Xperia Z Ultra Short Review

[Andrewtst]

Here is my short review of Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

• Build Quality: Damn solid! obvious better than Z.
• Screen Panel: The best I ever seen so far, no more viewing angle issue. Equal or even better than HTC One.
• Loud Speaker: Slightly better than Z but still too soft.
• Performance: Snapdragon 800 & Adreno 330 really is monster! wow! Awesome performance! Heavy 3D games had no issue playback smoothly even turn on the 4xAA at Developer options. Example games I test out include Real Racing & Despicable Me.
• Interface: Currently same as Z one, it is old UI, not the new one as advertise during press. They is no X-Reality support yet, and also cannot open more than one Small Apps. The stylus input is kind of gimmick also for now, not as seen at press where can use everywhere.

Interface:

Benchmark:

Outdoor snap, using Superior Auto:

Indoor snap, either Superior Auto or SCN mode:

 

[Andrewtst]

New Firmware 14.1.B.0.471 for Sony Xperia Z Ultra is out!

• Notice much smooth, my Antutu score also jump from 30k to 33k now.
• Still old UI without X-Reality Support.
• Camera quality seems much better.

Antutu score increase from 30k to 33k for me.

New Indoor test after firmware update to 14.1.B.0.471

 

[Andrewtst]

Current Firmware: 14.1.B.0.471 improvement/fixed:

• Increase performance and much smoothness. My Antutu score increase from previous 30k to current 33k.
• Better stylus input now! You can touch everywhere you want now with pencil and responsiveness.
• Screen is touchable when your finger/palm resting at screen now! But not working with stylus-pencil.
• Still old UI without X-Reality support yet.

 

[Atma]

Thanks for the review Andrew. So overall how do you like it? Any cons? Can you see how the camera does in low light since it has no flash?

 

[Scootmien]

I'd be interested to know how it functions as an everyday phone too please. It looks enormous in the pictures i've seen of it; do you think it is too big?

 

[iowabowtech]

Wow, thanks a lot for that review. Very well done! I haven't really considered Sony in the past but yeah, that's looking like a winner to me.

 

[Andrewtst]

Thanks for the review Andrew. So overall how do you like it? Any cons? Can you see how the camera does in low light since it has no flash?

I am satisfied with it, the best Android phone I ever use. Cons now is no new UI and new features as seen during press. The new UI probably will only came soon around Sept.

Others than that UI issue, the big cons now is loud speaker as soft as Z, but sound better this time, more solid and strong, not like Z which quite high pitch.

I'd be interested to know how it functions as an everyday phone too please. It looks enormous in the pictures i've seen of it; do you think it is too big?

It is BIG! ya, really big! but still fit nicely on hand or even put inside pocket. I am fine with it.

Wow, thanks a lot for that review. Very well done! I haven't really considered Sony in the past but yeah, that's looking like a winner to me.

Me either, I never buy any Sony Android phone before until this year, this is my Sony 3rd device this year. 1st is Xperia Z (already sold), then Xperia Tablet Z, and now this cool beast Xperia Z Ultra.

 

[Andrewtst]

Phone Size Comparison.

 

[Andrewtst]

Finally redeem the free gift.

Awesome leather origin flip case + 8GB microSD card + Xperia T-Shirt.


Flip case screenshot.

 

[Atma]

I'm moving to Malaysia.

 

[spikerbaby]

Hello, can I ask where you bought the case?
Thanks

 

[Andrewtst]

I'm moving to Malaysia.

Haha! lol...

Hello, can I ask where you bought the case?
Thanks

The case is free from Sony Centre Malaysia.

 

[Scootmien]

I think I really want one of these to replace my aging 3G iPad.

 

[Andrewtst]

Xperia Z Ultra also have warm or cool panel, which means it seems got different manufacture the panel as well.

 

[Andrewtst]

Now lets compare Sony Xperia Z Ultra v/s HTC One screen.

Image at Sony Xperia Z Ultra view using QuickPic for accuracy as Bravia Engine 2 enhanced will be off.

 

[Andrewtst]

Screen Panel Color Output Comparison of Xperia Z Ultra v/s Note II v/s S II v/s N8

* N8 is not that dark, but it became really dark during snapping it nor-matter how I angle it.
* In actual, all phone screen output is more sharpen and vivid than here.
* Bravia Engine 2 is off at Xperia Z Ultra for fair comparison.

 

[Andrewtst]

Finally I am back hometown, having chances compare with Xperia ZL.

Xperia ZL v/s Xperia Z Ultra - screen & viewing angle comparison

 

[edward90]

Current Firmware: 14.1.B.0.471 improvement/fixed:

• Increase performance and much smoothness. My Antutu score increase from previous 30k to current 33k.
• Better stylus input now! You can touch everywhere you want now with pencil and responsiveness.
• Screen is touchable when your finger/palm resting at screen now! But not working with stylus-pencil.
• Still old UI without X-Reality support yet.

How are you getting this update? I've got Sony pc companion installed on my pc.. No update

 

[Andrewtst]

How are you getting this update? I've got Sony pc companion installed on my pc.. No update

I install the update same day I buy the phone.

 

[JunBringer]

Thanks for all the info Andrew! Did you install the update over the air or with the Sony pc companion?

 

[Andrewtst]

Thanks for all the info Andrew! Did you install the update over the air or with the Sony pc companion?

Only can update via PC Companion or Update Service.

 

[Andrewtst]

14.1.B.1.510 Firmware Review​

14.1.B.1.510 Firmware Review

New features & enhancement

• New UI Interface - Smooth, better than previous one.
• White-Grey Setting background.
• New added animation, new waiting animation design.
• All UI corner slighly curve.
• Small Apps can open more than one.
• International keyboard finally support mini keyboard.
• Favorite Contact image is big and clear.
• Contact image is small when receiving/answering call.
• New Messaging design.
• New Alarm and Clock, New Calculator, New widget design.
• X-Reality support, this really work out, as I notice it really sharpen my 720P video playback.
• Camera Superior Auto mode working fine, but I feel previous .475 seems better slightly.
• Overall extremely smoother than previous firmware.

Fake Hang and SOD issue & prevent solution​

I am pretty sure all 14.1.B.1.510 got this issue as few user already try.
It happen in Local Malaysia firmware or Taiwan base.

Below is how to rectified the problem exist and prevent solution.

How to make startup fake hang happen

• Un-tick Optimised backlight and shutdown the phone.
• Switch on the phone - you will facing the fake hang issue.

How to get SOD

• After above scenario fake hang happen, wait until it load to phone, +/- 1 min.
• Immediate locked the screen. Tada! Screen of Dead happen!

How to solved the issue

• Force restart the phone - either take out the SIM card to let the phone auto restart itself or press and hold the red button beside SIM card and wait until 3 vibrate, the phone is switch off.
• The fake hang still exist when the phone switching on, as usual wait +/-1 min to let the phone load in.
• Tick back Optimised backlight and immediate shutdown the phone.
• Now start the phone back, you will notice the fake hang during startup no longer happen.
• No SOD also when locked and unlocked the screen.

Can we still not using the Optimised backlight?

• YES - as long as you remember to tick back before plan to shutdown the phone.

Why I not prefer to use Optimised backlight?

• The screen color more dull a bit and less pure black.
• It is obvious noticeable when you slide left at App Drawer for more features of App Drawer, the dark grey will became bright grey in Optimised backlight.

Is SOD always happen

• NO - It only happen when your boot-up facing fake hang issue.
• Solution - always tick back Optimised Backlight before shutdown your phone until Sony solved it.

Others Issue​

• Chinese keyboard - swiping is not working when swipe in English at Small Keyboard layout.
• Chinese keyboard - input not working proper when type in Chinese in certain website.

Layout Screenshot

Camera Shoot - Superior Auto

 

[Andrewtst]

Let have some UI Comparison Which you like?

Left - New UI | Right - Old UI

 

[PrinceOfDorne]

Tomorrow, I am going to lose 30 grand for this because I am buying one.

 

[sleepless]

Finally waited until UK release and got it on Saturday. It's a beautifully designed phone, amazingly slim, all glass makes it looks incredible and its a gigantic phone. Biggest smartphone i have ever used which is what i wanted and it came with the free Sony bluetooth headset

It's super fast and topped the benchmark when i ran it. Games are super smooth and can't wait until they have the playstation mobile available for the games.

It was either this or the Note 3 but am glad i chose this.

Need to look at getting the DK30 dock and a good case now.