck with AOSP. Got the original Ultra? You got two environments to choose from. Stock Sony and AOSP, so when you get bored with one of them, you can easily swap. That's one thing that's scarying me away from the Nexus-line. And we also have the GPe version which means that the GPe will get 4.5/5.0 early, and we'll be able to just flash it (after some minor modifications).
I guess it's possible to get a Sony ROM running on the GPe version, but there aren't that many devs around here, so stuff like that will take a fair bit of time. Just hang in there though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i more or less want the xperia apps and i've already bricked one gee trying to root so i won't be trying again until theres a dummy guide for myself. unfortunately googles choices for media suck and i feel like the xperia integration will work a lot better for me.
canarycny said:
i more or less want the xperia apps and i've already bricked one gee trying to root so i won't be trying again until theres a dummy guide for myself. unfortunately googles choices for media suck and i feel like the xperia integration will work a lot better for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's a lot easier. The Sony KitKat apps are all over the place her at XDA, so just find and install them. I did it myself when I ran the GPe ROM and it worked just fine. You may have to adjust the DPI, but that's not an issue.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
Well that's a lot easier. The Sony KitKat apps are all over the place her at XDA, so just find and install them. I did it myself when I ran the GPe ROM and it worked just fine. You may have to adjust the DPI, but that's not an issue.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough I've found a few and also a few that won't install I've looked for a stock camera apk and a few others I couldn't get to install without root.
I doubt the camera will work, but Album, Movies, Walkman and all those works fine (or so they should)
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
I doubt the camera will work, but Album, Movies, Walkman and all those works fine (or so they should)
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea couldn't find a camera apk but I do have the others but did have to find an older movies apk that would actually work. My situation is that I was looking forward to trying xperia out but also wanted the 6806 model but came across a great deal for the gpe and forgot that it wouldn't have xperia on it.
Hi all,
just jumped from my Mega 6.3 to ZU, and it's been ages I've had a sony device (Arc, I think ), but the price I found it at was just too good to pass.
Now, I've been reading the various threads about downgrading FW then up again, and so on...
I have to say I am usually not afraid of that stuff, but this time I've got really no waranty, and I'm too concerned about breaking something. I already officialy upgraded to KK.
So My question : unlocking the bootloader will make me lose the DRM keys, BUT will also allow me to bipass all the downgrade stuff and jump on custom KK roms? (of course, flashing custom reco and stuff first!)
I must say i do not care for the Bravia engine and others.
Thanks to let me know
Edit : probably LordManathan answered my question :
It makes rooting incredible easy. Are you on KitKat? Just flash Jackie's kernel and flash SuperSU. Done. I also like to change ROMs and environments once in awhile, so i typically flash between stock and the GPe ROM, which brings me to....
That's fine then?
kipue said:
Hi all,
just jumped from my Mega 6.3 to ZU, and it's been ages I've had a sony device (Arc, I think ), but the price I found it at was just too good to pass.
Now, I've been reading the various threads about downgrading FW then up again, and so on...
I have to say I am usually not afraid of that stuff, but this time I've got really no waranty, and I'm too concerned about breaking something. I already officialy upgraded to KK.
So My question : unlocking the bootloader will make me lose the DRM keys, BUT will also allow me to bipass all the downgrade stuff and jump on custom KK roms? (of course, flashing custom reco and stuff first!)
I must say i do not care for the Bravia engine and others.
Thanks to let me know
Edit : probably LordManathan answered my question :
It makes rooting incredible easy. Are you on KitKat? Just flash Jackie's kernel and flash SuperSU. Done. I also like to change ROMs and environments once in awhile, so i typically flash between stock and the GPe ROM, which brings me to....
That's fine then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you still need to downgrade and root to backup TA partition before you unlock the bootloader and flash jackie's kernel.
manigma said:
I guess you still need to downgrade and root to backup TA partition before you unlock the bootloader and flash jackie's kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, yeah... I was hoping I wouldn't have to really care about the TA partition!
Aside from losing DRM keys, is there any other issue?
Thanks for you quick answer!
Edit:
I kept reading (yes I do read the forums a lot before and after a question, haha!) and I read that unlocking the bootloader on an official KK rom will not break x-reality ? Is that correct?
kipue said:
Haha, yeah... I was hoping I wouldn't have to really care about the TA partition!
Aside from losing DRM keys, is there any other issue?
Thanks for you quick answer!
Edit:
I kept reading (yes I do read the forums a lot before and after a question, haha!) and I read that unlocking the bootloader on an official KK rom will not break x-reality ? Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should not be any other issue. Personally I have never had good experiences with rooting and installing custom kernels/roms. Stock ROM's are always best (just disable bloatware apps, no need to delete them).
X-reality is not disabled on KK after unlocking. But you can always add xpose modules custom bravia etc after rooting.
The only reason that I might root my ZU is for 'SD card functionality' which I hope Sony re-enable in a future update.
Here sign this 'Petitioning Sony Mobile'
https://www.change.org/petitions/so...ed-to-all-our-sony-phones-via-software-update
manigma said:
There should not be any other issue. Personally I have never had good experiences with rooting and installing custom kernels/roms. Stock ROM's are always best (just disable bloatware apps, no need to delete them).
X-reality is not disabled on KK after unlocking. But you can always add xpose modules custom bravia etc after rooting.
The only reason that I might root my ZU is for 'SD card functionality' which I hope Sony re-enable in a future update.
Here sign this 'Petitioning Sony Mobile'
https://www.change.org/petitions/so...ed-to-all-our-sony-phones-via-software-update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool.
I'll also keep it stock for a week or so, to enjoy it properly, then the flashing finger will start to hitch again
Will take it from here, thanks for taking the time to answer to me
kipue said:
Cool.
I'll also keep it stock for a week or so, to enjoy it properly, then the flashing finger will start to hitch again
Will take it from here, thanks for taking the time to answer to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you aren't worried about the DRM keys the I would just unlock the BL. The DRM keys are needed for netflix and track ID and maybe some other things?
blueether said:
If you aren't worried about the DRM keys the I would just unlock the BL. The DRM keys are needed for netflix and track ID and maybe some other things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My research pointed to that too, those DRM keys are actually pretty limited in scope (for me).
The biggest thing to lose is the Bravia engine, since that affects the phone in a more general way. But as I read, if unlocking the bootloader when on official Kitkat, the keys are no longer affected.
Well, I guess better safe than sorry, and I'll try to backup the TA partition anyway ^^
kipue said:
The biggest thing to lose is the Bravia engine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? I would think that your warranty is the most important thing to keep intact, no? Let's say you just drop backing up the TA partition and you run into some hardware issues that can't be fixed by flashing. What do you do? Throw it into the nearest river? Pay $XXX to fix it? Or, just restore the backup?
It's pretty easy and straight forward. Downgrade to 532, root, backup TA, update to 681 (KitKat) again, and do whatever you want.
LordManhattan said:
Are you sure? I would think that your warranty is the most important thing to keep intact, no? Let's say you just drop backing up the TA partition and you run into some hardware issues that can't be fixed by flashing. What do you do? Throw it into the nearest river? Pay $XXX to fix it? Or, just restore the backup?
It's pretty easy and straight forward. Downgrade to 532, root, backup TA, update to 681 (KitKat) again, and do whatever you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you are right of course, but this device I've got has no waranty. Well, gray market waranty at any rate where I guess they don't check the bootloader state, and any breakage will have to be paid at full price.
I will do the backup, just to be sure, as I concluded in my post
Thanks for all the advice!
kipue said:
Yep, you are right of course, but this device I've got has no waranty. Well, gray market waranty at any rate where I guess they don't check the bootloader state, and any breakage will have to be paid at full price.
I will do the backup, just to be sure, as I concluded in my post
Thanks for all the advice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, I see. Well, I guess you're free to do whatever you feel like then
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
I'm thinking about picking up a z ultra considering the immense price drop. I can get a brand new one unlocked on amazon for 315 dollars. Since it's getting the lollipop update I'm not hesitant at all. But I'd still like to ask some questions.
Now one how much does the no flash on the camera actually affect you? I don't use flash that much but there are times when I need it. Is the camera at least decent and if you've tried other phones is there one you can compare it to? I have a g2 right now and it takes pretty good pictures but I need to replace it since screen broke and I take lots of pictures especially of my little brother though they just need to be decent not super amazing.
2) I love big screens so the size won't bother me and the slim design is awesome. But what kind of reaction do you guys get from other people? Lots of slack about it for looking ridiculously big or is it alright?
3) is it better to get gpe or xperia edition? I love stock android but xperia version has some nice features. I also noticed that gpe can't really run stock xperia software while the xperia one can easily run a custom ROM to get that Google look. Now that leads to my biggest question
4) how easy is it to install Roms and kernels and how's the development for it? I had a xperia play before and it wasn't too difficult but with that phone the ROM and kernel had to be flashed separately and the recovery was built into kernel since there was no recovery partition so it was kind of annoying. Is this better in that aspect? Also how stable are the Roms? On my g2 they're alright but still not completely ironed out.
5) (last thing) is it possible to get the camera features of the z2 and z3 on here like slow motion video and ar effects? My brother has a z2 and those are some neat features though I didn't see them in any reviews on the z ultra so I'm guessing it doesn't have them.
I'm looking the look of this phone a lot especially at its price tag. But if it's really not worth it then I may just wait a couple more months and get the z3.
(I was going to get the nexus 6 but the more I think about it the more I feel it's price isn't really justified for what I'd use it for. I just wouldn't have really needed all that it offered since really this phone is just as capable and half the price.)
Sent from my LG-VS980
Oh yeah and if anyone can respond as soon as possible please do because I'm currently bidding for a couple on eBay that end tomorrow as well so I'd like to know if I should continue or not since lots of the bids on there brand new are ending at around 285 I can save another 30 dollars. Thanks
Sent from my LG-VS980
OK sorry for all the questions but I have one more lol. Does unlocking the boot loader mess anything up? Like the z3 unlock makes the low light camera pics not too great. Is there anything like that with the z ultra?
Sent from my LG-VS980
1. If you use the camera a lot you my find it a bit limiting, but learn how to use a good camera app and set the ido low and it takes ok to good photos. Have a look at the two photo threads.
2. A year ago it was like wow... now its more normal. I've had a couple of people lately say something like 'wow that's a nice big screen, is that the 6+'
3. Go with the Sony one, then you can flash the GPe rom to it.
4. Unlock is easy (root first and back up TA), then install custom rom. The first rom you will probably have to flash either recovery or kernel with recovery (yes they are still baked together). Mostly stable, although carbon is having issues at tje moment
5. I think some of the camera functions have been backported, but the zu does have a different processor so I think superslow doesn't work etc
blueether said:
1. If you use the camera a lot you my find it a bit limiting, but learn how to use a good camera app and set the ido low and it takes ok to good photos. Have a look at the two photo threads.
2. A year ago it was like wow... now its more normal. I've had a couple of people lately say something like 'wow that's a nice big screen, is that the 6+'
3. Go with the Sony one, then you can flash the GPe rom to it.
4. Unlock is easy (root first and back up TA), then install custom rom. The first rom you will probably have to flash either recovery or kernel with recovery (yes they are still baked together). Mostly stable, although carbon is having issues at tje moment
5. I think some of the camera functions have been backported, but the zu does have a different processor so I think superslow doesn't work etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response. I do use the camera a good amount but I've aosp had the nexus 5 with an 8 mp camera and it was good enough for me so hopefully this will be too. Only thing was nexus 5 had ois so not sure how that will affect it.
And when you said root first and backup TA what is TA stand for? Thanks again
Sent from my LG-VS980
the device is awesome, except to take pics
you can use almos anything to play with screen, there are apps that recognize that objects as an stylus pen
buy the normal Z Ultra - you can install GPE ROM on it if you want - the opposite is more difficulto or even impossible, I'm not sure
abdel12345 said:
Thanks for the response. I do use the camera a good amount but I've aosp had the nexus 5 with an 8 mp camera and it was good enough for me so hopefully this will be too. Only thing was nexus 5 had ois so not sure how that will affect it.
And when you said root first and backup TA what is TA stand for? Thanks again
Sent from my LG-VS980
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a read of the stickies if you do buy a ZU, every thing is in there but TA is Trim Area partition. This contains DRM keys (and lots of other things), the DRM keys [and other bits?] are wiped when the bootloader is unlocked. The TA partition can only be backed up with root
blueether said:
Have a read of the stickies if you do buy a ZU, every thing is in there but TA is Trim Area partition. This contains DRM keys (and lots of other things), the DRM keys [and other bits?] are wiped when the bootloader is unlocked. The TA partition can only be backed up with root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I'll make sure to read through those threads first before doing anything else. And I think I'm decided on getting one. It's still a great phone and that price is just awesome. I can't see it getting much cheaper anytime soon so I'll just get it now. If a new version comes out I'll still be able to get it considering I'll only be spending half as much as I'd spend on another phone.
Now last quick question is I've been seeing some stuff about this being fragile and cracking easily. Is that true? I'll probably put a case on it anyways but just wondering. Because the z1 drop test didn't even get scratched or cracked and this has a similar build so I was surprised to hear that
And I just read through the root thread and it says .681 firmware doesn't need to backup TA? I'll still backup just in case but does that mean it won't lose the DRM keys when unlocking on that firmware version
If you buy a new Ultra, it will have .108 preinstalled, which is easy to root with Easy Root Tool. Then take the TA backup and go ahead with flash of a new ROM and kernel.
It is much easier to root the C6833 today than it was one year ago (root required unlocked bootloader and this was before TA backups were available).
It is always better to get the Xperia edition since the GPe ROM is ported and the developer community is much bigger with a better ROM selection. Since there is a different partition scheme on the GPe, it isn't possible to cross-flash since re-partitioning hasn't been developed yet (i.e. fully convert the Xperia edition to a GPe).
The most common reaction I got is "Is it a tablet?" or "Is that a phone?"
ROMs are very stable, the GPe is absolutely rock solid but others are working well too.
I would say that kernel and ROM installation is easy peasy: root with Easy Root Tool, take your TA backup, fastboot DoomKernel, reboot into recovery and flash. I was up and running with my C6833 in no time, much easier now than last year when I had the C6802 unrooted for three weeks until vRoot came out and then had to flash pre-rooted images.
You have to unlock the bootloader for custom kernels but that is easy to do through Sony (getting the code) and then fastboot oem unlock insert code and everything is set. I would say that it is almost Nexus procedure here.
On the camera side of things, I say this: if you want really great pictures, get one of the lens cameras - Sony has a camera cover for the Ultra. Otherwise, the internal camera works. It is not great but it works. My viewpoint has always been to get the DSC-QX series of cameras instead of having to choose devices depending on their camera quality.
E90 Commie said:
If you buy a new Ultra, it will have .108 preinstalled, which is easy to root with Easy Root Tool. Then take the TA backup and go ahead with flash of a new ROM and kernel.
It is much easier to root the C6833 today than it was one year ago (root required unlocked bootloader and this was before TA backups were available).
It is always better to get the Xperia edition since the GPe ROM is ported and the developer community is much bigger with a better ROM selection. Since there is a different partition scheme on the GPe, it isn't possible to cross-flash since re-partitioning hasn't been developed yet (i.e. fully convert the Xperia edition to a GPe).
The most common reaction I got is "Is it a tablet?" or "Is that a phone?"
ROMs are very stable, the GPe is absolutely rock solid but others are working well too.
I would say that kernel and ROM installation is easy peasy: root with Easy Root Tool, take your TA backup, fastboot DoomKernel, reboot into recovery and flash. I was up and running with my C6833 in no time, much easier now than last year when I had the C6802 unrooted for three weeks until vRoot came out and then had to flash pre-rooted images.
You have to unlock the bootloader for custom kernels but that is easy to do through Sony (getting the code) and then fastboot oem unlock insert code and everything is set. I would say that it is almost Nexus procedure here.
On the camera side of things, I say this: if you want really great pictures, get one of the lens cameras - Sony has a camera cover for the Ultra. Otherwise, the internal camera works. It is not great but it works. My viewpoint has always been to get the DSC-QX series of cameras instead of having to choose devices depending on their camera quality.
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Thanks a lot. I'm really convinced on getting this, I'll probably make an order today and if I really don't like it (but I think I'll love it) then on amazon there's easy returns so it won't be an issue. And I'll check out those lense cases if they aren't too expensive
abdel12345 said:
Thanks a lot. I'm really convinced on getting this, I'll probably make an order today and if I really don't like it (but I think I'll love it) then on amazon there's easy returns so it won't be an issue. And I'll check out those lense cases if they aren't too expensive
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I think you will be happy with it. I am so happy with the Ultra that I have two. One C6802 bought on august 1 last year and a C6833 from a week ago since I wanted LTE and couldn't find any viable replacement.
The Ultra with the GPe ROM and Xposed Framework is an absolutely unsurpassed piece of equipment. Even things like multiwindow works great and there is also an app called Floating Apps that fully replaces the Sony Small Apps as well. I found it yesterday, installed the trial and bought it ten minutes later - it is absolutely great.
Floating Apps from Google Play
Edit: BTW, Google Hangouts Dialer is a complete replacement for T-Mobile WiFi Calling and the C6833 works great with their LTE. I have been pulling down data with up to 53 Mbit/s according to my SpeedTests.
I would also recommend you to get a data only plan, I pay $30 for 3 GB data, no talk and text since I do everything through Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer (which means free unlimited talk and text in the US, ¢1 and up per minute for international calls through GV). Better sound quality as well compared to classic calling. I have no plans on returning to a regular talk/text/data plan again, just data is perfect.
E90 Commie said:
I think you will be happy with it. I am so happy with the Ultra that I have two. One C6802 bought on august 1 last year and a C6833 from a week ago since I wanted LTE and couldn't find any viable replacement.
The Ultra with the GPe ROM and Xposed Framework is an absolutely unsurpassed piece of equipment. Even things like multiwindow works great and there is also an app called Floating Apps that fully replaces the Sony Small Apps as well. I found it yesterday, installed the trial and bought it ten minutes later - it is absolutely great.
Floating Apps from Google Play
Edit: BTW, Google Hangouts Dialer is a complete replacement for T-Mobile WiFi Calling and the C6833 works great with their LTE. I have been pulling down data with up to 53 Mbit/s according to my SpeedTests.
I would also recommend you to get a data only plan, I pay $30 for 3 GB data, no talk and text since I do everything through Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer (which means free unlimited talk and text in the US, ¢1 and up per minute for international calls through GV). Better sound quality as well compared to classic calling. I have no plans on returning to a regular talk/text/data plan again, just data is perfect.
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Click to collapse
I currently have a 23 dollar plan for unlimited talk text and data (only 100 mb LTE then drops to 3g/normal 4g speeds) its with lycamobile who runs on T-Mobile. I like this plan because I text a lot and most of my friends have iPhones and don't use hangouts. Only thing that sucks is once the 100 mb runs out pretty quickly the 3g is alright but sometimes gets frustrating. But this plan is too cheap to give up lol.
Just checked out the floating apps app on my nexus 10 and g2 and it's great. I'll definitely buy it considering it's only 2$. I've decided to place thus order. And I checked out the camera attachable lens accessory but the cheapest one is 200 and I really don't need the camera that much to justify buying it. Plus I probably wouldn't really use it that much. It's just too big of an attachment
Sent from my LG-VS980
I too will make a purchase in a few weeks, just waiting to see if there is any further reduction (Black Friday/end of year stock clearout). I played with this phone in a store yesterday. I can only answer the first 3:
1) Camera seemed not so great to be honest.
2) It is a mini tablet with phone capability. If you go around holding it up against your face people will laugh.
3) I'd suggest the stock Xperia (C6833).
jess91 said:
I too will make a purchase in a few weeks, just waiting to see if there is any further reduction (Black Friday/end of year stock clearout). I played with this phone in a store yesterday. I can only answer the first 3:
1) Camera seemed not so great to be honest.
2) It is a mini tablet with phone capability. If you go around holding it up against your face people will laugh.
3) I'd suggest the stock Xperia (C6833).
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Click to collapse
Good idea I completely forgot about black Friday/ cyber Monday it might get even cheaper then.
Also what store did you try it at? Id love to try one in person. I was just about to make my order now too but I think I'll wait another 2 weeks and see the prices then. And for phone calls I usually have headphones with me so I'll just talk through those rather than putting it against my face.
Sent from my LG-VS980
Oh and what do you guys prefer white or black? I like that the black looks really nice and uniform but it does look like the white hides the smudges better. Is the white have the silver frame like the z2 does? It looks really nice but kinda distracts you from the rest of the screen. So I'll probably go with black unless there's another benefit to the white
Sent from my LG-VS980
abdel12345 said:
Oh and what do you guys prefer white or black? I like that the black looks really nice and uniform but it does look like the white hides the smudges better. Is the white have the silver frame like the z2 does? It looks really nice but kinda distracts you from the rest of the screen. So I'll probably go with black unless there's another benefit to the white
Sent from my LG-VS980
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Click to collapse
I personally prefer the black one. I don't like it when a device is only part white. I would've chosen the white one if it was completly white, like the Z3 Compact Tablet, but it isn't, so that's why i went with black.
abdel12345 said:
I currently have a 23 dollar plan for unlimited talk text and data (only 100 mb LTE then drops to 3g/normal 4g speeds) its with lycamobile who runs on T-Mobile. I like this plan because I text a lot and most of my friends have iPhones and don't use hangouts. Only thing that sucks is once the 100 mb runs out pretty quickly the 3g is alright but sometimes gets frustrating. But this plan is too cheap to give up lol.
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Click to collapse
Hangouts gives unlimited texting (regular SMS) in the US and unlimited talk to regular landlines and cellulars as well.
So you don't need a regular talk/text plan in order to have unlimited talk and text to regular phone numbers any more. Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer solves everything and I can attest this since I do all my communication that way.
E90 Commie said:
Hangouts gives unlimited texting (regular SMS) in the US and unlimited talk to regular landlines and cellulars as well.
So you don't need a regular talk/text plan in order to have unlimited talk and text to regular phone numbers any more. Hangouts and Hangouts Dialer solves everything and I can attest this since I do all my communication that way.
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Click to collapse
But does the dialer use your phone number? So will people see my number and can call me back on it? Also you can text anyone even if they don't have has hangouts free? Because that seems too good to be true but if it is I'll check out that plan
Hey so I got the Galaxy S6 Edge on release as my contract was finally running out right before. I liked it a lot, other than the crap that is Touchwiz and it has started to run super slow as of late. I've been running Nova Prime which speeds it up a bit but I have to constantly wipe everything from RAM so that it doesn't lag just to go from Youtube to texting and back (and even then it still slightly lags). Lately it's been getting progressively worse and I haven't downloaded any new apps in ages or anything at all, just the usual social media and texting - that's it. We're talking no apps multi-tasking and I go to open Play Music and it just shows a black screen and 20secs later it shows the app.. I've pretty well had enough especially with waiting so long for 5.1 that a phone that's so expensive has issues much cheaper phones don't even have.
This is probably the wrong thread to post this but I was wondering if anyone else has gone through these problems and if so did you find a way to fix it? Other than that I'm wondering what phone would be a better choice for me. The typical flagships come to mind but what phone seems to be the best to you as of late? Thanks!
Hendrycks said:
Hey so I got the Galaxy S6 Edge on release as my contract was finally running out right before. I liked it a lot, other than the crap that is Touchwiz and it has started to run super slow as of late. I've been running Nova Prime which speeds it up a bit but I have to constantly wipe everything from RAM so that it doesn't lag just to go from Youtube to texting and back (and even then it still slightly lags). Lately it's been getting progressively worse and I haven't downloaded any new apps in ages or anything at all, just the usual social media and texting - that's it. We're talking no apps multi-tasking and I go to open Play Music and it just shows a black screen and 20secs later it shows the app.. I've pretty well had enough especially with waiting so long for 5.1 that a phone that's so expensive has issues much cheaper phones don't even have.
This is probably the wrong thread to post this but I was wondering if anyone else has gone through these problems and if so did you find a way to fix it? Other than that I'm wondering what phone would be a better choice for me. The typical flagships come to mind but what phone seems to be the best to you as of late? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone started to lag but ive rooted mine on 5.1.1 and a few days after i deleted some bloatware it started to lag but its not too bad. When it does get bad i power it off for a couple minutes and power it back on and unlock it and let it sit there doing nothing for a few minites and then it returns to its normal speed.
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
pickles523 said:
My phone started to lag but ive rooted mine on 5.1.1 and a few days after i deleted some bloatware it started to lag but its not too bad. When it does get bad i power it off for a couple minutes and power it back on and unlock it and let it sit there doing nothing for a few minites and then it returns to its normal speed.
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
That's acceptable to you for a "premiere" smartphone? My One M8 ran better than this phone does on Lollipop.
It will have a performance boost in m im sure
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
Have to say that my edge if the worst phone I have owned for many years. I used to have htc m7 and m8 and then Sony z3 and they all performed better. Too bad that only Samsung knows how to make a proper phone camera..
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
except ****ty battery life the phone is super fast to me (using nova prime too)
CandyAndy said:
Have to say that my edge if the worst phone I have owned for many years. I used to have htc m7 and m8 and then Sony z3 and they all performed better. Too bad that only Samsung knows how to make a proper phone camera..
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Talk about talking out of your a**. Song's experia z flagships have a great camera. They always have had great cameras.
Oliv3 said:
Talk about talking out of your a**. Song's experia z flagships have a great camera. They always have had great cameras.
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Click to collapse
Nope. I really loved my z3 and while the camera was able to take great photos it was no where close to s6. Especially when needed to snap and shoot. With z3 you had to do manual controls and even then results wasn't always great.
Everything else (except the design) I liked z3 more than s6 edge
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
CandyAndy said:
Nope. I really loved my z3 and while the camera was able to take great photos it was no where close to s6. Especially when needed to snap and shoot. With z3 you had to do manual controls and even then results wasn't always great.
Everything else (except the design) I liked z3 more than s6 edge
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
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User error.
Oliv3 said:
User error.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree my photos are fantastic
Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
mosesbd said:
except ****ty battery life the phone is super fast to me (using nova prime too)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you having bad battery again? I saw you post that after a wipe, you had amazing battery.
What is your battery stats now that it has settled after the wipe/restore?
Oliv3 said:
Talk about talking out of your a**. Song's experia z flagships have a great camera. They always have had great cameras.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you really think the Z3 camera is close to the S6/edge camera? Do you believe Santa is real as well?:laugh:
GTCC said:
Do you really think the Z3 camera is close to the S6/edge camera? Do you believe Santa is real as well?[emoji23]
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No one taught you how to read properly did they?
Oliv3 said:
Talk about talking out of your a**. Song's experia z flagships have a great camera. They always have had great cameras.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oliv3 said:
No one taught you how to read properly did they?
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I can read fine, maybe if you try to explain where I got you wrong!
GTCC said:
I can read fine, maybe if you try to explain where I got you wrong!
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Click to collapse
Here's a hint, why don't you try to find the text "s6" in my original post. Let me know when you find it.
CandyAndy said:
Have to say that my edge if the worst phone I have owned for many years. I used to have htc m7 and m8 and then Sony z3 and they all performed better. Too bad that only Samsung knows how to make a proper phone camera..
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oliv3 said:
Talk about talking out of your a**. Song's experia z flagships have a great camera. They always have had great cameras.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GTCC said:
Do you really think the Z3 camera is close to the S6/edge camera? Do you believe Santa is real as well?:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oliv3 said:
No one taught you how to read properly did they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oliv3 said:
Here's a hint, why don't you try to find the text "s6" in my original post. Let me know when you find it.
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Click to collapse
Have you never heard of the word context?
Obviously not, I guess no one thought you English.
GTCC said:
Have you never heard of the word context?
Obviously not, I guess no one thought you English.
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Click to collapse
I should be asking that to you and the original guy that I replied to.
Guess no one "thought" English to either of you. I'm done with this.
I thought the 5.1.1 for Z2 and Z3 has come more than a month ago. "in the coming weeks" BS..
Don't get me wrong, but i've had enough memory leak issue on 5.0.2. All Apps getting closed in some random time.. Ugghh..
EDIT: XperiFirm is your best friend
EDIT 2: Any thoughts or patch note for 14.6.A.1.216?
Why are you telling us? We can't help...
tsiros said:
Why are you telling us? We can't help...
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Click to collapse
Sorry but Yeah just to make people whiny again so Sony notice us again
CM FTW. I've learned to only purchase devices that has active CM support or will definitely have in the near future. Once the device is delivered and CM is available for it I'll flash CM straight away and never go back to stock again. Same for the ZU I got.
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM12.1
[WARNING: XDA Premium 4.0.13+ lacks Signature function - do not update]
It's been told a few times before, 5.0.2 doesn't have memory leaks, just sayin'... It will come when it will be ready
Might not have mem leaks, but it has many issues (some of which were introduced in 5.0 and now we're waiting another version to get to previous levels of functionality) and some very serious security problems.
you know. I was wondering the same thing too where is the darn update to 5.1.1 I have big bugs on 5.0.2 the darn Bluetooth disconnects from my watch when I play some games, sound problems and some app don't works. a can only hope the sony hurry up and get that update with bugs fixed. this is why I'm using lollipup on my z ultra and KitKat on my z tablet compact cos KitKat works better then........hurry up sony........
You both guys have Chrome installed do you? Uninstall it right away, it's a totally different without it... I was amazed how this thing is making everything so slow
I am getting sick of waiting too
Even started to think we may not get it at all
I've been wondering too. I'm on Resurrection rom, but the battery is too short even with all the Xposed tweaks, so I really hope 5.1.1 Xperia firmware comes out soon, so that I can have a long battery life phone again.
teddy74eva said:
You both guys have Chrome installed do you? Uninstall it right away, it's a totally different without it... I was amazed how this thing is making everything so slow
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Click to collapse
That's an OS problem, not an app problem.
tsiros said:
That's an OS problem, not an app problem.
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Click to collapse
Yeah I know, gosh I'm not that stupid... It is just a temporary fix while we are waiting for 5.1.1 improvements, if there will be any
What Chrome uninstalling gives you?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
d1g1m4n said:
What Chrome uninstalling gives you?
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
More RAM i suppose but by deleting chrome you don't solve this. I deleted Chrome right after updating to 5.0.2 and i have still similar issues that some of users described here. I guess we need to wait for 5.1.1 and hope for fix. Btw 5.1.1 firmware was certified yesterday so it should roll out soon.
Main problem Ive got is dead background services and every app after switching. I think this can be solved only by increasing amount of ram or changing os.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Yeah, even sometimes Walkman is dying when i am listening music while browsing the web with Chrome. Switching to Firefox, even worse.. Grrr..
Any radio or music app closes when i open any other application.
So i end up using two phones, one for music and other for whatsapp and chrome.
teddy74eva said:
if there will be any
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I will be VERY surprised if they fix even ONE THIRD of the issues I see on my z ultra. ONE THIRD.
Hell, I would be perfectly happy if they just let us disable content adaptive backlight, like in the first rom, before they stupidly removed the option and instead of permanently disabling, they permanently enabled it
@d1g1m4n @hansip87 I'm using CM Browser for internet and Greenify to keep apps closed and I can listen to music and browse without any problems even with Viper4android, Chrome is just a piece of crap, it use the ram that lie on the table
@tsiros Yeah buddy, exactly. Remember how they were supposed to fix Kitkat bugs in Lollipop? They fixed a bunch but introduced a second bunch of them
Now that it has been certified we can just cross our fingers and wait but I'm not getting my hopes high given that I had 4 Sony Android phones and I don't thing they have changed that much in just a few months, y'know, it's Sony
I always got 300-400 mb ram free, no matter what am i doing or what apps hibernated in greenify, but backgr apps closing anyway.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk