Sony Xperia Z |

Sony Launches Xperia T2 Ultra

March 3, 2014 By Micheal Baptiste Leave a Comment

Many of us are expecting the new Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone. Although this device is about to launch, there is another smartphone that the people at Sony want to bring to the market, namely the Xperia T2 Ultra. From what we have heard so far, this will happen in the not too distant future.

The Xperia T2 Ultra will have a 6 inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (245 ppi), Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 platform (MSM8928), quad core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex A7 processor, 1 GB RAM, Adreno 305 GPU, 8 GB internal storage, a main camera with a 13 MP sensor and a 1.1 MP secondary camera. The Xperia T2 Ultra smartphone will have a dual-SIM version and its battery will be 3000 mAh, giving it a range of 46.6 days in standby or 30 hours of talk or 93 hours of music. The price of this 165 x 84 x 7.7 mm and 172 grams smartphone will be about € 400.

Xperia T2 Ultra good news, PS4 not so good news

Although things are looking good in the smartphone department, Xperia Z2 and Xperia T2 Ultra, things are not so good in terms of gaming. The Playstation 4 console from Sony sells more devices than Microsoft’s rival Xbox One. This is no longer a novelty: in February in the U.S. were sold for 287.000 units of PS4 and 258.000 units of Xbox One. And part of the reason is the $ 100 lower price. But Sony has noticed the situation and is taking action, like raising the price for the console and its accessories. The first “victim is Canada”, which will see an increase in price from $ 400 to $ 450. And the DualShock 4 controller and the Eye camera will also be more expensive, but only by $ 5.

Sony is thus trying to make profit and grow, counting on the fact that demand will not decrease. What do you think will happen in terms of sales, especially considering the fact that the more expensive Xbox One comes with the Kinect package?

Sony Xperia Z Andriod 4.3 Jelly Bean Update – Sony Confirms Xperia Devices to Get New Android Update

July 30, 2013 By Nicholas Anderton Leave a Comment

Sony confirmed that its line of Xperia Z devices will get the newest Android 4.3 update. The official announcement was made by Sony on Thursday. The devices that are supposed to receive the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update include Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia SP, and Xperia Z Ultra. Apart from these smartphones, the only tablet to get the Android 4.3 update is the Xperia Tablet Z.

Sony is also considering providing Android 4.3 update to its other handsets which are currently running on Android 4.1. The Android 4.3 update was first made available by Google on is Nexus phones and tablets. When the most of the smartphones and tablets were running on Android 4.1, at that time Google had announced the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. Like always, the update was first rolled out for Nexus devices. However, only few devices received the Android 4.2 update. We hope that the Android 4.3 update is made available for most of the devices that are still running on Android 4.1 Sony is the first among the top brands to get the Android 4.3 upgrade.

Even though Sony made arrival of Android 4.3 update official, the company is yet to announce the precise dates. Since Sony has announced that they will provide Android 4.3 update to handsets running on Android 4.1, this is a welcome relief to the users who have been endlessly waiting for the arrival of Android 4.2 update on their handsets.

Sad thing is that Sony has not been quick in offering Android releases to its customers. In December 2012, Sony had announced that they will be offering Android 4.2 updates to all the Xperia devices that were rolled out in 2012. However, the process was accomplished in the previous month. Sony has acknowledged the fact that they were slow in providing the Android updates. The company is aware of the frustrations customers have gone through and they are consistently making efforts to bring about improvements.

Another thing Sony users needs to be aware of is that the availability of the Android 4.3 update depends on the approval from carriers. However, this time around Sony hopes to provide the updates as quickly as possible. Currently, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is ruling the smartphone market and the next one to follow is HTC One. Hence, Sony does not want to stay behind and wants to offer the latest Android update on most of its devices.

Samsung has announced that they will be offering Android 4.3 update in the forthcoming months. HTC will also be offering the newest Android for its handsets but before that they wish to review the software and see it fits their plans. Even other brands will ensure that they offer the latest Android 4.3 to its customers. The specific date of Android 4.3 update is not available yet but we feel that the update will be out in November or December. This can be good for Sony as most people in US are expected to make purchases during the holiday season.

The Android 4.3 update cannot be called a ‘major’ update but it does improve the performance of the operating system. It also brings new features such as restricted profiles, Bluetooth Smart technology, better streaming multimedia support, and auto-complete feature in dialer.

At present, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL are the two devices from Sony that are in the process of receiving the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. The next in line are the Xperia ZR and Xperia Z tablet to receive Android 4.3 update in the coming month. So, we can know that at least for these devices the Android 4.2 will not be skipped which means these devices may take some more time to receive the Android 4.3 update.

We hope that the new Android 4.3 becomes available to all the recent Xperia devices very soon. Sony has been quite slow in releasing the updates. Now is the time to release updates to stay in competition with the market leaders.

T-Mobile To Offer Nokia Lumia 925 And Sony Xperia Z From July 17

July 15, 2013 By David Crozier Leave a Comment

You might be forgiven to believe the mobile segment in the US of A is almost an exclusive domain of the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Apple iPhone. For the situation is very much the same though there are also models such as the Nokia Lumia 925 or the Sony Xperia Z that carriers like T-Mobile adopt as part of their offerings to expand their customer data base. T-Mobile have announced the phones to be available from 17^th July.

The thing to note here is that the Lumia 925 that T-Mobile is offering is much the same as the AT&T Lumia 920 or the Verizon Lumia 928. However, there does exist some features with the T-Mobile Lumia 925 which makes it a tad better than the other two variants. For the Lumia 925 is a bit slimmer and also boasts of a better build quality thanks to the body being made of aluminum. In comparison, the Lumia 920 has a body made of polycarbonate plastic. The Lumia 925 also has a better camera mounted at the rear. T-Mobile subscribers would need to pay just $49.99 for the Nokia Lumia 925 while also agreeing to pay a monthly charge of $20 thereafter.

Compared to the Lumia 925, T-Mobile is giving the Sony Xperia Z for a down payment of $99.99 along with a monthly subscription fee of $20 for the next twenty four months. There is a Jump program that T-Mobile has announced which allows for users to change their Smartphone. Details of this program needs to be checked out at the local T-Mobile shop.

Meanwhile, Nokia has also come out with a new device, the Lumia 1020 which is equipped with a camera having a resolution of 41 megapixels. Sony also would be launching their Xperia Z Ultra model. Consumers will do well to weigh in these factors before purchasing any of the present Sony or Nokia make smartphones from T-Mobile.

Sony Xperia Z to Release at T-Mobile on July 17, Pre-order Starts July 16

July 15, 2013 By Nicholas Anderton Leave a Comment

As is already known to us all, Sony has started selling its water and dust resistant smartphone, the Xperia Z in the US from May this year at a price of $630. For those who are looking for a cheaper and subsidized Xperia Z will have their wishes granted since T-Mobile is all set to induct the latest Sony flagship device into its family soon. Also, the Xperia Z will be exclusive to T-Mobile, which means the only way one can lay their hands on the top notch smartphone at subsidized rates is via Magenta.

So what stands confirmed right now is that the Xperia Z is set to hit T-Mobile shelves on July 17. Interestingly, this confirms an earlier leak about the release date. The pre order process kicks off a day earlier, that is on 16th July. To further sweeten the deal, Sony has added a layer of sugar coating by way of a Sony Wireless Bluetooth Speaker that will offered free to those who pre orders the device.

Coming to its price, the Xperia Z will set one back by about $100 upfront which makes the price quite competitive considering the rich feature set the device has to offer. Buyers will then have to agree to paying $20 in 24 monthly installments. For those who don’t wish to be dragged into such a long term contract can pick up the T-Mobile version of the Xperia Z either from the carrier store or from Sony online for $579 dollars. The free Wireless Bluetooth Speaker offer is applicable here as well though only till stocks last.

As for its specs, the Xperia X comes with a 5 inch full HD display, a Snapdragon pro quad core processor having a clock speed of 1.5 GHz, Android Jelly Bean version 4.1.2, along with a 13 MP primary camera and a 2.2 MP secondary camera. Providing the juice will be a 2330 mAh battery.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra vs HTC One – Best Smartphones Design, Display, OS, Camera Comparison

July 8, 2013 By Micheal Baptiste Leave a Comment

The HTC One, with its metal design and high-end specifications, such as quad-core processor and UltraPixel camera has been well-received in the smartphone market. In fact, it has been a hot rival of the equally adept Samsung Galaxy S4 and even comparable to the iPhone 5. The Sonly Xperia Z Ultra made a bold entry into the phablet market with avant-garde features like water and dust resistance and stylus capabilities. Each phone exhibits a unique skill set, so let’s see how they compare against each other.

Design

The Sony Xperia Z Ultra, flaunted as the biggest and slimmest Full HD smartphone, is more of a phablet. Slim yet solid, the size is impressive, but you may not be able to operate it dexterously one-handed. With a dimension of 179 x 92 x 6.5mm, the device weighs 212 grams.

At first glance the HTC One looks simple and minimalistic with its all-metal unibody design. With a strip made of anodized black or glistening silver and rounded corners, the design renders a premium feel. HTC One weighs 143g and measures 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3mm.

Display

The Xperia Z Ultra flaunts a whopping 6.4-inch display having a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of 342ppi, plus a super-slim bezel. The screen features the “Triluminous” technology, which provides a rich color palette of 16 million colors, with enhanced color saturation, contrast and sharpness. An added feature is that the touchscreen responds to pens and pencils with a nib-size of 1mm or more. The display is scratch-resistant.

HTC One features an impressive 4.7-inch Super LCD 3 display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a pixel density of 468ppi. The Full HD 1080p resolution provides crystal clear clarity, excellent brightness, rich colors and good contrast. However, the screen is not scratch-resistant.

Hardware and Storage

Xperia Z Ultra is a winner with its water and dust resistant features, which hold good even with the headphone jack exposed. Certifications to this end – IP55 and IP58 – are said to be higher than that of the Xperia Z. The stylus feature is an extra. The device comes with 16GB onboard storage that can be expanded up to 64GB via microSD slot.

The HTC One has micro-USB and headphone ports. Front-mounted speakers, Beats Audio and BlinkFeed are some of the HTC-specific features. HTC One has 32GB onboard storage, but lacks a microSD slot for further expansion.

Processor and Connectivity

The Xperia Z Ultra bears a more powerful chip set – Quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 – which clocks at a speed of 2.2 GHz. It has 2GB RAM and Adreno 330 GPU.

HTC One is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T chipset clocked at 1.7GHz. It has 2GB RAM and Adreno 320 GPU.

Connectivity-wise, both support 4G LTE, HSPA+ 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DLNA, micro USB and NFC. The phones also support MHL to hook up to a TV.

Operating System

Xperia Z Ultra comes with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the latest version. HTC One, which debuted much earlier, runs on Android 4.1.2, but is in for an upgrade to the latest version.

Camera

Xperia Z Ultra comes with an 8MP back camera and a 2MP front-facing camera.

HTC One is better off in camera features. Its 4.3MP camera boasts HTC’s unique UltraPixel image sensor and a LED flash. The camera has HTC’s Zoe, a feature that can pile several images to convey action. The front camera has a 2.1MP sensor.

Battery

Xperia Z Ultra comes with a more powerful 3,000mAh battery compared to HTC One’s 2,300mAh battery.

Conclusion

Either phone flaunts its own unique design, streamlined interface and a rich array of features. Operation is smooth, whether it is swiping between screens, running graphic-intensive games or multitasking.

On the dimensions front, the HTC One’s minimalist design is comfortable on the hand, while the Xperia Z is a little tough for one-handed operation.

HTC One boasts additional camera features, while Xperia Z Ultra flaunts an advanced display technology, plus a stylus pen feature. Lack of microSD slot for expandable storage may be viewed as a drawback on HTC One.

For those looking for a ruggedized handset, Sony Xperia phones are perhaps, the best water-resistant devices in the market right now.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra U.K. Release Date Pegged for September with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

June 29, 2013 By Micheal Baptiste Leave a Comment

Packed with an impressive range of features, Sony’s Xperia Z Ultra is likely to hit U.K. shelves in September. While launching the device, Sony announced a global launch in Q3 2013, but didn’t specify a release date.

After the official announcement, Sony Netherland unveiled the European price as €719, which is about £610. U.K.’s largest mobile phone retailer Cardphone Warehouse listed the device on its website for prospective buyers to register, and expects it to release in September. Online retailer Clove also expects a September debut with a price tag of £599. U.K. retailer Three has also confirmed that it will offer the device and has asked interested consumers to register for the device.

Among the touted features, the Xperia Z Ultra flaunts a 6.4-inch Full HD screen, so it can be likened to a phablet capable of competing with Samsung Galaxy’s Note series and the Galaxy Mega. The display also features the “Triluminos” technology, which allows the incorporation of a broader range of rich natural colors. The water and dust resistant device calls itself the “slimmest and largest Full HD smartphone,” touting a thickness of 6.5 mm. It is also light, weighing 212 grams.

The Xperia Z Ultra is powered by a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip, said to be the fastest smartphone processor. It has an 8MP camera featuring Sony’s Exmor RS sensor, which Sony claims is the first mobile image sensor with High Dynamic Range for pictures and videos. The front camera has a 2MP sensor. Another impressive feature is the Battery STAMINA Mode, a battery management technology that enhances standby time by at least four times.

Other features include the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS, 16GB storage, NFC and 4G LTE connectivity. The device will come in black, white and purple color variants. It seems to hold great prospects for Sony, which has been unveiling interesting devices, of late. The upcoming Sony SmartWatch 2 is another exciting device.

Sony Xperia Z to Release on July 14th on T-Mobile

June 28, 2013 By Mary Duncan Leave a Comment

T-Mobile in their recent announcement talked about the new model of Sony Xperia Z that is to be released in the U.S. However they had made no further announcements regarding the release date of the Sony flagship device. From the recent turn of events it is likely that T-Mobile will release the Sony Xperia Z device on July 14, 2013. The news is not confirmed as it has been gathered from a leaked source by the TMONews.

This flagship device from Sony, the Xperia Z comes with a 5 inch display having a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Powering the device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon dual core chip having a clock speed of 1.5 GHz. The processor is duly complemented by a Adreno 320 GPU which makes for a smooth graphics experience. The device runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean which is as well upgradeable.

Other features include 16 GB of internal storage along with a RAM of 2048 MB. The device also includes a microSD card slot that maxes out at 32 GB. The smartphone also boasts of a dual camera setup, with the primary camera at the rear being of 13 megapixel. On the front, it’s a 2 megapixel camera that does duty and is adequate to allow for self portraits or video chats.

For those who are still not content with this, there is a, lot more for them as well. The full HD Android flagship device is designed with IP55 and IP57 (Ingress Progression Ratings) in a way which makes it waterproof and allows it to be immersed under one meter of water. The device is dust proof too which along with the scratch resistant display does make for quite a rugged device lurking beneath the sleek exterior.

Sony Xperia Z receives Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Update, Now Available in Some Regions

June 27, 2013 By David Crozier Leave a Comment

The Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update which Sony had stated will be made available soon after the launch of the Xperia Z seems to have been released in certain regions of the world. Users of the device in these regions who have carrier support as well as those without carrier support are able to update their Android version.

The Android update for the Xperia Z device comes after the update for the Xperia ZL model was released last week. The same for the Xperia Z though is a bit late considering Sony had promised it back in February itself which was when the smartphone was launched. XperiaBlog reports that both the LTE as well as some HSPA+ models of the Xperia have received the update in the regions where the update has been made available. As for the update being released in in other parts of the world, it seems we got to wait till July

The update which Sony is releasing would not just be updates to the OS but also functions which are controlled by the applications built by Sony. The overall effect of the update therefore would be quite interesting and distinct. After the update the OS version would be Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. This update for the Sony Xperia Z devices by Google would be soon followed by Google releasing an update for the Android running on their own Nexus devices. That update would push the version running on the devices to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Given these updates being released in a short span of time from now, we can very well expect the T-Mobile Xperia Z set to be coming with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The device is set for release this summer.

Sony Xperia Z Ready for U.S. carriers – AT&T, T-Mobile Besides Unlocked Version

June 21, 2013 By Mary Duncan Leave a Comment

Launching on U.S. carriers is, in fact, a milestone for Sony Xperia Z, and it is about to happen soon, according to Sony CEO Kaz Hirai. Hirai’s statements at the recent D11 conference confirm that the Xperia Z will arrive in the U.S. with carrier support, but did not reveal details about the timeframe or which mobile operators will offer it.

Until now, U.S. consumers could purchase the Sonly Xperia Z as a SIM-free version and then find a compatible carrier. Sony’s web store sells the unlocked version, named Xperia ZL, for $630. Based on Sony’s long relationship with AT&T and the fact that Xperia ZL is compatible with AT&T’s LTE network, there is a good probability of Xperia Z coming on the carrier.

The Xperia Z went through a successful test on T-Mobile network, according to an April report from TmoNews. Pointing to an FCC filing in May, analysts expect Xperia Z to arrive on T-Mobile. The device will support 4G and HSPA+.

Recalling its global launch in February, analysts are positive that wider carrier support will roll out soon. The Xperia Z was among the first 5-inch 1080p smartphones in the market, and has been received well in Europe and other parts of the world, with an estimated 4.6 million units sold until now. It was the best-seller for six successive weeks in the highly-competitive Japanese smartphone market, as Hirai put it.

Though Samsung and HTC are gaining dominance in the U.S. market, Sony has yet to make a deal with U.S. carriers to offer the Xperia Z on contract. Latest developments are in favor of the device which has gained popularity and drawn positive reviews with its high-end features, including its unique water-resistance feature. Undoubtedly, the Xperia Z is well-equipped to compete with Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, the latest rivals in the market.

Sony Xperia Z Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update, New Video demos

June 17, 2013 By Micheal Baptiste Leave a Comment

Curious Xperia Z owners awaiting the Android 4.2.2 update can get an idea of what to expect from the update by watching some demo videos. It appears that users, who installed an unofficial firmware version of the update, have uploaded the videos on YouTube.

There are two videos showing the features of upgrade that has possibly used the Android 4.2.2 custom ROM. XDA developer DoomLoRd recently revealed one such custom ROM. An Android 4.2.2 upgrade is expected to add several new features to the Sony Xperia Z, including lock screen widgets, DUALSHOCK 3 support, transparent notification bar and Daydream screensaver.

A quarter-hour video named “Sony XPERIA Z with official leak Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean review” explains the key elements of the upgrade in Czech, but it does give an idea of the new software even if you don’t understand the language.

The other video – a four-minute demo – named “Xperia Z 4.2.2 firmware leaked!” describes the upgraded device’s lock screen widgets and advanced animation. It is not accompanied by a commentary, but serves to provide a glimpse of what the software update will add to the device.

Going back to its worldwide debut in February, tech enthusiasts were fascinated by the Xperia Z’s 5-inch 1080p display. It launched with the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean version, 1.5GHz quad core Snapdragon S4 processor, 2GB RAM and mobile Bravia engine. The device has been touted for its rugged features, especially its water-resistant feature. It debuted as a feature-packed device capable of competing with the hot-selling flagship smartphones of Samsung and HTC One.

The Android 4.2.2 update to the Xperia Z has yet to arrive, but new rumors and developments point to a quick release. For now, Xperia Z users just have to exercise some patience.