From Xperia Z Ultra to Z3 Tablet as my phone..anyone done it? - Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact Q&A, Help & Troubleshooti

Hi!
I was wondering if anyone here has gone from a Xperia Z Ultra (6.44" screen) to the Z3 tablet.
It seems Sony has no plans of any similar size phones so after the Ultra, its hard for me to think of any smaller phone. I kind of wanted to get the Nvidia Shield 32GB LTE but since you cannot use it for phone calls, at least not regular ones, the Z3 Tablet is currently my only choice it seems.
Still its bigger than I wanted but looks like the smallest option WITH call support.
Any feedback is welcome!

I own both however I got the 32 WiFi tablet and regret it as I use both when on the road and really should have got the LTE version as it would be perfect for an all rounder.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Free mobile app

I switched from a Galaxy Tab, but I am using the Z3TC as my phone. Speakerphone works well and you can get a solid Plantronics bluetooth for cheap on eBay.
It is pocketable (for me), and it has an extra GB of RAM compared to the Ultra. A 7.4" screen size, with a slightly wider bezel (I find myself touching the side of the screen by mistake) would be ideal, but I am generally pleased (6.4 with soft keys is a bit small to me).
The Nvidia Shield is less pocketable (or should be based on specs) and is almost 50% heavier and has less RAM and hence probably wouldn't run as smoothly. If you were considering the Shield, I have no clue why you would shy away from the Z3TC.

thref23 said:
I switched from a Galaxy Tab, but I am using the Z3TC as my phone. Speakerphone works well and you can get a solid Plantronics bluetooth for cheap on eBay.
It is pocketable (for me), and it has an extra GB of RAM compared to the Ultra. A 7.4" screen size, with a slightly wider bezel (I find myself touching the side of the screen by mistake) would be ideal, but I am generally pleased (6.4 with soft keys is a bit small to me).
The Nvidia Shield is less pocketable (or should be based on specs) and is almost 50% heavier and has less RAM and hence probably wouldn't run as smoothly. If you were considering the Shield, I have no clue why you would shy away from the Z3TC.
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I need to find one locally to see how it feels as my phone. I mean, I love my Ultra but just wanted a bit bigger.
Thanks for the feedback guys!

Related

Debating between Xperia Z tablet and Google Nexus 10

Was wondering if anyone could chime in. I havent seen either in person (going to staples today to see the nexus 10) and would appreciate it if anyone had any opinions.
Screen resolution and ppi- The nexus 10 obviously has a higher resolution and ppi, but side by side can you really even tell on a 10 inch tablet? I've read many reviews that have talked about how the difference between 1080p and retina/nexus 10 etc is not very noticeble at all.. Also this doesnt take into account contrast and brightness etc, if anyone can comment on the differences between the two screens Id appreciate it.
Size and feel- the Z is the thinnest and lightest 10 incher, but the nexus 10 seems to have an easier to hold back surface? I have a xperia zl smartphone and I chose this over the slightly more expensive Z bc it just felt easier to hold, even though it was thicker and had a curved back. Wondering if the same can be applied here in regards to the feel of both the Z and the N10.
Mouse- The nexus 10 can use a mouse, can the Z utilize one too? I'd like to be able to have a asus infinity transformer like setup with a bluetooth keyboard and a mouse etc for more capability when I travel, so I dont have to lug around my laptop.
Where?- I found out the N10 is only available in the retail outlets of Staples and sometimes walmart and sams club, where can I see the Z? Besides an official sony store, will it be available in any retail outlets? I have time to ponder this, as the Z just came out and cant be found for under 500.00 (for the 16g wifi) whereas the N10 has been around over 6 months and can be had used for 380 off ebay, etc.
Also not that this matters but Google should be announcing the next version of the N10 soon which will obviously trump both of these spec wise but with tech gadgets time will always bring worth a new winner.
Overall it seems the Xperia Z is for those that value the design asthetic, as well as the unique features such as the waterproof nature of it and remote control. The screen and battery are above average, but it seems its mostly about the design and thinness/weight etc.
Thanks~
Hi,
I'm actually getting rid of my Nexus 10 and purchasing the Z (I've had the 10 since it launched). The Nexus 10 would be a great tablet but for one issue: Apparently there is a memory leak with the "surfaceflinger" process that'll periodically cause the tablet to seize up and reboot. Using Chrome and viewing videos exacerbates the problem. I finally flashed the Sentinel ROM, and it was much more stable (Chrome uninstalled, using Firefox), but it'll still regularly lock up. Note that the memory leak is in a non-open binary module of some sort, so the modding community can't really help at this point. There's a bug filed, but Google, as always, seems pretty indifferent (granted it may be a bug with the Mali graphics drivers).
Other things I have found annoying with the Nexus 10 is its lack of 3rd party accessory support, as well as its somewhat chintzy build feel--my back flexes a bit and the removable strip on the back is creaky. Next, it STILL seems that there are games that aren't really optimized for the tablet and bog down in spite of its supposedly state of the art A15 processor--I think that's slowly improving, though. Finally, the battery life isn't the best (note that I root and freeze everything I don't use).
On a positive note, the screen is sharp as a tack, and with the right launcher (I've been using Nova) it's feels plenty fast.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
John Francis
I've had both and been disappointed by both.
The Nexus 10 seems to be plagued with issues like that graphics bug described above and a bunch of quality assurance issues (stuff stuck between glass and screen during manufacturing and edge colour bleed).
The Xperia Tablet Z seems to be having issues with the backing coming unstuck (double-sided tape is perhaps not the most robust manufacturing material), screen flexing and watertight stoppers over ports not being sufficiently watertight.
After 5 defective tablets of 3 different species (Nexus 7, Nexus 10 and Xperia) since last November, I'm waiting for the new batch (Tegra 4 Toshiba and Nexus 7 refresh) before I try again.
If you do decide to pull the trigger on either now — Nexus 10 if you like the screen and prompt Android updates or Xperia if you value the lightness, SD card expansion and IR blaster — your best bet is to open it up in-store and test it for it's known issues right then and there so you can exchange it right away.
MRSAMSUNG said:
Screen resolution and ppi- The nexus 10 obviously has a higher resolution and ppi, but side by side can you really even tell on a 10 inch tablet? I've read many reviews that have talked about how the difference between 1080p and retina/nexus 10 etc is not very noticeble at all.. Also this doesnt take into account contrast and brightness etc, if anyone can comment on the differences between the two screens Id appreciate it.
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I believe that the screen resolution shouldn't be a problem at regular viewing distance. I actually find text more pleasing on my SO-03E versus the iPad 3 I have lying around. But obviously if you want absolute sharpness, the Nexus 10 delivers.
Do note of course that the Nexus 10's ultra high resolution means that you'll have more difficulty finding wallpapers of that resolution, and more content/apps than on any other tablet will look fuzzy and low-res. As it is I already notice most apps having screen elements showing pixellation on the XPERIA Tablet Z or iPad.
Brightness and contrast on the XPERIA Tablet Z are good, but not exceptional. I cannot give an opinion on the Nexus 10, it isn't really officially sold in my country so as much as I wanted one at the time I'd have to go out of my way to get it!
MRSAMSUNG said:
Size and feel- the Z is the thinnest and lightest 10 incher, but the nexus 10 seems to have an easier to hold back surface? I have a xperia zl smartphone and I chose this over the slightly more expensive Z bc it just felt easier to hold, even though it was thicker and had a curved back. Wondering if the same can be applied here in regards to the feel of both the Z and the N10.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The XPERIA Tablet Z has a very nice (almost like ultra smooth, grippy leather) rear texturing - it stays in my palm even at a nearly 80 degree vertical angle. The grippy matte plastic on the back, the sheer thinness and weight of the tablet make it extremely easy for me to carry it, personally.
I have little to no qualms using it one handed, or even just carrying it around in the hand like a paper folder, as it pretty much weighs like one. The fact that it lacks rounded edges is circumvented by the thinness. Unlike the Z phone, it's much larger so you have enough space on each side to place your hands, rather than having to cup the device in your hand. It's pretty much like holding a magazine.
The tablet's rigidity is pretty impressive for me (although it can flex a tiny bit) and it feels very solid throughout. Only the buttons feel a little mushy, but otherwise build quality is sternly high on my unit. Of course I wouldn't be surprised if Japanese units have tighter quality control.
MRSAMSUNG said:
Mouse- The nexus 10 can use a mouse, can the Z utilize one too? I'd like to be able to have a asus infinity transformer like setup with a bluetooth keyboard and a mouse etc for more capability when I travel, so I dont have to lug around my laptop.
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I just tried this with an OTG cable and a small wired mobile mouse, an ASUS notebook one in fact. Works a-OK, but the position of the MicroUSB port is moderately unwieldy in practice and you'll of course have to deal with the flaps.
MRSAMSUNG said:
Where?- I found out the N10 is only available in the retail outlets of Staples and sometimes walmart and sams club, where can I see the Z? Besides an official sony store, will it be available in any retail outlets? I have time to ponder this, as the Z just came out and cant be found for under 500.00 (for the 16g wifi) whereas the N10 has been around over 6 months and can be had used for 380 off ebay, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The XPERIA Tablet Z's definitely a pricey prospect, but if you're willing to forego warranty sellers like eBay have Japanese models for cheaper, or you can even get a friend in Japan to try shipping you one. I saw some Japanese e-tailers selling it for like $150 less than expected when searching for my own. I believe the Nexus 10 is also sold direct via Google Play? Is it cheaper that way?
MRSAMSUNG said:
Also not that this matters but Google should be announcing the next version of the N10 soon which will obviously trump both of these spec wise but with tech gadgets time will always bring worth a new winner.
Overall it seems the Xperia Z is for those that value the design asthetic, as well as the unique features such as the waterproof nature of it and remote control. The screen and battery are above average, but it seems its mostly about the design and thinness/weight etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll never end, but if you're willing to wait, by all means. I was getting impatient myself and desired a lighter, attractive design with LTE (the Nexus 10 doesn't have LTE...), a MicroSD slot and water-resistance. I also prefer WUXGA (1920x1200) over WQXGA (2560x1600) because the 1920x1080 resolution is much more common (1080p video, same resolution as my desktop monitor and TV). WQXGA is mostly used only by 30" professional monitors, and rarely are there wallpapers let alone content made for it. The Sony tab's also one of the few ones around featuring the WUXGA resolution, I can only think of one other tablet and it's by Acer.
Also you'll want to note that the XPERIA Tablet Z only has the S4 Pro, which is slightly behind the Snapdragon 600, while incoming models will likely feature Snapdragon 800, or perhaps ASUS' new Infinity might interest you with its Tegra 4 chip.
The XPERIA Tablet Z's definitely at the slightly lower end of the future ready spectrum, due to; Snapdragon S4 vs Snapdragon 600 (slightly weaker CPU, but almost equal GPU), lower resolution (WUXGA vs WQXGA, but this isn't a con for me) and Android 4.1 vs 4.2 (complete with slower updates). But I was willing to compromise for what it gave in return.
I'm happy with mine, so if you can see both in person, weigh your opinions and desires. That said my XPERIA Tablet Z definitely gets some attention from people, compared to the Galaxy Note/Tabs that are increasingly commonsight.
I hope that helps.

Should I get a Z2 or the Z Ultra?

I'm well aware of the specs and I have been wanting to get a Z ultra for quite some time but I have waited until now.
Hands down, I like the bigger screen on the Z Ultra and the price of it makes it even more enticing. Where as the Z2 has faster/newer internals(CPU, etc.), better camera, and a flash(I'm so annoyed by the ZU not having a flash! I used the led flash as a flashlight all the time), but at a more expensive price.
What's your guys' take on it? Waiting is kind of out of the question(I heard about the Z3X which sounds like my next phone after this one... I don't like paying premiums for new releases)... I prefer something stable and working decently out of the box(I know, this is xda).
Key points:
Z Ultra:
+Price is lower
+Bigger screen
-slower
-worse camera, no flash
Z2:
+Faster/updated internals
+better camera
-costs more
Also, I heard there was a decent note taking app from Sony for the Z Ultra, where you could use a stylus and take notes(sort of like the Samsung Galaxy Note series), is that app available for the Z2 as well(anyone happen to know?)?
Thanks in advance, I appreciate any input. What's your take on it? I think I could go either way, I hear about lag on both units(I'm sure rooting can help, but I might keep it simple for now and use it out of the box for rooting/modding).
I happens to have a Z2 here (it is not mine but I got the responsibility to configure it) and all I can say is that it is a great device BUT wouldn't dream about replacing my Ultra. My Ultra is very smooth (CandyKat at the moment with GreatDevs V1 and OC to 2.46 GHz) and the only benefit I can see with the Z2 is more or less the camera when I make the comparison.
I am not talking down the Z2 when I say this but the Ultra offer a great package with a screen that make it a tablet replacement. The Z2 on the other hand is a great device for a person that has a Z today (which I also have) and I would recommend it warmly... if there wasn't an Ultra in the house (or rather two).
Since I read a lot and browse the Internet and so forth, the big screen of the Ultra wins me over - hands down.
camera camera camera. if you want to take even one photo then z2. i own a ultra as a backup to my note 4. the camera on the ultra is really just sad. but everything else is great.
pushcush1983 said:
camera camera camera. if you want to take even one photo then z2. i own a ultra as a backup to my note 4. the camera on the ultra is really just sad. but everything else is great.
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The camera is poor in poor light but otherwise is not that bad other than over sharpining of the jpg
a buddy of mine has the z2...
i bought a z ultra like 2 weeks ago since its even cheaper than the original z
he saw it today and now he wants to replace his z2 with an z ultra
he doesn't use the camera and also he doesnt game much
camera would be my only concern though
also the led flash, if you just wanna have a flashlight, you can the big screen, its decent enough for finding your stuff in the dark
cant talk about hickups since i dont run stock (and never will / or did)
both phones seem blazing fast to me, i really dont think the performance of the z2 is much better
my last phones were a htc magic and galaxy s-plus, just so u know
also i have to say, since i got the ultra, i don't want to use any smaller phone anymore.. they seem so small and bad to use
Thanks to everyone who responded!
Helps a lot. It seems like the more I hear from Z Ultra users, the more I hear about how they love the device despite it's shortcomings(ie: camera and no flash).
I agree, once you behold such a big screen it's hard to go back!
How is battery life? And just to throw it out there, what are some of the custom roms you guys recommend that may improve the battery life/performance?
I was slightly concerned that the slower cpu/gpu might affect performance, and I was going to try to avoid custom roms for the sake of simplicity, but haha, it seems to be unavoidable with most devices I get.
You can slash "Slower" right away. If you care about games, the Z ultra is better desipite having an Older SoC, simply because of its Size.
Besides, even in stock rom, I experience no lags, even with the stock launcher, im in 4.4.4.
Get the Z2 If you want relatively smaller phone, 5 coll isnt really "Small" but compared to the Z ultra, it is.
The camera in the Z2 is also better and has flash LEd.
You should ask yourself, do you want a one handed phone thats fairly recent and a good camera or a 2 handed one, which is amaizing for multi media and reading.
Considering the price of the ZU, you get a premium phone for an amaizing price, just dont treat this phone as a normal phone, it might not fit in the pockets.
I love my ZU.
I snooze I lose, I should've gotten a Z Ultra from the Sony store US site while I still had the chance for it's great price, now it's gone and taken off the site. Now, I'm only looking at the Z2, and behold, my waiting has resulted in the Z2 being back ordered. I could really use a phone by mid January. So I'm still open, but the ZU is probably a closed door for me unless I can find it brand new for a great price and with a warranty. I'm also looking at the LG G pro 2(but it's really pricey for the F530-US At&t compatible LTE) or even a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (the price has really fallen on that phone lately).
A lot of people are having this problem right now as ZU gotten much cheaper. First of all you should decide what's most important for you in your smartphone and how you're going to use it. Both are really great but designed for different kind of people. To help you choose, I'll give you some pros and cons of both devices.
Xperia Z Ultra (I own standard edition but this will mostly apply to GPE as well)
Pros:
- huge screen, which makes browsing the web and watching the movies very comfortable,
- excellent performance in applications and games, backed up by nicely optimized system and solid stock kernel,
- because of it's size ZU doesn't throttle, which is not common in most of the high end 5 inch +/- smartphones packed with Snapdragon 800+, including Xperia Z2, (actually ZU does throttle but just a little, which is not event felt in games)
- operating temperatures are acceptable during stress, which makes sure that battery and hardware will last a little longer (especially non replaceable battery),
- very solid stand by and calling battery life,
- excellent microphone which makes calls really great,
- it's very cheap, considering how premium it's.
Cons:
- lack of flash, this is a problem if you want to make a photos in bad lighting conditions or you need a lighter,
- still photos quality is decent, improved auto mode is kind of useless and makes photos with huge amount of noise. You can
make some of the nice photos during day out of the ZU using manual settings though, photos made in poor lighting conditions are out of question,
- it's too big to use single handed (unless you have huge hands) and you might have some problems putting it in your pocket, might be too heavy for some people,
- front camera is pretty bad,
- battery life is at best only decent, if you're using a lot of screen, you'll need to charge everyday,
- speakers could be louder.
Xperia Z2:
Pros:
- Excellent cameras, still photos and recordings have amazing quality, both selfie and back camera,
- Can record very detailed 4K videos,
- It's much more handy and can be used single handed without problems, it's also much lighter than ZU and easilly pocketable,
- Pretty great battery life, especially with screen on, in some cases almost 2 times better than ZU,
- Speaker is much louder and call quality is also very good,
- It has 3 GB of ram,
- Propably it will be updated to 5.0 faster than ZU.
Cons:
- it has updated specs but in real usage it's weaker than Z Ultra, especially in games because of bigger throttling,
- it's not that smooth, compared to Z Ultra, on 4.4.2 in Z2 i experienced a bit of lagging, opposite to silky smooth ZU on 4.4.4,
- has much smaller screen, which is not as comfortable as ZU screen to use,
- can get very hot during games,
- overheating problems during 4k recording.
Both are finely crafted devices, you can't go wrong with both of them. But keep in mind, that if you need a handy smartphone that can be used single handed then ZU it's not a good choice for you.

[Q] Anyone have an iPad mini they can compare this to?

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has an iPad mini or air they would compare this to. I'm primarily wondering about speaker quality and volume, and feel in hand.
Currently have a mini 2 64 gig, but wish I could hop over fully to android as, well, iOS.
I had an ipad air 2 for about a week to compare with the sony xperia z3 tablet compact, and just going off speakers and overall build quality feel, I would have to give it to the ipad air 2. Build quality, at least in my opinion will also go to the ipad when comparing to other tablets. And although the ipad's speakers are on the side and only on one side at that (compared to the sony's front facing speakers), the ipad's are clearer and have more bass than the sony xperia z3 tablet compact. The only problem is that when you crank up the volume on the ipad air 2, you can feel the sounds reverberate through the body of the tablet, it bothers some people, it really didnt bother me.
Thats not to say that the sony's build quality is bad. It is actually one of the better feeling tablets I've tested especially considering how light and thin it is. I ended up keeping the sony because Im more used to the android ecosystem than the iOS ecosystem, I needed a tablet that was going to be able to mirror its screen to my tv and fill the entire screen (the ipad can mirror screen to tv but doesnt fill my widescreen tv, so black bars on both sides of the image), and the sony's storage expandability was also a factor.
The ipads processor was quite a bit faster than the sony's though. And while in day to day tasks like browsing the web, watching movies and such you couldnt really tell the difference, when I started pushing the tablets hard (like playing really graphic intensive games) the processing speed and graphics ability of the ipad really powered over the sony. Load up time for starting games was much faster and once game play started, the game played a lot smoother on the ipad (almost double the framerate).
Honestly, if I didnt want a tablet that could mirror its screen to my tv I would have probably kept the ipad air 2. If the air 2 was a 16:10 aspect ratio that would be something I would buy in a heartbeat.
Thanks for the reply. Makes me sad really, I REALLY want to hop all in to android (file system and emulators few), but I have yet to find an iPad beating tablet for music and gaming. Tried the nexus 9 and sent it back. To heavy for my use, much worse speakers, and got much hotter in minimal use. Tried an iPhone 6 also but I missed so many things from my moto x I didn't stick with it.
Guess I'm stuck straddling the fence for another year
footballer62 said:
Thanks for the reply. Makes me sad really, I REALLY want to hop all in to android (file system and emulators few), but I have yet to find an iPad beating tablet for music and gaming. Tried the nexus 9 and sent it back. To heavy for my use, much worse speakers, and got much hotter in minimal use. Tried an iPhone 6 also but I missed so many things from my moto x I didn't stick with it.
Guess I'm stuck straddling the fence for another year
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Exactly how I feel. I didnt think I was buying a tablet for gaming as one of its purposes, but when I saw the types of games that are out for tablets nowadays, being able to play games lag free definitely became a factor I took into consideration. Hopefully next year will be the year that someone comes out with a tablet that REALLY beats the ipad in all aspects, because so far the ipad has most if not all android tablets beat in battery life, build quality, and processor speed
I would say jump on the Z3C tablet. I compared a friend iPad air 2, and the Xperia was substantially better in petty much every way. Better screen, waterproof, better sound, felt more responsive (despite the iPad air 2 benchmarking much better)
I couldn't spot a single area the iPad was better in real tangible ways, many areas there wasn't whole lot to choose, but there were several key areas the Xperia was obviously better.
My only personal gripe with the Z3C tablet is the lack of QI charging. Aside from that don't nailed it in every other respect, and it's early the best tablet on the market, bar none.
i owned ipad mini 2 a few months ago and sold it, replace with samsung galaxy tab s 8.4 still thinks ipad mini better than samsung tab s. but then sold and buy Z3TC, i felt that this is way better than those two.
the screen mostly, is soft and natural compare to samsung, but ipad mini screen is not bad either, both is crisp and excellent. but i think sony is a little bit more natural, and my eyes aren't tired watching it.
and the other thing is the battery Z3TC very good compare to samsung and ipad. sony is way better, the battery is excellent so far.
I used sister's Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet for 2 weeks, both of the tablets are well built, but I d say it is much better than any version of iPad mini. The main advantages are:
1. Android - for me it is much better than iOS.
2. Z3 Compact Tablet can be used as a phone, sometimes it is helpful
3. SD card usage is possible.
4. Sony's screen is much better.
As for sound quality both of the tablets are even.
I have the iPad air and Z3TC, the only things the iPad wins at is the camera and app availability for tablets. The Z3 tablet is better in every other regard.
fwiw, I have no iPad to compare the Z3TC to, but I do have a Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (budget tab). The Z3TC is a much better computer than the Galaxy Tab. And the built-in speakers are noticeably better, and it has all of T-Mo's frequencies, etcetera.
But as far as pre-amp audio quality from the headphone jack - I don't know if I lost anything by unlocking my bootloader, but the Z3TC pales in comparison to the Galaxy Tab. Hell, it is even inferior to a cheap Chinese Blu Toch Book 7.0 I previously owned. This wasn't a complete surprise as gsmarena tested the Z3TC's audio quality and it rated well below the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Lite, but I didn't think the overall quality drop could possibly be more noticeable.
With head phones attached and EQs running, it sounds passable, arguably better than the Galaxy Tab because there is more volume if less clarity while your EQ is running. But I spent a day fixing up my SD card and my media database, hooked the Z3TC up in my car, wow don't know if it was distortion or interference, but even without an EQ running and even without media volume all the way up, you could hear it (my assumption is that the distortion was generally at a low frequency that most headphones & small speakers would cut off). Big difference - Galaxy Tab has much less volume while EQ'd up, but the clarity is outstanding and the bass is clean and my car stereo provides a +18db boost.
Just figured I'd share. There could be more to this equation than I am realizing, but I don't recommend the Z3TC as a music player for anyone trying to feed good speakers (or a good amp I should say) via the headphone jack. My Galaxy tab is going to be permanently mounted in my car now as a music player, although I had been planning to sell it. I will have to buy a 2nd mount for the Z3TC (which is my new phone and in-car computer).
(p.s. see here for a side by side comparison of overall sound quality via headphone jacks - iPad Mini offers up far less distortion than the Z3TC, and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 Lite outdoes both tablets, all things considered)

[Q] Which phablet / large screen device to get?

Hi everyone,
I've been using an Xperia V for almost two years now, and beside the noticeable lack in oomph (old processor, too little RAM, stuck with JB 4.3), I also noticed that I use my phone for reading, messaging, photo and video much more than actual phone stuff, i.e. calling people or receiving calls. For the computer stuff I do, its 4.3 inch screen doesn't seem to cut it anymore.
So I decided that my next device will feature a substantially larger screen, but I am yet uncertain which phablet or large screen device to get. Here's what I've come up with so far. (Note: I'm specifically looking for a device that will stay with me for the next two years, as I don't believe in upgrading every year. Also, battery size is relevant, i.e. the larger the better.)
Sony Xperia Z Ultra: 6.44 inch seems a bit too large, 6 inch appears to be the ideal compromise between handling and a nice large screen experience. Also, it's 2013 technology and may not cut it in a year from now.
HTC One Max: perfect size, but mediocre camera and once again, 2013 technology. I do like the fact that HTC offers an accessory handset that you can use for calls and texting, as I'm not keen on holding a 6 inch phone to my ear, looking like a total dork.
Huawei Mate 7: seems perfect. Has up-to-date hardware, supports all LTE bands, expandable memory, 6 inch screen in a very compact body. Downside: bugs in the OS, and Huawei is taking its sweet time updating to Lollipop, which makes me afraid of what their customer service will be like in the future (one to two years from now.)
OnePlus One: appears to be a superb phone in almost all regards. Power, large screen, frequent updates, great OS, ridiculous price tag. My only worry is that 5.5 inch, though not that far from 6 inch, might be a tad too small. What are people's experiences with 5.5 and 6 inch screens respectively? Do you think that 5.5 is enough for a phablet experience? (I REALLY want a LARGE screen that's nice to browse the internet and watch videos on.)
Nexus 6: oh my. I sooo want this device. BUT: it's incredibly expensive. Shell out the big bucks for a perfect phone, or save 50% and make a compromise?
What are people's opinions? Are there any other devices you'd suggest? Please don't mention Samsung stuff, as I hate their look and feel, no matter how great the hardware.
Thanks for your input!
I have a couple of the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 tablets are they are great!
Hm, this forum doesn't seem to see much love.
Anyway, I went with the Mate 7 and couldn't be happier. Beautiful design, great screen with the perfect size for what essentially is a tiny, portable computer, + amazing battery life.
Some issues on the software side that need tinkering to be solved, but I like tinkering

any reason to get this instead of the z3?

Im in the market for a 7 or 8 inch tablet, but upon searching google for the best android tab every site is raving about the z4 tablet.
Is it really that much better than the z3?
i doubt no matter how light it is, that ill feel like an 8inch tho
For me bigger iswhat i need . MOvies and animes.
Butit bcame a hassle when cant potrait lock
GreeleyXda said:
Im in the market for a 7 or 8 inch tablet, but upon searching google for the best android tab every site is raving about the z4 tablet.
Is it really that much better than the z3?
i doubt no matter how light it is, that ill feel like an 8inch tho
Click to expand...
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it mainly depends what size you prefer. obviously the Z4 is a little bit more cutting edge with a higher res display, faster processor, better camera, but both are lovely tablets that can still run anything at their respective resolutions.
i always thought i'd go for 7-8" tablets when i bought one because they are a good portable middle ground, but phones are already quite big these days so i went for a Z4 so it actually makes a noticeable difference in experience compared to the phone, and the Z4 is one of the lightest 10" tablets ever made and as a result feels really easy and comfortable to hold even in one hand compared to other 10" tablets that might have given you feeling that they are too big.
Ive played with a samsung tab s 10.5 (its pretty light too) and i just prefer a smaller footprint. My old nexus 7 was the perfect size but im willing to go up to 8inches if the z3 is the best smaller android tablet
I've got both and surprisingly the performance of both isn't too different to each other, even though one has a QualComm 801 32-bit v 810 64-bit. I think there are still optimisations yet to come for the Z4.
Its down to screen size for now and if you really want that expensive keyboard. For me, yes, 10.1 inch screen for fun + work / productivity is great. Z3 is still an excellent tablet.

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