Z1 - buy it or not?

[azzido]

Hello.
I am currently a Xperia Z user and I am wondering if I should switch to Z1 or not. 
Is this worth it? 
Is the camera really improved? 
What about the music quality? I know there is no S-Master amplifier and I heard that included headphone's sounf quality is even worse than those for Z, is that true? 

The worst is I heard that you cannot see any difference in the screen quality as Sony uses leftover panels from older Z (because still have it in warehouse)

That is what bothers me most. 
Maybe I should wait until Z2 on March 2014? 
Please, Z1 users let me know your thoughts about this phone and help me to make a decision. 

[Archanos]

Hi there. This is quite a question, you know we can't tell you to buy or not. But if this helps there are some objective facts:

>> I am currently a Xperia Z user and I am wondering if I should switch to Z1 or not. 

>> Is this worth it? 

If you compare Z to Z1 there is almost everything that will be much better/improved. Screen, battery, speaker placement, flips, heating... Everything.

>> Is the camera really improved? 

Oh yes. I posted some sample pics already here, it really does the job amazingly.

Some independent proof of that is here (not paid review, just comparison):

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4485507296/shootout-sonyxperiaz1-vs-nokia1020-vs-lgg2-vs-samsunggal...

>> What about the music quality? I know there is no S-Master amplifier and I heard that included headphone's sounf quality is even worse than those for Z, is that true? 

Headphones are a big mistake. At lest my model. Complete misunderstanding. They shouldn't even lay next to those from Z. The sound is great, but the design makes them useless (at least for me).

>> The worst is I heard that you cannot see any difference in the screen quality as Sony uses leftover panels from older Z (because still have it in warehouse) 

This is fake, trolls shout it everywhere, then rumors does rest of the job. This is complete bulls**t. (sorry). Look at XDA forums to find more about this fake info.

>> That is what bothers me most. 

The fact is, that the Z1 screen is much better than in Z. But it is not better than in Z Ultra.

Viewing angles are much worse than in Z Ultra. That doesn't mean Z1 is bad, but ZU is in this aspect much better. On the other hand, Z1 is a little smaller and it reproduces amazingly natural colors, a bit better than Z Ultra and the Z can't even stand against it to compare. So that depends now, mostly on how you use the phone.

>> Maybe I should wait until Z2 on March 2014? 

This is also only a rumor. Only.

>> Please, Z1 users let me know your thoughts about this phone and help me to make a decision. 

Perhaps you can ask some more specifics so we can do some test for you or something.

[Archanos]

Hi there. This is quite a question, you know we can't tell you to buy or not. But if this helps there are some objective facts:

>> I am currently a Xperia Z user and I am wondering if I should switch to Z1 or not. 

>> Is this worth it? 

If you compare Z to Z1 there is almost everything that will be much better/improved. Screen, battery, speaker placement, flips, heating... Everything.

>> Is the camera really improved? 

Oh yes. I posted some sample pics already here, it really does the job amazingly.

Some independent proof of that is here (not paid review, just comparison):

http://connect.dpreview.com/post/4485507296/shootout-sonyxperiaz1-vs-nokia1020-vs-lgg2-vs-samsunggal...

>> What about the music quality? I know there is no S-Master amplifier and I heard that included headphone's sounf quality is even worse than those for Z, is that true? 

Headphones are a big mistake. At lest my model. Complete misunderstanding. They shouldn't even lay next to those from Z. The sound is great, but the design makes them useless (at least for me).

>> The worst is I heard that you cannot see any difference in the screen quality as Sony uses leftover panels from older Z (because still have it in warehouse) 

This is fake, trolls shout it everywhere, then rumors does rest of the job. This is complete bulls**t. (sorry). Look at XDA forums to find more about this fake info.

>> That is what bothers me most. 

The fact is, that the Z1 screen is much better than in Z. But it is not better than in Z Ultra.

Viewing angles are much worse than in Z Ultra. That doesn't mean Z1 is bad, but ZU is in this aspect much better. On the other hand, Z1 is a little smaller and it reproduces amazingly natural colors, a bit better than Z Ultra and the Z can't even stand against it to compare. So that depends now, mostly on how you use the phone.

>> Maybe I should wait until Z2 on March 2014? 

This is also only a rumor. Only.

>> Please, Z1 users let me know your thoughts about this phone and help me to make a decision. 

Perhaps you can ask some more specifics so we can do some test for you or something.

[azzido]

Very good feedback, thank you!
I know 4K videos are not possible, but do you think Sony will improve the soft and allow 1080p 60fps video recording?
 

[ArnavJ]

Let me tell you my personal experience with Z1 so far:

The phone looks amazing and is instantly likeable. 

The interface could have been a little more customizable. I didnt like the homescreen so much so I put a custom one from an app. 

The battery life was bad a few days, but then I realized I was using it too often and I think after a few charges it got better. Now it lasts a full day without much issue. 

Heating is a problem, especially during calls. The phone really gets heated and you are almost unable to hold it.

Some scratches already, as I love to use phones as is instead of putting bulky covers on it. 

Also, compared to the other phones out these this is slightly bulky but the screen is quite decent.

 I compared the brightness next to a HTC One and HTC one was far brighter. 

The Pros: Camera - unbelievable, underwater photography - another plus, waterproof!, external sd card which I added immediately, Snapdragon 800 which is way faster than every other phone. 

Overall its a stiff competition between HTC one and Z1. Boils down to preference and features that you might really want.

[Archanos]

Actually I wouldn't doubt that much on 4K videos, this sensor should be capable to handle that. I don't think the FPS rate would be that fast, but who knows. And when it comes to last flagships yes, Sony fired up some new forces to work on the upgrades, and if the phone is capable to record at 60fps (and it is) then it should be available soon in the software too. I can't assure you that, but it is very likely. We already got a new update that literally almost doubled my battery lifetime. So yes, I believe they will soon make it to the video recording improvements too.

[Archanos]

I ended a call a minute ago. 45 min talking. No handsfree, headsets. I tried to make it hot. I failed, after those 45 minutes it's cold like the ice. Battery didn't lost even 1%. So I overheating is not the common issue. 534 firmware, but was the same on the previous one.

Plus, yesterday I left Epic CItadel on full ultra quality for almost an hour, it barely got a little warm. Not hot. So I definitely can't confirm the overheating being some common problem.

[Sean473]

Yeah it defo doesn't get warm now a days with .534.... Also made a 15min call and didn't use much battery!

[talo1019]

Been using Sony on and off for years. 

This is by far their best hardware based android phone. Sony has always had average software. With their new direction from the CEO, it seems like they are making a concerted effort to resolve issues, reply to customer feedback (not sure I really see them in these forums much....only sony supporters more).

I think this phone shows how android phones shoud perform. Coming from Iphone 5 recently....I find that it's a great alternative. 

It's a little heavy b/c of the G lens (more than HTC One), it's a little wider than other 5" phones. The bezel is not as small as galaxy s4. But if you can get over that, and like how you can use it in mostly any weather....it's great. 

It seems like the software is at least updated more often. And with each update, it gets a little better. I can't tell you how they will support this phone 1 year from now....but here's to hoping that they keep up the same pace that they currently have w/ regard to updates. 

[RuchRha]

As of the heating issue some are stating, the latest update .534 has solved it, phone doesn't heats up anymore, I had played a lot with xperia z1 for hours to check how much heated it can be, I failed, then I decided to play  abit with it's kernel and see if it gets hot, overclocked it to 2.6ghz, guess what? It didn't heated as much it should have so the phone is definetely a great one over z, also screen is great while viewing heads-on, viewing angles aren't good, but that doesn't means it's completely ridicilous like if you keep it on table or put on bed to watch videos it's great for that, if you completely tilt your phone and use it then ofc it's not gona come out great (only idiots will completely tily their phone and use it)

[azzido]

I just ordered Z1 yesterday and waiting for the courier with the package
I will see if this is a big improvement to the Z.
Thank you everyone!