SONY XPERIA Rumors 2014 - Esato archive

Posted by AbhiD999

On 2014-03-06 21:36:37, Jubei1 wrote:

On 2014-03-06 19:50:37, itsjustJOH wrote:
810 is rumored to have a 20 nm manufacturing process.

The 810 leaks were fake.

So what will 810 actually come with ?

Posted by Jubei1

On 2014-03-07 03:04:02, AbhiD999 wrote:

On 2014-03-06 21:36:37, Jubei1 wrote:

On 2014-03-06 19:50:37, itsjustJOH wrote:
810 is rumored to have a 20 nm manufacturing process.

The 810 leaks were fake.

So what will 810 actually come with ?

I dont know. Qualcomms leaked official roadmap only mentions Snapdragon 805

But the baidu leak about 810 is obviously fake. Adreno 430 clocked at 500 Mhz but Adreno 330 in AB/AC clocked at 550/578 Mhz? Microsoft announced Qualcomm as partner for DirectX12 recently but the leak only mentions DirectX 11.2 for a future chip?

Most of the specs sound like wishful thinking. Im sure Qualcomm is working on a 64-bit chip but they havent even released Snapdragon 805 yet. Realistic expectation would be that Xperia Z3 comes with Snapdragon 805

I wouldnt expect a flagship 64 bit phone until CES 2015

Posted by motvikt
@Jubei1

Good post, nice to see some sense in the rumor discussion

Posted by HxH
Jubei1

Interesting catch!

And I also doubt if Qualcomm would go for standard Cortex-A53/57 core as initial rumour quotes.
Even they already put Cortex-A53 for SD410 at competitive mid-tier product.

For Tegra K1 benchmark thing, power source is suspicious to me
As point out, the chip does reach 3GHz while official retail could be 2.5Ghz at max or lower

Back to CES 2014, when they made it official. someone found this

http://www.phonearena.com/new[....]ocking-amount-of-power_id53551

Anyway, I don't fully believe both sides, wait for retail product if anyone dare?

[ This Message was edited by: HxH on 2014-03-07 12:04 ]

Posted by Jubei1
Thats another clue. If Qualcomm had a custom 64-bit core in the pipeline, why are they using standard ARM A53 cores in the Snapdragon 410? Its not like its going to be out tomorrow, its sampling now and will be available by 2H of this year.

Tegra K1 board having a heatsink makes me suspicious. But the source behind that link is Charlie from SA, he hates Nvidia with a passion so i wouldnt trust him 100%

But even so the benchmarks arent exactly amazing, its a little bit better than S805 but worth giving up LTE for? Probably not, i think Microsoft will be the only one using it for their tablet

I think the spec wars are slowing down. The high end market is saturated, everyone is going for low-mid range phones now because thats where the new market growth is expected. All the devices will be evolutionary as can be seen in Z2, S5, new One etc , the next revolution will probably be wearables or a new UI paradigm on phones

Posted by >>SAMEH
Gorilla glass vs Sapphire glass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYi52iPLgLA

what do u think?

Posted by itsjustJOH

On 2014-03-07 15:51:44, >>SAMEH wrote:
Gorilla glass vs Sapphire glass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYi52iPLgLA

what do u think?

I'm pretty sure Apple knows what they are doing when they invested on sapphire. And if it would really cost much more than Gorilla Glass that it would make the iPhone 6 much pricier, I doubt their customers would care. Like I said before, they would rather hurt their wallets than their pride.

Posted by Jiggs29
Firefox OS on a Sony Xperia Device

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmF8z19NvfI

Posted by kurtdean

[ This Message was edited by: kurtdean on 2014-03-08 11:38 ]

Posted by hihihans
@Jiggs, the video is removed. Was it fake?

Posted by Jiggs29
yeah.. kinda weird why they removed it.. that video was from sony xperia official youtube account.. anyways, its already news in xperiablog.. maybe wrong upload of video, it is now in the sonyxperiadev..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5vbpBoRg8U

they just keep developing firefox OS, just like an android to me..

Posted by hihihans
Nothing special to see. Thanks for the new link.

Posted by CrownedAkuma
Men! I love this accessory!
http://www.xperiablog.net/201[....]ic-charging-pad-hands-on-demo/
I'll surely buy one of these instead of the normal charging dock! So useful, and it even have an audio 3.5 jack to reproduc music from other devices:)
I would like to hear HOW it sounds because it do not seem so big! Still I like the concept! It's beautiful, with that little blue led at the bottom

Posted by kurtdean
http://www.xperiablog.net/201[....]ce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

taken at 20mp that's why there's some noise

Posted by ascariss

On 2014-03-08 12:33:03, kurtdean wrote:
http://www.xperiablog.net/201[....]ce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

taken at 20mp that's why there's some noise

Interesting, the shots here are on different camera firmware, f200 vs f120 on the other 8mp shots.

One of the shots is iso1000 and the noise is almost minimal, insane. The picture of the crosswalk sign is iso800 and it looks amazing. If the Z2 camera can take such great shots in the dark, wonder how good it will be in daylight with this firmware.

Really hope this new cam software makes it to the Z1.

Posted by Xajel

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:

I dont know. Qualcomms leaked official roadmap only mentions Snapdragon 805

Well, if the leaked official roadmap only mentions 805 that doesn't mean there's nothing beyond...

Plus, I think that the leaked roadmap is already old ( does any one know when it was leaked ?), most SoC manufacturers accelerated the 64bit efforts after Apple's A7 announcement...

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:

But the baidu leak about 810 is obviously fake. Adreno 430 clocked at 500 Mhz but Adreno 330 in AB/AC clocked at 550/578 Mhz? Microsoft announced Qualcomm as partner for DirectX12 recently but the leak only mentions DirectX 11.2 for a future chip?

This alone isn't a solid prove, It's highly likely that Adreno 400 series are actually more efficient compared to Adreno 300 ones... so these might not need higher clocks to be more powerful, as higher clocks generate more heat and require more power, Qualcomm will not depend solely on process advancement to reach higher performance...

It's not something I know, I'm not an insider, but with a long background in computing, processors, GPU's I can guarantee that lowering the clock does not mean lower performance if the architecture is more efficient per clock.. going one whole series change in the model number ( from 300 to 400 ) means the architecture is different...

Regarding the DX 12, no manufacturer is allowed to talk anything about DX12 if MS didn't reveal it yet, even in internal documents... and I believe that the specifications of DX12 wasn't close to the final ones when the document is leaked, so nothing can be made sure...

MS normally sends the changes to the GPU manufacturers,, these change are normally in different categories, some are required, some are recommended as they might be required in future update, and some might not be required or recommended... for example the tessellation feature in desktop GPU wasn't required untill DX11, but ATi ( then AMD ) was already supporting it long time before DX11 thought the specifications of DX11 tessellation was different...

MS do this in order to make sure that GPU makers are ready with their hardware before the release or finalization of the DX standard... this is why you see some GPU might actually support DX11.1 even thought they was designed before the finalization of the DX11.1 spec. them selfs...

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:
Most of the specs sound like wishful thinking. Im sure Qualcomm is working on a 64-bit chip but they havent even released Snapdragon 805 yet. Realistic expectation would be that Xperia Z3 comes with Snapdragon 805

Sometimes this might be true, but if you look deeper, all manufacturers are actually accelerating the 64bit to release before what they originally planned, so that leak might be old before the change to the roadmaps began...

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:
I wouldnt expect a flagship 64 bit phone until CES 2015

I can think that there's a chance in 2H14, even if it was weak to mid knowing that Sony is targeting Sep/Oct... thought this is only apply to Sony as they depend on Qualcomm for all of their high-ends... but I expect other phone designers to have high-ends 64bit in 2H14 like Samsung or some other Chinese makers with Chinese or Intel based SoC... even NV says that Denver will be ready in 2H14 thought I'm very cautious regarding it's power consumption, I feel that the announced power will not be available for standard smartphones... it might be possible for a new class of very high-end tablets, laptops, AIO or even other markets...

Actually, Sony might actually working with prototypes of the 64bit high-end Qualcomm SoC... they get access to all SoC way before finalization and announcement.. not just Sony but most manufacturers have some kind of agreement... Qualcomm actually makes some changes to the design by it's customers orders or notes... after all they search for customers happiness

Posted by Ricky D
..and then Apple will claim they invented 64-bit and sue everyone.

Posted by Jubei1
[quote]
On 2014-03-08 17:05:07, Xajel wrote:

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:

I dont know. Qualcomms leaked official roadmap only mentions Snapdragon 805

Since you say you know a few things about the business, you should know that nobody designs a CPU in 6 months, it takes years of planning wich is why these roadmaps stretch for years. Even when you announce a CPU, it might be 6 months to a year before its available in products. The roadmap was leaked fall 2013 btw so its not that old

As for accelerating 64 bit efforts, why is Qualcomm using stock ARM A53 cores if they had any custom core 64 bit chips in the pipeline anytime soon?

No its not. But the efficiency requirements came with Adreno 420. The first number suggests its a whole new design, yet the 430 gets a minor 50 Mhz clock bump and fillrate goes from 4 Gpixels /sec to 6 gpixels?!

It's not something I know, I'm not an insider, but with a long background in computing, processors, GPU's I can guarantee that lowering the clock does not mean lower performance if the architecture is more efficient per clock.. going one whole series change in the model number ( from 300 to 400 ) means the architecture is different...

Its not either or, Tegra K1 is Nvidias most efficient design so far and its clocked at like 900 Mhz wich is the highest yet for a Nvidia SoC

Like i wrote above, if they accelerated their plans, they wouldnt be announcing Snapdragon 410/610 etc. These are stock ARM cores, and if your response is that they were available sooner, well the schedules release for these chips is 2H 2014. Yet a mythical Snapdragon 810 is going to be available by september

like i said, a lot of wishful thinking from fanboys

On 2014-03-07 09:56:55, Jubei1 wrote:
I wouldnt expect a flagship 64 bit phone until CES 2015

A few months ago a number of posters were so sure that Samsung was going to release a 64 bit chip for the S5. The only 64 bit chip Samsung showed at MWC was for their servers, they announced the Exynos 5422 wich is a regular A15 design instead. You keep arguing that these OEMs have some kind of super secret plan to suddenly release SoCs, thats not how it works you know.

Actually, Sony might actually working with prototypes of the 64bit high-end Qualcomm SoC... they get access to all SoC way before finalization and announcement.. not just Sony but most manufacturers have some kind of agreement... Qualcomm actually makes some changes to the design by it's customers orders or notes... after all they search for customers happiness

Uh no they dont. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to redesign a chip that is already available in silicone for prototypes? Thats not going to happen

Like i said, a roadmap is designed years in advance, its not going to suddenly change because an OEM is unhappy with the design of your GPU, you can change frequency but designwise, nothing is gonna change

We will see at IFA.

Posted by amirprog
s810 in 2014? no way in my opinion. when you want answers you look at the past. qualcomm announced s800 in january (!) last year. the first device carrying it was z ultra that was announced in June (!). this by itself tells everything. s805 for next ultra. s805 for next z. period. i'm sure we will see s810 in all MWC 2015 flagships. let's be reasonable.

[ This Message was edited by: amirprog on 2014-03-09 13:47 ]

Posted by Xajel
@Jubei1

I'm a bit of a hurry so I'll be quick,

first I want to be clear that I doesn't mean in anyway to make you wrong and prove my self as true, it's just a discussion and what I wrote is just my modest opinion.. no offence in any means...

I'll get it as points to make it fast:
1- It's true that designing a CPU takes years, but this applies mostly to x86.. it takes years to design a new architecture, but for ARM it's much faster, not in 6 months but in a little bit less than 2 years ( I remember I read somewhere it's 18 months, but I might forget how long exactly )

2- All of them already started to work on 64bit ARM designs more than 1 - 2 years ago, this is why you already saw some 64bit ARM's is done, like Apple A7 which is already released.. and Qualcomm 410 & 610 which is announced...
NV was working very long time on project Denver and they took this time coz their experience with ARM isn't that much compared to other, + designing an arch. must go in stages like planning, deciding the features, the core design, looking for the best options, then they will start the design... and even with that they might have several designs ( same design with small changes ) to account for any unexpected things that might happens later...

3- Qualcomm is using stock ARM A53 because they tend to use the stock design in several products, specially low-end products, why ? because it's cheaper for them... when they use their design ? after completing it first for the high-end, then scale it down for mid and low... so they have one scalable design that can range in different segmentation of market/performance...
+ their own 64bit design still needs more work, and they knew it from the beginning that's why they worked on ARM stock design... normally stock design doesn't take that much time as ARM already provides the whole design even the masks ( for process making ) for their customers, that's why you might hear from time to time that ARM and TSMC made some progress with manufacturing... actually you can buy the license from ARM and they will give you the designs, go directly to TSMC or Samsung and go ahead, of course you will need to test the production it self, you might need few patches and prototypes before finalising the product but this is how ARM works...

Qualcomm might just added some of their own designs to ARM's one like GPU and some other logics... and I'm pretty sure they reused several designs of their own before to cut costs specially that ARM A53 is compatible with previous 32bit designs, you can just remove A7 and put A53 and that's it...

The point is even ARM isn't ready for the high-end part ( the A57 ), that's why no one announced any thing, and if they, it's only details with more info or release in second half ( like NV )...

So Why Apple has done it ? because they thought of 64bit from the beginning and tweaked their own design to be 64bit and increased the efficiency of it also... Apple is using their SoC for their own only, so they don't have to make sure they follow all ARM guidelines to make the core fully compatible with ARM 64bit.. after all Apple will use it only for it's iOS and they only need it like this... so they don't even need ARM to finish A53/A57 cores to start with it...

All other manufacturers has a different story, then need to make sure it's all compatible or the chip might fail to work on several applications ( and OS's ) as their chips are targeted to a variety of devices and applications...

3- Why Qualcomm released stock ARM while they have something soon ? well they have but not soon enough for their customers and their marketing glamour... so they needed something very fast, and the fastest route will be take an already ready A7 design, and replace the A7 core with A53 core, few changes here and there and viola !!

4- What I said is they already have 64bit designs in the work before Apple announcement, but they targeted a later date for it, let's say late 2015... when Apple did the A7, they rushed it.. I don't mean they will have it in 1H14 but you might have some in 2H14...

5- When any SoC maker announce any chip, be sure that this chip was in the hands of it's customers few months before, how many exactly I don't know but it might vary very much... most SoC makers already playing with 20nm and lower process now, but these are still prototypes and they need a hell of tweaking for the design, same as TSMC and Samsung...

6- I didn't say that Samsung will release 64bit, I said S5 will have multiple versions, including a fullHD display and maybe 2K display, when is that I don't know but I know that the 2K display has a 85% chance that it will be coupled with Exynos SoC... that 2K might be in S5 and might be in Note 4 I don't know either... but Samsung does have multiple versions of S5 and they're working on 2K screens for the mass but they're still not ready, 2K displays are very hard to manufacturer and costly also, they still need more time to optimise it and have plenty of them for the launch quantity...

Posted by CrownedAkuma

On 2014-03-09 16:17:56, Xajel wrote:
@Jubei1

I'm a bit of a hurry so I'll be quick,

first I want to be clear that I doesn't mean in anyway to make you wrong and prove my self as true, it's just a discussion and what I wrote is just my modest opinion.. no offence in any means...

I'll get it as points to make it fast:
1- It's true that designing a CPU takes years, but this applies mostly to x86.. it takes years to design a new architecture, but for ARM it's much faster, not in 6 months but in a little bit less than 2 years ( I remember I read somewhere it's 18 months, but I might forget how long exactly )

.........

6- I didn't say that Samsung will release 64bit, I said S5 will have multiple versions, including a fullHD display and maybe 2K display, when is that I don't know but I know that the 2K display has a 85% chance that it will be coupled with Exynos SoC... that 2K might be in S5 and might be in Note 4 I don't know either... but Samsung does have multiple versions of S5 and they're working on 2K screens for the mass but they're still not ready, 2K displays are very hard to manufacturer and costly also, they still need more time to optimise it and have plenty of them for the launch quantity...

This was the "I'm a bit of a hurry so I'll be quick" post? I would love to see the "I have plenty of time to respond you" version

By the way thanks for the insight

Posted by amirprog
@CrownedAkuma

talking about 2k panels, what is interesting is that such displays should give manufacturers slightly more space to place other hardware components or to shorten phone bezel/thickness even more because those panels are said to be thinner, narrower and also lighter - less phone weight. jdi 5.4" 2k panel has almost the same diagonal of their 5.2" FHD panel (which i suppose is in Z2).

Posted by my ninja
I will proudly say that I was one of the posters sure that Sammy would drop a 64bit chip in the S5 given the pace of the previous devices. boy howdy was I wrong, i forget that complacency is a disease.. either way, i had full expectation that there would have been an S5 with Exy-64bit + LPDDR4. that ship sailed there are still some clinging onto a 'metal' s5 but ill refrain from leaving my neck out there. QComm is getting off easy I will say that but it shouldnt be an issue going forward their only 'real' competition is Denver.K1 but theres the assumption of the SoC being power hungry with absolutely no information to back that up. still a dual core design is intriguing a midst 4x4 designs of other manufacturers.

Personally I would love to see a ultra high end Ubuntu/Denver device..

as for sony, they will more than not stay within their supply chain unless something better/cheaper comes along. finance rules the day for this one folks, sad to say. theres nothing wrong with QComm as far as performance/feature set in terms of incremental updates.

I have a STRONG inclination that most of these companies are waiting behind google to get off their ass and update the android kernel. who knows what we will see this year for google i/o... the Nexus 6 in november (depends on who the vendor is, if its LG the timing may be off, who knows) and Note 4 (aug/sept) may be a treat.. Sony doesnt seem like they are interested in being an also ran either so the Z3 (possibly the Z2 Ultra) may welcome the update as well.. if not it will be more of the same.. 3.4 again and again. fairly certain 3.11 is stable (3.12 should be stable too) who knows what the giant G has upstreamed for themselves either.

Posted by Ricky D
I heard Google are moving away from Nexus devices in favour of GPE devices. Something evident by the flurry of GPE devices in the last 6 months and the complete lack of neither word nor rumour that a Nexus 10 2 will be forthcoming. I'd expect GPE to be given a solid shot for the next year then maybe we'll see a return of the Nexus if the GPE model doesn't work out.

I may be wrong.

Personally I prefer the GPE model. It allows the manufacturers to keep their device identity whilst giving the option of straight android to purists and developers. Also, it gives more options, instead of a single Nexus device there are several GPE devices to choose from in the same size category.

Posted by Away
@amirprog

Qualcomm said they won't announce products so far in advance as they used to. So your theory is invalid.

Denver seems to be the only exciting chip this year. Everything points at Qualcomm being complacent, saved due to ARM failing with a15.

[ This Message was edited by: Away on 2014-03-10 10:31 ]

Posted by amirprog
@Away
didn't know that. i just read someone in phonearena article comment section says that his friends are working at qualcomm and 64 bit will come later this year on fall, so who knows.

Posted by DexterMoser

On 2014-03-09 17:17:54, CrownedAkuma wrote:
[...] the "I have plenty of time to respond you" version

I'm afraid of that!

[ This Message was edited by: DexterMoser on 2014-03-10 11:53 ]

Posted by Xajel
@CrownedAkuma + @DexterMoser

No need to panic

Posted by calim
How is the Z3 likely to differ? Except for pure numbers like new CPU etc. Is there any piece of hardware the competition has that the Z2 does not but could be added? Like IR or such.

Posted by Away
IR.
I think Sony will do more exciting things than just noise cancelling with built in DACs.
Better camera hardware AND software (it's a good thing they didn't make this sensor available for competitors lol).

Heart rate sensor, optional breathalyser test attachment, sensor to determine how well done an egg is, metal detector, built in air bag in case it drops, more exotic colour names (though that's more marketing).*

In the future, concave design with hovering ability so then it can be used as a glider and hover board alongside it's current uses as a float and surfboard.**

*A joke. Sony isn't Samsung***
**see above****

***such messages are now necessary as the iPA (and more recent SPA) audience can't follow what's going on
****see above

Posted by vikeviki
Sensor to determine how well done an egg

ROFL

Posted by Ricky D
I'm actually interested to see what Sony do with the 5 contact 3.5mm socket.

They've added accessories like stereo mic for recording (very cool) and the special (do they count as passive?) noise cancelling headphones.

If they can develop accessories that will interface through the 5 contacts for passing at least data (like the way old PDQs use pulse tone dialing to charge credit cards) then that would be pretty cool, especially as they can uncover the audio jack, unlike the usb which is still not a waterproofed standard.

Posted by DexterMoser

On 2014-03-13 13:26:53, Ricky D wrote:.
... and the special (do they count as passive?) noise cancelling headphones.

They should be active noise cancelling, creating the 'anti wave' of the surrounding noise to eliminate it. Of course they also block noise passively like any other closed In Ear earphone.

The 5 contacts definitely should have some potential. I want a super slim xenon flash to plug in there

Posted by CrownedAkuma

On 2014-03-13 14:00:40, DexterMoser wrote:

On 2014-03-13 13:26:53, Ricky D wrote:.
... and the special (do they count as passive?) noise cancelling headphones.

I think he was referring to the fact that the noise cancelling process happens inside the phone, instead of being handled by the headphones as it normally happens... so this time the headphones do not have any battery and are slim, they just have a microphone which sends the sounds to the phone and then the phone create the "anti-sound"... so yes seeing it this way this kind of headphones could be called "passive" noise cancelling headphones

[ This Message was edited by: CrownedAkuma on 2014-03-13 13:49 ]

Posted by ascariss

On 2014-03-13 14:40:41, CrownedAkuma wrote:

On 2014-03-13 14:00:40, DexterMoser wrote:

On 2014-03-13 13:26:53, Ricky D wrote:.
... and the special (do they count as passive?) noise cancelling headphones.

[ This Message was edited by: CrownedAkuma on 2014-03-13 13:49 ]

I would not classify such headphones as passive, they are active. They are actively cancelling the noise coming from the outside. Passive noise cancellation is just isolation of external sound using the headphones with no actual electronics. This would be large headphones which cover your entire ears and block outside noise.

By adding extra electronic noise cancellation, the headphones are now active noise cancellation.

All sony products which feature noise cancellation are ACTIVE, the only reason why the walkman devices have the NC inside the device is so that headphones are smaller and more portable. Haveing owned 2 walkman's with NC, I know that it's active since there is a huge reduction in outside noise, something passive NC cannot do.

I also own bluetooth NC headphones, MDR-NWBT20N, they also have active noise cancellation built into them.

Summarizing, Z2 noise cancellation is active and passive.

Posted by Ricky D
As @CrownedAkuma stated I meant with the processing being done in the phone the headphones themselves are passive. The noise cancelling still active.

Posted by Aycaramba
Esato was founded in the year 2001 and was mainly targeted at Sony Ericsson mobile phone users. We started with a couple of services offering free ringtones, grayscale logos for the Ericsson T39 and R520 models. We have expanded the service to include free color backgrounds for over 50 mobile phone models. Other popular services are the discussion forum for anyone interested in topics about mobile phones and accessories. Even if the focus was targeted at Sony Ericsson owners, we now have separate forums for owners of other brands. The most popular sections are the News, Blog, discussion forum, Free themes, free color backgrounds and a service where users can upload images from a PC and download a converted image down to their mobile phone.

[ This Message was edited by: Aycaramba on 2018-08-07 15:41 ]

Posted by u2jewel

On 2014-03-13 13:26:53, Ricky D wrote:

If they can develop accessories that will interface through the 5 contacts for passing at least data (like the way old PDQs use pulse tone dialing to charge credit cards) then that would be pretty cool, especially as they can uncover the audio jack, unlike the usb which is still not a waterproofed standard.

I understand your point, but just to mention, there are already some waterproof devices with micro usb uncovered. Many tablets and mobile devices in Japan have been waterproof for a while, and sony were one of the last to uncover the headphone jack, while retaining waterproofing. The latest sharp tablet with IGZO display, for example, has an uncovered usb port.

Posted by DexterMoser
^Seriously? Could you give me a name or a link?
I didn't know that was possible.

Posted by amirprog
sony already made waterproofed usb port for the core, so naturally it should arrive to the whole Z series. i was expecting the Z2 to have it. they should make all the next Z devices with this feature and i wouldn't mind if they ditch the magnetic port for slicker design.

Posted by Muhammad-Oli
To be honest I think they haven't made a waterproof USB because USB ports are ugly. It would ruin the slick design of the Z series. I would rather have a flap that covers the port and keeps the design cohesive.

Posted by Ricky D
I think actually the flap for the USB port reinforces in the consumer's mind that Sony were the first to waterproofing in their flagships. I wouldn't bet against the plan being to keep the flap for as long as the typical contract upgrade period (24 months) so everyone get a chance to catch onto the idea, then when everyone understands "Sonys are all waterproof" remove the flap. So I expect Z4 to be totally flapless assuming we're going by the even number 1H and odd number H2 naming scheme.

USP reinforcement.

Of course, other manufacturers are now putting waterproofing into their handsets but Sony managed to steal the lead on this feature. All credit to them.

Milk, reinforce and build upon.

Posted by DexterMoser

On 2014-03-13 22:19:52, amirprog wrote:
sony already made waterproofed usb port for the core...

As far as I know the core is not waterproof, just water resistant. And this is only true if the core is inside the smartband.

Posted by u2jewel

On 2014-03-13 19:40:44, DexterMoser wrote:
^Seriously? Could you give me a name or a link?
I didn't know that was possible.

http://magazine.kakaku.com/mag/pc/id=1541/
A review I was reading last night. I cannot remember other links, but fairly sure that this is not the first device to have coverless usb.

Posted by Ricky D
*sigh* ...oh to be Japanese

Posted by Wintermute

On 2014-03-13 17:01:22, Aycaramba wrote:
My wishlist --

Display: 5.25" S-LCD 4, 1920x1080, X-Reality and Triluminos Tech, Corning Gorilla Glass 3

CPU & GPU: Snapdragon 805, Adreno 420, 3 GB RAM, 32/64 GB ROM

Camera: 24 MP, Bigger Sensor than the current 1/2.3 one, Xenon Flash, OIS, 4K Recording, Slow-Motion Recording in 1080p.

Misc: IP 68 Rating, Slimmer Bezels, microSD slot, Digital Noise Cancellation shit, Stereo speakers with enhanced Bass, 5 MP secondary camera,

# Three different series with the above mentioned flagship range specs: Standard Flagship - 5+", Compact - 4+", Ultra - 6+", but not exceeding 7".

# Maintaining the same specs across the three lines, with the exception of display resolution (1920x1080, 1280x720, 2560x1440 respectively), and battery.

# As someone mentioned earlier, the size of Ultra series should be reduced and make it a direct competitor to Samsung's Note series. While I give props to Samsung for coming up with the brilliant Note series, it doesn't give you even a tiny bit of premium feel. Sony can certainly make some existing Note users shift to its Ultra series, provided it can offer the same range of software tricks the Note series does.

# While Sony's move to IPS displays from the previous sub-par LCD displays is much welcome, switching to S-LCD which is currently employed in HTC flagship would be even better. The S-LCD in the HTC One is arguably the best display on a smartphone after all.

# It puzzles me to see Sony struggling with its camera capabilities on smartphones. While the camera on Z1 was touted to be the best on an Android phone, it was nowhere near those claims. Poor image processing algorithm is to blame, if I'm not wrong. I wish Sony comes off strongly with a ground-breaking camera which can rival the current top-dog, Lumia 1020.

# As much as Sony is keen on releasing two flagships per year, I don't think it's a good idea. Instead of the second flagship, Ultra series can take its place, just the way Samsung does.

[ This Message was edited by: Aycaramba on 2014-03-13 16:02 ]

I disagree. Making the Ultra smaller would defeat the purpose. It wouldn't be ULTRA anymore if it were the same size as everyone else's prissy phablets. Right now, it has sheer size as a distinguishing feature. Smartphones are continuing to get larger, and so the Ultra's size is going to be less and less of an issue as time goes by. Besides, the Xperia Z2 IS a direct competitor to the Note series. It's 5.2" display is not really that far from the Note 2's 5.5" display.

S-LCD is not better than Sony's IPS Triluminos panels. I'm pretty certain the S-LCD in the One IS an IPS panel, the only difference would be the substrate, e.g., a-Si, IGZO, LTPS, etc. Sony is already using LTPS in their new displays, which draws even less power than IGZO, so there's really no reason for them to switch screens. I've had the Z Ultra right next to the One. I didn't see anything about the One's screen that made me jealous. It's brighter, but that's a tradeoff that comes with the size difference. Let's at least wait for detailed reviews and measurements before we jump to conclusions.

About two flagships a year, you have to remember Sony is a Japanese manufacturer. The Japanese market, from what I understand, encourages two flagships per year. Besides, lots of manufacturers release revisions of hardware in different countries, all Sony is doing is making those revisions available to everyone. Anyway, Sony's mobile numbers are steadily getting better, so I say don't fix what isn't broken.

Posted by miromiromi
unfortunately, the ultra has already shrunk in the t2 ultra. it didn't sell and will probably not sell because the only thing it offers is the thinness and the big screen that accepts pencil input.

if only they incorporated the pressure-sensing display similar to what they have on some of their ereaders, the z ultra would've been more attractive.

Posted by CrownedAkuma

On 2014-03-14 00:32:24, Muhammad-Oli wrote:
To be honest I think they haven't made a waterproof USB because USB ports are ugly. It would ruin the slick design of the Z series. I would rather have a flap that covers the port and keeps the design cohesive.

I was thinking the same... The 3.5 kack is rounded and looks cool but the mini-USB is definetly ugly to see on a device! The Z line is so sweet With their continous surface! That would ruin it

Posted by Wintermute
Not that I'm necessarily disputing it, but for the people who keep repeating "the Z Ultra didn't sell well," can we please have a link to some numbers? I see all these people who apparently have knowledge of the ZU's sales, yet I've never seen ANY numbers, speculative or otherwise.

Posted by HxH
HTC last year, use same display supplier as Sony, which are Sharp and JDI. Mainly differences is panel that both companies use on their devices plus something to do with software calibration, Sony goes for VA-type while HTC continue on IPS. (Unfortunately, 2014 on Sony theme is you can't beat them then join, they finally jump on IPS's bandwagon)

Super LCD is same marketing scheme as True HD IPS from LG or Super AMOLED from Samsung, that's all.

You should have been heard about HTC One under-whelm performance display on very very initial batch release but it never made into big story unlike what happen with Sony that more noticeable.

On Z Ultra's failure, it should be considering that happen with wide-variety factors
- Too big - Too expensive - Picky criticise lack of LED when pay it for premium
- Market is differences from the day of first Galaxy Note start to invade
- Pen input and command comparison to Note was blown out of water
- Lack of clear communication, I think this is biggest problem of all (look from Samsung did with Note series)

[ This Message was edited by: HxH on 2014-03-14 07:01 ]