I have some reservations. - Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Hi, I am the proud owner of the Z mobile also the z tablet. I do ponder though if even I as a complete technophile would find use for the Ultra?
I used to own the Samsung galaxy S111 also the Note. I was very pleased with the S3 but soon sold the Note as every time I sat in the car the phone would dig into my groin! Its most appealing strength was its large size yet the large size was also its most challenging aspect to live with.
I am used to just picking up my mobile and putting it in my pocket and living an average sort of life. To that end I just cant see how I would live with the Ultra. lets face it, its truly massive and does come very close to the 7" tablet range?
Worries are. Flex. This is so thin it just has to flex and being so thin that glass on BOTH sides must be paper thin? I have not read yet of screen breakages on the Ultra but ponder how this is going to enjoy life in a pocket? All that screen real estate it does sort of ask for trouble? Buying some sort of cover would make the device even larger.
I am not worried about being seen holding this to my ear as I already have the SBH52 on order so would be able to use that as the phone device when paired with the Ultra. My main concern is where the heck to keep it while on the move and just how strong are those sheets of glass?
What are your thoughts? I want one but an hedging my bets on this so far.
Many thanks and kind regards.

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If you were annoyed by a note inside your pocket, you'll be mad with zu inside your pocket.
Zu is reallythin, but no flex at all. Hard, rock solid structure.
How hard is the glass? I don't know since I haven't cracked it yet.
Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

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Ryland Johnson said:
Hi, I am the proud owner of the Z mobile also the z tablet. I do ponder though if even I as a complete technophile would find use for the Ultra?
I used to own the Samsung galaxy S111 also the Note. I was very pleased with the S3 but soon sold the Note as every time I sat in the car the phone would dig into my groin! Its most appealing strength was its large size yet the large size was also its most challenging aspect to live with.
I am used to just picking up my mobile and putting it in my pocket and living an average sort of life. To that end I just cant see how I would live with the Ultra. lets face it, its truly massive and does come very close to the 7" tablet range?
Worries are. Flex. This is so thin it just has to flex and being so thin that glass on BOTH sides must be paper thin? I have not read yet of screen breakages on the Ultra but ponder how this is going to enjoy life in a pocket? All that screen real estate it does sort of ask for trouble? Buying some sort of cover would make the device even larger.
I am not worried about being seen holding this to my ear as I already have the SBH52 on order so would be able to use that as the phone device when paired with the Ultra. My main concern is where the heck to keep it while on the move and just how strong are those sheets of glass?
What are your thoughts? I want one but an hedging my bets on this so far.
Many thanks and kind regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will also add that my Z Ultra is rock solid. One of the most sturdy pieces of tech I have owned. Despite it being a thin, it is built like a tank it feels.
As for size, it would probably drive you mad. This is not simply a phone one puts in there pocket and lives an average life with
Sent from my C6802 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

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The body of the phone has an aluminum frame. So, those thin sheets of glass are mounted on a metal skeleton. Don't worry about flexing.

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I feel compelled to point out that though the sides are aluminum, the skeleton itself (which is invisible from outside, of course) is glass-fiber polyamide, which is basically a reinforced nylon, and it is very strong. It's even used in cars to replace parts previously made of metal. Very impressive engineering in the 2013 Xperias, if you ask me.

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I've noticed a bit of flex.. I wouldn't sit on it with it in my back pocket..

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Many thanks to all those who kindly replied. If I may ask though? How do you carry the Ultra around with you? Common sense says back pockets are out due to sitting on it or even worse, being stolen. Front pockets would need to be very large indeed.
I ALWAYS use a screen protector and purchase a case for my mobile devices. The case is going to add even more size to the Ultra. My SXZ just goes with me in my front pockets without any concerns at all. I do understand this is not the same size phone though.:fingers-crossed:
I am puzzled. I want the Ultra, I don't want the new Note 3, not because the Note 3 is a poor device its just the looks, aesthetics again. Samsung, to me, look and feel cheap even though they are brilliant devices. The new Sony range look and feel like a device at this price should.
I am also very concerned that being this thin the strength in the Ultra, will in no small part, come from the glass itself regardless of the sandwich interior materials?
BTW Aluminium at that grade and thickness is used on the Ultra to make it look premium, as another poster mentioned the body is made from a hybrid mixture of carbonates. Again though with the tiny dimensions we are debating here even that fact may not be sufficient to ensure overall strength? I really don't know and its could be a very expensive learning curve
Its a dilemma for me?
Again, many thanks.

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Well, if you REALLY want the Ultra, but you also want extremely good battery life, then look no further. I present to you - a 15000 mAh external battery
It's actually not that stupid. You told us that you need battery when you're out flying and stuff, but you're seated when you fly, so why not just plug this beast of a thing into the Ultra when the battery drops? And when you're done with it, put in back in your bag It's only $50 on Amazon (original price is $140)
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Ryland Johnson said:
Many thanks to all those who kindly replied. If I may ask though? How do you carry the Ultra around with you? Common sense says back pockets are out due to sitting on it or even worse, being stolen. Front pockets would need to be very large indeed.
I ALWAYS use a screen protector and purchase a case for my mobile devices. The case is going to add even more size to the Ultra. My SXZ just goes with me in my front pockets without any concerns at all. I do understand this is not the same size phone though.:fingers-crossed:
I am puzzled. I want the Ultra, I don't want the new Note 3, not because the Note 3 is a poor device its just the looks, aesthetics again. Samsung, to me, look and feel cheap even though they are brilliant devices. The new Sony range look and feel like a device at this price should.
I am also very concerned that being this thin the strength in the Ultra, will in no small part, come from the glass itself regardless of the sandwich interior materials?
BTW Aluminium at that grade and thickness is used on the Ultra to make it look premium, as another poster mentioned the body is made from a hybrid mixture of carbonates. Again though with the tiny dimensions we are debating here even that fact may not be sufficient to ensure overall strength? I really don't know and its could be a very expensive learning curve
Its a dilemma for me?
Again, many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Last time I put my phone in back pocket was ages ago. An old siemens, monochrome, shockproof. So I sat on it and duh the lcd broke. Do remember that lcd panels back in those days has a large gap with the outer screen. So don't put your phone in back pocket, no matter how thick they are.
Back on track, I carry my zu in my front pocket with a flip case. Fits because it's thin, but the length of the phone needs deep pocket indeed.
Sent from my C6802 using xda app-developers app

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Hi,
Spent hours and hours researching the Ultra and the Note 3. Though I truly love the design of the Z range Not even I can find an excuse for purchasing what is in effect a tablet with a phone? I like my Z phone and the Z 10.1 tablet. for me though the Ultra is just that tad OTT regarding size for an every day user friendly mobile phone.
I am rather shocked and surprised to write that I have the Samsung galaxy Note 3 on order complete in a package with that awful gear watch. I write awful gear watch BUT I have not even set eyes on one yet. From what I have seen of it on Youtube it looks bloomin awful and may well end up gathering dust in a draw? Package deal though and a very good price.
Reasons I went with the Note 3 and not the ultra. Size, The specification of the Note does appear to leave the Ultra wanting in fact the only two positives I managed to write on the numerous lists I wrote where the Ultra has a bigger screen and is water and dust resistant. IN all other areas the Note, on paper, leaves the Ultra behind. I am shocked by this but compare both specifications side by side and the Ultra is basically a tablet spec with a phone.
Just like to thank you again for your input and say I am still very proud to own the Sony Xperia Z tablet and have found my time with the Xperia Z phone a great experience. Cant really believe I am returning the Samsung path, I hatted all that plastic. At least with the Note there are going to be a myriad of changeable back plates and some of them made by third party brands will be in metal.
I think the thing that made the choice was the phone. The Ultra doesn't even come with a flash and the picture capabilities are very poor according to reports. The Note comes with Android 4.3 out of the box, has 3GB RAM and 32GB memory not to mention the pen functions, and myriad of other built in technology such as Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture, even a larger battery! Add to that the Note has 4k video and an IR port.......The Ultra does appear rather dull? I would still have bought the Ultra though had it not been so near a 7" tablet. Pleased I shall be using a new device but sad its not a Sony.
Kindest regards.

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While I do hope you enjoy your Note 3 and hope you don't experience buyer's remorse, I have to disagree about the Note 3's spec advantage re: the Z Ultra. The only advantages it has are an additional GB of RAM and and extra 16 GB storage. I do concede that these are advantages, and have no interest in trying to spin the facts to argue against you, but let's be honest: 2 GB of RAM is PLENTY for Android at this point in time. I run a custom ROM on my Nexus 4 that shows the RAM bar in the recent apps screen and I routinely have 15+ apps open at once, usually with 200 MB or more of RAM left. So, an extra gigabyte of RAM is better, but when you still have headroom with 2 GB of RAM, it's not a difference you're going to feel. Like, at all. So this is an advantage in terms of future-proofing but will not result in any better performance at this point in time.
The extra 16 GB of storage is nice as well, but in my opinion, this would not have been a decisive advantage even a year or two ago, let alone now that cloud storage has evolved so much. I am not one of these people who advocates storing everything in the cloud (at least not yet), and do appreciate lots of local storage, but since the Xperia ZU has 16 + 64 GB, the question of storage is one of second or third-tier importance. I guess if I were an economist, I would say that the Note 3 does have an advantage in terms of RAM and storage, but given the amount of RAM and storage the ZU already has, the marginal utility of more is very low. It's just not really going to result in a significantly better experience. The Z Ultra, however, has very tangible advantages over the Note 3, including a much larger display, total waterproofing up to 1.5 meters + dust resistance, thinner, and it's much better-looking and probably better-built.
This is all my opinion, of course, and YMMV. But subjectively, today was my first day out in the real world with the Z Ultra (I took it with me to university) and OH MAN, it was awesome. It slides right in my pocket, no problem, and once I lit up that huge, beautiful display (between classes, of course!), I just smiled and knew that I'd made the right choice buying this phone.

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Ryland Johnson said:
Hi,
Spent hours and hours researching the Ultra and the Note 3. Though I truly love the design of the Z range Not even I can find an excuse for purchasing what is in effect a tablet with a phone? I like my Z phone and the Z 10.1 tablet. for me though the Ultra is just that tad OTT regarding size for an every day user friendly mobile phone.
I am rather shocked and surprised to write that I have the Samsung galaxy Note 3 on order complete in a package with that awful gear watch. I write awful gear watch BUT I have not even set eyes on one yet. From what I have seen of it on Youtube it looks bloomin awful and may well end up gathering dust in a draw? Package deal though and a very good price.
Reasons I went with the Note 3 and not the ultra. Size, The specification of the Note does appear to leave the Ultra wanting in fact the only two positives I managed to write on the numerous lists I wrote where the Ultra has a bigger screen and is water and dust resistant. IN all other areas the Note, on paper, leaves the Ultra behind. I am shocked by this but compare both specifications side by side and the Ultra is basically a tablet spec with a phone.
Just like to thank you again for your input and say I am still very proud to own the Sony Xperia Z tablet and have found my time with the Xperia Z phone a great experience. Cant really believe I am returning the Samsung path, I hatted all that plastic. At least with the Note there are going to be a myriad of changeable back plates and some of them made by third party brands will be in metal.
I think the thing that made the choice was the phone. The Ultra doesn't even come with a flash and the picture capabilities are very poor according to reports. The Note comes with Android 4.3 out of the box, has 3GB RAM and 32GB memory not to mention the pen functions, and myriad of other built in technology such as Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature, humidity, gesture, even a larger battery! Add to that the Note has 4k video and an IR port.......The Ultra does appear rather dull? I would still have bought the Ultra though had it not been so near a 7" tablet. Pleased I shall be using a new device but sad its not a Sony.
Kindest regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to Samsung's world...
I am a current Samsung Galaxy Note 1 owner and I'm happy to say that it has served me well.. I was happy with it.. I would agree to you that Note3 is better on paper.. specswise... a dash of flash here...a sprinkle of RAM there.. a spoon of 32gb memory there.. and add 4k recording on top..
To be honest, I was disappointed with Samsung's market strategy.. I bought the Note not just for practicality and purpose but also for bragging rights.. "big screen! muwaha!" And then a few months later, they released the Mega.. then the S4... With even bigger screens..
I'm like "wtf Samsung? I thought the Note was your phablet line??" And then the Note became just some other big phone and not Samsung's star of the show.. At least with Sony, they released another star of the show without stepping over the ZU.. take note of the Z1.. We have the Z1 but it specialized on another field (photography). They did not release *and hopefully WILL NOT release* another phablet which is not from the Ultra family and would end up stepping over the ZU..
Simply with this, I am moving to Sony.. For sure by Q1 of 2014, you guys will see a Samsung Mega 2, Galaxy S5 etc... etc.. which will leave the Note in the backstage yet again...
"Sent from my refrigerator"

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awesome device..
Ryland Johnson said:
Hi, I am the proud owner of the Z mobile also the z tablet. I do ponder though if even I as a complete technophile would find use for the Ultra?
I used to own the Samsung galaxy S111 also the Note. I was very pleased with the S3 but soon sold the Note as every time I sat in the car the phone would dig into my groin! Its most appealing strength was its large size yet the large size was also its most challenging aspect to live with.
I am used to just picking up my mobile and putting it in my pocket and living an average sort of life. To that end I just cant see how I would live with the Ultra. lets face it, its truly massive and does come very close to the 7" tablet range?
Worries are. Flex. This is so thin it just has to flex and being so thin that glass on BOTH sides must be paper thin? I have not read yet of screen breakages on the Ultra but ponder how this is going to enjoy life in a pocket? All that screen real estate it does sort of ask for trouble? Buying some sort of cover would make the device even larger.
I am not worried about being seen holding this to my ear as I already have the SBH52 on order so would be able to use that as the phone device when paired with the Ultra. My main concern is where the heck to keep it while on the move and just how strong are those sheets of glass?
What are your thoughts? I want one but an hedging my bets on this so far.
Many thanks and kind regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mr Ryland..This is DR Sudeep here..i did find some of our tastes being in common and thought of sharing some of them ..i m a proud owner of the z ,z tablet as you do and the new awesome z ultra..infact i really enjoyed some of your comments and debate with one of those reviewers of the website i dont remember about the xperia z and think exactly the way and hold opinions exactly the way you do..funny many things in common..infact before i bought the z ultra i exactly had the same things and queries in mind as you do now and now being the proud owner of z ultra ..thought of sharing some things..as your reservations stand here u are spot on in many of ur fears i guess if u wanna leap to ultra as i did feel the same way when i first laid my hands on this awesome device..its huge for sure ..make no mistake about that..but its own of those devices u really forgive even being such huge coz the design is so freakingly awesome the device is so thin yet feels so sturdy and strong with that alluminium framed finish ..not once did i feel that i was holding a glass sandwiched phone coz it feels so strong in hand no creaking noise what so ever ..its huge yet its pocketable..and did i mention the awesome water resistance..its in a league of very few masterpieces in the world that try to balance opposite things and yet do it with a plomb and authority..what i mean is ..its huge but pocketable and pleasant to hold in hand the screen which is out of this world can be the reason alone to buy this jewel and carry this burden in pocket infact i no more feel it a burden in pocket ..i sttarted enjoying the glares and the attention i was getting in public places,,,touch response is frealkingly silky smooth ..i have never seen a faster device in my life than this..i thot z was fierce fast bfre i got this in hand and boy it flies it literally flies yet to notice a single hang or stutter..i will end up by saying this...all your reservations are true ...but it is one of those few devices out there which you will be joyful and proud of and will be willing to compromise for all the great things it does and its a guarantee,,,hope ieven though i sounded a little fan boy i was helpful to you and i can afford doing that holding this awesome device,,..regards..please come up with any queries or opinions of yours as i would be glad if im being helpful to you in anyway..thanks..cheers mate

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deepu4puppy said:
Hi Mr Ryland..This is DR Sudeep here..i did find some of our tastes being in common and thought of sharing some of them ..i m a proud owner of the z ,z tablet as you do and the new awesome z ultra..infact i really enjoyed some of your comments and debate with one of those reviewers of the website i dont remember about the xperia z and think exactly the way and hold opinions exactly the way you do..funny many things in common..infact before i bought the z ultra i exactly had the same things and queries in mind as you do now and now being the proud owner of z ultra ..thought of sharing some things..as your reservations stand here u are spot on in many of ur fears i guess if u wanna leap to ultra as i did feel the same way when i first laid my hands on this awesome device..its huge for sure ..make no mistake about that..but its own of those devices u really forgive even being such huge coz the design is so freakingly awesome the device is so thin yet feels so sturdy and strong with that alluminium framed finish ..not once did i feel that i was holding a glass sandwiched phone coz it feels so strong in hand no creaking noise what so ever ..its huge yet its pocketable..and did i mention the awesome water resistance..its in a league of very few masterpieces in the world that try to balance opposite things and yet do it with a plomb and authority..what i mean is ..its huge but pocketable and pleasant to hold in hand the screen which is out of this world can be the reason alone to buy this jewel and carry this burden in pocket infact i no more feel it a burden in pocket ..i sttarted enjoying the glares and the attention i was getting in public places,,,touch response is frealkingly silky smooth ..i have never seen a faster device in my life than this..i thot z was fierce fast bfre i got this in hand and boy it flies it literally flies yet to notice a single hang or stutter..i will end up by saying this...all your reservations are true ...but it is one of those few devices out there which you will be joyful and proud of and will be willing to compromise for all the great things it does and its a guarantee,,,hope ieven though i sounded a little fan boy i was helpful to you and i can afford doing that holding this awesome device,,..regards..please come up with any queries or opinions of yours as i would be glad if im being helpful to you in anyway..thanks..cheers mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mr Sudeep, Thanks for the reply.
Yes I have been banned from "Trusted reviews" as I clearly upset the editor who was and still is anti Sony. I have zero idea how that sight can be called 'Trusted reviews', they are any thing but 'trusted'. The best the editor could do when I defended the Xperia Z against his puerile (and technically incorrect) attacks on the device was to accuse me of "Working for Sony". Odd that I do no such thing and came from owning HTC and Samsung and am again going to purchase Samsung with the note 3 rather than the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. If I had not been banned by him I would delight in informing him that its rather odd for a supposed Sony employer to purchase Samsung! A 'professional reviewer' must be objective and let the customer decide. The editor of Trusted reviews is anything but professional and certainly not objective thus cannot be trusted.
Regarding brands. I purchase what fits my needs and uses at the time of purchase. I have owned Apple, HTC, Nokia, Samsung, Sony, Siemens, Motorola, Ericson, Philips and my first mobile going back to 1988 was an NEC the size of a house brick with a full size hand set and separate battery pack. If I had to carry a fan boy label it would have been for Nokia until they went Windows! They are still, in my opinion, the best maker of MOBILE PHONES. The signal strength they pull has been second to non
I have every confidence the Ultra is a superb piece of kit. To be honest if they keep dropping in price I may well buy one of those to. At present though and being a technophile I want to try the Note 3 with the Gear watch. Again at present I find the spec sheet of the Note more in line with what I want. One of my big concerns regarding mobiles that one cannot replace the battery oneself is what exactly do we do when the battery goes bump with our Xperia Z mobiles? I do not know the cost of a replacement battery via Sony but it is not going to be the same as the purchase price of a battery bought for a phone with a customer removable battery at about 15-20.00€
I understand to enjoy the freedom of the Sony range with regard to water resistance the body has to be sealed and accept that, non the less there will come a day when a heavy bill will come to replace that battery.
THE big problem for me is the size of the Ultra. its screen size is both its strongest point also its weakest. It is so near a tablet it is not really as portable as a lesser size 'mobile' phone. I love the design of the Sony range plus that quality feel...Samsung...well there Samsung and though produce some brilliant kit they have never felt a premium brand and cannot until they stop with the plastics. I mean the Note 3 with that awful attempt to make the back look like leather, even plastic false stitching, dear Lord where on earth did they come up with that and why?
I will say this, if the Note 3 didn't come with the massive selection of replacement covers made by Samsung and other brands, I would not have bought the Note 3. Don't set me of about the Note 3's plastic 'metal' sides. who do they think they are kidding?
I have gone with the Note though as regardless of what the previous poster has kindly written the spec sheet is far superior than the Ultra.
I cant say they are apples and oranges more like peaches and pears:laugh:
I do know one thing, providing you can find a way to carry the Ultra around with you it will be a magic piece of kit to own. Superbly made and designed. Its flaws though such as the camera and lack of flash etc just make it more like a very decent tablet. I want one!:crying:
Kind regards.

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capitansid said:
Welcome to Samsung's world...
I am a current Samsung Galaxy Note 1 owner and I'm happy to say that it has served me well.. I was happy with it.. I would agree to you that Note3 is better on paper.. specswise... a dash of flash here...a sprinkle of RAM there.. a spoon of 32gb memory there.. and add 4k recording on top..
To be honest, I was disappointed with Samsung's market strategy.. I bought the Note not just for practicality and purpose but also for bragging rights.. "big screen! muwaha!" And then a few months later, they released the Mega.. then the S4... With even bigger screens..
I'm like "wtf Samsung? I thought the Note was your phablet line??" And then the Note became just some other big phone and not Samsung's star of the show.. At least with Sony, they released another star of the show without stepping over the ZU.. take note of the Z1.. We have the Z1 but it specialized on another field (photography). They did not release *and hopefully WILL NOT release* another phablet which is not from the Ultra family and would end up stepping over the ZU..
Simply with this, I am moving to Sony.. For sure by Q1 of 2014, you guys will see a Samsung Mega 2, Galaxy S5 etc... etc.. which will leave the Note in the backstage yet again...
"Sent from my refrigerator"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the reply, I appreciate your thoughts and time.
If you log into GSMArena.com you can view side by side both the Ultra and the Note3 and the specs are more than a tad different. I must make it clear I am a great fan of these Xperia devices, I own two of them already and enjoy them both with zero regrets.
I must confess I am a little confused by your comment "To be honest, I was disappointed with Samsung's market strategy.. I bought the Note not just for practicality and purpose but also for bragging rights.. "big screen! muwaha!" And then a few months later, they released the Mega.. then the S4... With even bigger screens.. " To the best of my knowledge I purchased my Note 1 in 2011. The Galaxy S4 only came out this year same as the Mega? If I understand you correctly I don't think Samsung can be accused of introducing new models soon after their latest effort.
NOW, if I HAD to pick a fight it could be with Sony...Only bought my Z in April at launch yet less than six months latter the Zi is taking the crown with reviewers already saying the new Z1 is what the 'old' Z should have been
I support progress and am pleased this field of technology keeps pushing the boundaries. The one major criticism I have is that battery technology is lagging way behind to the point that tis new tech we are seeing today is more or less academic in many ways as the devices don't have the battery power to run said device for longer than a few hours in some cases.
I agree with you that a new Samsung Note 4 will soon appear but then so will the stunning new Ultra 2 with flash and 32-64Gb plus 4Gb RAM, maybe even a larger screen and thinner body etc. Its called progress and all brands thankfully work this way.
Regards.

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Oh sorry forgot to say that I did not buy the Note the time it went out.. I bought the note last June 2012 wherein the Note 2 was due to be released..
I dont feel bad that the Note 2 went out a few months after I bought the Note 1. I just feel bad that they released an entirely different line of phablet which is the Galaxy Mega.. So what's the specialty of the Note now? Just the stylus? Not the big screen anymore? Samsung shouldve stuck with the idea wherein the Note is their only phablet product...
"Sent from my refrigerator"

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I may have missed something, but I'm not sure the Mega series is going to be a continuing line of devices going forward. I think Samsung just uses their manufacturing advantages to spit out devices in every conceivable size and shape to see what people like and what they don't. Not many manufacturers have the capital to do this, but if you do, it's probably not a bad strategy.

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AntiLazarus said:
I may have missed something, but I'm not sure the Mega series is going to be a continuing line of devices going forward. I think Samsung just uses their manufacturing advantages to spit out devices in every conceivable size and shape to see what people like and what they don't. Not many manufacturers have the capital to do this, but if you do, it's probably not a bad strategy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the thing we technophiles need to accept and understand is exactly what you wrote. Not all customers are looking at the top of the market with the latest and newest devices. To that end the Mega, to me, is very odd BUT it is selling well to those who desire a large device without the latest technology.
Part of the deciding factors for me with the Ultra was its poor camera, zero flash, identity crisis, lol and for a device this size it should have had a much larger battery and 3Gb RAM not 2GB. I do love the Ultra, its massive and stylish with real character and quality but I cant justify purchasing the Ultra on looks alone. When we explore what this new Note 3 does it really is a technophiles dream on steroids! The other clincher for me was the awful looking, probably useless gear watch that is coming with my Note 3 for only 120.00€ Now that deal was just to good to pass.
If the Ultra continues to drop in price I may well in future months go completely bonkers and treat myself, pennies permitting. I am still happy with my Xperia Z phone and absolutely love the Xperia 10.1 tablet, that is the king of tablets at present for me, its choice and subjective of course.
Kind regards

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Now hold on just a minute, lol. I don't agree with the notion that the ZU has a bad camera. I think one thing we techies are often guilty of, since we keep up with all the bleeding-edge developments in the industry, is assuming that a particular piece of technology or feature is more widespread and standard than it really is. The ZU 's camera, in my opinion, is fairly decent. Since smartphone cameras are the latest big hole everyone is rushing to plug, we assume that if it isn't 120 megapixels with oversampling, or using some kind of unique sensor technology, or some such thing, that it must "suck," but in reality it's a fairly good sensor when placed in proper context. I like to think of it as an "honest" smartphone camera, one that knows it is a smartphone camera and is happy with its role. Such cameras are meant for convenience, and not high-end imaging. Even Apple is "only" using 8 megapixels on their flagship.
As for RAM, no offense, but you're being totally unrealistic and unfair by saying that the ZU "should have" had 3 GB of RAM. Why? You can barely fill 2 right now. The Note 3 is the ONLY phone with 3 GB of RAM. If Samsung had released it with 2 GB, you wouldn't have written that part of your post. Saying that a device "should have" had more RAM than anything else on the market to be usable is just unfair. It's exactly like saying the Note 3 should have had a 64 bit CPU because the new iPhone has one. As I've already pointed out, that 3 GB will not improve your experience AT ALL. Plus, the battery is actually pretty good. In my opinion, the NOTE 3's screen is just too small, and Samsung's AMOLED displays are not up to the quality of Sony's Triluminos panels, but it wouldn't be fair for me to insinuate that the NOTE 3 is less advanced, even though it really does fall short from a certain point of view.
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app

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AntiLazarus said:
Now hold on just a minute, lol. I don't agree with the notion that the ZU has a bad camera. I think one thing we techies are often guilty of, since we keep up with all the bleeding-edge developments in the industry, is assuming that a particular piece of technology or feature is more widespread and standard than it really is. The ZU 's camera, in my opinion, is fairly decent. Since smartphone cameras are the latest big hole everyone is rushing to plug, we assume that if it isn't 120 megapixels with oversampling, or using some kind of unique sensor technology, or some such thing, that it must "suck," but in reality it's a fairly good sensor when placed in proper context. I like to think of it as an "honest" smartphone camera, one that knows it is a smartphone camera and is happy with its role. Such cameras are meant for convenience, and not high-end imaging. Even Apple is "only" using 8 megapixels on their flagship.
As for RAM, no offense, but you're being totally unrealistic and unfair by saying that the ZU "should have" had 3 GB of RAM. Why? You can barely fill 2 right now. The Note 3 is the ONLY phone with 3 GB of RAM. If Samsung had released it with 2 GB, you wouldn't have written that part of your post. Saying that a device "should have" had more RAM than anything else on the market to be usable is just unfair. It's exactly like saying the Note 3 should have had a 64 bit CPU because the new iPhone has one. As I've already pointed out, that 3 GB will not improve your experience AT ALL. Plus, the battery is actually pretty good. In my opinion, the NOTE 3's screen is just too small, and Samsung's AMOLED displays are not up to the quality of Sony's Triluminos panels, but it wouldn't be fair for me to insinuate that the NOTE 3 is less advanced, even though it really does fall short from a certain point of view.
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Hi, thanks for the reply. from the benchmark tests I have seen so far that 3Gb of RAM does add to the performance. The extra RAM is also needed, so I am told, to ensure the new Pen system works at optimum level? I am writing in the dark here as I have not yet received the Note 3.
ALL of what I write is second hand information taken from the web etc.
With regard to the camera. Can you explain why on earth Sony did not use a flash?
I changed from Samsung to Sony because of the screen and to be honest I like the screen on My Sony Xperia Z. I had the Samsung galaxy S3 and the screen on that distorted the colours. I do agree with several reports that the Z screen does look at tad washed out so we have the two extremes. Sony has soon rectified that with the introduction of the Z1.
I don't want to keep listing the advantages of the Note 3 over the Ultra as I truly love the Ultra. Did you know the Note 3 is the first mobile phone to make use of USB 3? Its incredible what Samsung have placed in the note 3.
Size. I have said it before and will say it again, this is choice. You say the note 3 screen is too small and I say the Ultra screen is too large. Thank heavens we have the choice.
I am now going to give you a real laugh. Way back in 2011 I was one of the first people in this country to own the Note 1. I sold it very quickly as it was just too big to be travel friendly. Here I am now 3 years later with the Note 3 on order? I have now come to accept large screen mobiles and no doubt in a few years there may be many mobiles the size of the Ultra? At 5.7" I don't think we can refer to the Note 3 as a small screen?
Lets see how sales go on both devices.
Oh, another point that's a shame is the value of my Sony Z just after 6 months of ownership. I cant give it away. Samsung appear to do better in the used market despite them being so common. I think a Sony body with Samsung technology would be a winner. We could call it a Sonsung!:laugh:
I hope I don't regret purchasing the Note 3. On paper it even makes your morning coffee. If only Samsung could be banned from using plastics! That 'plastic leather' back is hideous and will have to go!
Thanks for the reply,
Kind regards.