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Hi Guys, new to XDA here. Would like to share my Xperia Z Ultra experience!
It's safe to say that the Z Ultra is one of the best Portable Mobile Entertainment Device I've ever used! Anything smaller would have made lying on the bed at night watching a movie, unenjoyable. And anything bigger would have reduced it's usage as a daily mobile phone device (which it's already at it's limit).
The Z Ultra's front and back sides are covered by shatter proof tempered glass, while the sides or mainframe is made out of tough polyamide glass. At first glance, the polyamide glass frame was even mistaken as metal by me as it felt very sturdy and solid on the hands. All this material combined and I felt like I was holding a really unique premium piece of equipment.
Here's my Unboxing Video of the Demo Unit, including a basic test drive!
Unboxing + Basic Test Drive
The Z Ultra is as snappy as a mainstream laptop today. Surfing the web and watching videos in YouTube is a breeze with no lag spikes at all. SONY has made the right decision in inserting Qualcomn's best available processor (Snapdragon 800 Quad Core 2.2GHz) into this beauty, making it a beast at the same time!
With the Z Ultra's Snapdragon 800 processor and the Adreno 330 graphics processing unit, Android 4.2.2 runs flawlessly while 3D Mark has met it's match, maxing out it's 1st and 2nd Benchmark Tests while attaining a score of 16.3k on it's ultimate test.
It's a good thing to see SONY implementing it's Bravia SmartTV's screen expertise into the Xperia Z ULTRA. The Triluminous Display works wonders, delivering really strong rich colors which beats my desktop's monitor. I sure hope SONY decides to produce their own line of Desktop Monitors in the future as I would definitely ditch my current one anyday for it.
Since the SONY ERICSSON days, I have cherished every moment with my W995 Walkman Non-Smartphone for it's irreplacable sound quality. When it comes to Sound Quality, SONY truly delivers what my ears desire. The Clear Bass technology works like a charm! Increasing low frequency without sacrificing the mids and highs, the result, a clean distortion free music experience with extremely strong bass. Audiophiles who are bass heads should definitely get your hands on a Sony WALKMAN certified device (if not this one) and max out Clear Bass, try it out for yourselves!
Battery-Wise, this beast is packed with a 3000mAh battery which is able to provide sufficient juice for at least 2 days on basic usage (In Stamina Mode) Watching a 1920x1080 Full HD 1 hour clip drained 10% out of the battery. I'd say the battery life on the Z Ultra is great, no complaints here.
The 8 Megapixel rear camera on this beauty isn't one to be replaced by DSLRs but is indeed a decent enough camera for casual shootouts. Here are some video samples I took at Gardens By The Bay's Cloud Forest.
Video Sample 1 (At Cloud Forest)
Video Sample 2 (At Cloud Forest)
As for it's waterproof feature, it's a sweet one but one that I will not want to risk. However, I definitely felt much secure holding the Z Ultra in the rain compared to my old W995 phone.
So I've listed the stuffs that were to my favour, this half beauty half beast has slight flaws to it though.
The Z ULTRA is far too big to be used as a phone. I've went around asking friends and relatives and most of them stated that although the bigger screen is pleasing, it's massive size was far too big for day to day usage (especially when tight fitted jeans equipped with tiny pockets are in the trend now). Getting the SBH 52 Bluetooth headset is decent enough workaround for those who really want the bigger screen over anything else.
While the Z Ultra produces superb sound quality through the 3.5mm jack, the built-in speakers are pretty much comparable with most other phones out there. Sound is flat, with little to no bass. It has a decent enough maximum sound ouput but that's as far as it goes. It will be great if SONY could add in dual front facing speakers as seen in the HTC One and perhaps a subwoofer in it's future devices? This would complete the term "Ultimate Mobile Entertainment Experience".
With the introduction of IPS Panels, SONY should definitely consider replacing their TFT panels with IPS ones to deliver better viewing angles and color accuracy, but still the 6.44" Triluminous Display on this beauty is not one to dissapoint.
Finally, here's my review (8 days after I received the unit)
Final Review
Is it worth the penny!? If you ask me, it's definitely a yes! Especially if you're one who would go for bigger screens at the cost of slight portability issues, go for it! Not only is the Xperia Z Ultra a beast packing high end technology with a beefy 3000 mAh battery, it's slim and in fact the slimmest phablet device yet. Else, there's always the Xperia Z1! But I'll save that review for later since I wouldn't want to get off topic.
In short, the Xperia Z Ultra is A Hybrid of a Beast & Beauty!
Hi, I've had this season many phones, including the LG G3, SAMSUNG GALAXY S5, HTC ONE M8 and IPHONE 5S ... until 2 days ago that I bought my new SONY XPERIA ULTRA Z, and say, I'm delighted.
The Lg g3 is pure lag, lag everywhere, either version ko which is, anyway, this is very poorly optimized emovil.
The samsung galaxy s5 is fine, but still does not bring me too, has good camera and good video recording but little more.
The htc one m8 is the more fluid cell phone that I have had, is already playing and the screen where you indicated you ... wonderful, and also good materials etc (which I sold for hobby)
The iphone 5s is a good mobile but small screen and limitations ... that if enough of losd best camera ... and very quickly the photo shoot.
Tired of being a mobile almost every week (yes, believe me), I saw a good deal on a store in my city, the ultra z sony xperia 4G at a great price, and the truth or what I thought ...
Well, the screen is a delight while not ips is tft but with very good contrast, complete fluency .... and now that I just happen to fly this GOOGLE EDITION, also to watch movies, surf, play etc is lovely.
Also now I have the ionplementacion in art, and goes even faster, if that came out just one year ago but is still top mobile practically, with 2 gigs of ram, big screen of 6.44 inches 1080p FULL HD, processor 800 to 2.2 SNAPDRAGON rendering and long life you have left, water resistant up to 128 cards supports gigs, the safest thing we ANDROID L, even the GOOGLE EDITION.
Abri this post to comment that I like it a lot the phone, I've also had the note 3 and really, it looked like toy beside ..
a hug and long life to the ULTRA Z !!
Congrats and welcome One small correction though, the Ultra has an IPS panel and not a TFT. It was the first Sony phone (as far as i know) to use an IPS panel. The Z1 on the other hand (which got released around the same time as the Ultra) has a TFT panel.
H. E. Pennypacker said:
Congrats and welcome One small correction though, the Ultra has an IPS panel and not a TFT. It was the first Sony phone (as far as i know) to use an IPS panel. The Z1 on the other hand (which got released around the same time as the Ultra) has a TFT panel.
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I Always thought it looked a lot better but I stayed with tft doubt, that just solved me a hug and thanks !!:good:
H. E. Pennypacker said:
Congrats and welcome One small correction though, the Ultra has an IPS panel and not a TFT. It was the first Sony phone (as far as i know) to use an IPS panel. The Z1 on the other hand (which got released around the same time as the Ultra) has a TFT panel.
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Can not see if the internet ips haha, pass me a link if you can please
kevin_23 said:
Can not see if the internet ips haha, pass me a link if you can please
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Well, to make it a little more technical, TFT LCD - or "Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display" is what every LCD display out there is. IPS, or "In-Plane Switching" is still TFT, but improved in several areas (like viewing angles and contrast). The Z1 uses a TN VA-TFT LCD panel (which is the standard and older TFT technology with poor(er) viewing angles, while the Z Ultra, Z2, Z3 etc. uses AH-IPS TFT LCD panels which solves the viewing angle issues and also contrast. Most places will simply refer the panel as a TFT LCD, but devs and other more in-depth articles (which hilariously i can't seem to find now) have confirmed that the Z Ultra does indeed have an IPS panel.
There are to different types of panels used in the Z Ultra. A Sharp panel, which looks to be the best one (contrast is a little better) and an AUO panel. You can check your own display by using ADB or running a command directly from a mobile terminal on your Ultra. I do however (again) not remember the command, but i guess someone else around here will have it.
H. E. Pennypacker said:
Well, to make it a little more technical, TFT LCD - or "Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display" is what every LCD display out there is. IPS, or "In-Plane Switching" is still TFT, but improved in several areas (like viewing angles and contrast). The Z1 uses a TN VA-TFT LCD panel (which is the standard and older TFT technology with poor(er) viewing angles, while the Z Ultra, Z2, Z3 etc. uses AH-IPS TFT LCD panels which solves the viewing angle issues and also contrast. Most places will simply refer the panel as a TFT LCD, but devs and other more in-depth articles (which hilariously i can't seem to find now) have confirmed that the Z Ultra does indeed have an IPS panel.
There are to different types of panels used in the Z Ultra. A Sharp panel, which looks to be the best one (contrast is a little better) and an AUO panel. You can check your own display by using ADB or running a command directly from a mobile terminal on your Ultra. I do however (again) not remember the command, but i guess someone else around here will have it.
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thank you very much for the explanation !!, actually my screen seems very good, and I've not had a few phones, a hug !![emoji2]
I recently got a Google Play edition and it's been refreshing. My Mega (6.3) was killing me from all sorts of things, So glad to not have to deal with Samsung anymore. Also get to finally use LTE too.
First at all, sorry for my english, i am spanish
I come from a sony xperia x, z ultra and z5, which has left me very good taste, a cell phone 5 inch good camera and good performance and screen, which I had is with the snapdragon xperia x 650.
Screen looking for something more than a phablet, especially good camera and good performance ...
3 days ago I bought my new Sony Xperia Ultra XA, user I was 2 years ago great xperia z ultra, and if I think I've won in all but water resistance and gpu.
First, the quality panel xa xperia ultra is excellent and with a lot of very good brightness, whites are pure white, blacks are good, that if, without being an AMOLED, has no side frames, is a big plus Please screen, for me, despite not having the Triluminous display technology is better than the ultra z.
As for cameras more of the same, both the front and rear they humiliate xperia z ultra, who only has 8 mpx without flash ... makes decent photos only during the day, with the ultra xa, thanks to flash and the optical stabilizer front camera, you make good pictures generally ....
As for the graphics and processor if, in graphic is below the mali T860 mp2 the Adreno 330, but has not given me any problems or hitches with any game, in terms of cpu, despite being eight cortex to 53, the develops mobile phenomenal, mediatek long ago makes and assembles good processors ...
As for audio, the other better, the speaker is more potent than xperia z ultra, with more and more serious force, like listening to music on the loudspeaker at half volume spare me ...
Then a paste, the ultra xa is not waterproof, but I do not usually wash in the shower with mobile ...
RAM up to 3GB of 2, the quality of materials in the ultra xa is very good, polycarbonate and metal, gives a sense of quality, also we won rapidad load thanks to the battery Qnovo ...
These days doing me about 5 hours and 25 minutes of screen is not my max in that sense, but do not see anything wrong.
In short, after coming xperia x, z ultra and Z5, for me is not a downgrade at all, I'd say this to the level of these, helium p10 processor is a high midrange performs very well, and not everything is processor, also this hand sony quality and optimization, and it shows.
a greeting and I hope you have served my great paragraph:good:
Agreed, the screen is the big winner on this unit, just wonderful.
The screen is indeed wonderful on this device. One of the best LCD I have layed my eyes on. It's just so uniform (my display is at least) and it has great black level and also good contrast as a result. I enjoy the screen too much to sell this phone even though it's not my main phone right now. Love the camera too it takes very fine images for the most part. This phone is excellent if you take it for what it is.
hello; which phone u recomand and why?
I owned the Z3 compact, and sold it to buy the Xperia X. I think the XX is bit faster, it has more Ram and internal memory, still receives updates (Z3 is stuck at MM, XX on Nougat 7.1.1) and it feels less fragile (the Z3c has a glass back cover). I think there is more development on the Z series (lineage os?), but I the XX has Omnirom now.
op3n said:
hello; which phone u recomand and why?
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Yeah just get the X it's better in.. well, every aspect you can think of and it's cheap
go for X
z3 is awesome phone but now its outdated
I had a Z3 (D6603) and now have an X Dual (F5122) to replace it. I much prefer the X's cameras, internal storage (64 GB on dual), fingerprint reader, and newer software; also personally think that 5.0" is a more balanced size than 5.2" screen.
The Z3 also has terrible build quality. The front screen on mine fell off at least 4 times and was sent back 3 times for repair. After it happened again when it was out of warranty I broke the whole thing trying to fix it myself. (a friend of mine also has a Z3 and exactly the same issue - I doubt a coincidence). I have no idea if the build quality on the X is much better as haven't had it for long, but Sony should really start using screws and removable batteries again instead of holding the phone together with useless glue.
Please, convince me on not buying the Pro...
I have the S21 Ultra so didn't need the zoom ,120hz and so the extra 300 for the Pro were not worth the hassle.
Also the 6 has everything else the same and in the UK you got the bose 700 headphones on preorder regardless which you got.
So it was a no brainer for me.
If you are not a camera person the Pixel 6 is the way to go.
Also compared to the Pro the S21 Ultra is a better buy with 10x zoom and the Spen feature and you probably get it cheaper now.
Didn't think it was worth $300 more.
The Pixel 6 Pro has curved screen edges while the Pixel 6 is a flat screen which is what I prefer.
Curved screen. Have an actual camera so the $300 for the telephoto did not seem economic.
Curved screen, size, and price.
Yeah the telephoto would be cool in certain situations and there's been a few times already I wish I had it, but not enough to justify an extra $300 and having to put up with the screen edges and extra bulk.
Physically the Pixel 6 is a nearly identical in size to my Pixel 2 XL, just a smidgen heavier.
Size. Pro is too big.
Size, price and the flat screen.
In the UK the price difference is £300, which is over $400. Crazy amount to justify the additional zoom and screen differences.
I also prefer the black frame look to the metallic sides of the Pro.
improved battery live over the Pro. Often I ask keep asking myself the same question and so far come back to the same conclusion. It would be really cool to have a flagship phone with the beautiful curved and larger screen and the additional camera feature. But then it's $300 more for that and the additional RAM. I've had an S21 Ultra before and sometimes miss the large smooth screen.
If there had been a difference in the processor I would have definitely picked the Pro.
cheers
I bought both to compare to each other and send back one within the return window.
I like the size of the 6 better, and the color of the sorta sea foam. The 6 screen wasn't as responsive out of the box but now for some reason feels more fluid.
The audio is important to me as I use phones with Viper4android with high end gear and both phones sound the same in that dept, almost better than my S21 Ultra, which until now was the best sounding phone to me.
Weird that Pixel doesn't have dolby like Samsung and One Plus phones.
Mostly price, but also size and flat screen.
Price was too much for me, don't care about telescopic lens, phone is too big for me, and lastly the curved edges make it difficult to find a good reliable glass screen protector.
As of now, not even Whitestone Dome has come up with a glass screen protector and they make great glass screen protectors for screens with curved edges.
The Pixel 6 is about the same size as previous Pixel XL devices which makes it the perfect size for me. The regular sized Pixel was fine for me back then too but the small battery along with not being able to see very well when having two windows open is a deal breaker for me.
Mainly price and being a flat screen device.
Money and flat screen.
The bigger question for me is why I got a Pixel 6 and not a lower end phone. I never even considered the pro because:
A) Price
B) I preferred a even smaller, not larger phone.
C) Camera was of minimal concern for me because I rarely use a cell phone for 'real' pictures - I have a mirrorless APS-C camera for that. Cell phone pics are more for in store "which item should I get?" type pics.
D) Coming from a 60Hz screen, 90Hz was already an upgrade.
E) I am not a gamer, and don't push my phone hard, so extra RAM was not necessary.
D) According to reviews, real world battery life on the regular model is suppose to be better. (I assume the bigger higher res screen on the pro is the main reason)
I came from a Pixel 4 XL which became a sweet spot size wise for me. The Pixel 6 is very comparable in size to the Pixel 4 XL so that and the price is what made me buy the 6 over the 6 Pro.
If I hadn't needed the 512 GB version of the Pixel 6, which is only in Pro, I would have strongly considered the regular 6. I don't regret having the Pro except for the curved screens, but I knew it would.
I had never seen a Pro until yesterday, but it only took me 10 seconds for me to know I made the right choice. I don't like the curved screen and although it is slightly taller, it didn't appear to be any wider than the regular 6.
gpvecchi said:
Please, convince me on not buying the Pro...
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2 words: flat screen