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TMo Z1s Anybody?

Given the international "flavor" to this community, I'm not surprised no one has responded. FYI, I like the international aspect.....I spend about 30% of my time in Europe, so, it helps. :)

For those that are interested, there are a few people on Android Central who have ordered and received the Z1s from TMo. Android Central tends to be a little more NA focused. Here is the link (I hope this is allowable!): Ordered new Xperia Z1S through T-Mobile - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
 
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Have you decide on the Z1s then?

I would say that the Z1s is the front-runner but I have to do a "hands-on" check before I decide and the phone won't be available in-store until Wednesday.

After reading through the AC thread, I've a couple of concerns:

1. Audio quality...one person described it as average. Music is important to me so I have to check that out.

2. Size.......it looks bigger than I thought it would be, so, I have to check-out how it feels in-hand.

3. TMo bloatware....don't like bloatware, so, I hope it's not too much.

4. Choices in accessories, especially cases. When TMo changed the dimensions of the phone to accommodate the larger battery and moved the audio port, they eliminated all the other international Z1 case options. This is less significant as long as I can get a good case.

The only other choice I'm considering is the N5, so we'll see what happens on Wednesday. Though I'm concerned with some of the battery issues I've been reading about relating to the N5. I have a phone with crappy battery life now (Galaxy Nexus) and I don't want another one.

That's where I'm at. :thinking:
 
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These answers are based on the Z1, but I'm relatively sure the Z1s won't be too much different.

1. With headphones, it's fine. Whilst loud, the external speaker is kinda poop. I compensate with a wee bluetooth speaker and it does me fine.

2. It is big, and the bezels are probably bigger than they need to be. BUT, it's not unweildly. Oddly, I actually think a case makes it easier to hold/use.

3. Can't comment, there are a few added Sony apps on the UK version and my carrier added virtually nothing (not even a boot logo), but I know US carriers add a load of bloat so I can't really comment. If the device is anything like the Z1, some of the apps are installed to /data meaning they can be safely uninstalled.

4. No idea, sorry!
 
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I would say that the Z1s is the front-runner but I have to do a "hands-on" check before I decide and the phone won't be available in-store until Wednesday.

After reading through the AC thread, I've a couple of concerns:

1. Audio quality...one person described it as average. Music is important to me so I have to check that out.

2. Size.......it looks bigger than I thought it would be, so, I have to check-out how it feels in-hand.

3. TMo bloatware....don't like bloatware, so, I hope it's not too much.

4. Choices in accessories, especially cases. When TMo changed the dimensions of the phone to accommodate the larger battery and moved the audio port, they eliminated all the other international Z1 case options. This is less significant as long as I can get a good case.

The only other choice I'm considering is the N5, so we'll see what happens on Wednesday. Though I'm concerned with some of the battery issues I've been reading about relating to the N5. I have a phone with crappy battery life now (Galaxy Nexus) and I don't want another one.

That's where I'm at. :thinking:

I posted on android central. I got mine on Wednesday of last week. Just a warning, it's a finger/lint/dust/dirt magnet. I constantly have to clean it because it's usually in my pocket.

1. Audio is a little bit high on the side on the speaker. It sounds kinda thin compare to my Note 3, which has a fuller sound.

2. It's almost as big as my Note 3, but screen size is smaller.

3. It's the same I think as my Note 3, but I usually just ignore them[I don't use them].

4. You don't have much choices. What you see on T-Mobile is what you get. the selection is very thin. I can tell you right now, DO NOT buy the Body Glove standard blue case. I have it and after a few days the paint is already peeling off.

I have a SS of the size comparison with a few of my old phones.

Ordered new Xperia Z1S through T-Mobile - Page 2 - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
 
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I posted on android central. I got mine on Wednesday of last week. Just a warning, it's a finger/lint/dust/dirt magnet. I constantly have to clean it because it's usually in my pocket.

Thanks for the reply and for checking-in! I saw your side-by-side pictures on AC and they are what got me a little concerned about the size.

Not too concerned with how the music sounds from the device speaker. I am concerned about how it will sound through the headphone jack and through bluetooth. I listen to alot of music and have a pretty wide select of in-ears and a couple of bluetooth speakers. So I rarely use the phone speaker to listen to music.

Since you can't recommend the Body Armor case, are you considering a different one? If so, which one?
 
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Thanks for the reply and for checking-in! I saw your side-by-side pictures on AC and they are what got me a little concerned about the size.

Not too concerned with how the music sounds from the device speaker. I am concerned about how it will sound through the headphone jack and through bluetooth. I listen to alot of music and have a pretty wide select of in-ears and a couple of bluetooth speakers. So I rarely use the phone speaker to listen to music.

Since you can't recommend the Body Armor case, are you considering a different one? If so, which one?

Sound from the headphone is good. It sounds better then the Note 3. I don't have a bluetooth speaker so I can't say.

As for the cases, there's not much of a selection. I'm stuck with this one until it's officially released. I'm still checking Amazon but there's nothing there yet. I'm not sure I would recommend anything yet. I would say wait til it's released at the store so you can check it out, instead of gambling on online ordering.


EDIT: I'm having issues with the phone. The phone has been shutting off when I'm opening a app. The camera app wasn't working and I had to reboot it to get it working again. I did a factory reset and when I went to delete one of Sony's widget off the main page, the phone rebooted.

Got fed up and called T-Mobile this morning. They are sending me a new one and new case since the one I bought, the paint is already peeling off. They're sending them both overnight, which is nice of them. I'm hoping the new one is better and the one I got was just a dud.
 
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Sound from the headphone is good. It sounds better then the Note 3. I don't have a bluetooth speaker so I can't say.

As for the cases, there's not much of a selection. I'm stuck with this one until it's officially released. I'm still checking Amazon but there's nothing there yet. I'm not sure I would recommend anything yet. I would say wait til it's released at the store so you can check it out, instead of gambling on online ordering.


EDIT: I'm having issues with the phone. The phone has been shutting off when I'm opening a app. The camera app wasn't working and I had to reboot it to get it working again. I did a factory reset and when I went to delete one of Sony's widget off the main page, the phone rebooted.

Got fed up and called T-Mobile this morning. They are sending me a new one and new case since the one I bought, the paint is already peeling off. They're sending them both overnight, which is nice of them. I'm hoping the new one is better and the one I got was just a dud.

Thanks for the additional information, appreciate it. I read another post from a person who had multiple devices and good headphones who reported that the sound quality was actually pretty good for a phone. Two data points is reassuring.

Sorry to hear about your hopeful duds (phone and case). I hope what you receive fixes your issues. Good to hear about TMo's customer service....sounds positive.
 
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The AC link is fine!

Have you decide on the Z1s then?

And the winner is................the Z1s!

Just got back from my local TMo store and got to play with the Z1s and it is a very nice phone.

Sound quality passed. I can't say if it was good or bad because all I could listen to were the test audio tracks on the phone, nothing I was familiar with. I did use my in-ear buds and I was OK with the sound.

Size.....It is big, but, not too big. Since it is on the narrow side, handling it with one hand was not a big deal.

Bloatware from TMo....it really was pretty minimal, nothing I can't live with.

Accessories....they had a few cases and I found one that I like and that is all I need. I'm a "bumper case and screen protector" kind of guy and this is the one I will roll with for now: Sony Xperia Z1S Tech 21 Impact Tactical Shell - Black | T-Mobile

So, the friendly and helpful TMo rep is holding for me a Z1s and the case. Yes, I am excited!
 
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Awesome! :D

Do you mind me asking if you're buying outright or taking the $22, 24 month plan?

I take it you pay for a plan on top of that and the $22 is just for the phone? That's an incredible deal otherwise.

Yes, you pay for a plan on top of the $22.00 @ month. I'm going to use the payment plan so I can enroll in Tmo's Jump program. With Jump I can switch devices in 6 months if I want. Jump also includes device insurance so it is a pretty good deal.
 
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You guys normally get screwed when it comes to phones and plans, so that sounds like a good deal.

Well, I hope it works out that way. Good news about TMo is no contract so if I leave all I have to do is payoff the phone which is not a problem since I was prepared to purchase a phone anyway. TMo is really disrupting the industry here in the US and I like it.

I'm really looking forward to the no international roaming and free texting in Europe. In fact I have to go back to Switzerland in February for two weeks so I'll get a chance to "test" the promise.

Anyway, I think I'm coming down with a case of he "new phone flu" and I suspect tomorrow will be a short day! :D
 
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Well, I hope it works out that way. Good news about TMo is no contract so if I leave all I have to do is payoff the phone which is not a problem since I was prepared to purchase a phone anyway. TMo is really disrupting the industry here in the US and I like it.

I'm really looking forward to the no international roaming and free texting in Europe. In fact I have to go back to Switzerland in February for two weeks so I'll get a chance to "test" the promise.

Anyway, I think I'm coming down with a case of he "new phone flu" and I suspect tomorrow will be a short day! :D

Where did you read up free texting in Europe?
 
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It's free texting outside the U.S, but if we live in the U.S it's $10 to text to other countries???? :thinking:

On a side note, my new Z1S is working fine. None of the issues from the first phone is present.

Yeah, it is odd that you have to pay extra to text from the U.S. to other regions outside the U.S. Fortunately for me, my international needs relate to having to text from Europe to the U.S.

My Z1s seems to be working fine also. None of the reported problems like rebooting and touch responsiveness during icon rearrangements for me either. Going to post a "review" thread later today, especially focusing on the audio / sound.
 
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