Z1 Compact's back is plastic! Only Z1f's is glass!

[Castanje]

Dear Z1 Compact users,

Today I stumbled on the bad news that the back of the Xperia Z1 Compact isn't (dragontrail/gorilla) glass like the original Z1. It's plastic. These websites explain this issue:

- http://www.phonearena.com/news/Does-the-Sony-Xperia-Z1-Compact-have-a-plastic-back-instead-of-a-glas...

- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=50148656

If you still don't believe it, you can even see it in this breakdown video:

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G6aSZgKUfI

- Here's a link to some obvious pictures: http://habrahabr.ru/company/vilianov_inc/blog/211687/

So Sony isn't only using cheaper materials for the Z1 Compact, but they also edited the white paper AFTER the Z1 Compact was released (The first white paper version said the back had tempered glass, but the second version - edited on February the 6th - didn't mention the back anymore, which clearly indicates that the back isn't glass!). So Sony actually ripped off the first buyers by telling them they had tempered glass at the back of their phone, but instead it's plastic!

But as if this news isn't bad enough: The original Z1 Compact, the Z1f, which was only released in Japan, apparently DOES have glass at the back. My Japanese isn't that good, so I Google translated the Z1f page:
http://www.sonymobile.co.jp/xperia/docomo/so-02f/design/design.html

"Combination of metal frame which gave anodized and rear glass of jet black with the depth , gives a high-quality brightness with the accent .

The combination of the metal frame and the back glass shine pure, I will produce a freshness along with the relaxed atmosphere."

This was taken from the official Japanese website and although the translation is bad, I think it is totally clear that the Japanese Z1f users DO get the premium glass version of the phone and the other countries get the inferior plastic version.

Very sneaky, Sony.

**Edit**: Here's a link to the Japanese Z1F white paper (I think it is):

http://www.sonymobile.co.jp/xperia/docomo/so-02f/download/pdf/xperia_so02f.pdf
Maybe someone can translate this and confirm the z1f has glass at the back?

[Thommo]

On page 4 it says the Rear has a glass shine - Doesn't say it is glass

[Wah007]

Where do we stand legally on this issue?

[Castanje]

Do you also mean that it isn't glass? Because other sources say it is. Also:

http://www.phonebunch.com/compare-phones/sony_xperia_z1f-1121-vs-sony_xperia_z1_compact-1300/

This comparison says that the Compact is 3 grams lighter than the Z1f which also indicates that the z1f is using glass which is slightly heavier

[Thommo]

I've no idea where you stand on this issue - I simply translated the part in question - But your welcome to a 2nd opinion on the translation

[Castanje]

So I've contacted the UK Xperia Care chat and this was their answer:

[giri555]

Its GOOD NEWS.....that the back in not glass and plastic.......

Why?

I have been using Xperia Z for the last 1 year and just buying Z1 compact....

Xperia Z HEATS up a LOT......so much that its uncomfortable to hold it.......(please do google search on this and verify through various forums and even in sonymobile blog.....)

Thats one of the reasons, why I have chose  Z1 Compact.....over Xperia Z...even Z1 has the same Heat issue....

PLASTIC back keeps the phone COOLER than glass ones.......

[Sophia]

It depends on one's favor. And i have seen that some people on XDA had changed their plastic back cover into glass back cover with ASF.

And recently see a comparison video between Z1 Compact back cover and Z1f back cover as well as a blog to show the differences of appearance, weights, scratches resistant and materials.

It's interesting the relationship between two kinds of back covers.

[Gouse]

mmm not you are looking for or that company. movistar online in the bike E promo they have it in aa $ 1,190 of nearly $ 2,000. It is normal to the cellulose, it is dual core, 1.2 GHz and 1GB of RAM. Loose only thing is the camera that is only 5mp without flash, but hey, it depends on each user, I have a celu that 8mp and filmed in HD and not use the camera!