Things to consider when placing the XZ Premium pre-order

[Sensination]

So I’ll start with admitting I’m a huge Sony fan and maybe even a fanboy. However at the same time I’m smart and don’t like being taken for a ride. Almost all electronics in my house are made by Sony. I have Sony TV, Sony radio, PlayStation (I had all PlayStation models, including PSP and Vita), Sony Home Theatre, and owned many more Sony products over the years (countless Walkman’s, phones, TVs, radios, mp3 players, etc.). I can easily say that I spent in excess of £10,000 on Sony products over the years. I have also convinced countless friends and family members to choose Sony products acting as their brand ambassador for years and can only imagine how much income it got Sony. Unfortunately over the last 4 years my love and trust to Sony brand has been seriously weakened to the point where I’m seriously considering abandoning it forever. I will now tell you why.

It’s all to do with Xperias. I had Xperia Z1, Z2 and now Z5 (and would probably have more if it wasn’t due to issues with other models). It looks like I have a Stockholm syndrome as I’m also planning to buy Xperia XZ Premium however I will wait until people buy it and post their opinion to this and XDA forum (and I urge you to do the same). And this is why:

• Xperia Z3+ - Link
• Xperia Z5 - Link
• Xperia XZ - Link

Every time they botch something their response is appalling! They either deny the issue exists or ignore it and never fix it. My Xperia Z5 still disconnects from WiFi and Sony still didn’t fix it after few months of the problem being brought to their attention. Just go and see the pathetic responses (or complete lack thereof) on the countless forum threads where people are literally begging Sony for help!

This is why I urge you to:

1. If you placed the pre-order already:cancel it and wait for the reviews and forum threads to see if the new models are free of issues. Don’t let Sony take you for a ride and show them they have to care more about their customers!
2. If you didn’t pre-order,wait with your purchase until more people have it in their hands and can post their problems (or hopefully lack of thereof) online!
3. Do not believe the Sony marketing and do not succumb to the hype! Do you remember “No more blurred photos” and how the predictive movement feature failed to work on Xperia Xz? Yeah, exactly that Sony! Don’t let Sony treat you like that and have respect for your hard earned money.

And if you still trust them with the pre-order maybe this will change your mind. While this was done with the pre-production unit and might still be fixed in the final software release it looks like the Xperia XZ photo processing issues are still present in the new models. Please see this YouTube link for first photo comparisons with other models.

 

And here’s a little bonus post of mine from 2016   Njoy!

I guess I'm not all doom and gloom 

Thanks 

[Shen02]

The problem with Sony Xperia is they software especially when you update and the performance make down and down..

I hope Sailfish Os software make Xperia smooth performance just like Apple & Windows.

[Emir1]

Hi @Sensination,

First of all thank you for being a part of our community and our brand for so long! You’ve built yourself quite an impressive inventory of Sony products and it makes me happy to hear that you’ve been with us for such a long period of time.

What makes me less joyful is to hear about your previous and current experience with our Xperia products. I can definitely understand the frustration of when something is not working as supposed to and I feel sorry if your experience with our support has not been up to your expectation.  

We of course always strive to improve our products and services and all customer feedback is very important to us. This may sound cliché but you guys input really matter and affect our organization. Many things that you see in the products and services today is the outcome of feedback from the community and we think that being available in this way can benefit both you and us, which is why we choose to have this open support platform.

If we have not already lost your trust in us and would like for me to take a closer look into your case, please feel free to send me a PM and will try my utmost in keeping you within the Sony family.

[rothnroller]

I have taken a leap of faith and  have pre ordered this phone, as my Z3 Compact is dying (broken headphone jack, front camera, proximity sensor and failing battery) after just over two years. I like the look of this new phone and the specs are enticing. It will be my third Xperia.

I too have had problems with my Xperias in the past, particularly the battery life falling off a cliff in the last 6 months of my two year contracts, rendering the phone unreliable. Sony/ the mobile network have been unable to help me. I have come up with my own workarounds based on the scouring the various user forums whilst I wait for my contract to end.

I'm going to try out this new phone for two weeks when it arrives next Friday and see how I get on. My main concern is the bulk of the phone. Its a pocket-buster and no mistake.

That's why I am tempted by the Samsung Galaxy S8. It has a bigger screen but is significantly smaller. However it is more expensive.

Anyone else have a similar dilemma? S8 v XZ Premium? Advice welcome.

[stanlykubrick]

I also have one coming. This will be my first Xperia. Personally I think the S8 is far too fragile both front and back. I also hate the curved screen edges! Of course this Xperia may be just as fragile! But the main reason for me choosing the Sony is because I really like the way it looks. I guess there is a little vanity here but I hate having a phone that looks so generic...Samsung, Apple, LG, etc., etc. 

I do not like glass backed phones due to the fragility issue but then again I have an all metal phone and it has bad LTE reception, so glass should help....I hope.

So if you want to look like all the other cloned sheep out there then go fo the Samsung. If you want to be a little different, then Sony all the way!

[Emir1]

Hi Everyone!

It makes me very happy to hear that you hold Xperia XZ Premium so dear and are considering a purchase. Please feel free to let me know if there are some product details or features which you are curious about prior to purchasing and I'll do my best to assist!

[rothnroller]

Hi Emir

My Xperia is due on Friday. Could you tell me how the phone fares in drop tests?

[Lord_viridis]

Better than it would with a metal frame....

[Lord_viridis]

But seriously, I don't think anyone here would know, best off checking YouTube for people who get phones to destroy them.

[Emir1]

Hi @rothnroller, happy to hear that it's about to arrive and I hope (and think) that you'll love it!

I am sorry to say that we do not have any specifications outlining how the device would fare in a drop scenario, and we also state that users should refrain from dropping an Xperia in the warranty terms as it could lead to damage should you be unlucky.