Forum > Sony Ericsson / Sony > Android > Sony Xperia Z1

On 2013-09-17 18:39:46, moogoo wrote:
^it's glass. it will shatter given the right conditions and impact. Though, I agree they should make it out of material that is also scratch resistant. Although, the reason I believe it isn't made of scratch resistant material is because there isn't a scratch resistant material out there that can be thin enough to be unobtrusive and also not affect the viewing experience in any way. As I said in a post earlier, even the highest quality 3rd party screen protectors effect the viewing experience in some way.. and they tend to change color over time. Sony is probably using the film as shatter protection but also does not want to interfere with the viewing experience.

@amirprog - the glass itself IS scratch resistant. it's just that the shatterproof film they place on top isn't.

On 2013-09-17 18:49:13, sponse wrote:
GUYS, i think the xperia z1 actually uses a PVA or s-PVA panel.

pro's:
high contrast 1500:1 [like the one they got at gsmarena (better black than IPS)] which leads to better pictures with dark tones
bright and saturated colors
good viewing angels (about 160 degrees)


Con's:
colors tend to shift when viewing at extreme angels
not as good as the ips in viewing angels (IPS - 178 degrees)

On 2013-09-17 19:00:41, moogoo wrote:
@amirprog - it is glass, but it is TEMPERED glass. so it is much stronger than normal glass but it can still shatter if the right conditions are met. With the sheet, the glass can still break, but it is a bit lower because the sheet will help absorb impact. Without the sheet, you are relying on the glass's own ability to absorb impacts. Of course, an impact strong enough will shatter it with or without the sheet.

On 2013-09-17 19:00:41, moogoo wrote:
@amirprog - it is glass, but it is TEMPERED glass. so it is much stronger than normal glass but it can still shatter if the right conditions are met. With the sheet, the glass can still break, but it is a bit lower because the sheet will help absorb impact. Without the sheet, you are relying on the glass's own ability to absorb impacts. Of course, an impact strong enough will shatter it with or without the sheet.

speaking from my own experience, i have dropped my Xperia S many times. It has the sheet and it has survived without any problems. There are minor hairlike scratches on the sheet, which can only be seen when viewing a light reflection on the surface. When using the phone, they are not noticeable at all. On the other hand, on my old X10, i removed the sheet. A few days later, I dropped it and the glass screen broke with spider fractures. It did not completely shatter. Of course, the X10's screen was not tempered glass either, so take that into consideration.

Here are my personal thoughts about the sheet:

PROS:
- no viewing experience interference (doesn't change colors/contrast/brightness of the screen)
- does not change color over time, looking ugly and dirty
- is applied so well that it's only noticeable if you look for it
- adds a layer of protection to the glass screen (which is pretty tough on its own but much more to replace than a plastic film)

CONS:
- supreme fingerprint/face oil magnet (i'm constantly wiping it down but the glass itself is no better tbh)
- does scratch in your pocket with keys/coins/etc.. (but generally only hairline scratches, nothing major)
- removing it may remove the Sony logo from the front of the device (not sure if this has been confirmed for the Z1, but it is true for the Z).

I think it's fine to leave it on. If at any point you do something crazy enough to scratch it so badly you want to replace it, you can rest easy it was just the plastic and not your actual glass screen. Simply remove it, and replace it with a 3rd party screen protector. It's much cheaper and easier than having to replace the entire glass front, don't you think?

On 2013-09-17 17:17:50, moogoo wrote:
@Rphilippe - you lucky bastard!! haha.. i'm so jealous. can't wait for your impressions.. don't kid yourself.. you'll be playing with it for the next 3-4 hours straight

@dacha - do you have official confirmation of this tmobile exclusivity or is it just based on the same information you had before that wasn't confirmed in any way? In any case, if it is tmobile "exclusive" it is still sold unlocked at full retail price. Tmobile just lets you finance the cost of the phone included in the price of a monthly subscription. However, you can choose to pay it outright. In either case, you are not locked into a contract.

C6906 supports both Tmobile AND AT&T LTE frequencies. Personally, I was planning to switch to Tmobile anyway for the lower monthly cost and unlimited data, but wanted to wait for C6906 to allow me the option of switching back to AT&T if signal on Tmobile wasn't up to my standards.

So.. if it is a Tmobile exclusive, that's fine with me. but WHEN is it arriving! that is the most important question

@dalmac - i don't agree with that sentiment. I think the size of the bezels adds both visual design style AND practical functionality. I've always found Sony phones to be very comfortable to use and of course, look the best. It's highly personal and since it's been a great big argument on here for awhile, there are clearly a lot of people in both camps

On 2013-09-17 19:44:27, moogoo wrote:
@miromiro - coatings like that tend to effect the viewing experience, which is probably why it's not used. I am not fully knowledgeable about all the possible coatings out there, but I believe this is the case for many. These coatings also, are not permanent, and wear off overtime and use, which is the same "inconvenience" of changing the sheet, right? In any case, there are at home DIY coatings you can purchase and apply yourself if the sheet isn't for you

having a lip will protect it from more situations than not, but it is not a 100% fool proof protection. also, how inconvenient it is to replace the sheet depends on the person. I'm very confident in replacing it but others may have trouble. But, like I said, I have found that the sheet is not so terrible that it gets scratches that are noticeable when using the device. only small, hairline scratches that are nearly invisible unless viewed at a reflective angle.

@amirprog - i am not sure, but I believe the sheet is on both sides. I think it'd be silly if they only had it on one side when both sides are made of the same glass. I'm also not sure if they sell the same sheet in store. I've either not replaced it or replaced it with a 3rd party protector. and i'm saying the Sony shatterproof sheet doesn't effect screen quality BUT 3rd party protectors most likely will on some level, especially over time as they discolor and get dirty.

DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND - I can only speak from my own experience, but i'm sure others will agree. The shatterproof sheet is NOT scratch proof. HOWEVER, it is in NO WAY terrible. Of course, if you take a key and scrape it across the sheet with force, it will scratch. But with reasonable care, you will only experience hairline scratches which are virtually invisible during use.