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I never thought there would come a day when I would say this about a manufacturer skin, but I'm actually enjoying the .290 Sony 4.3 firmware better than CM 10.2 (And I've been a militant CM supporter/user since version 6.1 -- 4 years ago in the Froyo days). Is it just me or do the Sony firmware builds feel noticeably faster? Also the battery life seems to be improved vs CM and the keyboard is sized more appropriately, etc. etc. The small apps are a nifty feature.
Now I never had stability problems with CM 10.2 so it's not about that; CM 10.2 is rock solid, maybe even slightly more stable than the Stock sony firmware but the Sony firmware seems so so much faster! What say you XDA friends? Do you agree? Am I insane?
brashmadcap said:
I never thought there would come a day when I would say this about a manufacturer skin, but I'm actually enjoying the .290 Sony 4.3 firmware better than CM 10.2 (And I've been a militant CM supporter/user since version 6.1 -- 4 years ago in the Froyo days). Is it just me or do the Sony firmware builds feel noticeably faster? Also the battery life seems to be improved vs CM and the keyboard is sized more appropriately, etc. etc. The small apps are a nifty feature.
Now I never had stability problems with CM 10.2 so it's not about that; CM 10.2 is rock solid, maybe even slightly more stable than the Stock sony firmware but the Sony firmware seems so so much faster! What say you XDA friends? Do you agree? Am I insane?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you're, definitely, not insane and you're not alone on this! Exactly, my feelings. I've never thought that one day I'll start liking one manufacturer's skin/UI better than stock Android. But, it happened. And as a result, I've purchased the Xperia Z Ultra. Couldn't be happier more. It's the best phone I've ever owned.
I have to say/admit that I've faced more stability issues on CM more than Sony's firmwares. And for speed : Yes, it's definitely faster! IMHO, Sony's software engineers are done an excellent job for optimizing the software in the best possible way. There is zero lag, zero glitches etc. Just, very buttery smooth experience.
After the Mr. Kazuo Hirai's becoming the presiden and the CEO of Sony, many things have been changed fundamentally and noticeably. They got their innovation back as it was in 90s and 80s and one more time, started to make some unique products (QX10/QX100, first mirrorless Full-Frame camera except Leica : A7/A7r etc.) like walkman back in the day.
Hopefully, they'll keep this momentum and innovation as long as they can and we will benefit/enjoy of these great products.
Cheers,
Tarkan
brashmadcap said:
I never thought there would come a day when I would say this about a manufacturer skin, but I'm actually enjoying the .290 Sony 4.3 firmware better than CM 10.2 (And I've been a militant CM supporter/user since version 6.1 -- 4 years ago in the Froyo days). Is it just me or do the Sony firmware builds feel noticeably faster? Also the battery life seems to be improved vs CM and the keyboard is sized more appropriately, etc. etc. The small apps are a nifty feature.
Now I never had stability problems with CM 10.2 so it's not about that; CM 10.2 is rock solid, maybe even slightly more stable than the Stock sony firmware but the Sony firmware seems so so much faster! What say you XDA friends? Do you agree? Am I insane?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you're right, sony have done it right!
They've allowed you to keep the fluidity of stock android and have given you customization that dont slow the phone down
I couldnt be happier with my Z Ultra
It used to be that the smartphone SoC was very limited in terms of capability so a clean ROM is the better choice. But with rapid development and less bloat on Sony's UI (+cool design) and slower Android upgrade it is clearly better now. So yeah, not that much reason should i jump to CM ROM again (unlike previous RAZR MAXX of mine) for now Maybe if the Android 5.0 come out in the future i guess but for now no..
brashmadcap said:
I never thought there would come a day when I would say this about a manufacturer skin, but I'm actually enjoying the .290 Sony 4.3 firmware better than CM 10.2 (And I've been a militant CM supporter/user since version 6.1 -- 4 years ago in the Froyo days). Is it just me or do the Sony firmware builds feel noticeably faster? Also the battery life seems to be improved vs CM and the keyboard is sized more appropriately, etc. etc. The small apps are a nifty feature.
Now I never had stability problems with CM 10.2 so it's not about that; CM 10.2 is rock solid, maybe even slightly more stable than the Stock sony firmware but the Sony firmware seems so so much faster! What say you XDA friends? Do you agree? Am I insane?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I Concur! I've had this device for about three months, & I really enjoy it also! I purchased it with the Sony UI in mind and sure enough it did not disappoint. I wasn't upset to see the Google edition released so soon after I bought this one. This is really the longest I've ever went without root also, as most prior phones did not make the 30 day mark.
I honestly would be happy with root access on the stock Sony Rom, however with all the confusion of root methods / model numbers / TA partitions / possibility of losing LTE, I'm just really trying to be patient. I kept in mind that buying such a large (under the radar phone) my slow my ability to tinker with it, but it's beginning to a bit of a hassle without root.
I recently accepted the 4.3 update, & the speed and mellow performance was noticed immediately. I was trying to stay on 4.2 as I had read different threads saying it was able to be rooted as oppose to 4.3 .290 but as of recently that seems to have changed now... This whole phone's process seems extremely confusing, and I'm tired of reading different contradicting threads .....and it's never a good idea to start playing with your phone when your frustrated & uninformed so I guess I'll just hang out a bit longer until things seem clearer....
I am with you guys.
Although on Note 2 I did not go with any AOSP except from the usual testing, but always came back to stock because of Spen features.
With the Ultra, this stock rom is so light, smooth and plus I keep the phone features plus it has been designed better to use the larger screen...I am VERY impressed with the Sony Rom so I dont see myself flashing anything but Sony based Roms.
I enjoy my phone now more than just using it to flash new stuff trying to get it to be better
Ah after I try a lot of custom ROM
monxDIFIED is my daily ROM
It is Sony base because I prefer stock app
FM Radio
Stock Camera
If I can install two stock app in CM base ROM like Carbon ROM
I may think using CM base ROM as my daily drive
That's common and you are not alone. I too am using the Stock 4.3 without any intention of flashing other ROMs (I do really love flashing as I had nearly flashed every Android phone I have ever owned)
I'm back on stock after a day on GPe. I love AOSP and the GPe ROM is amazing, but I tend to always end up back on stock again. Not sure what it is, but it's solid as a rock, and I know exactly how it works and what it does. No surprises. I feel safe using it, so I guess that's why? Xposed has also changed the way I use ROMs. No longer do I have to flash ROMs if I want a weird feature, I just install a module. I feel like I don't have to flash anything these days, except for when I want a different environment/UI.
In not that tired of Sony's UI quite yet (but I'm slowly getting there), but I'll probably migrate to the GPe full time down the road. BUT, official 4.4 is on its way, so it'll be really exciting to see how it'll be.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
I'm back on stock after a day on GPe. I love AOSP and the GPe ROM is amazing, but I tend to always end up back on stock again. Not sure what it is, but it's solid as a rock, and I know exactly how it works and what it does. No surprises. I feel safe using it, so I guess that's why? Xposed has also changed the way I use ROMs. No longer do I have to flash ROMs if I want a weird feature, I just install a module. I feel like I don't have to flash anything these days, except for when I want a different environment/UI.
In not that tired of Sony's UI quite yet (but I'm slowly getting there), but I'll probably migrate to the GPe full time down the road. BUT, official 4.4 is on its way, so it'll be really exciting to see how it'll be.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im back running stock UI as well (own rom with Dogg tweaks), and am more or less happy with it.
Cant wait for 4.4 stock (not here today yet)
I had a Nexus 7 and I ran AOKP, I had an Nexus 4 and I ran AOKP, I had a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and I ran CyanogenMod. Today I switched to Sony Xperia Z Ultra and I don't want to switch to AOSP. It never happened before, but I feel like Stock ROM is good
my galaxy tab is always on another rom, after that i had asus padfone, which had no development at all. and z ultra makes me not want to change to another rom at all. loving the stock, dunno why. I'm still on 4.2 and for me it's pretty smooth and fluid already i dont even need to upgrade.
Recently get an OTA for 4.3, but there's no way to root it in a simple way. tempting to root using jackie's way or flashing monx but im still too lazy to do it, still enjoyin my current 4.2 haha
I think sony did a good job here
I'm with you too dude. For me it's close enough to stock not to piss me off, their skin is simple and black base (better for battery), and I like some of the bloatware too.
I have deleted a lot, but that's another thing I like, I was able to delete or freeze most of what I didn't want without needing root. On touchwizz practically nothing could be deleted without root.
For me, Sony have worked it really well, bugs aside, and 290 is perfect IMHO except bluetooth.
I love cm, don't get me wrong, I just don't need it as much with Sony as I did with Samsung.
Sent from my C6833 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Same here, actually i'm still on 4.2.2. Still amazed with stock rom, looks good and stays smooth and fast. I can endless opening apps, not any hick up. OOM works unnoticed, and don't need to restart device. On my old LG 3d i changed roms and kernels continously. My son his tab2 flashed a hour after purchase. My Acer A700 running CM10.1 unfortunately my daughter jumped on screen i need to order new screen/digitizer.
But i'm surpised with myself that i'm still on stock and don't want to flash. Only reason for me to flash would be working miracast with my LG 55LM750S.
I'm back on the GPe ROM I was bored yesterday, so the only thing to do when i'm bored is to install or flash something. I'm still amazed how everything is running so smooth and i have still to find a bug. I haven't found a single one. I find it funny that we went from AOSP ROMs that had their fair share of problems, to a AOSP ROM that is perfect like THAT.
I guess i'll keep using GPe for now, but i find some small things to be a little annoying. The volume is rather strange. It can be really quiet on one level, and be really loud on the next one, which makes it very annoying since i have to try to find the sweet spot. The stock ROM is much better at this. The quick toggles are also quite bad. Why do i have to press and HOLD to activate/deactivate a feature? Why can't i just tap a toggle like on CM? One tap on AOSP will open the settings for that feature, and someone at Google should be shot in the face. Well, that's about it really
I agree, been on and off Cm9-10 for years with some stints on Samsung's JB, but these ROMs rock. Only complaint is WIFI is a bit flakey. I don't even have a reason to root.
I have both a C6833 and Tablet Z.
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app
With my ex Galaxy S3 I went from stock to CM in like 4/6 months, and from there I just wanted to change phone like every day.
I guess I just want this to be my phone for a long time, therefore I'll wait to transform it to see if the stock rom satisfies me long enough to get to the official 4.4.2 update.
Which, I bet will be the last "quick" update.
After that I'm sure we will see 4.5, but at a super slow pace.
Anyway, I need time to install and backup everything to begin trying the GPe, and with a 6yo daughter and a 40days son I really don't have much left... XD
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
fastest83 said:
With my ex Galaxy S3 I went from stock to CM in like 4/6 months, and from there I just wanted to change phone like every day.
I guess I just want this to be my phone for a long time, therefore I'll wait to transform it to see if the stock rom satisfies me long enough to get to the official 4.4.2 update.
Which, I bet will be the last "quick" update.
After that I'm sure we will see 4.5, but at a super slow pace.
Anyway, I need time to install and backup everything to begin trying the GPe, and with a 6yo daughter and a 40days son I really don't have much left... XD
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congrats! I guess that's why we haven't really seen you around here that much lately, but you have a brand new boy in your house now so that's expected
Sent from my C6806_GPe using Tapatalk
LordManhattan said:
Congrats! I guess that's why we haven't really seen you around here that much lately, but you have a brand new boy in your house now so that's expected
Sent from my C6806_GPe using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I try to keep up with everything but now even Tapatalk is against me (meaning the new interface is fugly as hell).
Anyway, I'm curious, does the GPe support multiple users like on the Nexus 7? It is a fantastic feature as it keeps my daughter within the fence of her few apps...
That may be a feature I'd be interested in...
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
fastest83 said:
Thanks! I try to keep up with everything but now even Tapatalk is against me (meaning the new interface is fugly as hell).
Anyway, I'm curious, does the GPe support multiple users like on the Nexus 7? It is a fantastic feature as it keeps my daughter within the fence of her few apps...
That may be a feature I'd be interested in...
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, i have no idea. I think it "pops up" when you activate tablet mode. I know that CM supports it though, but since GPe build is strictly made for the ZU, Sony may have removed the feature (i can't prove it though).
I'm deciding between these two and I like to put custom roms on my phone. From what I know, both Sony and HTC are pretty easy to root and support devs (much better than Samsung I guess), but which one would have more roms and easily rootable?
bazzanaja said:
I'm deciding between these two and I like to put custom roms on my phone. From what I know, both Sony and HTC are pretty easy to root and support devs (much better than Samsung I guess), but which one would have more roms and easily rootable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its tough call on which device is easier to root...
as far as developer support is concerned, I for one hope to get the Z2, the FreeXperia team (CM devs) [they get devices directly from Sony] will be supporting it, so there will be official CM support, AOSP/AKOP will be supported [Sony gives devices to these devs too]... other than these there would be a lot of other devs also picking up this phone... so that should give you a good idea...
BTW, in general, Sony devices have lesser developer support as compared to other flagships of HTC & Samsung...
i
bazzanaja said:
I'm deciding between these two and I like to put custom roms on my phone. From what I know, both Sony and HTC are pretty easy to root and support devs (much better than Samsung I guess), but which one would have more roms and easily rootable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If u wanna phone or device for developing nothing can replace by Nexus or GPE devices
btw famous custom roms are supported for almost of sony and htc and also samsung devices.
and rooting; as u know almost of time u don't need to do anything for rooting ur android. there always a tool from devs that u use some keys and done!
and suggest u to go for xperia z2 (generally cause i will go for it )
Most likely the HTC M8.
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
i havent owned any HTC or Sony devices, but their rooting instructions are somewhat complicated comparing to Samsung, not sure where you are getting that Samsungs are hard to root/unlock. Now, they all can be rooted. just that Sony and HTC are a little harder because:
Sony have a protected system partition where it stores its camera drivers, you might have to restore that partition after rooting/unlocking the bootloader, so to install custom ROM you required extra steps and AFAIK the camera wont work the same due to the lack of drivers in custom roms.
HTC they have some extra security for their bootloader it seems (S-ON/S-OFF, google that) but they support most custom ROMs. Just gotta deal with that BS.
Samsung, their main issue is their Qualcom drivers are closed source, so you might have a buggy bluetooth/camera/video driver at first until some devs are able port/improve the original driver to use with AOSP (kind of).
Just got rid of my S4 one month ago since my job got my an iPhone :crying: I am going to get the Z2 even if they dont have as much custom ROM love as the others, but I am tired of Samsung already. Im thinking of either replacing my Nexus 5 or get rid of the iPhone and stay with the Z2 and the N5. That way i can satisfy my flashing and hacking needs with the N5 while having a premium device such as the Z2.
I'm currently trying to decide between the Z2 and M8. Coming from S3 with literally massive dev support, I can see that the M8 is likely to get more dev support than the Z2, but as long as there is some decent stock based ROMs and decent AOSP/CM ROMs then I'd be happy on the Z2.
I do keep reading about broken camera on custom Kernels (on Z1) though. Is this likely to be the case on the Z2?
I've never been on Sony before, so it is new ground to me...
remydlc said:
i havent owned any HTC or Sony devices, but their rooting instructions are somewhat complicated comparing to Samsung, not sure where you are getting that Samsungs are hard to root/unlock. Now, they all can be rooted. just that Sony and HTC are a little harder because:
Sony have a protected system partition where it stores its camera drivers, you might have to restore that partition after rooting/unlocking the bootloader, so to install custom ROM you required extra steps and AFAIK the camera wont work the same due to the lack of drivers in custom roms.
HTC they have some extra security for their bootloader it seems (S-ON/S-OFF, google that) but they support most custom ROMs. Just gotta deal with that BS.
Samsung, their main issue is their Qualcom drivers are closed source, so you might have a buggy bluetooth/camera/video driver at first until some devs are able port/improve the original driver to use with AOSP (kind of).
Just got rid of my S4 one month ago since my job got my an iPhone :crying: I am going to get the Z2 even if they dont have as much custom ROM love as the others, but I am tired of Samsung already. Im thinking of either replacing my Nexus 5 or get rid of the iPhone and stay with the Z2 and the N5. That way i can satisfy my flashing and hacking needs with the N5 while having a premium device such as the Z2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends because you can just unlock the bootloader and flash a recovery without having to S-OFF if you just want root and custom ROMs for an HTC. Samsung is generally more frustrating because they don't really merge device trees and there are many variants of the phone itself all over the world. Used to own the Exnyos S4 and it was development hell .-. So I switched to the HTC One and I got what I wanted. In currently S-ON and I would only S-off to change CIDs and such. It's quite dangerous to S-ON again from an S-OFF as well. Something to consider if you plan to get an HTC.
Happy Flashing from the proud owner of a HTC One.
---------- Post added at 09:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 PM ----------
I plan to buy a Z2 because it has the specs, the functionality and we are gonna have some hands on good devs from the start of development. I truly believe that its the Z2s time to shine as its such a beautiful phone that's hopefully gonna get alot of development. The M8 is meh. I'm an HTC Fan but honestly the m8 doesn't look all too good and I had much higher expectations for HTCs new flagship
Happy Flashing from the proud owner of a HTC One.
Bllooi said:
It really depends because you can just unlock the bootloader and flash a recovery without having to S-OFF if you just want root and custom ROMs for an HTC. Samsung is generally more frustrating because they don't really merge device trees and there are many variants of the phone itself all over the world. Used to own the Exnyos S4 and it was development hell .-. So I switched to the HTC One and I got what I wanted. In currently S-ON and I would only S-off to change CIDs and such. It's quite dangerous to S-ON again from an S-OFF as well. Something to consider if you plan to get an HTC.
Happy Flashing from the proud owner of a HTC One.
---------- Post added at 09:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 PM ----------
I plan to buy a Z2 because it has the specs, the functionality and we are gonna have some hands on good devs from the start of development. I truly believe that its the Z2s time to shine as its such a beautiful phone that's hopefully gonna get alot of development. The M8 is meh. I'm an HTC Fan but honestly the m8 doesn't look all too good and I had much higher expectations for HTCs new flagship
Happy Flashing from the proud owner of a HTC One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The htc m8 like you said doesnt seem too impressive specially spec wise, but i have a feeling it will get a much bigger development support. Not to mention that sony is going to release another flagship in 6 months.
malek777 said:
The htc m8 like you said doesnt seem too impressive specially spec wise, but i have a feeling it will get a much bigger development support. Not to mention that sony is going to release another flagship in 6 months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True... After a while I am considering that a snapdragon 805 might do better. Not much innovation is going on with the current flagships and i think 2014 is going to be a pretty boring tech year for phones and wearables are coming in. I'm a proud owner of the HTC M7 and ive seen the leaks of the M8 im finding the speaker grills look weird and there is no use of the bottom bezel. I have to be honest the M8 looks terrible compared to the HTC One and all these flagships are carrying the 801's which are just a bump up... I think i might wait...
Nah, the M8 will have more support (and legs) due to the fact that it has a GPE version. They are already committed to updating it to the latest version of android for two years. This will be ported across for most of the other variants just like it was on the one and that work will be available not long after the GPE hits the street as the same dev already has it in the works and is just waiting for a dump. Meanwhile here you have a phone that will already be old and pathetic when the 3 comes out on its fancy smanchy 805 chipset before the end of the year.
I bought in here guys so don't get me wrong. I feel this phone will have plenty enough support but if that were my main criteria I would have went with the M8.
bazzanaja said:
I'm deciding between these two and I like to put custom roms on my phone. From what I know, both Sony and HTC are pretty easy to root and support devs (much better than Samsung I guess), but which one would have more roms and easily rootable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC cannot be Compared to Sony for the Quality of the Build Materials but for Developing Section HTC is more far away from Sony.
So if you want have Software support for your device buy Nexus or HTC, if you want have the feeling of an amazing quality phone in your hand, buy Sony.
As far as I can tell both are the same as far as bands go.
However, my question lies in, which is more favorable to get in terms of user experience? Which would you prefer? I hear the "bloatware" that Sony includes is actually pretty useful in the Sony version and rather unobtrusive. But at the same time, I thought that the Google play edition was supposed to be more easy to load custom roms. I also understand that the Google play edition is supposed to get the updates faster, but is it really that bad with Sony?
If you had the choice between the two, which would you go for? They are both about the same price, so it's not an issue, it's just a matter of which would be more preferable out of the box.
From Sony Store
http://store.sony.com/xperia-z-ultr...atid-All-Unlocked-Phones?vva_ColorCode=000000
Or...
Google play edition:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=sony_z_ultra
ssnova said:
As far as I can tell both are the same as far as bands go.
However, my question lies in, which is more favorable to get in terms of user experience? Which would you prefer? I hear the "bloatware" that Sony includes is actually pretty useful in the Sony version and rather unobtrusive. But at the same time, I thought that the Google play edition was supposed to be more easy to load custom roms. I also understand that the Google play edition is supposed to get the updates faster, but is it really that bad with Sony?
If you had the choice between the two, which would you go for? They are both about the same price, so it's not an issue, it's just a matter of which would be more preferable out of the box.
From Sony Store
http://store.sony.com/xperia-z-ultr...atid-All-Unlocked-Phones?vva_ColorCode=000000
Or...
Google play edition:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=sony_z_ultra
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the GPe but ordered it before Sony dropped their price. The GPe ROM has been ported over to Sony so if you get Sony you can run that. From what I have seen they can both be unlocked and rooted fairly easily. As for the update I would expect it to be ported to Sony rather quickly. Lots more Roms for Sony but there is work going on with a tool to convert Sony Roms to GPe. I would lean towards Sony but get as many opinions as you can before deciding.
I also have the gpe and would've preferred the xperia version. All the native xperia apps are missing obviously and the Google alternatives aren't that great IMO.
Get the cheapest one and root it (maybe even unlock it) and try the rom that fits you.
Sent from my C6833 using Tapatalk
adfurgerson said:
I have the GPe but ordered it before Sony dropped their price. The GPe ROM has been ported over to Sony so if you get Sony you can run that. From what I have seen they can both be unlocked and rooted fairly easily. As for the update I would expect it to be ported to Sony rather quickly. Lots more Roms for Sony but there is work going on with a tool to convert Sony Roms to GPe. I would lean towards Sony but get as many opinions as you can before deciding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, thanks for all the replies from everyone guys.
Second, @ adfurgerson, in order to port the GPe ROM over to the Sony, I"d have to root and unlock right?
I find it interesting that ROMs for the Sony won't work on the GPe. I was under some impression it'd be practically the same, and that the GPe version would be easier to root and unlock, but didn't know the real story behind it.
I whisked through some threads on here that gave me the impression that rooting and unlocking and loading custom roms was quite challenging on the Z Ultra, is this true?
Because of this, I thought I'd just keep it headache free and stick with stock.
On that note, how is the Z Ultra stock? Or is it really that desirable to root/unlock/load custom rom? FOr example, I have an ASUS Transformer TF700, stock, the thing is frustratingly slow/laggy/buggy, IMO, you MUST root/unlock/load custom ROM on that device to make it "functional"/ really appreciate the machine. Another example is the GS3 and GS4, I know plenty of people who are ok with stock.
THanks again to all. Looks like I'm leaning towards the Sony edition, the two grips I had with the z Ultra in general were: lack of LED flash(I like having a "flashlight" on my phones), and perhaps the "small" battery for such a large device.
The Sony Edition is the best option in this case.
The problem with the GPe is that the partitioning has been changed, something that make it very problematic to cross-flash between GPe and Sony and no solution has been offered as of yet. The result is that the ROM selection for the Sony Edition is much better.
Since the GPe ROM has been ported and there are a couple of options including Sony based ones to choose from, the best route is to go with the Sony Edition. Even if you decide to run the GPe ROM (like I do for now), the better selection of ROMs such as Paranoid Android, PAC, SlimKat, CarbonROM etc favors the Sony Edition.
It is also worth to mention that the Sony Edition came out a couple of months before the GPe - the availability of it is also superior since it is being sold worldwide while the GPe can be sourced only from Google in the US. This means that more developers and users have the Sony version, hence more development of ROMs.
When it comes to Sony Editions, I would go for the C6802 (no LTE) or either C6806 or C6833 depending on location and the importance of LTE bands. I have the C6802 since I consider US LTE to be of no importance to me. If I would be in Sweden, I would take the C6833.
The reason for my LTE stance is the fact that decent data plans are cheaper in Sweden than in the US. I don't see any benefits of having 2 GB of LTE data since Internet browsing etc works great on the HSPA+ network of AT&T. I would not start going on Netflix etc with 2 GB of data.
ssnova said:
First, thanks for all the replies from everyone guys.
Second, @ adfurgerson, in order to port the GPe ROM over to the Sony, I"d have to root and unlock right?
I find it interesting that ROMs for the Sony won't work on the GPe. I was under some impression it'd be practically the same, and that the GPe version would be easier to root and unlock, but didn't know the real story behind it.
I whisked through some threads on here that gave me the impression that rooting and unlocking and loading custom roms was quite challenging on the Z Ultra, is this true?
Because of this, I thought I'd just keep it headache free and stick with stock.
And for more controll rom i Installed App Ops
On that note, how is the Z Ultra stock? Or is it really that desirable to root/unlock/load custom rom? FOr example, I have an ASUS Transformer TF700, stock, the thing is frustratingly slow/laggy/buggy, IMO, you MUST root/unlock/load custom ROM on that device to make it "functional"/ really appreciate the machine. Another example is the GS3 and GS4, I know plenty of people who are ok with stock.
THanks again to all. Looks like I'm leaning towards the Sony edition, the two grips I had with the z Ultra in general were: lack of LED flash(I like having a "flashlight" on my phones), and perhaps the "small" battery for such a large device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using the Sony ultra (c6833) stock and rooted with unlocked bootloader . After i tried almost all of them rom i got back to stock sony rom and installed xposed and changed some stuff . I even have the DooMKernel kernel on it and works awsome
@ssnova the GPe was very much usable stock and I tried to convince myself to leave it that way. Unlocking , rooting and recovery was easy enough. I must admit I am unsure on which methods are current for Sony so won't comment there. I plan to do more testing of this over the weekend, if it works it would take one factor out of the equation.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2746562
E90 Commie said:
The Sony Edition is the best option in this case.
The problem with the GPe is that the partitioning has been changed, something that make it very problematic to cross-flash between GPe and Sony and no solution has been offered as of yet. The result is that the ROM selection for the Sony Edition is much better.
Since the GPe ROM has been ported and there are a couple of options including Sony based ones to choose from, the best route is to go with the Sony Edition. Even if you decide to run the GPe ROM (like I do for now), the better selection of ROMs such as Paranoid Android, PAC, SlimKat, CarbonROM etc favors the Sony Edition.
It is also worth to mention that the Sony Edition came out a couple of months before the GPe - the availability of it is also superior since it is being sold worldwide while the GPe can be sourced only from Google in the US. This means that more developers and users have the Sony version, hence more development of ROMs.
When it comes to Sony Editions, I would go for the C6802 (no LTE) or either C6806 or C6833 depending on location and the importance of LTE bands. I have the C6802 since I consider US LTE to be of no importance to me. If I would be in Sweden, I would take the C6833.
The reason for my LTE stance is the fact that decent data plans are cheaper in Sweden than in the US. I don't see any benefits of having 2 GB of LTE data since Internet browsing etc works great on the HSPA+ network of AT&T. I would not start going on Netflix etc with 2 GB of data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, your post clears up a lot from a technical standpoint. I'd probably go with the C6806 since I live in the US and we have LTE in my areas.
Ended up stumbling upon this, thanks to your post.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451590
I guess the Sony edition it is.
As a person learning to develop android I would choose the GPe, as a consumer it's 50 / 50.
The Sony stock firmware is quite good and the only thing that lags in 4.4 seems to be the live wallpaper, and blote is a minimum - and usefull.
Unlocking either is exactly the same, the only difference ifs if you want to keep your TA partition (DRM keys). You can only do this on the Sony version by doing the downgrade/root exploit/backup dance.
As for ROMs for the GPe there is CM, Carbon, LiquidSmooth and Slimkat, and I believe that if someone would test the flashable zip I wrote we could convert any (I even think stock) ROM to run on the GPe - but no one wants to have developers making thing for their phone by the looks*
* this could easily develop into a rant so I'll stop there
blueether said:
As a person learning to develop android I would choose the GPe, as a consumer it's 50 / 50.
The Sony stock firmware is quite good and the only thing that lags in 4.4 seems to be the live wallpaper, and blote is a minimum - and usefull.
Unlocking either is exactly the same, the only difference ifs if you want to keep your TA partition (DRM keys). You can only do this on the Sony version by doing the downgrade/root exploit/backup dance.
As for ROMs for the GPe there is CM, Carbon, LiquidSmooth and Slimkat, and I believe that if someone would test the flashable zip I wrote we could convert any (I even think stock) ROM to run on the GPe - but no one wants to have developers making thing for their phone by the looks*
* this could easily develop into a rant so I'll stop there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you're pretty close to making it work for the GP-e, only a matter of time and testers,
I guess I'll lean towards the Sony edition though, since I'll be using it more than developing, though I do play around once and a while.
Slightly astray, but what makes the Google play edition better for learning to develop on android?
nothing really, although I believe it has a much better bootloader/recovery
blueether said:
nothing really, although I believe it has a much better bootloader/recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to confirm
1) if we use the GPE rom on a Sony, will we be able to restore the TA partition and still use the Xperia-specific display enhancements?
2) Even though the partitioning is different, one can flash specific partitions and not the entire ROM, yes? Or are the wires truly crossed: for instance, the bootloader located is in boot?
christcentric said:
Just to confirm
1) if we use the GPE rom on a Sony, will we be able to restore the TA partition and still use the Xperia-specific display enhancements?
2) Even though the partitioning is different, one can flash specific partitions and not the entire ROM, yes? Or are the wires truly crossed: for instance, the bootloader located is in boot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No, we can't restore the partition while on a custom kernel, but we still get the image processing without the DRM keys intact (aka TA partition) on KitKat builds.
The DRM keys are only important to have in case you have to send your device in for repairs.
2. You can flash the GPe ROM on the Xperia Ultra. You can't run a dully functioning stock Sony ROM on the Ultra GPe (yet), due to partitioning issues and what not. You van flash "everything" on the regular Ultra, not on the GPe, which makes the regular Ultra a better device if you plan to flash a lot of ROMs and you want the option to cross-flash between Sony ROMs and GPe (AOSP ROMs).
Bought mine from Sony, best stock firmware I've ever used, of course mod the hell out of it, but I am very pleased
Sent from my C6806 using Tapatalk
I have multiple Bluetooth devices with Apt-X baked in. GPe does not support it, and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon.
So for me, stock is the only option. Not even CM.
I have tried out most of the alternatives, but keep coming back to stock - the audio quality improvement with apt-x is noticeable. Especially while listening to FLAC, using a player like Neutron.
I prefer gpe, because it feel smoother, simpler, less batt consumption. But yes the gpe is very limited at features and option.
billyliem said:
I prefer gpe, because it feel smoother, simpler, less batt consumption. But yes the gpe is very limited at features and option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, but the GPe ROM is available for the stock Xperia Ultra.
LordManhattan said:
Sure, but the GPe ROM is available for the stock Xperia Ultra.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i use gpe rom 4.4.4 at my 6802, i like it.smoother than gpe 4.4.2. And more responsive too. How about the price on the hardware? Stock sony vs the gpe? Is it different?
billyliem said:
Yes i use gpe rom 4.4.4 at my 6802, i like it.smoother than gpe 4.4.2. And more responsive too. How about the price on the hardware? Stock sony vs the gpe? Is it different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
only ~$10 in it
http://www.expansys-usa.com/sony-xperia-z-ultra-c6833-unlocked-lte-16gb-purple-251965/
http://www.expansys-usa.com/sony-z-ultra-google-play-edition-unlocked-lte-16gb-black-263504/
Hell, can even get the GPe in nz now http://www.expansys.co.nz/sony-z-ultra-google-play-edition-unlocked-lte-16gb-black-263504/
So, if I get the Xperia model, NOT the Goole Stock Android version, can I still flash the Stock firmware? Or does it have some limitations in terms of hardware?
PS: In my current situation, I am considering to get one. I was thinking about the LG G Flex, but the 720 screen is a no-no. I would much rather have a Xperia than LG. I had the Nexus 4 once upon a time, and never developed a taste for LG's (rather cheap) hardware.
Thanks.
X0LARIUM said:
So, if I get the Xperia model, NOT the Goole Stock Android version, can I still flash the Stock firmware? Or does it have some limitations in terms of hardware?
PS: In my current situation, I am considering to get one. I was thinking about the LG G Flex, but the 720 screen is a no-no. I would much rather have a Xperia than LG. I had the Nexus 4 once upon a time, and never developed a taste for LG's (rather cheap) hardware.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got a non GPE Z Ultra you could flash ported GPE version but not the stock firmware. There's already ported version for version 4.4.4 kitkat and version 5 lollipop for the non gpe z ultra. Vice versa, the gpe version can't flash the non-gpe firmwares as it will permanently destroy your device due to different partitioning in both gpe and non gpe version of z ultra.
I did not like LG at first but i fell in love with the LG G3 korean version but with the price i would rather get z3
wtfhax said:
If you got a non GPE Z Ultra you could flash ported GPE version but not the stock firmware. There's already ported version for version 4.4.4 kitkat and version 5 lollipop for the non gpe z ultra. Vice versa, the gpe version can't flash the non-gpe firmwares as it will permanently destroy your device due to different partitioning in both gpe and non gpe version of z ultra.
I did not like LG at first but i fell in love with the LG G3 korean version but with the price i would rather get z3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. As I started off by saying, "in my current situation", I need a big device, with Movies+games+ Reading+ browsing capabilities that need to be top notch. Along with the hardware (inside as well as on the outside). And Z Ultra fits into all those categories well.
But, my concern was the OS. And since we had the same device out with a "gpe" which I assume is Google Play Edition, I thought flashing a GPE on an Xperia model would have been achieved.
But now that you are saying it will damage my device, I wonder what should I do?
Comments?
X0LARIUM said:
Thanks for your reply. As I started off by saying, "in my current situation", I need a big device, with Movies+games+ Reading+ browsing capabilities that need to be top notch. Along with the hardware (inside as well as on the outside). And Z Ultra fits into all those categories well.
But, my concern was the OS. And since we had the same device out with a "gpe" which I assume is Google Play Edition, I thought flashing a GPE on an Xperia model would have been achieved.
But now that you are saying it will damage my device, I wonder what should I do?
Comments?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Z ultra is too thin. I think oldies Nexus 7 is good, the price should be a lot of cheaper today. I wish myself not to get brand new device anymore. The Price of smartphone went down so much within 9 months since released. Better get 1 year old device with half Price....
x1123 said:
Z ultra is too thin. I think oldies Nexus 7 is good, the price should be a lot of cheaper today. I wish myself not to get brand new device anymore. The Price of smartphone went down so much within 9 months since released. Better get 1 year old device with half Price....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I have the old Nexus 7. Makes me want to tear my hear out every time I see it. It's one device I would never recommend to any Android first-timer. They would just never return.
Anyways, the fact that Z Ultra is thin is a plus for me.
X0LARIUM said:
Thanks for your reply. As I started off by saying, "in my current situation", I need a big device, with Movies+games+ Reading+ browsing capabilities that need to be top notch. Along with the hardware (inside as well as on the outside). And Z Ultra fits into all those categories well.
But, my concern was the OS. And since we had the same device out with a "gpe" which I assume is Google Play Edition, I thought flashing a GPE on an Xperia model would have been achieved.
But now that you are saying it will damage my device, I wonder what should I do?
Comments?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't cross flash the firmwares between the Sony ZU and the GPe devices due to differing sizes of partitions. However there are fully functioning ports of the GPe ROMs, it does not convert the phone nor will it receive OTA updates.
adfurgerson said:
You can't cross flash the firmwares between the Sony ZU and the GPe devices due to differing sizes of partitions. However there are fully functioning ports of the GPe ROMs, it does not convert the phone nor will it receive OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh cool. SO I assume the ports are just as close to the GPe ROMs as possible?
X0LARIUM said:
Oh cool. SO I assume the ports are just as close to the GPe ROMs as possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used either one of these but they are both stable for daily use according to everything I have read.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z-ultra/development/scrubber-t2961315
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2800414
X0LARIUM said:
Oh cool. SO I assume the ports are just as close to the GPe ROMs as possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As i've mentioned the ported version is exactly the same rom/firmware as GPE by google modified to fit the non gpe without breaking it. What i mean is you can't flash the official firmware provided directly from google without modification to the firmware hence the ported version.
wtfhax said:
As i've mentioned the ported version is exactly the same rom/firmware as GPE by google modified to fit the non gpe without breaking it. What i mean is you can't flash the official firmware provided directly from google without modification to the firmware hence the ported version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome man... You made my day.. Thanks a lot to everyone who replied...
BTW .. anything I need to be cautious about as a new user?
X0LARIUM said:
Awesome man... You made my day.. Thanks a lot to everyone who replied...
BTW .. anything I need to be cautious about as a new user?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main thing I stress is the need to back up TA partition (which holds the DRM keys) after rooting, but BEFORE you unlock your bootloader.
Edit.... Should mention the 4.4.4 GPe port can be used with locked bootloader, not so for 5.0 port.
adfurgerson said:
The main thing I stress is the need to back up TA partition (which holds the DRM keys) after rooting, but BEFORE you unlock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man but I meant in terms of the device ...any drawbacks..shortcomings ...?
X0LARIUM said:
Thanks man but I meant in terms of the device ...any drawbacks..shortcomings ...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Camera.is poor and lacks flash. I have never carried it in a pants pocket out of fear of cracking screen or back glass. I
broke the charge port flap but it was my fault for forgetting to close it before slipping it into holster/case for carrying it on my belt. If you get a third party magnetic charging cord be sure to attach it in the right direction.
X0LARIUM said:
Awesome man... You made my day.. Thanks a lot to everyone who replied...
BTW .. anything I need to be cautious about as a new user?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing you need to be cautious about. If you want the gpe experience, the ported gpe ROMs work great, we have several android lollipop based ROMs as well. It is a very good device, and if you have any trouble for some reason, I'm sure someone will be eager to help you out here. Its a very friendly community. The only down side is the flash for the camera, there is none.
X0LARIUM said:
Thanks. I have the old Nexus 7. Makes me want to tear my hear out every time I see it. It's one device I would never recommend to any Android first-timer. They would just never return.
Anyways, the fact that Z Ultra is thin is a plus for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the thin were your wish. ZU is right choice. ZU is strong device with good waterproof feature. 5.0 gpe port rom work nicely on ZU. I put 4.4.4 on my ZU due to most banking apps Not work on L. For me "her" thiness is bit problem on holding it, made our palm tired to hold. 2nd all z series xperia will be better with dock ( magnetic charger ) otherwise we need to open charging port everytime to charge it will easily tearing the cover and loss the waterproofing. I used D48 dock magnetic charger for my ZU and Z3c.
x1123 said:
If the thin were your wish. ZU is right choice. ZU is strong device with good waterproof feature. 5.0 gpe port rom work nicely on ZU. I put 4.4.4 on my ZU due to most banking apps Not work on L. For me "her" thiness is bit problem on holding it, made our palm tired to hold. 2nd all z series xperia will be better with dock ( magnetic charger ) otherwise we need to open charging port everytime to charge it will easily tearing the cover and loss the waterproofing. I used D48 dock magnetic charger for my ZU and Z3c.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/sony-dk31...ging-dock-charger-stand-pod-cradle-6594643/i/
Would this one work?
Also, which other docking charging ports work in that case?
Thanks for the headsup BTW/...
X0LARIUM said:
http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/sony-dk31...ging-dock-charger-stand-pod-cradle-6594643/i/
Would this one work?
Also, which other docking charging ports work in that case?
Thanks for the headsup BTW/...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it is hard to find a dock for Z Ultra. Z Ultra unable to fit in the Z1 dock, i've tried but maybe others have better luck. One more thing to be aware is if you ever gonna use magnetic charger please get a genuine sony magnetic charger. Reason being if you use it the opposite way, it will damage your device. With original sony magnetic charger it won't allow you to plug in if its the wrong way.
Hopefully there is no country variant i don't have to worry about. Some of the phones have a country variant (G Flex for example), where one version works better than another. Hopefully there is only one Z Ultra. I am in the UAE.
Had a Z Ultra, now a Z2 and it bugs me to get back to the Ultra.
Sony does have brazil country specific models and non-LTE variants for each of their device (or most of them)
What I know about the ZU variants is this:
LTE Model is C6833
Non-LTE is C6802
Hopefully I did not mess up the numbers here.
Saikyo_San said:
Had a Z Ultra, now a Z2 and it bugs me to get back to the Ultra.
Sony does have brazil country specific models and non-LTE variants for each of their device (or most of them)
What I know about the ZU variants is this:
LTE Model is C6833
Non-LTE is C6802
Hopefully I did not mess up the numbers here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how do they vary apart from the LTE bit? Hopefully everything else is the same....
The Z4 Tablet is possibly my dream tablet, it has a great screen, microSD slot, good battery life and it seems dev-friendly.
I've got no Sony experience and I see surprisingly little custom ROM development. How 'dev-friendly' is this tablet? Does Sony provide source codes, drivers? Are they easy in unlocking bootloaders and flashing stuff like radios? Does it seem likely custom post-Marshmallow ROMs will be cooked in 1,5-2 years from now on?
do some research!
e.g. here "Anybody work on root?" much off topic posts unfortunately
there are two section with the title "Development" here ...
look at the phones: Z3+ and Z5 (nearly the same sources)
and all you need with almost useful documentation in SONY's Developer world:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/
DHGE said:
e.g. here "Anybody work on root?" much off topic posts unfortunately
there are two section with the title "Development" here ...
look at the phones: Z3+ and Z5 (nearly the same sources)
and all you need with almost useful documentation in SONY's Developer world:
http://developer.sonymobile.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I admit my question was a bit lazy, but it'd be pretty easy for people like you with lots of experience/knowledge on this Sony platform to give me a general idea.
I ordered a Z4T, but while reading this subforom while waiting for the shipment, things start to itch me a bit.
I'll anwer my own questions the way I see it now: Sony is pretty developer-friendly by providing source code and build instructions, but it's pretty buggy and there are very few developers doing stuff for the Z4T. I guess it's because of the bad availability of the device and the relatively small user base. The people @ FXP build ROMs, but I haven't heard much about how useful these builds are. If anything, I heard people downgrading from the 5.1.1 build. Rooting is only possible by unlocking the bootloader and flashing @AndroPlus' custom kernel. His current TWRP build has a bug that makes it impossible to restore a device backup.
Sony provides the option for unlocking the bootloader, but you'll completely lose your warranty. Furthermore, the TA partition will be irreverably changed and you'll lose functionality.
Marhsmallow has been announced, so there's that.
SONY's devices are good compromise for me
@jelbo
Good summary!
My opinion:
The SONY devices are good hardware. I like them because they are water resistant since I lost a phone after cycling in heavy rain.
I have a Tablet xperia Z with CyanogenMod on it. Android 5.1
The start with that 3rd party ROM was slow and it was quite buggy. Also battery life was worse than with stock ROM.
I have a SAMSUNG Galxy S5 phone. They have Knox-protection on their devices. Quite evil compared to SONY. Because it was released with Kitkat I could root it via exploit and keep Knox untriggered. I could get CyanogenMod, even Marshmallow Alphas for the phone. But the drivers are not that good and the battery life with stock is very good (up to four days for me).
So I will keep that phone on stock and I used Titanium Backup to get rid of SAMSUNG's bloatware.
SAMSUNG do not provide documentation and many of their SOCs are proprietary - no chance to do any development for these devices.
Long post short: SONY is very open and relatively easy to hack on their devices.
Better (now) in price and features than the Nexus devices IMO. I would never buy a device without any chance to do development on it.
I think the bug in TWRP will get fixed soon (has bitten me once).
Thanks for your kind reply
DHGE said:
@jelbo
Good summary!
My opinion:
The SONY devices are good hardware. I like them because they are water resistant since I lost a phone after cycling in heavy rain.
I have a Tablet xperia Z with CyanogenMod on it. Android 5.1
The start with that 3rd party ROM was slow and it was quite buggy. Also battery life was worse than with stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds familiar. In my experience with the last few phones I've had, AOSP-based ROMs were always a tad slower and less battery-friendly than stock or stock based ROMs. For example, the stock 'Google Play Edition' ROMs ran like a dream on my HTC One m7, but others were always less smooth / battery friendly.
So, for the Z4T I'm not partularly worried about the lack of 3rd party ROMs. I'll be fine with stock rooted. But for the longer term, because of the unpopularity, I think it's unlikely to see much going on in a year from now on and that kind of makes me doubt my purchase.
I have a SAMSUNG Galxy S5 phone. They have Knox-protection on their devices. Quite evil compared to SONY.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but not more evil than Sony I think. Samsung's bootloader unlock 'trips' Knox and it'll disable features like secure storage and services that depend on it. It's also irreversible. It's an awful lot like Sony's irreversible TA partition 'tripping'.
Because it was released with Kitkat I could root it via exploit and keep Knox untriggered. I could get CyanogenMod, even Marshmallow Alphas for the phone. But the drivers are not that good and the battery life with stock is very good (up to four days for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could root my Galaxy S6 using an exploit, without tripping Knox. I'm running 5.1.1 with an engineering bootloader, while still having my Knox untriggered. It's a luxury I'm not gonna have on the Z4T, unless an exploit will be found.
SAMSUNG do not provide documentation and many of their SOCs are proprietary - no chance to do any development for these devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's one of the reasons I want to avoid a Samsung as my new tablet. Exynos is a black box, so custom, stock-based ROMs will be the best you can get. BUT, I'm doubting now. Custom, stock-based ROMs are fine with me - as you mention, battery life is great. And on top of that, Samsung is so popular that lots of development is being done. I think chances are bigger to see the Marshmallow successor being ported for older Samsung devices than we'll see on this Sony Z4 Tablet in the future. But that's an assumption, I don't have Sony experience, but I see things re pretty dead here, even though the device was released quite a long time ago.
Long post short: SONY is very open and relatively easy to hack on their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really seeing that yet, but again, I've only looked at the Z4T now.
Better (now) in price and features than the Nexus devices IMO. I would never buy a device without any chance to do development on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The microSD is an essential part for me. If the Pixel C would have had a microSD-slot I'd have chosen that. Development and future updates are a huge selling point for Nexus devices.
I think the bug in TWRP will get fixed soon (has bitten me once).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's hope so.
Hopefully the Z4T will get some more love soon, as I have just sent my Pixel C back and taken a punt at a open box Amazon warehouse deal last night with 40% off the LTE
I love my Z3CT, Z3C and Ultra, which have had great support from the devs, so am expecting the Z4 to be the best hardware of the lot, but would also love a root method while keeping the bootloader locked for now.
Heres to hoping perhaps MM will lead to some kernel exploits.
scoobydu said:
[...] as I have just sent my Pixel C back [...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What made you return your Pixel C?
I love my Z3CT, Z3C and Ultra, which have had great support from the devs [...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it take a while to get to that point? Do you think the Z4T will have the same support?
jelbo said:
What made you return your Pixel C?
Did it take a while to get to that point? Do you think the Z4T will have the same support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont get me started on the Pixel C from Google UK pricing error on day 1 and their refusal for a week to refund or swapout 32g for 64g devices, due to their error; then I had a hardware fault with the screen not responding after 24hrs of use. I found their support just awful More issues were being reported in the xda forum and I decided I wasn't going to spend £550 to beta test for google. Nice solid device but heavier that the Z4 and sliding the keybard across the keyboard to remove it, just made me nervous of scratching something everytime I did it.
To be honest the Z4 forums are very quiet, but so were the pixel c's; as a few people were commenting.
I had to root my Z3 Tab by loading the Z3 phone firmware and rooting that, as that had a kernel vunerability and the kernel on the Z3 tab didn't.
Once the Z3 phone firmware was loaded and rooted, I could backup my TA partition and reload the Z3 tab firmware, rooted.
Its generally the phones that get root and the tabs have to utilise what they can, unless of course a dev has the tab.
The tab forums got much busier once the device had a less risky root method.
Sad to see that Nut hasn't got a recovery done, but I am assuming that due to root only being available by unlocking and losing TA, so limited testers, but haven't had time to read the history yet.
I have to say though that the Z4 is fantastic in comparison to the Pixel C and I am very glad I have reverted to the device that I know especially at £360 for the LTE version + keyboard on Amazon open box. First time using and the device is pristine. To be fair the Z4 is many iterations of getting it right and the Pixel is googles first try. Once its at Pixel C v4 it will probably be very good!
Heres to hoping MM is officially released soon, so the chances of rooting may get better.
from Nut
This is the reason why I didn't release XZDR for the Z3+/Z4/TabZ4 yet, too much difference with the Shinano and older device trees.
Edit:
That should be solved with 2.9 though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems the 64 bits is a material change, so things need to progress in 2.9 from my early readings.
scoobydu said:
Dont get me started on the Pixel C from Google UK pricing error on day 1 and their refusal for a week to refund or swapout 32g for 64g devices, due to their error; then I had a hardware fault with the screen not responding after 24hrs of use. I found their support just awful More issues were being reported in the xda forum and I decided I wasn't going to spend £550 to beta test for google. Nice solid device but heavier that the Z4 and sliding the keybard across the keyboard to remove it, just made me nervous of scratching something everytime I did it.
To be honest the Z4 forums are very quiet, but so were the pixel c's; as a few people were commenting.
I had to root my Z3 Tab by loading the Z3 phone firmware and rooting that, as that had a kernel vunerability and the kernel on the Z3 tab didn't.
Once the Z3 phone firmware was loaded and rooted, I could backup my TA partition and reload the Z3 tab firmware, rooted.
Its generally the phones that get root and the tabs have to utilise what they can, unless of course a dev has the tab.
The tab forums got much busier once the device had a less risky root method.
Sad to see that Nut hasn't got a recovery done, but I am assuming that due to root only being available by unlocking and losing TA, so limited testers, but haven't had time to read the history yet.
I have to say though that the Z4 is fantastic in comparison to the Pixel C and I am very glad I have reverted to the device that I know especially at £360 for the LTE version + keyboard on Amazon open box. First time using and the device is pristine. To be fair the Z4 is many iterations of getting it right and the Pixel is googles first try. Once its at Pixel C v4 it will probably be very good!
Heres to hoping MM is officially released soon, so the chances of rooting may get better.
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Thanks for your reply, good info. I'm glad to hear some reassuring comments on the Z4T. Looks like you had a great deal as well. In the Netherlands they're hard to get. I payed €635 for the WiFi model... I'm still doubting a little bit to go for a discounted Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 for €380 though. I read it'll even get Marshmallow in April. Price difference is pretty big and there's lots of stuff for it already.
I'll have a look in some Xperia phone subforums on XDA.
jelbo said:
Thanks for your reply, good info. I'm glad to hear some reassuring comments on the Z4T. Looks like you had a great deal as well. In the Netherlands they're hard to get. I payed €635 for the WiFi model... I'm still doubting a little bit to go for a discounted Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 for €380 though. I read it'll even get Marshmallow in April. Price difference is pretty big and there's lots of stuff for it already.
I'll have a look in some Xperia phone subforums on XDA.
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Yes there are no deals on the Z4 Tab in the UK and all the new prices are the same retail price.
Thats why I decided to take a chance on the Amazon one, as I could return it if it was damaged or anything; and normal 12 months warranty with Amazon.
For me I haven't had a Samsung since my Tab 7.7 and wouldn't personally have another, but each to their own. The devs were always complaining at Samsung not releasing all the source code to their SoC's, wheereas Sony seemed to be more dev friendly.
The Z3 Tab is fantastic if you didn't mind the 8inch, but I am hoping once the Z3+ root is forthcoming and general 64bit root/recovery is done, then we will have some progress; he says, not being able to help the devs on whats seems a lot of work.
jelbo said:
I've got no Sony experience and I see surprisingly little custom ROM development. How 'dev-friendly' is this tablet? Does Sony provide source codes, drivers? Are they easy in unlocking bootloaders and flashing stuff like radios? Does it seem likely custom post-Marshmallow ROMs will be cooked in 1,5-2 years from now on?
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It's a shame that such a good device is so low supported by free developers even though it seems it's more open by the Sony in comparison with Samsung.
I noticed that some people think in the thread that not so much users have this device. I have an old phone so called HTC desire HD which was released in the faraway 2010, it is excellent supported as it even has the contemporary android 6.0. I don't believe that there are more HTC decide HD users rather than xperia tablet z4 users. Moreover, I see as my comrade-users of our device crying ? everyday on a Russian 4pda.ru site, that we wait but there's no a good root method, there is no a good description or a video showing us how does the only custom ROM work. What works and what is broken. And just not seeing good news over the course of several months. Of course, I am very disappointed in dramatic fashion, but I hope The change will come.
Thank you for attention!)
cut the drama
- you should not compare a phone to a tablet (numberwise)
- look into the fora for phones Z3+/Z4 and Z5
they have nearly identical SoCs, differences a sometimes build options
- there is a HUGE xperia cross devices forum here with tons of additional info
- the Z4 Tablet became available in June 2015
- the first sources from SONY showed up in .... June 2015
- I rooted the device in July - having done no Android programming or rooting before
- I ordered the device after researching (see below) and before there was root available because my findings showed that there would be sources and documentation from SONY so that if all else fails I would get later a custom rom or could even roll my own
- a video for "seeing" developing/hacking? Dream on...
- there is lots of documentation (even video) available, maybe no video on how to do a web search or an xda search
- searching (and reading and trying things out) worked for me - coming from SAMSUNG phones with no prior development experience on Android ... TRY IT
DHGE said:
- you should not compare a phone to a tablet (numberwise)
- look into the fora for phones Z3+/Z4 and Z5
they have nearly identical SoCs, differences a sometimes build options
- there is a HUGE xperia cross devices forum here with tons of additional info
- the Z4 Tablet became available in June 2015
- the first sources from SONY showed up in .... June 2015
- I rooted the device in July - having done no Android programming or rooting before
- I ordered the device after researching (see below) and before there was root available because my findings showed that there would be sources and documentation from SONY so that if all else fails I would get later a custom rom or could even roll my own
- a video for "seeing" developing/hacking? Dream on...
- there is lots of documentation (even video) available, maybe no video on how to do a web search or an xda search
- searching (and reading and trying things out) worked for me - coming from SAMSUNG phones with no prior development experience on Android ... TRY IT
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Good summary.
Small point, but the rooting element is by unlocking the bootloader, which not all will want to do. It is though an option that exists and we are thankful for those that have done so in order to progress the dev support.