Sony Z1S Announced for TMo

[LuvMusic]

Last night Sony announced the the Z1S is coming to TMo. This is the "regular sized" Z1 with LTE, NOT the Z1 Compact.

Read about it here: Sony Xperia Z1 S - Cell Phones - CNET Reviews

Now for the big decision, Z1S or Nexus 5?

 

[xacto]

As a biased Z1 user, I'd say go for Sony, as you will get a much more premium build than Nexus 5, but slower Android updates.

 

[LuvMusic]

As a biased Z1 user, I'd say go for Sony, as you will get a much more premium build than Nexus 5, but slower Android updates.

I am a big Sony fan too and what has held me back from the Z1 is no US LTE. That issue has now been addressed.

You accurately identified the main decision, updates from Sony versus updates straight from Google. Seems like Sony is trying to ramp up its update process. The SD storage is nice but 32gb of storage is fine.

The other variable is price.....how much is TMo going to charge for this bad boy.....

Questions for you. What is your experience with finger prints? I hear and read the Z1 is a magnet for them. Also what kind of cases are available?

 

[xacto]

This is the case I am currently using, it doesn't add bulk to the phone, and it looks very classy:

http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/zenus-minimal-diary-case-for-sony-xperia-z1-black-p41921.htm

As for fingerprints, it is indeed a magnet, not much you can do in that department. But in time, you kind of get used to it. I personally use a microfiber cloth for cleaning which does wonders.

 

[El Presidente]

Yep, it is indeed a magnet for fingerprints, but if you're using a case and screen protector, that should help.

Not sure what it'll be like over the pond, but in the UK there are plenty of cases and accessories available.

Price wise, according to the Androidpolice article I read, it'll be $600 up front, or $22 per month for 24 months. I'm not sure if that's phone only or it includes the plan as well.

 

[LuvMusic]

Yep, it is indeed a magnet for fingerprints, but if you're using a case and screen protector, that should help.

Not sure what it'll be like over the pond, but in the UK there are plenty of cases and accessories available.

Price wise, according to the Androidpolice article I read, it'll be $600 up front, or $22 per month for 24 months. I'm not sure if that's phone only or it includes the plan as well.

Thanks for the info. What is your experience with the Sony OS skin versus pure kitkat? Noticed you have a Nexus 7 (me too) so I'm curious.

 

[El Presidente]

I like it.

It's quite laid back and not too in your face and with the 4.3 update, it's fairly themeable too.

I think I probably prefer it to stock android tbh.

Do you root and ROM?

 

[LuvMusic]

I like it.

It's quite laid back and not too in your face and with the 4.3 update, it's fairly themeable too.

I think I probably prefer it to stock android tbh.

Do you root and ROM?

I haven't rooted or used third party ROM's in the past. I'm fairly "conservative" in terms of screen and OS functionality. I generally go with a pure black background and use Beautiful Widgets on my home screen. Also use Poweramp for music which includes a couple of widgets which I use on the lock and home screens. Also use More Quickly Panel in the menu bar / shade, though, this is becoming less needed with some of the recent updates.

 

[El Presidente]

Fair enough.

It won't be a massive issue for you then but whilst Sony offer an official bootloader unlock solution, it doesn't work on network locked handsets (and I imagine the T - mobile version will be).

You can still flash ROMs, but they have to be stock based, no CM or AOKP etc.

 

[El Presidente]

Want some screen shots etc so you can get a feel for the UI?

 

[LuvMusic]

Want some screen shots etc so you can get a feel for the UI?

Sure.....some screen shots would be great, whatever you think would be useful. Thank you very much for the offer and effort! :thumbup:

 

[El Presidente]

I'll upload them when I get to a PC.

 

[El Presidente]

https://www.dropbox.com/photos/c/oAOaL5IxEbf2xKs

Lockscreen, homescreen, some settings, notification pull down (the toggles at the top are configurable), Camera UI and modes, movies app, gallery app, app drawer, app drawer options and homescreen options.

 

[LuvMusic]

https://www.dropbox.com/photos/c/oAOaL5IxEbf2xKs

Lockscreen, homescreen, some settings, notification pull down (the toggles at the top are configurable), Camera UI and modes, movies app, gallery app, app drawer, app drawer options and homescreen options.

Thank you sir! I will look when I get home from work.

 

[LuvMusic]

https://www.dropbox.com/photos/c/oAOaL5IxEbf2xKs

Lockscreen, homescreen, some settings, notification pull down (the toggles at the top are configurable), Camera UI and modes, movies app, gallery app, app drawer, app drawer options and homescreen options.

Again, thank you for posting these pictures, took a little longer than I planned to get to them.

My initial impression is that OS is pretty darn close to stock android with Sony's design elements (like the screen buttons) incorporated. Actually looks very nice.

Noticed also that Sony's efforts to collaborate within the organization to leverage existing platforms / products is evident. I have a Sony NEX 5N and the camera menus were very familiar.

I am a big music listener and I'm wondering about your perceptions of the Walkman app in terms of sound quality? Have you compared it to any other music players? I am a BIG fan of PowerAmp so I'm curious (I know this is a very subjective topic).

By the way, nice family! I appreciate your time and effort.

Cheers!

 

[El Presidente]

Thank you

I don't use the walkman app, my network gives me a free subscription to a streaming service called deezer so I stream a lot of my music.

However, I've never had any issues with sound quality. The internal speaker is loud, but not very clear so I use head phones primarily and a little bluetooth speaker (Sonivo SW100) for listening to stuff at work.

Via the sound menu, there are a load of sound options (which work across the entire phone), tonnes of custom EQ's and something called ClearAudio+ which dynamically equalises stuff for you.

An audiophile might complain about it, but I've no problems. A lot would depend on what you're using to listen to music with as well. My headphones are fairly good so that probably helps.

 

[bkhsms]

Thanks for the post and updates. Does the Z1S have Qi charging?

 

[El Presidente]

The Z1 doesn't, so I presume the Z1s doesn't either (from my understanding, aside from the extra memory. they're identical hardware wise).

It does have pogo pins and a magnetic charging port.

 

[LuvMusic]

The Z1 doesn't, so I presume the Z1s doesn't either (from my understanding, aside from the extra memory. they're identical hardware wise).

It does have pogo pins and a magnetic charging port.

This is correct....no Qi wireless charging for the Z1s. Does have the magnetic charging pins and you can get the cable to use the pins or a cradle (if you desire) and other charging accessories on Amazon. Here is the link: Amazon.com: z1 magnetic cable

 

[El Presidente]

The cable is kinda short, but the official dock is great. The phone sits at just the right angle for viewing films/playing games etc.

 

[LuvMusic]

This is the case I am currently using, it doesn't add bulk to the phone, and it looks very classy:

Zenus Minimal Diary Case for Sony Xperia Z1 - Black

Well looks like I'm kind of screwed when it comes to cases. The Z1s is a little taller and thicker that the Z1. Also, the headphone jack was moved to the center of the device. So, cases for the Z1 won't work. Tmo has a few. You can check them here: Search Results | T-Mobile

Anyone have experience with any of these cases?

 

[JIMV]

I am a big music listener and I'm wondering about your perceptions of the Walkman app in terms of sound quality? Have you compared it to any other music players? I am a BIG fan of PowerAmp so I'm curious (I know this is a very subjective topic).

I am also a big music user on my Xperia Z....I have had 3 phones over the last 6 months, a Droid Razor HD, a Galaxy S4 and the Z1 (the first two died). When operating the Droid played well but nothing to write home about. I used Neutron as my sound app. The Galaxy had the best screen by far but came loaded with a lot of Samsung gimmicks and junk I simply did not like. I used USB Audio Recorder pro as my music program (lets me use USB to send a High Rez music file to an outboard DAC/headphone amp) which resulted in great sound. Both the Razor and the Galaxy phones had really crappy phone speakers. The Sony phone has an inferior screen but the phones speakers are far better. I am using the new USB Audio Player Pro app which also lets one send a High Rez files from the phone to a DAC but has a better UI than the older USB AR Pro app from the same folk. As High Rez files use a lot of file size, a SD slot is mandatory and the Sony works fine for me. So....

Right now I am happy with the Sony Phone. I have read there is a new flagship phone coming from them in a month or so and I hope my carrier supports it before it is obsolete (T-Mobile is not cutting edge. I am still waiting for the 4.3 update)...

An ideal phone for me would be a Sony with the much better Samsung screen.

 

[Lambertoid]

Just got home from tmobile I was between the nexus 5 and g2 next thing I know I'm walking out with the z1s I must say the build the screen and camera are awesome me and the wife went with it. She's coming from the HTC one I had the motox. We were on sprint. Since the og evo release. We now have lte lol