Quality feel (use of materials) - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Real Life Review

Rate this thread to express how you think the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge feels in terms of quality. A higher rating indicates that it feels premium and high-quality (attention to detail is high, manufacturing defects don't exist, etc).
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!

I like the overall feel of the device, the housing is solid and slim; biggest gripe is that my gorilla glass 4 has a cut on the screen after 1 day of use. Not sure how this happened but almost certain it shouldn't have occured.

chavist said:
I like the overall feel of the device, the housing is solid and slim; biggest gripe is that my gorilla glass 4 has a cut on the screen after 1 day of use. Not sure how this happened but almost certain it shouldn't have occured.
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I've heard that GG4 was made to be more shatter resistant at the expense of hardness not sure how true this isbthough. But you're not the only one who got scratches on their s7. Some reviewers also say they had gotten scratches with the s7 during normal use while having none on their other devices.

Definitely the most expensive feeling phone that I've ever owned. It is also the most delicate and fragile feeling one.

Pop / Crack sound on the back glass
It seem my unit has a problem on the back glass next to the camera. There is a gap between the glass and the frame and if you press it there it makes a loud pop sound, making it feel pretty low quality. Also the edges make it quite difficult to use the phone lying down, holding it above your head. In general almost all of the front side has some touch sensitive areas, so the phone is quite difficult to pick up without pressing something (with an open app for example).

squallz506 said:
Definitely the most expensive feeling phone that I've ever owned. It is also the most delicate and fragile feeling one.
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You have to be joking. The S6 had a prem feel. the S7 feels cheap and the design is lacking!

cpugeeker said:
You have to be joking. The S6 had a prem feel. the S7 feels cheap and the design is lacking!
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No, you're joking right. Design is almost identical to s6 same design with some refinements. They use the same material being glass and metal, so how you're saying s6 feels premium and the s7 doesn't makes 0% sense.

cpugeeker said:
You have to be joking. The S6 had a prem feel. the S7 feels cheap and the design is lacking!
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I didn't own an s6, so...

THE ROM ""
http://*******/1YJsZd

The build quality is top notch. No, no, it really is quality. It is heavy enough that it feels like an expensive device, but not heavy enough that it becomes a workout after holding it too long.

marquinhodsdm said:
The build quality is top notch. No, no, it really is quality. It is heavy enough that it feels like an expensive device, but not heavy enough that it becomes a workout after holding it too long.
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+1 here.. more premium looking than my old s6
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hde some issues with mine that is more down to quality controll (lots of unity that was shipped out quick to meet demands).
First one hade issues with home button.
Second one volume down did not work.
Third one very tine hairline scratch i top coner on the rear camera lens (not sure if i can this one exhanged as it's very hard to spot if you dont know it's there)
Also, plastic home button? This could as well be harden glass to minimize scratches.
But all i all the phone i well built and feels good in the hand. A screen protector and case it's still sadly needed though as we know from before that gorilla glass 4 is more drop safe than scratch safe compared to gorilla glass 3.
You can't have both scratch safe and drop safe glass yet sadly

Overall Design is good. The first thing that is UNIMPRESSIVE is the Sim Card Tray is made of plastic! Would Samsung ever come out of this plastic trend completely? I know we cannot live without plastic. still, the sim tray should have been metal. Also, it becomes sticky after holding for some time. So wipe and wipe again again to keep the look Premium.
A 5* for rest of the design.

I dislike the glass on the back of the phone it makes the phone feel fragile

Broke in 1.5 weeks, bad quality
Quality feel does not mean much if you drop the phone from your pocket and it breaks.
How does a company who supposed does drop test call a phone that breaks on first drop a premium quality phone.
If one is able to find and read the S7 Edge warranty, it does not cover "accidents, water, dirt, or any other damage". Imagine that. The "gorilla glass" and IP68 means nothing.
I'm really sorry that I want from an iPhone to a Samsung S7 edge. I had expected more for how much I paid for a "premium" phone.

tuannyc said:
Quality feel does not mean much if you drop the phone from your pocket and it breaks.
How does a company who supposed does drop test call a phone that breaks on first drop a premium quality phone.
If one is able to find and read the S7 Edge warranty, it does not cover "accidents, water, dirt, or any other damage". Imagine that. The "gorilla glass" and IP68 means nothing.
I'm really sorry that I want from an iPhone to a Samsung S7 edge. I had expected more for how much I paid for a "premium" phone.
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I don't really know the details for the warranty but saying that a phone isn't premium because it may break on the first drop is like saying that a Ferrari isn't premium because it may scratch/get dents in its first accident. Just saying maybe if you own a Ferrari or an expensive phone just be a little more careful.

Coming from a Meizu MX5 this phone feels fantastic! Part of me does miss the solid feeling of aluminium and I kind of agree with alwayslearning, it does feel a little fragile. Mines in a Spigen clear case at the moment but that detracts from its style so I've got a ultimateshield on the way instead!
Certainly looks more stylish than an iPhone but perhaps not as robust?

I just received mine today... and so far i like it a lot. I personally think the quality is up there. The form factor is really good and is to me hits the magic spot between size and usability. I'm coming from a Note 5 and i really apreciate how compact this feels in the hand.
Is it perfect? No, but then nothing ever is. I am very happy with it so far. I'm ok with the glass back.. had it on the Note 5 and im really pretty careful with my tech.
Anyway, ive only been able to play with it for a couple of hours so far and i hope my opinion of it doesnt change. At this very moment I love it.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Reasonableness
wznazir said:
I don't really know the details for the warranty but saying that a phone isn't premium because it may break on the first drop is like saying that a Ferrari isn't premium because it may scratch/get dents in its first accident. Just saying maybe if you own a Ferrari or an expensive phone just be a little more careful.
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To be clear, I was really looking forward to the S7 edge. Maybe it is just expectations for mobile phones. I'll let others wordsmith "premium". For me, premium is paid for appearance and performance. I'm expecting scratches and dents. But cracked at 2 feet?
Everyone product category has a level of expected performance, durability (and in cases of cars, Safety) for that specific category.
Using the analogy of a Ferrari is a bit of a stretch and false analogy. Nonetheless, to use your analogy, For a Ferrari, you expect power/speed, quality materials, sexy appearance, and if you hit something going 25 mph, you survive. The last part, you expect of any motor vehicle. It's a pretty low bar. If I drove it 200 mph, I would have NO expectation of surviving. There are certain things you expect from a car (let alone a premium car).
For a premium phone, you expect power/speed, quality, some sex appeal, and if you drop 2 feet, it doesn't crack. The last part, you expect of any mobile phone. It's a pretty low bar. If I dropped 20 feet, I would have no expectation of it surviving. Mobile phones are built with the expectation of a typical life of a mobile phone. Yes, that includes drops. And I'm pretty sure all mobile phone manufactures do drop test and built to it.
A friend responded that she dropped her S7 edge around 10 times with no issue. Yes, that is what I would expect! (ignore that that 10 drops in 2 weeks would be considered pretty clumsy by any standard). I don't necessary understand why others have lower expectations of a mobile phone.
Another way to think about it is to compare to how competitors treat "premium". Remember iphone 6 bend-gate? I never thought of putting a phone in my back pocket, but peoples expectation is that a phone is mobile and doesn't bend. Frankly I was surprised Apple made folks whole. The difference? A premium service for a premium product. I'm not saying Apple is perfect. IMHO, it is better than Samsung in their approach.
I just did a search on google, and discover review sites warning that the S7 edge is much easier to crack. Wish I knew that before hand. It was my mistake to assume S7 edge would be similar quality as S6 edge +. How many here have seen drop test of S6 on youtube? Amazing.
Really sad given that S7 edge has so much potential. Now, I have to look at a $800 Samsung "premium" everyday. I think others are more forgiving then me with this experience. I've not given up on Android. Just Samsung "premium".
my 2 cents.

tuannyc said:
To be clear, I was really looking forward to the S7 edge. Maybe it is just expectations for mobile phones. I'll let others wordsmith "premium". For me, premium is paid for appearance and performance. I'm expecting scratches and dents. But cracked at 2 feet?
Everyone product category has a level of expected performance, durability (and in cases of cars, Safety) for that specific category.
Using the analogy of a Ferrari is a bit of a stretch and false analogy. Nonetheless, to use your analogy, For a Ferrari, you expect power/speed, quality materials, sexy appearance, and if you hit something going 25 mph, you survive. The last part, you expect of any motor vehicle. It's a pretty low bar. If I drove it 200 mph, I would have NO expectation of surviving. There are certain things you expect from a car (let alone a premium car).
For a premium phone, you expect power/speed, quality, some sex appeal, and if you drop 2 feet, it doesn't crack. The last part, you expect of any mobile phone. It's a pretty low bar. If I dropped 20 feet, I would have no expectation of it surviving. Mobile phones are built with the expectation of a typical life of a mobile phone. Yes, that includes drops. And I'm pretty sure all mobile phone manufactures do drop test and built to it.
A friend responded that she dropped her S7 edge around 10 times with no issue. Yes, that is what I would expect! (ignore that that 10 drops in 2 weeks would be considered pretty clumsy by any standard). I don't necessary understand why others have lower expectations of a mobile phone.
Another way to think about it is to compare to how competitors treat "premium". Remember iphone 6 bend-gate? I never thought of putting a phone in my back pocket, but peoples expectation is that a phone is mobile and doesn't bend. Frankly I was surprised Apple made folks whole. The difference? A premium service for a premium product. I'm not saying Apple is perfect. IMHO, it is better than Samsung in their approach.
I just did a search on google, and discover review sites warning that the S7 edge is much easier to crack. Wish I knew that before hand. It was my mistake to assume S7 edge would be similar quality as S6 edge +. How many here have seen drop test of S6 on youtube? Amazing.
Really sad given that S7 edge has so much potential. Now, I have to look at a $800 Samsung "premium" everyday. I think others are more forgiving then me with this experience. I've not given up on Android. Just Samsung "premium".
my 2 cents.
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Click to collapse
There's a lot more to consider. They made millions of those phones and can't expect them to have the exact same build (while yes, they are all very close). Also, the drop has to be taken into consideration. If your friend drops hers 10 times on carpet or from like 1 feet, sure it won't get damaged. If you drop it from 2 feet on concrete, now that's a different story. The angle to which it drops and lend also makes a big difference. The device isn't it's strongest on every angle and some will definitely break it easily (take an egg for example, which is hard to break at the top and bottom but sides are flimsy).
Anyway, just this to say that while I agree it shouldn't break so easily. It can and will happen depending on quite a few facts, whether it is a "premium" device or not.
As a side note, Apple sell "premium" devices as well for the same price which also break and crack, comparing them is pointless without all the facts They'd have to be put through the exact same drop (angle, speed, material on which they drop) and even then, they'd both have angles at which they resist/survive better and worse since they're built differently.

Related

[Q] Build quality of Note??

Does anybody think the note will have problems with build quality? I have already pre ordered one and I am having second thoughts now. I keep feeling like that flimsy battery door will be a "squeaker". Other than this concern I am very excited to receive mine!
it will likely fall apart minutes after you receive it. i hereby offer $200 via Paypal to keep you from that tragedy.
ARTAQaf said:
it will likely fall apart minutes after you receive it. i hereby offer $200 via Paypal to keep you from that tragedy.
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Click to collapse
I'll give $200 + shipping.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
corey_r said:
Does anybody think the note will have problems with build quality? I have already pre ordered one and I am having second thoughts now. I keep feeling like that flimsy battery door will be a "squeaker". Other than this concern I am very excited to receive mine!
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Click to collapse
I don't think it will be an issue at all. All samsung phones as of late have the same flimsy plastic snap on back, and it's not an issue at all on my infuse. I think it's smart engineering, as somehow they keep a rock solid device while making it super thin and super light, all with plastic. I literally have to wrench on my phone to get the slightest squeak out of it.
I really dislike when every youtube review of any samsung phone complains about the battery cover, because it really isn't an issue.
Almost same like the Galaxy s2. Samsung phones dont have very good build quality
welchertc said:
I don't think it will be an issue at all. All samsung phones as of late have the same flimsy plastic snap on back, and it's not an issue at all on my infuse. I think it's smart engineering, as somehow they keep a rock solid device while making it super thin and super light, all with plastic. I literally have to wrench on my phone to get the slightest squeak out of it.
I really dislike when every youtube review of any samsung phone complains about the battery cover, because it really isn't an issue.
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The main reason this concerns me is because I had an htc amaze and it squeaked terribly. Thanks for the reply, you seem to know your stuff.
Back cover is thin and light but does not squeal.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dipyamanabiswas07 said:
Almost same like the Galaxy s2. Samsung phones dont have very good build quality
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Wow your an idiot!! Samsung has pretty much the best build quality for smartphones and TV's on the market right now. Just YouTube drop tests to see for yourself.. If Samsung is such poor quality then why does every other smartphone company buy parts from them, displays especially?? Everytime you see a phone with a Super AMOLED it was made by Samsung.
MMAHavok69 said:
Wow your an idiot!! Samsung has pretty much the best build quality for smartphones and TV's on the market right. Just YouTube drop tests to see for yourself.. If Samsung is such poor quality then why does every other smartphone company buy parts from them, displays especially. Everytime you see a phone wit a Super AMOLED it was made by Samsung.
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Your argument doesn't really make any sense. First off, I can't imagine what TVs have to do with this. Yes, Samsung is one of the largest display manufacturers. Yes, they manufacture panels for other smartphone vendors. Yes, they make a lot of very good TVs too. None of this is related to build quality of smartphones.
Build quality can mean a lot of things, but the way I think of it is "how durable the phone looks and feels." Success at drop tests is certainly a part of it, but imo it's a pretty small part. Some people find that the light, plastic-y feel of Samsung phones seems cheap to them, especially when compared with, say, HTC phones, which tend to use aluminum unibodies. Some people worry that the back covers are fragile because they are thin and bend easily. There are any number of other little concerns that people roll into "build quality" too; part of the reason people tend to disagree so much is that it's a very broad term that covers a lot of aspects of a phone.
I personally don't think that Samsung build quality is poor; I've had several Samsung phones and have never had issues with squeaking of with parts breaking, and I am not convinced that it is statistically more likely for a plastic Samsung phone to break than a metal HTC one, and they are definitely less prone to damage than a glass iPhone. I can understand why some people prefer a heavier, metal or glass phone, but for me, I'm happier with the way Samsung's plastic construction makes their phones thinner and lighter. There are tradeoffs associated with pretty much all design decisions, and I generally feel that Samsung has made good ones.
corey_r said:
The main reason this concerns me is because I had an htc amaze and it squeaked terribly. Thanks for the reply, you seem to know your stuff.
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Thanks for the thanks, haha. I really can't be 100% positive about the note, seeing as I have not held one, but based on the recent track record of samsung, plastic phones can be just as solid as something made of metal. And the plastic definitely gives me peace of mind, as when my phone hits the ground, I know the plastic will absorb much more of the energy than metal will, making it less likely that my screen will shatter. This is most likely why samsung kicks ass in drop tests.
dipyamanabiswas07 said:
Almost same like the Galaxy s2. Samsung phones dont have very good build quality
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I respectfully disagree. Just because it isn't made of metal, doesn't mean it doesn't have good build quality. With the combination of gorilla glass and the polycarbonate that samsung uses for their phones, I would say that in my honest opinion, they make some of the best phones out there. Not to mention the beautiful samoled displays that they use; i will never own another phone without a samoled screen. Yes, an iPhone 4 has very attractive design attributes, but for a device that I am carrying day in and day out, samsung has a better design to me. When is the last time you saw somebody without a case on their iphone? I run my infuse with no case because I can, and the fit and finish is every bit as nice.
MMAHavok69 said:
Wow your an idiot!! Samsung has pretty much the best build quality for smartphones and TV's on the market right now. Just YouTube drop tests to see for yourself.. If Samsung is such poor quality then why does every other smartphone company buy parts from them, displays especially?? Everytime you see a phone with a Super AMOLED it was made by Samsung.
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Click to collapse
Please be respectful, no need to put down others, that's just their opinion. I agree with your reasoning, just not your tactics. Good point with the drop tests though, I forgot how dominant samsung is in those.
The build quality of Samsung phones are far superior to any other smart phones I've used it owned. People assume that plastic is cheap. The back of the note is high grade plastic... Keeps the phone light and won't break. Also, samsungs perform wonderfully in drop tests. To me that says quality build.
Sent from my temporary HTC Inspire using xda premium
teiglin said:
Your argument doesn't really make any sense. First off, I can't imagine what TVs have to do with this. Yes, Samsung is one of the largest display manufacturers. Yes, they manufacture panels for other smartphone vendors. Yes, they make a lot of very good TVs too. None of this is related to build quality of smartphones.
Build quality can mean a lot of things, but the way I think of it is "how durable the phone looks and feels." Success at drop tests is certainly a part of it, but imo it's a pretty small part. Some people find that the light, plastic-y feel of Samsung phones seems cheap to them, especially when compared with, say, HTC phones, which tend to use aluminum unibodies. Some people worry that the back covers are fragile because they are thin and bend easily. There are any number of other little concerns that people roll into "build quality" too; part of the reason people tend to disagree so much is that it's a very broad term that covers a lot of aspects of a phone.
I personally don't think that Samsung build quality is poor; I've had several Samsung phones and have never had issues with squeaking of with parts breaking, and I am not convinced that it is statistically more likely for a plastic Samsung phone to break than a metal HTC one, and they are definitely less prone to damage than a glass iPhone. I can understand why some people prefer a heavier, metal or glass phone, but for me, I'm happier with the way Samsung's plastic construction makes their phones thinner and lighter. There are tradeoffs associated with pretty much all design decisions, and I generally feel that Samsung has made good ones.
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Click to collapse
Sorry that was a quick emotional response. I just get mad when people just assume the light plastic of Samsung is poor. I've seen a lot of iPhones and HTC's break or have the screen crack from not very high drops.
I've dropped my infuse a couple of times with just a body glove case and it still looks like new. I think the extra weight of HTC's metal body makes the screen crack easier.
I like how the back cover is so thin that some cases for the note require you to remove that thin back cover all together as the case acts like the back cover. I think it was one that has a flip cover.
if the back cover was a more solid metal, then ppl would complain the Note is too heavy.
it is plastic for obviously a good reason i'd say.
There's nothing wrong with plastic. And there's no squeaks, I own the International version.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Do you guys think that since it has a larger display it will be easier for the screen to crack in the unfortunate event of a drop? Also, will the note have gorilla glass? I have seen another thread posted about this topic but could not find any official answers. Thanks to everyone for all your opinions and info!
corey_r said:
Do you guys think that since it has a larger display it will be easier for the screen to crack in the unfortunate event of a drop? Also, will the note have gorilla glass? I have seen another thread posted about this topic but could not find any official answers. Thanks to everyone for all your opinions and info!
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Click to collapse
Yes it has gorilla glass.
corey_r said:
Does anybody think the note will have problems with build quality? I have already pre ordered one and I am having second thoughts now. I keep feeling like that flimsy battery door will be a "squeaker". Other than this concern I am very excited to receive mine!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone isn't even out yet. Do you see anyone complaining about the international note?
jimmer411 said:
The phone isn't even out yet. Do you see anyone complaining about the international note?
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Click to collapse
Only about the screen, but nothing of build quality.
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Some people find that the light, plastic-y feel of Samsung phones seems cheap to them, especially when compared with, say, HTC phones, which tend to use aluminum unibodies.
^^I have always thought the Samsung phones felt fragile compaired to HTC's

[Q] General Build quality

Got my new Xperia S today, and so far loving it.
What are other owners finding the build quality like?
Might seems reasonable, the only niggle I have is the rear battery cover. The top edge is sitting slightly proud, in the centre above the camera lens hole, but it is all flush around all the other 3 sides (and it is correctly fitted in place). Its not massive but noticeable.
This leads to a creaking when you hold the rear. Worried it might get worse over time.
Anyone else's like mine, or are your's flush at the top?
Cheers
David
floatlite said:
Got my new Xperia S today, and so far loving it.
What are other owners finding the build quality like?
Might seems reasonable, the only niggle I have is the rear battery cover. The top edge is sitting slightly proud, in the centre above the camera lens hole, but it is all flush around all the other 3 sides (and it is correctly fitted in place). Its not massive but noticeable.
This leads to a creaking when you hold the rear. Worried it might get worse over time.
Anyone else's like mine, or are your's flush at the top?
Cheers
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I don't have that on my phone actually i think the build is great
Build quality is great. Nice and weighty feels good when holding the phone.
floatlite said:
Got my new Xperia S today, and so far loving it.
What are other owners finding the build quality like?
Might seems reasonable, the only niggle I have is the rear battery cover. The top edge is sitting slightly proud, in the centre above the camera lens hole, but it is all flush around all the other 3 sides (and it is correctly fitted in place). Its not massive but noticeable.
This leads to a creaking when you hold the rear. Worried it might get worse over time.
Anyone else's like mine, or are your's flush at the top?
Cheers
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, tiny little bit, just doesn't sit as nice as the other sides. Also noticed the black scuffs really easily.
Build quality is excellent..........feels good to hold it..........
My only complaint is the flaps for the USB and hdmi port.
It takes real pain to close them once they are opened.
bustervic said:
Also noticed the black scuffs really easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it the black or white you have?
The clue is in the remark "the BLACK scuffs easily"
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
eddyedwards007 said:
The clue is in the remark "the BLACK scuffs easily"
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was only asking.
dibdin said:
Was only asking.
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Excellent use of sarcasm......to both of you
I agree in 100% Micro usb cover is difficult to close, but after a few try I made the system of closing it and it works fine. Materials and built quolity is outstanding !!! In my opinion Xperia S is best Sony's smartphone after SE made p910i...
Ha ha couldn't resist
@dibdin
Sorry mate only joking
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
When I took the phone out of the box, it was like... holding some kind of expensive new technology. I was thinking myself: "Don't you f...ing drop it".
Coming from a iPhone its slightly disappointing. If the htc one s was out I think I would have gone for that instead knowing the camera would be not as good. The htc is also quite alot slimmer.
I guess the xps has the spec and the htc the look in my opinion.
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I personally don't understand the apparent desire for slimmer phones, I've had the HD2 for the last two years and I upgraded to the sensation xe very briefly before I returned it to order the xperia s.
The sensation always felt like it was going to fall out of my hand,I was gripping onto it for dear life lol.
In all of the two years I had my HD2 I never dropped it once or felt like I was going to drop it, and even though I've only held onto a dummy xperia, that also feels comfortable in the hand, so for me it's the xperia build any day.
Still each to their own
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
eddyedwards007 said:
I personally don't understand the apparent desire for slimmer phones, I've had the HD2 for the last two years and I upgraded to the sensation xe very briefly before I returned it to order the xperia s.
The sensation always felt like it was going to fall out of my hand,I was gripping onto it for dear life lol.
In all of the two years I had my HD2 I never dropped it once or felt like I was going to drop it, and even though I've only held onto a dummy xperia, that also feels comfortable in the hand, so for me it's the xperia build any day.
Still each to their own
Sent from my HTC HD2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree entirely.To me, a phone should feel like a phone, not a piece of paper or a heavy credit card. I'm a butterfingers when it comes to phones, and if i drop it, I don't want it to snap in half.
My X10, which isn't a small phone, dropped a few times (give or take 10 or so), and lived, working perfectly. The Xperia S is a light phone for its size, but I love the size of it, and it works perfect with the size of my hands. It...feels like a phone should feel I guess. It may not be as durable as my X10, but it feels and looks perfect to me.
I'm a big sucker for the look and feel of a phone and tend to pick aesthetics over the actual specs. This phone has both for me
The only negative I have is indeed the port covers, but even then, I think it's something that I can adjust to over time.
But back on the phone size thing, it's not the size, it's how you use it!
I'm hearing some creeking underneath the the transparent bar. The Xperia black plastic. Hope it will last
benj0219 said:
Coming from a iPhone its slightly disappointing.
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Click to collapse
LOL OK. I think the iPhone is one of the ugliest pones on the market. That small screen is an eyesore.
forzanerazzurri said:
LOL OK. I think the iPhone is one of the ugliest pones on the market. That small screen is an eyesore.
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Click to collapse
Maybe..,but my iPhone didn't had a plastic backcover that was slightly loose and sounding hollow when tapping on it. Design are subjective. Build quality isn't.
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Ps
A piece of cellophane tape inside the cover made a difference. Feels sturdier know.
benj0219 said:
Maybe..,but my iPhone didn't had a plastic backcover that was slightly loose and sounding hollow when tapping on it. Design are subjective. Build quality isn't.
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Click to collapse
Plastic is lighter and more durable than glass. iPhones have always had their build quality issues as well dont dont give me that. If you drop a plastic phone with a shatter proof screen protector, chances are it wont break. Drop an iphone from a metre and it shatters into a million pieces. Front AND back. Youre right. Nothing subjective about that.
forzanerazzurri said:
Plastic is lighter and more durable than glass. iPhones have always had their build quality issues as well dont dont give me that. If you drop a plastic phone with a shatter proof screen protector, chances are it wont break. Drop an iphone from a metre and it shatters into a million pieces. Front AND back. Youre right. Nothing subjective about that.
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Click to collapse
I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered Xperia S and using my iPhone 4S. I guess I'm very careful with my gadgets but so far I have owned three iPhones (3G, 4, currently 4S) and all of them were kept mint through their life (without case, only using carrying pouch or in the pocket), my old 3G survived a couple of falls with just small marks on the silver bezel and the 4 survived its only fall without not even a mark or scar (granted it was like 2 feet).
Have you ever owned an iPhone? Even though one assume glass can break "more easily" I can tell you that unless you drop it more than 4-5 feet or you're unlucky (as with any phone) Gorilla Glass could probably withstand the fall with barely scuffs.
And what's better is that this Gorilla Glass won't easily scratch with daily use as many shiny plastics phones I've used (Samsung Galaxy S, Nexus S, Arc, etc.). One of the reason I'm sold on Xperia S is the matte plastics than I'm hoping feel more premium than others, and hopefully it won't disappoint me. I can tell you, apart from the iPhone the only other phone I liked its build quality was the HTC Nexus One, I loved how it felt in the hand! as much as I hated the Pentile screen...

Samsung Galaxy S III durability

Hello everyone..
I am debating wether to buy the S III or not. I'm not sure if the durability is as good as the S II even though Corning Gorilla glass 2 is being used on the S III. Drop test videos I've seen online have shown the screen to be quick to crack. Can anyone comment on this issue? Is the size of the screen a weak point when it comes to accidental drops?
Thanks.
don't drop your phone, it has a large scratch proof glass screen....not a large impact proof glass screen.. ...do people moan when they drop a laptop and it breaks? No.... ..and the difference between a laptop and a smart phone....little.
Why can't people understand that spending £500 on a phone doesn't mean it should be drop proof... .if you can't look after it then I recommend you don't buy it
slaphead20 said:
don't drop your phone, it has a large scratch proof glass screen....not a large impact proof glass screen.. ...do people moan when they drop a laptop and it breaks? No.... ..and the difference between a laptop and a smart phone....little.
Why can't people understand that spending £500 on a phone doesn't mean it should be drop proof... .if you can't look after it then I recommend you don't buy it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a valid point but one slight difference between them is the size of course. A laptop does not fit in your pocket and therefore there is no chance it will fall out while you're sitting down somewhere or even slip from your hand while taking it out of your pocket. Smart phones are more prone to accidents and even a slight drop is inevitable; that's a fact. The question is though: how well will it handle the little bumps? we already know that some phones handle these things better than others
firas_am said:
That's a valid point but one slight difference between them is the size of course. A laptop does not fit in your pocket and therefore there is no chance it will fall out while you're sitting down somewhere or even slip from your hand while taking it out of your pocket. Smart phones are more prone to accidents and even a slight drop is inevitable; that's a fact. The question is though: how well will it handle the little bumps? we already know that some phones handle these things better than others
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
likewise, valid point....the bottom line imho is that drops are so random, that it is virtually impossible to assess how durable a phone is in real life....ie.drop a phone from 1 foot on to a pointy stone, central to the screen....chances are big screen damage....drop phone from ear when standing, phone lands on back, polycarbonate absorbs impact, phone survives.....so it really is luck of the draw.
Another example confess to mind....the"my screen cracked in my pocket" one......has any body considered that without a rigid chassis the phone is essentially flexible along is length, so if your phone, say, sits across your hip bone, you sit down, pocket material puts pressure on both ends, quite possible that would be enough to crack a screen due to its relative inflexible nature......but does anyone consider this as mistreatment(accidental or not)? I do, it is akin to putting the phone across the edge of a table and pressing hard on both ends.
My point is that people should really look after their phones with a different mindset to looking after a dumb phone. Personally I sold my soul for this phone and I really look after it.....and if I break it then it is my fault. No where have I read any data where Samsung claim any impact resistance standard, indeed they use the gyro to log impacts to stop people making false warranty claims. It simply isn't designed to be dropped.
I would go with the S2.. there is a lot more ROMs/Kernal and the quad-core processor on the S3 isn't even used to its full potential
I am only getting the S3 because I am getting it new and cheap, I've got a feeling I'll be selling it for some profit and buying an S2 though.
I would go for the S3 far better phone than any and trust me Ive tried a few, Galaxy S2 was great but S3 gives more fun
As for durability if you are really worried then buy a good case protector e.g. tech21 incase you drop it and you could buy a case with flip cover incase of the screen
S3 is a better phone in all aspects, it may not be as durable as s2, it depends on how the durability is calculated. Dropping the phone straight on a flat hard surface and calling it less durable is wrong. I have dropped my S3 more than 5 times all with different angles not a single damage. All credit goes to the tpu case and silicone case.
《tapatalked from galaxy s3》

any owners that also had a Galaxy Mega?

I currently have the Galaxy Mega and absolutely love it...that being said when i saw the google play edition of the Z ultra last night I got a bit envious. has anyone come from the mega and if so what are your thoughts? i know there is little size difference but what were your impressions?
obviously, i'm fine with big phones but i'm concerned about the camera since i have an infant and taking pictures is actually important to me now.
also, i am wondering if you can use the Samsung MHL cable on the XZU as i use mhl daily. would be nice not to have to buy another cable.
I have no experience with the Mega, but your MHL cable won't work. Samsung MHL adapters are 11 pins while the rest are 5 pins. Non-Samsung adapters are very cheap though ($10 bucks)
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
I came from a Mega:
This is so much more powerful. Like, crazy powerful. It completely devastates the Mega. It's noticable the second you start using it, its just so fast and smooth.
The second big improvement is the screen. The Mega has an awesome screen for 720p, but the panel in the Ultra is epic.
The third big improvement is surprisingly battery life! The Ultra is considerably better.
Fourth big improvement is in signal quality. I am UK based so don't use LTE currently, but 3G the Ultra gets a stronger signal pretty much everywhere.
It's waterproof, which is never a bad thing.
Oh and I nearly forgot... Roms. There is already an excelent CM10.2 build available for the Ultra, as well as a fair few other roms and obviously the GPE just got announced and that will bring a tidal wave of very high quality roms. The Mega development section on the other hand is virtually a barren wasteland, and being both underpowered and Touchwiz inflicted it is in desperate need of a decent AOSP build. The Ultra is actually fine stock ironically, Sony only lightly skin Android and the stock rom is near-AOSP anyway.
On the downsides:
The Mega did fit in my pocket better, though I still keep my Ultra in the front pocket of my jeans just as I did with my Mega. The angular design looks good, but it is a little impractical on a device this big.
The touchscreen is prone to occasional mistouches, mainly if it's dirty. Not a big issue by any means, but a minus point non the less.
The camera is much better on the Mega, particularly in low light.
The "ASF" screen protection fitted as standard is stupid. It's plastic based, so it will scratch considerably easier than the strengthened glass beneath it and doesn't feel as nice under the finger. If you remove the film, which took me about 3 hours, the glass underneath doesn't have any oleophobic coating and so gets dirty easily. I plan on buying some of the Fusso replacement oleophobic coating on the net soon to resolve this once and for all, but that costs £20 and it shouldn't be necessary.
For me, the Ultra is the MUCH better phone. I'm really happy with mine, probably the best phone I have ever owned. :good:
i just returned my mega to buy a z ultra play edition, the mega wasn't powerful enough and didn't have enough customization options for me.
stiggy2012 said:
I came from a Mega:
This is so much more powerful. Like, crazy powerful. It completely devastates the Mega. It's noticable the second you start using it, its just so fast and smooth.
The second big improvement is the screen. The Mega has an awesome screen for 720p, but the panel in the Ultra is epic.
The third big improvement is surprisingly battery life! The Ultra is considerably better.
Fourth big improvement is in signal quality. I am UK based so don't use LTE currently, but 3G the Ultra gets a stronger signal pretty much everywhere.
It's waterproof, which is never a bad thing.
Oh and I nearly forgot... Roms. There is already an excelent CM10.2 build available for the Ultra, as well as a fair few other roms and obviously the GPE just got announced and that will bring a tidal wave of very high quality roms. The Mega development section on the other hand is virtually a barren wasteland, and being both underpowered and Touchwiz inflicted it is in desperate need of a decent AOSP build. The Ultra is actually fine stock ironically, Sony only lightly skin Android and the stock rom is near-AOSP anyway.
On the downsides:
The Mega did fit in my pocket better, though I still keep my Ultra in the front pocket of my jeans just as I did with my Mega. The angular design looks good, but it is a little impractical on a device this big.
The touchscreen is prone to occasional mistouches, mainly if it's dirty. Not a big issue by any means, but a minus point non the less.
The camera is much better on the Mega, particularly in low light.
The "ASF" screen protection fitted as standard is stupid. It's plastic based, so it will scratch considerably easier than the strengthened glass beneath it and doesn't feel as nice under the finger. If you remove the film, which took me about 3 hours, the glass underneath doesn't have any oleophobic coating and so gets dirty easily. I plan on buying some of the Fusso replacement oleophobic coating on the net soon to resolve this once and for all, but that costs £20 and it shouldn't be necessary.
For me, the Ultra is the MUCH better phone. I'm really happy with mine, probably the best phone I have ever owned. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the help.
some of the things that make me weary of the XZU - i think the sharp pretty much sucks and prefer the rounded corners. i'm not sure if it being a bit bigger will be much of a problem or not. i went to the store to try to find one and its not in stock anywhere yet.
i really want a stock android experience though and i'll never ever get that on the Mega since they'll never get MHL to work and i use mhl daily with my appradio 2 and must have it.
that google play edition is so so tempting...i better not even mention i bought another phone after just getting the mega 6 weeks ago.
is it at all easier to use being so much thinner? i didn't think that would matter though in ease of use but not sure.
It's actually ridiculously thin. I have a hard time picking it up from the table. It's almost like trying to pick something flat off the ground and you can't really get a grip. It would've been brutal for the pockets if it was thicker.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
It's actually ridiculously thin. I have a hard time picking it up from the table. It's almost like trying to pick something flat off the ground and you can't really get a grip. It would've been brutal for the pockets if it was thicker.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you use a case with it?
i am also confused about this screen protector? is it a protector just built onto the phone that most people don't like or remove but its really hard to take off? i haven't seen any reviews mentioning it.
I'm not using a case. I like to use my devices naked. The screen protector is an "Anti shatter film" that's preventing glass from shattering once you break it. You may remove it if you want to, but I've heard that it takes like three hours to do it since it's really thin and it breaks into tiny pieces. It's not a good protector, so the oleophobic layer (anti smudge) layer will start to come of after some use. Also, since it's a plastic sheet, using pens on it to take notes or draw isn't recommended since it will naturally scratch it. Sony sure employed a brainiac to do this job, and I can't understand why they would do this.
Either way, that's just how it is. You won't notice or even see the protector, and if you get scratches, you can remove it and use your own protector. It just takes a lot of time. You can read all about it in a thread that's lying around here some place.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
knives of ice said:
do you use a case with it?
i am also confused about this screen protector? is it a protector just built onto the phone that most people don't like or remove but its really hard to take off? i haven't seen any reviews mentioning it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a black TPU case I got off ebay for £3, it doesn't add hadly any bulk but ofers decent protection.
I bought the Mega for the mrs. She wanted a large screen but doesn't need all the bells and whistles and see loves it and is used to TW having come from a note 2.
Honestly I like both devices, but for a hardcore tinkerer like me I had to have the Ultra.
baileyjr said:
I'm using a black TPU case I got off ebay for £3, it doesn't add hadly any bulk but ofers decent protection.
I bought the Mega for the mrs. She wanted a large screen but doesn't need all the bells and whistles and see loves it and is used to TW having come from a note 2.
Honestly I like both devices, but for a hardcore tinkerer like me I had to have the Ultra.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i just wish there was somewhere i could go check out the device before buying it.
the biggest thing i think i will hate is that screen protector on the phone. that seems like the dumbest decision ever to put that on out of the factory.
there is a sony outlet store about 40min from me i wonder if they would have one, surely they would
knives of ice said:
yes, i just wish there was somewhere i could go check out the device before buying it.
the biggest thing i think i will hate is that screen protector on the phone. that seems like the dumbest decision ever to put that on out of the factory.
there is a sony outlet store about 40min from me i wonder if they would have one, surely they would
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Give them a call and ask if they have it before you go out the door
knives of ice said:
yes, i just wish there was somewhere i could go check out the device before buying it.
the biggest thing i think i will hate is that screen protector on the phone. that seems like the dumbest decision ever to put that on out of the factory.
there is a sony outlet store about 40min from me i wonder if they would have one, surely they would
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't see the factory fitted screen protector. I have a normal screen protector on top as well and its invisable if you take your time to install it carefully :thumbup:
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk 4
Yeah, you won't notice it at all unless you get some bad scratches. Just treat it as a gadget, and not a piece of meat, and you probably won't get any.
If you have an infant and pictures are key for you then avoid this phone like the plague. I have young kids also and this camera sucks. However otherwise the phone is very good in every other aspect.
knives of ice said:
I currently have the Galaxy Mega and absolutely love it...that being said when i saw the google play edition of the Z ultra last night I got a bit envious. has anyone come from the mega and if so what are your thoughts? i know there is little size difference but what were your impressions?
obviously, i'm fine with big phones but i'm concerned about the camera since i have an infant and taking pictures is actually important to me now.
also, i am wondering if you can use the Samsung MHL cable on the XZU as i use mhl daily. would be nice not to have to buy another cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont like Samsung products, bcuz they all look like sanitary napkins.
I'm waiting for my ZU to come in the mail I'm so excited coming from a Mega 6.3!
After playing with a friends ZU, the thing that I will appreciate most on the ZU is the faster processor and larger RAM, although I must admit I do wish the camera on it was a bit better with flash!! I'm a girl and I like to take selfies geez... :silly:
LordManhattan said:
I'm not using a case. I like to use my devices naked. The screen protector is an "Anti shatter film" that's preventing glass from shattering once you break it. You may remove it if you want to, but I've heard that it takes like three hours to do it since it's really thin and it breaks into tiny pieces. It's not a good protector, so the oleophobic layer (anti smudge) layer will start to come of after some use. Also, since it's a plastic sheet, using pens on it to take notes or draw isn't recommended since it will naturally scratch it. Sony sure employed a brainiac to do this job, and I can't understand why they would do this.
Either way, that's just how it is. You won't notice or even see the protector, and if you get scratches, you can remove it and use your own protector. It just takes a lot of time. You can read all about it in a thread that's lying around here some place.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I owned the original Xperia Z and loved the mobile. Reviewers all gave it some negative feedback as when they sat in the kitchen they could not see the screen from the living room due to what they called "Poor viewing angles". I found this odd and got into all sorts of trouble on one review site, Trusted reviews, where they are anything but' trusted'.
I digress. The Z came with this new 'anti shatter film' Point is within only a few days of very respectful use I could actually see tiny marks on this laminate membrane. I spoke with the Sony importer here who advised me to fit a screen protector, in some countries they where sold with the screen protectors in the box. At that time this confused me as I thought both one and the other where the same thing? Not the case at all.
The anti shatter film is fitted as when the water resistant idea was in development the designers realised that customers would use them by a pool or near water like a beach. This caused some concern as if the phone got wet it became slippery and if dropped the screen could shatter and leave shards of glass all over the place where people could cut themselves (not to mention the cost of emptying and refilling a pool). To prevent any such problem and, I guess, avoid legal action? Sony fitted the new range of water resistant devices with these anti shatter films. Great idea.............
IN PRACTCE they have proved so soft they scratch far to readily and in terms of the Ultra it would be suicide to use a pencil on that anti shatter film.
here again is Sony being innovators of great new developments yet so often dropping the ball at the last hurdle!
I have a very decent screen protector fitted on my Ultra that I always order the same time I purchase any phone, phablet or tablet. I also always purchase a decent cover to further protect the device. I would like to use them without a cover but just cannot bare to think of scratching my devices. So good looking yet the cases do hide their good looks also add greatly to the bulk.
Life is all about compromise though.
I suggest comparing the Samsung mega against the Ultra is an unfair test to start with. Size being the only common denominator. With the exception of the camera, so I am told, the Ultra is made to a higher standard in terms of materials used in construction also the other operational hardware is more advanced. I am a Samsung fan but have never been a fan boy of any brand. Its a question of purchase what satisfies ones needs and requirements. I also own the SG Note 3 and gear, they are both now boxed and in a draw ready to sell.
Ryland

Some Thoughts on a Recent Z Ultra Purchase

I decided to write down some unorganized thoughts about the Z Ultra since the device seems to be piquing many's interest of late with the price drops.
--Running at 1080p on the snapdragon, I imagine it'll continue to fare well against newer phones like the G3 since those use a lot more power to render the extra pixels.
--I'm surprised that Sony's software is uncommonly decent. I was expecting some really awful bloatware but the only bloated application is the small app widget which is actually a nice feature (also easy to remove if desired).
--I especially enjoy how it renders websites like a tablet instead of a smartphone, I don't see this mentioned a lot but it makes a big difference to me from a usability perspective.
--Battery life is average all things considered.
--Speaker quality isn't as bad as some reviews made me expect but I understand why they mention it. You can tell it's actually loud but muffled from the waterproofing since the whole device vibrates when the volume is cranked.
Some drawbacks in comparing it to my last device (Nexus 4):
--This will be the first cellphone I put a case on in years since there are a lot of broken screen reports considering how relatively uncommon the device is. I bet one of the two screens they use can't handle much flex so it cracks when bent in your pocket.
--The glass also doesn't feel as "high-end" as the Gorilla Glass + oleo-phobic coating I'm coming from. Hopefully the GlassM screen protector made of Gorilla Glass can remedy this. Maybe I'm a bit biased from using and having such a positive experience with Gorilla Glass in the past.
--I miss Qi inductive charging (I guess the newer Sony phones have it but not the Ultra).
Overall, I'm not blown away but I'm impressed considering the $300-$350 price it's going for at the moment ($335-$400 to me since I consider it a necessity to put a case and oleo-phobic screen protector on the device).
the glass is good (dragontail) but has a too soft anti shatter film on the top that is a pain to remove
luceri84 said:
I decided to write down some unorganized thoughts about the Z Ultra since the device seems to be piquing many's interest of late with the price drops.
--Running at 1080p on the snapdragon, I imagine it'll continue to fare well against newer phones like the G3 since those use a lot more power to render the extra pixels.
--I'm surprised that Sony's software is uncommonly decent. I was expecting some really awful bloatware but the only bloated application is the small app widget which is actually a nice feature (also easy to remove if desired).
--I especially enjoy how it renders websites like a tablet instead of a smartphone, I don't see this mentioned a lot but it makes a big difference to me from a usability perspective.
--Battery life is average all things considered.
--Speaker quality isn't as bad as some reviews made me expect but I understand why they mention it. You can tell it's actually loud but muffled from the waterproofing since the whole device vibrates when the volume is cranked.
Some drawbacks in comparing it to my last device (Nexus 4):
--This will be the first cellphone I put a case on in years since there are a lot of broken screen reports considering how relatively uncommon the device is. I bet one of the two screens they use can't handle much flex so it cracks when bent in your pocket.
--The glass also doesn't feel as "high-end" as the Gorilla Glass + oleo-phobic coating I'm coming from. Hopefully the GlassM screen protector made of Gorilla Glass can remedy this. Maybe I'm a bit biased from using and having such a positive experience with Gorilla Glass in the past.
--I miss Qi inductive charging (I guess the newer Sony phones have it but not the Ultra).
Overall, I'm not blown away but I'm impressed considering the $300-$350 price it's going for at the moment ($335-$400 to me since I consider it a necessity to put a case and oleo-phobic screen protector on the device).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Bigger glass will aways require more protection. It's the law of physics.
2. I put Glass M and never been so happy with my XZU. Just remember to make it 100% clean when you apply it though. I have this minor dust left so initially i'm mad about that but after a while i'll just let it slide..
3. Magnetic Dock will serve the same purpose as Qi, even better.
I'm a bit nervous about putting the GlassM on with the dust. I've read that taking a hot shower in the room you're working will get rid of the dust in the air so I'll try that with the "hinge method" to align. It's not a cheap screen protector and seems to be taking its time coming from Asia to USA so I'll be irked if I mess it up.
Also, I'm surprised by how affordable the dk30 alternatives are.
If you have ordered protectors for both sides, make sure you put the back one on first, so that if you mess up, it'll at least be on the least visible side. I applied mine in a steamy bathroom and got no specks. Just make sure the surface is clean too.
I recently purchased the Skinomi TechSkin full body protector for my XZU. I have had this brand of screen protector before on my Moto Milestone 2 and Xperia T LT30p, and it did what it said it would do, which is "Protection For Perfection."
I just sold my Z ultra after having it a few months. I too was quite impressed by the software. Though I am one of the few who detests stock android. I will never again buy a Nexus or GP phone. Sony's skin, I find so far, to be the most beautiful android UX to date. And I think their keyboard is the best. Even better than Swiftkey. Finally, LOVE the dualshock compatibility out of the box. It blows away iPega, SteelSeries and Moga.
It was just that little bit too big for me. And despite the thinness, the flat slab design made it uncomfortable for me to hold. Any manufacturer making a phablet needs to look to the Lumia 1520. That phone is a pleasure to hold and use.
I finally got a Oneplus One invite so that is what I am using now. A buddy who has one talked me into it. While he found the phone to be huge (coming from a Moto X) after the ZU, I find it to be absolutely tiny. I am going to miss the large screen and Xperia UX. And it's going to suck going back to a Moga (I don't hack/root)
I'm going crazy reading all the things I'm hearing about the z ultra. I placed my order Friday morning for my c6833 and it will be in my hands on wensday can't wait to fire up this monster

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