Problems with headphones and other smaller issues

[Sensination]

Hi everyone,

Just joined the Xperia XZ Premium club recently coming from Z5 and I absolutely love it! It’s an amazing phone in terms of build quality and speed and I really like what Sony is doing with Android.

However I noticed  few changes from Z5 and was wondering what you guys think and if you have any possible solution to the small issues I’m facing.

1. First of all, it looks like the back camera photos has some beauty mode activated as skin on people’s faces is sometimes very smooth and looks like the filtering has been applied. Is there a way to switch it off? I think it only happens on Superior Auto so maybe I just have to take photos on manual if I want to avoid it?
2. I noticed that in a bright light the screen contrast changes to make it easier to see in a sunlight but was wondering if it’s possible to switch this option off somewhere? I know that “it’s not a bug, it’s a feature” J but it’s sometimes very annoying when the contrast keeps switching several times and it actually doesn’t help that much.
3. Lastly, I have noticed that Sony removed some options from Smart Connect app as I assume they want the “Xperia Actions” in Support tab to take over. However there is currently no option to switch off data neither in smart Connect nor in Xperia Actions. There were option like that in Z5. Am I missing something?

And now the big one. So I have very expensive iPhone earbuds that were working fine on Z5. Of course the remote and mic didn’t work but at least I could use the skip button and they were playing nice. Unfortunately when I try to use them with my Xperia XZ Premium, the sound start for few seconds and then stops and music switches to the speakers. Anyone else is experiencing similar issues? I know the earphones were not designed for android but they were working fine with Z5 and I know they could work with XZ Premium because they are fine foe few seconds. It’s almost like after few seconds some software kicks in and stops the music playing.

None of it is a deal breaker but it would be good to know if there are solutions to these. Anyone having similar issues with headphones?

[najodleglejszy]

regarding 2, it's called Qualcomm Assertive Display. I think there's a way to disable it, but it requires editing a build.prop file, which in turn requires rooting your phone.

[_NEiL_]

I'm also experiencing the headphone issue. It seems only Sony headphones seem to work as the 3.5mm jack is that little bit longer which maintains the connection. I've tried a few other brands of headphones and all of them seem to lose connection after a couple of minutes or less as  though they are no longer recognised by the device, switching the sound output to the speaker.

There is a third party app called Soundabout which is available on the Play Store which is a temporary solution but not ideal. 

Sony - what have you done? A major issue/flaw with the phone 😞

[najodleglejszy]

I'm using Sennheiser HD202 headphones without any issue, so it's not only Sony headphones that work fine.

[lromerofonseca]

I Have the same problem with my Bose headphones. When the screen is on there is no problem, but seconds after the screen turns off, the music turns off.

[_NEiL_]

There seems to have been a software update pushed out a couple of days ago that appears to have fixed this headphone issue. Anyone else?

[Sensination · Accepted solution]

The problem with my Bose wired headphones has been fixed with the Oreo update and they work fine like they did on Z5:)

Thanks Sony!