Xperia ZR
Android 4.4.2 Review
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• Sony ChangeLog •
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• We’ve been building new Sony experiences on Google’s KitKat release to create some neat / sweet features (if we say so ourselves) – in addition to a few performance tweaks here & there, some of the functionality you can look forward to includes:
• Google’s Android 4.4; KitKat as standard – bringing improved performance & user interface (UI) optimisation…
If you’ve got a Sony PlayStation 4, you might recognize our new user interface – we’ve added the same sleek launch animation and live wallpaper across the lock and home screens. You’ll also spot a revamped Status Bar and Quick Settings… now more intuitive and customisable (also with a fresh new look)… cleaned up to ensure you only get the notifications you really need
• As you might expect, we’re also uplifting Sony’s entire native app portfolio to the latest versions bringing tweaked / improved / current experiences for one and all… some of our favourites look like:
• Messaging – a few UI adjustments here & there, including a slicker “send” animation, and deeper Emoji support for some expressive fun… also worth noting, you’ll find smileys wherever there’s an app with a keyboard
• Email – you’ll be able to both load and see more mails… but don’t fret, navigation of said load is easier with a more responsive viewing pane – split screen modes divide info for easy digest… especially useful / works a treat on Xperia Tablet Z
• Smart Social Camera – our social imaging experience makes its debut on our first Z Series devices; a selection of Xperia Camera apps directly accessible from your viewfinder… including personal favourite “Creative Effect”, and more for download to boot!
• Battery STAMINA Mode - level-upping our unique power management feature, bringing smarter data management & more for prolonging your juice
• Sony’s Media apps: WALKMAN, Album and Movies, with Sony Entertainment Network cloud service integration* – a more converged and full Sony entertainment experience – Sony Entertainment Network & PlayMemories integration with a more intuitive UI, better download speeds, and more…
• And proving pretty popular, now totaling over 2 million downloads (!) – our unique custom interface experience: “Xperia Themes”, with downloadable UI packs from Sony Select – skin up to 280 assets across your Xperia smartphone with a variety of styles…
• Compatibility with our SmartWear Experience; SmartBand SWR10 and Lifelog app – enabling you to record social, physical and entertainment activities and have them all visualised in a beautiful interface… reminisce at that past, make the best of the present and plan for the future
Source
• User Interface •
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• The Kitkat update brings the Xperia Z2 UI (Sirus UI), Gradient Statusbar & NavigationBar, Live Wallpaper, New Lockscreen effect and much more..
Note : In Screenshots I'd changed the NavigationBar icons using Xposed Framework, So the stock one is just the default Xperia
• The Gradient Translucent Bars gives you great Fullscreen Experience
• Totally New Notification Drawer with 2 Taps style
• A little enhanced Call Screen with new After-Call Screen
• New Features Added like Printing, managing Notifications, Changing StatusBar Icons
• Camera, it just brings the new Creative effects which replaces Perfect effects
Sony said that the camera had improved a lot in 4.4, but for me i feel like it's the same as 4.3
Still 4.1 & 4.2 was faster in taking pics
• New emojis integrated in the Smileys button in the new Xperia Keyboard, You can use them in contact names, Notes..etc
• Immersive Fullscreen Mode (which hides the StatusBar & the NavigationBar to feel the real Fullscreen experience)
To enable Immersive mode in apps that don't support see below in the "Annoyances"
• Sony New Media Apps.. they are not included in the update, but we should receive an OTA update for these apps in this week
i already received the New Album (will be reviewed when all got the update)
• No What's New app found !
• No "Clear Apps" in Recent Apps menu !
• Benchmarks •
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I used Antutu & Quadrant Benchmarks..
I got 21K Score in Antutu
• Battery Life Test •
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Hard Use Battery Test
It lasts for ~12h Hard Usage
~11h Both WiFi and Data enabled
5h+ Screen on
~1h Voice Calls
Another Hard Battery Usage by @nbrian2012
Lite Battery Usage Test
Lasts for 2 days, 7 Hours !!
Thanks to @BobLC
• Bugs/Annoyances •
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• Scroll Lagging in Settings App & Notification Drawer
FIX : go to Settings>About, and tab on the "Build Number" 5 times to enable Developer Options
Then go to Settings>Developer Options, Enable "Force GPU rendering"
• WiFi appears to be always on even when i switch it off
FIX : go to Settings>Wi-Fi>Advanced, Disable "Scanning always available"
• Google Play Services is draining ~50% of Battery
FIXED : Just install the latest Google Play Services update, and the issue will be solved permanently
• Can't move/delete anything from the external SD Card using third party file managers
FIX requires root : Install Xposed Framework, and install module called "Handle External Storage"
• Immersive Mode is not working in all apps
FIX requires root : Install Xposed Framework, and install module called "Force Immersive Mode"
• Keyboard lagging - Needs Confirmation
It happens because of an update for "Xperia Keyboard"
Fix/Workaround : Uninstall updates for Xperia Keyboard, just stay with the factory one until next fixed update to be released
• Conclusion •
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Sony is really doing a great job not only the User Interface, but also in the user experience and Media Apps..
Of course a lot better than other Manufactures that only update the android version and nothing more !
When comparing from Sony Xperia FW JB 4.1 to 4.2 to 4.3 and now to 4.4
you'll see the big improvement between them..
I believe that the previous 4.1/4.2 firmwares were more stable/faster (not smoother) ,but still the new updates are recommended !
In this particular time, i think that Sony will focus on fixing all the bugs in the 4.4 Kitkat, since it's the latest Google Android version.
I hope that we'll receive a bug fix update in the next month
Thanks Sony for supporting our device
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