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Hi
I'm pretty much committed to buying a Z3 Compact or the Z1 Compact as they seem to be the only smaller Androids out there.
I've noticed the price has dropped a little (£292 on Amazon) which I presume is something to do with the imminent arrival of the Z5 compact - do you think if I wait a little longer the price may fall some more?
And is the Z3C that much better than the Z1C?
Thanks
phoneowner71 said:
Hi
I'm pretty much committed to buying a Z3 Compact or the Z1 Compact as they seem to be the only smaller Androids out there.
I've noticed the price has dropped a little (£292 on Amazon) which I presume is something to do with the imminent arrival of the Z5 compact - do you think if I wait a little longer the price may fall some more?
And is the Z3C that much better than the Z1C?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems as if there will also be a z4c.
You might want to wait for that, but if you fancy a good camera Sony phones wouldn't be something for you.
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app
Dsteppa said:
It seems as if there will also be a z4c.
You might want to wait for that, but if you fancy a good camera Sony phones wouldn't be something for you.
Sent from my D5803 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally speaking I'm not quite sure how much the price of the z3c will fall with the introduction of the z4c.
However I'm curious about the overall performance of the phone: Do you think it is worth the buy?
And what is more, I've seen there is quite a struggle with the bootloader and with developers, but with official CM nightlies this should be fine, right?
Jkay7 said:
Generally speaking I'm not quite sure how much the price of the z3c will fall with the introduction of the z4c.
However I'm curious about the overall performance of the phone: Do you think it is worth the buy?
And what is more, I've seen there is quite a struggle with the bootloader and with developers, but with official CM nightlies this should be fine, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price won't fall THAT much, but the recent price drop could be because of that.
The phone is still worth to buy for sure as for bootloader problems, they should be history now.
There is no real evidence of a z4 compact being released anytime soon. For now, pretend like it doesn't exist and get whatever phone you want. Besides, the rumors indicate the phone will only be a marginal upgrade: newer processor and increased screen resolution.
Sent from my Xperia Z3 Compact
phoneowner71 said:
Hi
I'm pretty much committed to buying a Z3 Compact or the Z1 Compact as they seem to be the only smaller Androids out there.
I've noticed the price has dropped a little (£292 on Amazon) which I presume is something to do with the imminent arrival of the Z5 compact - do you think if I wait a little longer the price may fall some more?
And is the Z3C that much better than the Z1C?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just my opinion and I don't intend to talk trash about Sony phones but I'm gonna just tell you like it is.
Just so you know, I'm in IT field (Windows) and I have a comprehensive knowledge about PC hardware tech. Since I switched to android from iPhone about 2.5 years ago, I had bought quite a few phones that included 3 Sony phones.
- ZR with overheat problem even only on browsing the internet with Chrome and very poor quality display (made with TFT) => RETURNED with 15% restocking fee.
- ZL Same poor quality TFT display => I ended up gave it to my sis.
- Z3C made with IPS but with poor touch panel. Annoying touch pattern grids are visible. IPS display quality of the Z3C is well below average even compared to the iPhone 4's. Camera is mediocre at best but all the hype makes me really look down on Sony - the only company who created TA partition just to put their crappy softwares on it and tied the bootloader with it. Not that I give a rat ass about losing its DRM functions, it's just that errors pop up here and there when I unlock the bootloader.
My other 2 Android phones are the Nexus 5 and LG Optimus E970. These 2 phones' displays are superb. I wish the Z3C has the same display quality as those 2. I love its size and battery performance but Sony mobile display sucks big time. Don't get me started on Sony bloatwares (2 ecosystems on 1 device is a joke).
I have many Sony devices in my home (laptop, bluray player, tv...) but when it comes to Sony phones, I'm sure next time I'll pass.
I bought my Z3C for $520 USD. It's still 99.99% new. I would sell it to you for $300 USD if you live in my area (I wouldn't buy it even for $300 though)
Some of the cheaper Z3C listings in the US are for the D5833 overseas model. Be careful with this version, as it will suffer from limited 4G compatibility in the States.
phoneowner71 said:
Hi
I'm pretty much committed to buying a Z3 Compact or the Z1 Compact as they seem to be the only smaller Androids out there.
I've noticed the price has dropped a little (£292 on Amazon) which I presume is something to do with the imminent arrival of the Z5 compact - do you think if I wait a little longer the price may fall some more?
And is the Z3C that much better than the Z1C?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a D5803 running stock 5.0.2 and I'm very happy with the device.
It's compact, fast and battery lasts for 2 days minimum (if you don't play games).
The user interface is simple, fast and close to AOSP look&feel .
I saw no reason to hack the phone with custom ROMs or mods, since I found it to be VERY stable and basically everything works.
If you plan to heavily customize your phone, be ready to face some obstacles mainly due to the fact that Lolipop is quite new on this phone and mods are not yet perfect (although they are improving). I've gone that route before with previous phones, and usually the outcome is that you get some visual adaptations to your taste, but in fact the overall stability/performance will be worst.
Some may argue that the camera software could be better, and I tend to agree. But you will be able to take good pictures, if you use some manual settings.
In my experience, Bluetooth/NFC works very well with different gadgets/systems: hi-fi, Pebble watch, BT headphones (even using aptX), car system, ...
I haven't tested audio high-res external DACs, but some users report some devices are tricky to interface well using Lolipop. Other report their device works. Basic audio play is quite good if you have good headphones and choose the right eq settings.
Some users report the glass may crack due to overheating, and I saw many friends with other phones (like Samsung) suffering from the same issue. Mine is in perfect condition and I hope it stays that way.
In summary: I'm very happy with my gadget and I wouldn't change it for anything out there with similar form factor. And although Lolipop 5.0.2 is not perfect, I got used to it and don't see a reason to go back to KK. And 5.1 will certainly come...
Is there a perfect smartphone (hw+sw+UX+price) ? No, but in my opinion this one is a good step forward.
Oh, and if you don't want to fiddle around with connectivity issues, be sure to buy the phone that maps to your geography and operator (D5803 vs D5833) and use a ROM that was built for it.
z4c would defiantly be a "want to have" but at a premium price point, that's why i picked z3c and i got a great deal. In my eyes it's the best phone on the marked atm. If you exclude all the minitablets which i have 0 interest in.
I am in the same position as the OP.
I had some android devices (nexus s, gnexus, htc incredible s, nexus4, htc one m7), right now I have no smartphone.
Z3C seems the "right choice" except for a couple things:
1) Price: here in Portugal the lowest is 400eur. For that price you can also have: htc desire eye, galaxy s5, and a lot of other non-waterproof phones with better cameras and better screens, but also worse battery.
The Z1C is 100eur cheaper.
2) Camera: it seems that sony camera is not on pair with others, even with everyone saying that is software the truth is that nobody solved it.
3) Sudden death: there are some cases (see sony's forum) of sudden death phones.
4) Cracked glass: this I don't know if is hype or not.I had a nexus 5 and people said that it broken by itself but mine only broke by hitting the floor.
I guess that if the Z4C brings the Snappdragon 810 it won't be very good because of overheating and throttling...
Only option is to wait.
Thanks for the replies.
For me the Z3C choice comes down to physical size.
I want a smaller phone but good specs, and as far as I can see there is no competition in the Android sphere (happy to be proved wrong).
I'll be keeping the phone pretty much stock until I need to start tinkering, so mods are not a problem for me currently.
I suspect the Z3C will have OS support for longer than the Z1C so that may make the £100 difference worth paying.
phoneowner71 said:
Thanks for the replies.
For me the Z3C choice comes down to physical size.
I want a smaller phone but good specs, and as far as I can see there is no competition in the Android sphere (happy to be proved wrong).
I'll be keeping the phone pretty much stock until I need to start tinkering, so mods are not a problem for me currently.
I suspect .com/2015/04/22/sony-xperia-z4-compact-e5803-z4ultra-e6683-e6883-certification-details/"]http://www.whatsontech.com/2015/04/22/sony-xperia-z4the Z3C will have OS support for longer than the Z1C so that may make the £100 difference worth paying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.whatsontech-compact-e5803-z4ultra-e6683-e6883-certification-details/
Z4c and Z4U are real coming and they already passed the certification process with the model number being leaked out. I guess they will out on Sep.
But if you are speaking for the battery life, Z3c with s801 and 720p will be much better. All I can think is Z4c will improve the camera software further(and also fixed the Z3/Z3c red/green/purple tint issue) and upgraded to FHD screen. I've got a Z1c, if you want a cheaper phone to wait Z4c then Z1c is still doing good. If you want battery life for all then go for Z3c now.
Sony has a long running joke here or something. I've always been interested in the Xperia phones, mostly for the camera, but apparently even that isn't groudbreaking - this makes ZERO sense considering the number of top cameras in the world being from Sony, and the majority of smartphone OEMs using Sony sensors, but somehow putting out superior results compared to Sony themselves.
Seriously, why should anyone spend $700 on this thing?
1. 5.2" is the biggest size offered - Sony clearly ignores what customers want. They give the options of small, and SMALLER with the compacts.
2. The camera app is a joke for being a "cameraphone first," and apparetly so are the photos.
3. They use a 1/2.3" sensor which is great, but no OIS? Seriously? Even HTC managed to put two camera modules with OIS in the HTC 10, and Sony can't even pull it off with the main sensor? EIS is garbage compared to OIS for photos at night, so that is no defense.
4. 3GB of RAM? Seriously? More may not be NECESSARY, but when every other flagship has it, you're going to skimp when charging $700?
5. Market-dependent features? The U.S. doesn't even get a fingerprint scanner? No wonder carriers stopped selling these phones!
What the hell does this phone have to offer for $700? Practically nothing. No mentionable audio performance (actually from sound tests, the stereo speakers are embarassingly quiet). The camera is not blowing out the competiition, lacks features (PARTICULARLY full manual control), and OIS. The software seems decent, but nothing worth mentioning. The display is nothing special. Audio recording is apparently nothing special.
It has water resistance and a cool design. Wow, sure worth the $700. I really want to order this phone and get it next week, but the LG V20 seems to destroy it in every regard. I love taking pictures on a smartphone and pushing their limits (since that is the camera you have with you all the time), but for $700, this thing is a joke! There is literally nothing that sets it apart from any other phone on the market! If I am missing something, please let me know - otherwise, Sony, your mobile division needs fired because they are IDIOTS.
I'm buying this phone. I always buy the new Sony phone when released. I simply enjoy Sony phones, no other justification necessary.
Sent from my F8132 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I think you can say the same thing with other phones currently on the market. Each of the phone has its own problems.
And 5.2" for a flagship is not very bad considering HTC 10 also has a 5.2" but still I would like XZ have a 5.5 " screen
augie7107 said:
I'm buying this phone. I always buy the new Sony phone when released. I simply enjoy Sony phones, no other justification necessary.
Sent from my F8132 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
But why do you enjoy them? I want to know if there is something I am missing here. What makes these phones more enjoyable than other flagships which have more/better features?
beanxinh said:
I think you can say the same thing with other phones currently on the market. Each of the phone has its own problems.
And 5.2" for a flagship is not very bad considering HTC 10 also has a 5.2" but still I would like XZ have a 5.5 " screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that this phone has problems. I'm sure it works just fine. The Note7 lags like a ***** - that is a problem. Sony phones just seem to LACK stuff that makes them unique or more useful. There is nothing that separates this phone from the pack...
And 5.2" isn't TERRIBLE, but it's still pretty small. What will make it terrible is having on-screen buttons at 5.2". At least the HTC 10 was 5.2" with capacitive keys. You are going to have even less screen real-estate with the on-screen buttons.
Nitemare3219 said:
But why do you enjoy them? I want to know if there is something I am missing here. What makes these phones more enjoyable than other flagships which have more/better features?
It's not that this phone has problems. I'm sure it works just fine. The Note7 lags like a ***** - that is a problem. Sony phones just seem to LACK stuff that makes them unique or more useful. There is nothing that separates this phone from the pack...
And 5.2" isn't TERRIBLE, but it's still pretty small. What will make it terrible is having on-screen buttons at 5.2". At least the HTC 10 was 5.2" with capacitive keys. You are going to have even less screen real-estate with the on-screen buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't know. I don't use any other flagships. I bought the Xperia X1 years ago and never left. I would imagine they are somewhat similar. Every OEM has strengths and weaknesses and none are perfect. Its a personal preference thing.
Sent from my F8132 using XDA-Developers mobile app
I am also buying the XZ. Will import one from Clove UK for $620 with free MDR-XB950BT SONY WIRELESS HEADPHONES. The headphones sell for $ 150 on Amazon.
I have been using the GS7 since it came out and in my opinion it is a piece of crap. The Z3V I had with Verizon was a better phone than the S7. Better battery life and overall performance. The camera on the S7 is better than the camera was on the Z3V but the difference isn't that large.
I have been using Xperia phones since the X10 came out and used many of the Sony Ericsson phones before the X10.
Also based on GSM Arean's review the XZ is the best phone Sony ever made.
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz-review-1500.php
Nitemare3219 said:
But why do you enjoy them? I want to know if there is something I am missing here. What makes these phones more enjoyable than other flagships which have more/better features?
It's not that this phone has problems. I'm sure it works just fine. The Note7 lags like a ***** - that is a problem. Sony phones just seem to LACK stuff that makes them unique or more useful. There is nothing that separates this phone from the pack...
And 5.2" isn't TERRIBLE, but it's still pretty small. What will make it terrible is having on-screen buttons at 5.2". At least the HTC 10 was 5.2" with capacitive keys. You are going to have even less screen real-estate with the on-screen buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowadays the phone market became saturate and most of the phone become more or less the same,most of the "special" feature coming from vendor is just gimmick like the curve screen. Samsung phone have gorgeous screen but the curve distort the image on it and it also cause glare which is very annoying.
Yeah and the XZ have plenty of space under the screen and yet they choose to have on screen button . It look like that with each of the phone Sony release they try hard to screw something up
beanxinh said:
Nowadays the phone market became saturate and most of the phone become more or less the same,most of the "special" feature coming from vendor is just gimmick like the curve screen. Samsung phone have gorgeous screen but the curve distort the image on it and it also cause glare which is very annoying.
Yeah and the XZ have plenty of space under the screen and yet they choose to have on screen button . It look like that with each of the phone Sony release they try hard to screw something up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I started to dislike about Sony phones is the OS.
It turned out to be too simplistic, it is almost pure Google's Android hence it is lacking the special and unique feeling Sony was giving us in the past.
They should have their unique style / design that will distinguish them from the others.
For me it is too stock now, I do not like this.
Nitemare3219 said:
Sony has a long running joke here or something. I've always been interested in the Xperia phones, mostly for the camera, but apparently even that isn't groudbreaking - this makes ZERO sense considering the number of top cameras in the world being from Sony, and the majority of smartphone OEMs using Sony sensors, but somehow putting out superior results compared to Sony themselves.
Seriously, why should anyone spend $700 on this thing?
1. 5.2" is the biggest size offered - Sony clearly ignores what customers want. They give the options of small, and SMALLER with the compacts.
2. The camera app is a joke for being a "cameraphone first," and apparetly so are the photos.
3. They use a 1/2.3" sensor which is great, but no OIS? Seriously? Even HTC managed to put two camera modules with OIS in the HTC 10, and Sony can't even pull it off with the main sensor? EIS is garbage compared to OIS for photos at night, so that is no defense.
4. 3GB of RAM? Seriously? More may not be NECESSARY, but when every other flagship has it, you're going to skimp when charging $700?
5. Market-dependent features? The U.S. doesn't even get a fingerprint scanner? No wonder carriers stopped selling these phones!
What the hell does this phone have to offer for $700? Practically nothing. No mentionable audio performance (actually from sound tests, the stereo speakers are embarassingly quiet). The camera is not blowing out the competiition, lacks features (PARTICULARLY full manual control), and OIS. The software seems decent, but nothing worth mentioning. The display is nothing special. Audio recording is apparently nothing special.
It has water resistance and a cool design. Wow, sure worth the $700. I really want to order this phone and get it next week, but the LG V20 seems to destroy it in every regard. I love taking pictures on a smartphone and pushing their limits (since that is the camera you have with you all the time), but for $700, this thing is a joke! There is literally nothing that sets it apart from any other phone on the market! If I am missing something, please let me know - otherwise, Sony, your mobile division needs fired because they are IDIOTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. not everyone likes big phones, i switched from note 2 note 3 to z5 and happy with the size, i think sony isnt big like Samsung which offers massive number of choices, and their target is asian market which ppl there have smaller hands maybe?
2. yes, hope they will update it
3. if they put ois in only to make the lens to be protruded like samsungs htcs lgs and other brands then i prefer they just leave it as is, cell phone camera is only enough for social network or sharing pictures with friends due to the physical limit of sensor size, i use a real camera if im travelling
4. agreed, 4gb in 2016 is the minimum for a flagship phone
5. i think theres patent involved in the us or they will have to pay some fees or whatever if they include the feature, well at least the hardware is there and u can always flash the rom from international version to activate it, or just buy a imported one if u want one i guess
Sent from my E6683 using Tapatalk
Nitemare3219 said:
Seriously, why should anyone spend $700 on this thing?
1. 5.2" is the biggest size offered - Sony clearly ignores what customers want. They give the options of small, and SMALLER with the compacts.
2. The camera app is a joke for being a "cameraphone first," and apparetly so are the photos.
3. They use a 1/2.3" sensor which is great, but no OIS? Seriously? Even HTC managed to put two camera modules with OIS in the HTC 10, and Sony can't even pull it off with the main sensor? EIS is garbage compared to OIS for photos at night, so that is no defense.
4. 3GB of RAM? Seriously? More may not be NECESSARY, but when every other flagship has it, you're going to skimp when charging $700?
5. Market-dependent features? The U.S. doesn't even get a fingerprint scanner? No wonder carriers stopped selling these phones!
What the hell does this phone have to offer for $700? Practically nothing. No mentionable audio performance (actually from sound tests, the stereo speakers are embarassingly quiet). The camera is not blowing out the competiition, lacks features (PARTICULARLY full manual control), and OIS. The software seems decent, but nothing worth mentioning. The display is nothing special. Audio recording is apparently nothing special.
It has water resistance and a cool design. Wow, sure worth the $700. I really want to order this phone and get it next week, but the LG V20 seems to destroy it in every regard. I love taking pictures on a smartphone and pushing their limits (since that is the camera you have with you all the time), but for $700, this thing is a joke! There is literally nothing that sets it apart from any other phone on the market! If I am missing something, please let me know - otherwise, Sony, your mobile division needs fired because they are IDIOTS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well. You can always buy a GalaxyNote 7 which will eventually explode on you. For 800 dollars. Duh!
Anyway:
1. 5.2 is OPTIMAL. Most of the people don't need huge bricks in their pockets. But you need mode? Buy Z5 Premium.
2. The statement about the photo quality without any proof, and with plenty of proof in the net stating otherwise, is so childish it doesn't even qualify to this forum.
The app is great, just use the brain.
3. OIS on a smartphone is a toy. I mean who the f... cares about an OIS, if Digital Stabailization is working on XZ 3 times better than any OIS on any smartphone (proven in tons of videos). Again, instead of reading comparative charts use your brain and think.
4. 3GB is absolutely plenty.
5. They should work it out.
And for the Sony, it also has the best design and UI. Samsung looks like crap inside and is unstable.
LG is designed like sh..t, UI looks tacky. The camera has features but the performance is not there yet.
Why did you come here? Strange reasons I believe.
doministry said:
Well. You can always buy a GalaxyNote 7 which will eventually explode on you. For 800 dollars. Duh!
Anyway:
1. 5.2 is OPTIMAL. Most of the people don't need huge bricks in their pockets. But you need mode? Buy Z5 Premium.
2. The statement about the photo quality without any proof, and with plenty of proof in the net stating otherwise, is so childish it doesn't even qualify to this forum.
The app is great, just use the brain.
3. OIS on a smartphone is a toy. I mean who the f... cares about an OIS, if Digital Stabailization is working on XZ 3 times better than any OIS on any smartphone (proven in tons of videos). Again, instead of reading comparative charts use your brain and think.
4. 3GB is absolutely plenty.
5. They should work it out.
And for the Sony, it also has the best design and UI. Samsung looks like crap inside and is unstable.
LG is designed like sh..t, UI looks tacky. The camera has features but the performance is not there yet.
Why did you come here? Strange reasons I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're clearly a Sony shill. I've owned a PLETHORA of phones, so I am loyal to no brand. I go for what is the best option on the market. I am here because I have had an interest in Sony since the Z5 Premium was announced, but with US carriers dropping them (obviously for good reason), I didn't jump on the opportunity to try one out due to poor resale value.
1. You say 5.2" is optimal? For YOU maybe - some people disagree, otherwise phablets wouldn't exist and do so well in the market.
2. Without any proof? You're right, it's hard to find proof when all the recent camera reviews exclude the XZ, probably because it is nothing impressive. Looking at the photo comparisons that do exist, namely the GSMArena comparison tool, there is no tangible benefit from the XZ. It actually LACKS detail compared to the iPhone 7 and Note7 in most situations which is SAD. Sony rocks the camera world but clearly sucks with their phones.
3. OIS is a joke? You're an idiot. Digital image stabilization is not going to make a difference or even work with full resolution photos. EIS can work well with videos, yes, but it is NOT a replacement for OIS. The two should work in tandem.
4. 3GB may be "plenty" for light use, but there is ZERO REASON for them to include 3GB of RAM for $700! That is the whole point of this thread. This phone is spec'd WORSE than a $400 competitor!
5. Oh, they should work it out? No they won't you moron. The past phones still have no official fingerprint support.
This phone is a joke for the price.
Nitemare3219 said:
You're clearly a Sony shill. I've owned a PLETHORA of phones, so I am loyal to no brand. I go for what is the best option on the market. I am here because I have had an interest in Sony since the Z5 Premium was announced, but with US carriers dropping them (obviously for good reason), I didn't jump on the opportunity to try one out due to poor resale value.
1. You say 5.2" is optimal? For YOU maybe - some people disagree, otherwise phablets wouldn't exist and do so well in the market.
2. Without any proof? You're right, it's hard to find proof when all the recent camera reviews exclude the XZ, probably because it is nothing impressive. Looking at the photo comparisons that do exist, namely the GSMArena comparison tool, there is no tangible benefit from the XZ. It actually LACKS detail compared to the iPhone 7 and Note7 in most situations which is SAD. Sony rocks the camera world but clearly sucks with their phones.
3. OIS is a joke? You're an idiot. Digital image stabilization is not going to make a difference or even work with full resolution photos. EIS can work well with videos, yes, but it is NOT a replacement for OIS. The two should work in tandem.
4. 3GB may be "plenty" for light use, but there is ZERO REASON for them to include 3GB of RAM for $700! That is the whole point of this thread. This phone is spec'd WORSE than a $400 competitor!
5. Oh, they should work it out? No they won't you moron. The past phones still have no official fingerprint support.
This phone is a joke for the price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You call me an idiot.
Seriously, I have no time for discussion with trolls.
You're clueless kid, this forum will trash you anyway.
The phone doesn't seem so expensive over in the UK, cheaper than the Pixel at similar specs and includes a microsd slot.
For the OPs question, I think Sony phones are great compared to other flagships. Reliable and long lasting devices, awesome battery life, not much preloaded bloatware and no slow home screen system. At least from my experience with many many devices (for dev), the Sony is always my go to phone for constant usage, as things tend to just work.
I am also getting this phone. Need a replacement for my OnePlus One. I am buying it from UK which comes out way cheaper than buying here at USA. I also will be getting the free headset which cost about 150 USD. Getting phone for 641 with fastest shipping from UK to USA. The price comes out about 500 dollars for the phone.
If you are worry about bank asking for a fee for currency conversion, i suggest to use amazon.co.uk. They do the conversion on their side and will charge your card using your local currency.
dachao said:
I am also buying the XZ. Will import one from Clove UK for $620 with free MDR-XB950BT SONY WIRELESS HEADPHONES. The headphones sell for $ 150 on Amazon.
I have been using the GS7 since it came out and in my opinion it is a piece of crap. The Z3V I had with Verizon was a better phone than the S7. Better battery life and overall performance. The camera on the S7 is better than the camera was on the Z3V but the difference isn't that large.
I have been using Xperia phones since the X10 came out and used many of the Sony Ericsson phones before the X10.
Also based on GSM Arean's review the XZ is the best phone Sony ever made.
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz-review-1500.php
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Click to collapse
So are you not with Verizon anymore? I have the S7 Edge as my upgrade from the Z3v, but hell the power saving mode and performance is better on the Z3v. I've never complained about any sort of lags from the Z3v, but I occasionally get it on the S7 Edge.
Despite the TC's anti-Sony statements that any other people babble on about 3gb is not enough, the XZ still intrigues me. The fingerprint sensor is actually confirmed working IF you flash another region's firmware.
The sensor reenabled in USA
http://www.xperiablog.net/2016/10/0...-owners-can-re-enable-the-fingerprint-sensor/
doministry said:
snip
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Agreed, anything around 4.8~5.2 inch is the sweet spot for normal sized phone, OIS is a great addition, but it's not a dealbreaker without it if Sony come up with something comparable to that, more ram doesn't hurt, but it hurts when it's not being used.
Guess I'm one of those people not in there right mind as I just ordered it a few hours ago
I had the Xperia Z and then the Z3 and both were great. The Z3 was fantastic. I might even still be using it if T Mobile hadn't dropped support on it.
Not sure when will it arrive, upgrading from Xperia Z, good ol' phone served me well, 3 and a half years.
I am in the US so everything I say is in US dollars, US versions, etc.
I purchased the Motorola X Pure as soon as it came out and was happy with it but lately it has had a lot of issues particularly with GPS. It works fine 90% of the time but that 10% of the time it says "Searching for GPS" while navigating and have caused me lots of problems with missing turns, etc while traveling out of town. Also it is very laggy switching between apps and even just surfing the web. I don't really play games...my average day of use consists of using Chrome to surf the web, using Google Maps for navigation (I use it even when I know where I am going because it notifies of traffic and accidents and advises the best route considering those), and watch videos on YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu. I also take a lot of pictures but not every day but a lot...anybody out there with kids knows you take way more pictures than you need, lol.
Since it was a mid-level phone at release and is a couple years old now I have been looking to replace it. My first thought was the Moto G5 Plus since I have Amazon Prime and can get the higher end model for only $240.
Is there a better phone available (based on my needs mentioned above) under $300? What about under $400? I can MAYBE stretch my budget to $400 but no more and that has to include tax, etc.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
chmcke01 said:
I am in the US so everything I say is in US dollars, US versions, etc.
I purchased the Motorola X Pure as soon as it came out and was happy with it but lately it has had a lot of issues particularly with GPS. It works fine 90% of the time but that 10% of the time it says "Searching for GPS" while navigating and have caused me lots of problems with missing turns, etc while traveling out of town. Also it is very laggy switching between apps and even just surfing the web. I don't really play games...my average day of use consists of using Chrome to surf the web, using Google Maps for navigation (I use it even when I know where I am going because it notifies of traffic and accidents and advises the best route considering those), and watch videos on YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu. I also take a lot of pictures but not every day but a lot...anybody out there with kids knows you take way more pictures than you need, lol.
Since it was a mid-level phone at release and is a couple years old now I have been looking to replace it. My first thought was the Moto G5 Plus since I have Amazon Prime and can get the higher end model for only $240.
Is there a better phone available (based on my needs mentioned above) under $300? What about under $400? I can MAYBE stretch my budget to $400 but no more and that has to include tax, etc.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up this phone today and only gripe so far coming from the S7 Edge is camera is pretty bad... Not sure if it's enough to push me back to S7 but I'm definitely considering it. Besides the camera I'm not sure what else you'd possibly want at this price point.
Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Moto z play are about $300 on Swappa. Much better battery life, mod compatible, more premium feeling, bigger AMOLED screen, quite a few ROMs, etc. I love my Z Play!
Rather have the Moto g5 over play. The mods are imho worthless. With mods you might as well spend the money on a s8 or s7
Looks like the ASUS Zenfone 3 is about the same price as the Moto G5 Plus, how do those compare?
903tex said:
Rather have the Moto g5 over play. The mods are imho worthless. With mods you might as well spend the money on a s8 or s7
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My guess is that the AMOLED and bigger battery of Z Play makes the SOT somewhat better. Just because the mods are worthless doesn't mean the device is worse, or that you are committed to buy some mod. Probably one should decide if you prefer 5.2 or 5.5 inch display, and find out if you need dual SIM or longer lasting battery is more important. Also I like the USB-C-plug that you can't put in the wrong way - you know USB is the only plug where you have only two directions, but always need three tries until you get it right
For someone who had a X Pure I'm quite sure Touchwiz is a no-go (for me it is, since I had a Galaxy S3 I won't buy a Samsung anymore), so S7 or S8 are pointless.
Buy oneplus 3t
This is the biggest of an Android phone I'm willing to get. I am eyeing the Xperia X Compact because I want a small phone. If This had NFC for the US version I would have bought it right away, since it doesn't I will have to pass.
chmcke01 said:
Looks like the ASUS Zenfone 3 is about the same price as the Moto G5 Plus, how do those compare?
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I wouldn't use Asus even if I was stranded on top of Mt. Everest! Zf2 burn me with them cause they never update their phones! Zf3 still on 6.0, so is the zf2. So much bloat you can't uninstall with them. Only plus is I think the top of the line zf3 has the 820? Also if you care about ROMs, then I don't think the zf3 has a lot of that going on now. I have a strong feeling the g5 will be packed with roms in no time
firdous95 said:
Buy oneplus 3t
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Click to collapse
I like the OnePlus 3T...but my budget is $300 (can bend enough to be $300 plus tax, shipping, etc but not more than that)
What would be your recommendation within that range? Is there a better phone within that range than the G5 Plus?
Also, I am really only interested in phones with warranty so I don't want to buy a used one on swappa, etc.
Thanks for all the feedback!
chmcke01 said:
I like the OnePlus 3T...but my budget is $300 (can bend enough to be $300 plus tax, shipping, etc but not more than that)
What would be your recommendation within that range? Is there a better phone within that range than the G5 Plus?
Also, I am really only interested in phones with warranty so I don't want to buy a used one on swappa, etc.
Thanks for all the feedback!
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Click to collapse
I would suggest you to go for it buddy. You'll definitely not gonna mind anything. I don't see any other phone in this price range better than this. Development will be as good as previous generation I think. So I think you should go for it.
chmcke01 said:
I like the OnePlus 3T...but my budget is $300 (can bend enough to be $300 plus tax, shipping, etc but not more than that)
What would be your recommendation within that range? Is there a better phone within that range than the G5 Plus?
Also, I am really only interested in phones with warranty so I don't want to buy a used one on swappa, etc.
Thanks for all the feedback!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very impressed with the g5 plus 64gb version. I had a op3, note 5, s7, s7edge. The features on this make it as good or better than those flagships. Camera and LCD vs amoled are the only drawbacks. Love Moto display and all the gestures, plus killer feature for me is gesture navigation on fingerprint reader, is the bomb! Battery life is stellar!
903tex said:
I wouldn't use Asus even if I was stranded on top of Mt. Everest! Zf2 burn me with them cause they never update their phones!
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Click to collapse
I had three ZF2s. Phantom touch, 1/3 of the screen went black, and then random hangs in a year and a half.
The first two were under warranty, requiring me to send the phone in, which took like a week and a half.
Total crap.
This phone has been voted best budget phone for the money on many different sites. I guess that could change every month a new phone is released though
I need to get a new phone since my lg G4 died... I find that the OS on Motorola is way better and I have had Samsungs and LG.
I will recommend it, besides any cel will eventually die. So imho I will no longer spend tons of useless money just to be fancy with the mobile phone.
Enviado desde mi iPad utilizando Tapatalk
I took advantage of the free $15 offer when you buy a $75 gift card to help pay for my Moto G5 Plus 64GB from Amazon.com (I mention this since you are in the USA). I also got 5% off by using the Amazon.com credit card (5% back in Amazon.com "points"), and, I had about $112 in "gift card" credit. I figured since I had made my OnePlus One last for more than three years, and I was able to talk customer service into giving me $12 off the $299 price, I couldn't say no to getting a new phone any longer. I might prefer a 5.5" screen over 5.2" but I'm not sure, I figured it'd be nice to try, see how it feels to have a slightly smaller phone in my pocket, and, maybe ever so slightly easier to use it one handed? I find that I often use my phone one-handed and I can't quite reach sometimes.
On the plus side, I'm really excited about the lower megapixel camera with it's fairly large sensor and wide aperture lens at F/1.7 - I know some people have complained about the camera on this phone, but I expect to get great results regardless - I don't know why it's not working well for them?
The only thing that really upsets me about the Moto G5 Plus is the Micro USB charging port instead of the new standard USB C port. I may have to see about doing some kind of wireless charging mod to my phone because I'm really getting tired of Micro USB.
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I don't understand why I see a few users saying the camera is bad - website reviews are liking the camera, and, it is the same chip as the "high end" Galaxy S7 cameras. Is the camera APP really that bad? Hopefully any issues will be addressed by either A) update or B) 3rd party camera APP/tweaks/mods.
xxBrun0xx said:
Moto z play are about $300 on Swappa. Much better battery life, mod compatible, more premium feeling, bigger AMOLED screen, quite a few ROMs, etc. I love my Z Play!
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Click to collapse
Actually, what I've red from people that have had the Z and now moved to the G5 Plus is that the G5 Plus has better battery life, presumably because the newer 625 CPU is more efficient.
critofur said:
Actually, what I've red from people that have had the Z and now moved to the G5 Plus is that the G5 Plus has better battery life, presumably because the newer 625 CPU is more efficient.
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Click to collapse
What do you think which chipset is being used in the Moto Z Play?
(Hint: Same!)
Think you are talking about Moto Z, not Moto Z Play.
This phone is starting to show its age. Eventually it will get too slow and/or the battery will degrade too much.
Has started looking at getting a new phone? The only other similar phone I can find at this size is the XZ1.
However I've been getting tired of Sony's poor camera drivers. It would also be nice to be able to record a 4K video longer than 2min in a warm environment. Plus I'd like an OLED screen in my next phone. Unfortunately the smallest phone I can find that meets all my requirements is almost an inch bigger.
I'm only thinking than my next will be a 5 inch screen but without frames because the market tendence.
But nothing more than 5.5" x 3" phone measures.
I agree. I think I'll keep using this phone at least through the end of this year. At that time, I will likely be forced to a larger phone just because there is nothing out there in a small size. Definitely something with a good camera HW AND SW. And something that is actually capable of record 4K video for more than a minute in warm weather without cropping down the video.
Who knows, maybe someone will go out on a limb and put out a phone that will fit in your hand. I think the fact that phone manufacturers have had to add features for "one-handed mode" that resize your phone so the rest of the screen is unusable so that you can reach the buttons or the various products that stick something to the back of your phone so you can securely hold the phone with one hand shows that there exists a market for a phone that you can use with one hand.
Xperia XZ2 compact.
But sadly i need fm radio and dual sim for my next phone. Both are absent in xz2 compact
If anyone finds a good alternative be sure to let us know
Would actually consider the XZ2 Compact if the camera on Z5 Compact wasnt such a big dissapointment, afraid it will be the same on the XZ2. I remember reading the specs and reviews about the Z5 camera being great, 23MP and all, reality was a whole different story...
Hi,
I agree! I want a phone that fits in one hand and in my girl-size pockets! The Sony XZ2 is even bigger. And again (!) no radio! The Z5c seems to be the last decently spec'd small smartphone ... I'm about to buy it for this reason. I mention I tried looking on aliexpress and not sure how great it would work but there's a VKWorld T2 Plus phone that looks like it may be worth checking out. It's thicker but length is decent and think may still fit the pocket! It's dual sim with independent micro SD, and dual screen! It's a flip-phone!! Remember how we used to be able to text without looking at your phone because you could just tap the buttons?!?! So the outside screen is touch, the inside one isn't and is controlled via the buttons... have a look.
What about Nokia 8 Sirocco ?
I also like the Z5c for the same reason, because it fits perfectly in one hand and is very powerful for it`s size. But i also think about upgrading and the best i found so far is this Nokia. The Nokia 8 (the previous version) was compared to Pixel 2 on most forums as for hardware with only drawbacks in the software category. So i think the sirocco version would be much better and although 0,9 Inch bigger it has almost no bezels and screen curved....
What do you think? Also i got my wife a Huawey P10, and it is actually quite good and not that big (5.1 inch) but i do not want same phone as my wife )))
EDIT :
I found out that it has lunched the XZ2 compact.
It is not as good looking as the Nokia 8 Sirocco but ...... i like it
Tarts5 said:
.... I remember reading the specs and reviews about the Z5 camera being great, 23MP and all, reality was a whole different story...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I remember reading reviews with statements like "since we assume this will be fixed with future software updates". I've learned the hard way to never believe those words.
It's sad that my 10yr old phone I had before the Z5 gets better reception (including GPS) and can sometimes take better photos.
Cameras on xz1 compact and xz2 compact are really one level better than z5 compact.
Shooting 4K video problem - it was because of 810 chip problems, not because of the camera.
So I think I've finally had enough with this phone. On my vacations/trips, when I really need the phone to last, I have to carry a secondary battery with me, keep the phone in airplane mode most of the time, and be very careful to get it to last through the day (and not strand me somewhere with no google maps).
Right now, the smallest phone that I can find (with 3.5mm jack, microsd), is the Samsung Galaexy s10e or A40.
Have any of you found any other phones possibilities?
eng3 said:
So I think I've finally had enough with this phone. On my vacations/trips, when I really need the phone to last, I have to carry a secondary battery with me, keep the phone in airplane mode most of the time, and be very careful to get it to last through the day (and not strand me somewhere with no google maps).
Right now, the smallest phone that I can find (with 3.5mm jack, microsd), is the Samsung Galaexy s10e or A40.
Have any of you found any other phones possibilities?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked at both A40 and S10e in the store. Bought S10e after testing the camera on both. Been using it for 1 month, no problems so far. Not any custom roms available yet, but I imagine S10e will have a larger chance of getting custom roms than A40 because of popularity.
Why is no one mentioning xz1 compact?
I bought an XZ1 Compact as a replacement and I'm very happy with it. It's a lot faster than Z5C (and Z5C was already fast enough for me), and it has a lot of custom ROMs. Finally I can use LineageOS 16 on my phone, I was hoping it would be on Z5C too eventually but everybody seems to have abandoned this phone, and so did I. Z5C a great phone, but it's useless if it has no ROMs in development. So no regrets here.
TheVan28 said:
Why is no one mentioning xz1 compact?
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Click to collapse
Uh, maybe because as of July 2019 it's nowhere near being readily available? Even the second-hand market for XZ1c is super-dry.
If you know this to be the case otherwise, then please: point us to your source for excellent-condition XZ1c. No, seriously: I am honestly looking for one (in black) and they are pretty much impossible to find, so any leads would genuinely be appreciated. I keep hoping I'll stumble upon an online retailer that still has a stash of these in new-old-stock condition for a reasonable price...
-- Nathan
nlra said:
Uh, maybe because as of July 2019 it's nowhere near being readily available? Even the second-hand market for XZ1c is super-dry.
If you know this to be the case otherwise, then please: point us to your source for excellent-condition XZ1c. No, seriously: I am honestly looking for one (in black) and they are pretty much impossible to find, so any leads would genuinely be appreciated. I keep hoping I'll stumble upon an online retailer that still has a stash of these in new-old-stock condition for a reasonable price...
-- Nathan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you live?
I'm in Italy where it's available on amazon and you can easly find it at stores.
TheVan28 said:
Where do you live?
I'm in Italy where it's available on amazon and you can easly find it at stores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lucky you. I'm in the U.S. I imagine this probably has something to do with it. I'm not sure if this is an *accurate* perception, but my perception nonetheless is that as soon as XZ2c was introduced to the market, XZ1c completely disappeared from all shelves -- both physical and virtual -- over here.
-- Nathan
Still very happy with my Z5C, but looking for replacements is a total guessing game, and there's nothing new that even compares with the small form-factor.
I still use the Z5 for everything (on standard OS) and although it's a little bloated with the larger apps (I had to clear off some unused apps recently), it still works very well.
I can't even find a 'new' XZ1C which appears to be the most comparable 'newer' unit.
Have to say I'm tempted by a CAT of some sort, simply for the ruggedness, but they're all over 5" screens. I'm actually surprised that CAT don't do a smaller form factor.
How about the new unihertz jelly 2
Luumumba said:
How about the new unihertz jelly 2
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Click to collapse
Aaaah, it's so cute! But Jeez! Only 2.45" display? Rather not.
I can strongly support the XZ1c as a replacement for the Z5c. Did this myself in summer 2019 and am very happy with it. Don't know about the XZ2c, though: It's got almost the same measurements but has this bulky back which I don't really like.
Best regards,
the.k
I've had the XZ2 compact. I've lost it into the water so I'm back at my Z5c. Yes I know it's waterproof but it's a bit of a struggle to get it back out of a channel 5 meters deep.
The camera is indeed better, especially at low light situations, and yes, while it still has an IPS panel, colors are quite vibrant.
I noticed I was really happy with the smaller size of the Z5c, and I also like the fingerprint sensor being at the side, combined with the power button. I do miss the 960fps video shooting ability despite the fragments are really short.
I'm surprised I don't really miss the higher resolution of the display, which was the reason not to go for the XZ1c, so now that's out of the way I guess I'll be looking for a used XZ1c. I can't find any other reasonable phone with the same size. Also I'm quite happy with Sony's decision to keep the dedicated shutter button, which no other brand has nowadays.
I would almost go for a Palm Palm, but at about € 200 that's a bit too much to spend for a toy.
Anyone who has their doubts about this phone... I get it. Motorola is in a unique situation with their Z lineup of phones. What once started out as a phone with an unbreakable screen and flagship specs has now become a mid-range device with a breakable screen and an attractive price point. This phone is a steal on Verizon for just $10 a month on a new line. The unlocked price of $499 with the 360 camera mod is a pretty good value as well. So Motorola is pushing value with the Z4, and I'm here for it. So I bought a Z4 despite watching every YouTube review that told me to buy a Pixel 3a instead... And I'm so glad that I did. This phone is a BEAST... And I'm coming from an LG G8.. a "high-end" Android device. Don't get me wrong I loved my G8, and had no intentions of abandoning it as my daily driver. I bought the Moto Z4 for two reasons. Value & Fun. I still had a lot of my Moto Mods from my Z2 force and I missed playing emulators on my phone with the Moto Gamepad so I figured for the price, this would be a great "fun" second phone. Now it is my daily driver. The killer feature on this phone is battery life. The 3a doesn't come close, nor does my G8. I can literally go for two days without needing a charge-up, and I'm on my phone 24/7. What made me apprehensive about this phone was the Snapdragon 675 processor. I knew my performance that I'd come to love would take a hit. Especially with gaming and running so many apps... To my surprise, this "mid-range" processor has surpassed my expectations. Yes, I notice a difference coming from the G8, but I'd put it on par with the prior year's G7. The main place that you notice slow down with the mid-range processors is on System boot-up and gaming. Day to day activities like Web Browsing, GPS, Snapchat, YouTubing, etc... You won't be able to tell a difference. Going from 6 gb of ram to 4gb was never a big deal to me because no one really needs 6gb of ram on their device. The Camera on this phone is INCREDIBLY detailed and it beats my G8 for most shots. I'm assuming Pixel's 3a would probably win the camera war, but that's about it... And that's why so many reviewers were wrong about this phone. I love the backwards compatibility with all of the Moto Mods and they all fit quite nicely despite what you may read online. LTE speeds on this phone are really nice. I live in a rural area and don't always have the best 4G speeds or signal strength but the Z4 hasn't let me down. I hope to see more development grow for this device being that Bootloader Unlock and root is as simple as unlocking from Motorola's website and patching your boot image with Magisk. After unlocking and rooting, I've been hard at work pushing this "mid-range" device to its MAXIMUM and trust me when I say it flies.
And here are some random camera samples!
I second this. I was apprehensive about buying the Z4 at first, and even smack talked it a bit when I first seen the specs compared to previous Z line products. Boy was I wrong. I absolutely love this phone.
My only complaint at first was the fingerprint scanner. But simply adding the same finger twice fixed that issue.
This from the guy with the Android tattoo ??
I fully agree with you! Came from a OnePlus 6T McLaren, but missed all the fun I had with my Moto Mods the time I still had my Moto Z and Z3 Play devices. When I got the opportunity to buy a second hand Moto Z4 directly from Germany, I took the chance and bought it with the hope, it would be sufficient to me. I have had it for less than a month now and I still do not regret to have bought it! I do not miss my OnePlus 6T at all! Especially, the usage of InstaShare Projector and 360° Camera is great fun and I have not yet noticed any deficiencies regarding the "weak" mid-range processor (but I am definitely NOT a gamer).
Especially the screen is fantastic! I noticed a huge difference in comparison with the screen of Z3 Play - the Z4 screen's haptics are very much better (it is not that sensible towards input - so it is much easier to write messages free of errors). Microsoft surface stylus types support is very nice, too - for testing purposes, I bought such a cheap pen supporting the MS surface protocol and writing with this stylus really works like a charm!
The only thing I miss with this phone is Dual SIM support.
Excellent and appreciated review but if like to hear more about build quality compared to the LG devices as I was eyeing those as a possible replacement for the S5.
Unfortunately I do not have the unlocked version since I'm in a rural area but without steady work.
Edit: For the much shorter version of this read the last paragraph or two.
I've only owned a few phones
The Droid X goes without saying.
The s3 new from big red but I was able to ditch touch wiz immediately the very first night (but an excited all night with lots of reading) since development was already about six months in.
And an S5 that was one year old when I bought it for like 140 us bucks (she wanted an iPhone). After some quick searching I said yeah 140 will work with me but I detest the gold color. It's cid 15 which I determined before my purchase.
The Droid X was tough as nails I'm telling you. I got it from big red as my first smartphone I got this huge ottorbox(sp?) where I could probably drop it from a cliff onto some rock in the mountains and not hurt it. That case was way too bulky for me.
Very long story a bit shorter for me anyway. I was coming home from working late one night and was going about 60mph on a short but winding road home. But I got home and didn't have my phone, I went back to the office, not there either. I drove slowly home that night in first gear all the way looking for it and was very lucky to spot the phone in the road. I stopped right there put the flashers on as it was an emergency to me... I found the back that night and took a machete to the weeds along the road and found the battery.
Excellent. The screen was not cracked, the phone was scratched on all four corners (probably got lucky) but I put the battery back in and it fired right up no problem and without one scratch on the screen.
The Samsung's were nice too with some development still going on both (for sure my S5 is running pie). But the s3 lasted a couple years and the screen died.
My S5 has fared much better but the screen finally cracked and I'm on my second "extended" battery. I still use it when using a weed eater and the rocks are flying for tunes.
This z4 is way better {fairly heavily disabled apps and permissions with adb) and the build quality reminds me of my first smartphone.. it's made of metal and feels like a high end device should feel in the hand.
I looked at s lot of phones and weighed all my limited options. Save up for a used phone a few years old, or get the g7 power fairly cheap unlocked or get the z4 with big red again.
I'm so glad I made the investment and look forward to finding a used (hopefully) gamepad mod for emulation. Phones in general have come a long way but this device is the best choice for me now.
I'd love root and all that but I'm not missing it as much as I thought I would right now.
After my few days off research on debloating I'm happy and only recently added a new Google account for testing s few things.
I do miss my microg and Google free life I've had with the S5 but again no regrets yet.
I know this wasn't so about the z4 but hope the comparisons help..
The Galaxy's felt cheap for top tier devices compared to my original dx. And this phone brings back that quality feeling.
Edit2 Damn your UI looks more stock than mine but maybe it's the wallpaper or volume.