Z3 or Z3+?

[Aegethir]

Hello everyone!

I have been using the Z1 for the almost past two years, but it's time to change my phone, and I was considering the Z3+, but reading all the time about its overheating made me a little more than weary about this.

I am also still considering the LG G4, since my wife owns one and can tell from experience that the G4 is a beautiful phone, very snappy too, and doesn't skip a beat. Not to tell you about the camera, which is by far the best I've used so far on a phone until now.

But I must say that the LG skin on top of Android isn't a selling point for me, although I would install Nova Launcher right from the start. So, after some consideration, I also started thinking about getting the Z3, since I love Sony phones and their premium feel.

Right now, what would you guys think? Z3 or the ill-fated Z3+? I must mention that I wouldn't be crazy about using filming in 4K, which I understand is one of the reasons for overheating (although Snapdragon 810 itself is the culprit here).

Thoughts, suggestions, your own experiences with those phones, I am all ears

 

[shutterstill]

I use Z3. And it's a great phone..
But..
Low volume in calls is killing me
I used to use Samsung and iPhone phones and I must say Samsung had the best reception and call quality of them all.
I read that Z3 is much louder on KitKat 4.4.4.? I got my phone with 5.0.2 out of the box and yesterday updated to 5.1 but the low volume probably hasn't been addressed yet. If you don't care about it Z3 is a great phone.

 

[Aegethir]

I use Z3. And it's a great phone..
But..
Low volume in calls is killing me
I used to use Samsung and iPhone phones and I must say Samsung had the best reception and call quality of them all.
I read that Z3 is much louder on KitKat 4.4.4.? I got my phone with 5.0.2 out of the box and yesterday updated to 5.1 but the low volume probably hasn't been addressed yet. If you don't care about it Z3 is a great phone.

When you say "low volume", do you mean you cannot be heard or cannot hear the other end of the line well enough? Or both? How do you find 5.1 so far? The 5.0.2 on my Z1 is very bad in terms of battery life. How's the Z3 so far?

 

[shutterstill]

I can be heard no problem but voice coming from my side is low.
For example if car passes me on the street I can't hear person on the other hand.
I have clean ears and brand new phone
I had no problems whatsoever with Note 4. I walk the same road with my daughter everyday and usually talking on the phone with my wife, that's why I know because I ask her more often to repeat what she said when a car passes by. That was not the case before...

 

[snwman]

Well in the past 2 months I've switched three phones. I had HTC one m8 since Christmas sold it cause with work(workshop joinery)the speakers get dusty so tried the Samsung s5 good phone terrible battery, sound and reception from my carrier. I buy all my phones unlocked as well and all carriers where the same. Below par of the one m8. Then I switched check ed to the z3(first one) my first z3 the top speaker stopped working so got a new model. First one was kitkat second one was lollipop and didn't notice a difference between in call volume was grand but then again I'm use to not hearing people with work. But however I rooted and flashed the zip with the sound mod and it is way better than normal.

You may say I don't want to root but out off all the three phones the Sony is the easiest to root. It is so simple it's not even funny. And you are not even voiding warranty unlike the HTC and Samsung which trip knox and unlock bootloaders.

But I have been rooting android since 2.0 so it's nothing new to me

 

[Aegethir]

So far, people seem to favor the Z3. Keep it coming, gents!

 

[vimto25]

Huawei p8 u carnt go wrong

 

[Aegethir]

Huawei p8 u carnt go wrong

Thanks for the idea, but I am trying to decide between Z3 and Z3+ here.

 

[shutterstill]

Well in the past 2 months I've switched three phones. I had HTC one m8 since Christmas sold it cause with work(workshop joinery)the speakers get dusty so tried the Samsung s5 good phone terrible battery, sound and reception from my carrier. I buy all my phones unlocked as well and all carriers where the same. Below par of the one m8. Then I switched check ed to the z3(first one) my first z3 the top speaker stopped working so got a new model. First one was kitkat second one was lollipop and didn't notice a difference between in call volume was grand but then again I'm use to not hearing people with work. But however I rooted and flashed the zip with the sound mod and it is way better than normal.

You may say I don't want to root but out off all the three phones the Sony is the easiest to root. It is so simple it's not even funny. And you are not even voiding warranty unlike the HTC and Samsung which trip knox and unlock bootloaders.

But I have been rooting android since 2.0 so it's nothing new to me

Big thanks for your comment!
There is a hope for me [emoji2]
Would you be able to tell us a bit more which root tool did you use and which version of sound mod. I would love to be happy with my z3 like you are.
Cheers

 

[snwman]

Big thanks for your comment!
There is a hope for me [emoji2]
Would you be able to tell us a bit more which root tool did you use and which version of sound mod. I would love to be happy with my z3 like you are.
Cheers

No worries should of even said but couldnt remember i had the z3 compact before the htc one m8 but i found the screen to small but was an brilliant phone otherwise. To root its actually easy here is the thread i followed its on the general section same as the thread you started root z3 . The tool you will only have issues with is flashtool takes a bit to get use to and takes a while to load up but just follow all the guides and it will work. Just click into youtube and there will be few guys who show you how to do it as well.

But the low volume seems to specific to some phones the same as the top speaker goes on some of the z3 as well. Like the z3 compact front facing speakers where not as good as the z3 i found. Was a downfall i thought i had to face coming off the htc one m8 but im not disappointed i find them very good.

Even if you root the phone the low volume might not get sorted. But its easy to unroot again if needed

 

[shutterstill]

No worries should of even said but couldnt remember i had the z3 compact before the htc one m8 but i found the screen to small but was an brilliant phone otherwise. To root its actually easy here is the thread i followed its on the general section same as the thread you started root z3 . The tool you will only have issues with is flashtool takes a bit to get use to and takes a while to load up but just follow all the guides and it will work. Just click into youtube and there will be few guys who show you how to do it as well.

But the low volume seems to specific to some phones the same as the top speaker goes on some of the z3 as well. Like the z3 compact front facing speakers where not as good as the z3 i found. Was a downfall i thought i had to face coming off the htc one m8 but im not disappointed i find them very good.

Even if you root the phone the low volume might not get sorted. But its easy to unroot again if needed

Thanks for the directions.

And you wrote in the first comment:
"But however I rooted and flashed the zip with the sound mod and it is way better than normal. "

What was that mod?

 

[snwman]

Thanks for the directions.

And you wrote in the first comment:
"But however I rooted and flashed the zip with the sound mod and it is way better than normal. "

What was that mod?

Here sound mod there is another one in z3 android development thread

 

[shilent]

I'd choose the Z3 just for the magnetic charging port. I can't believe they no longer have it.

Sent from my D6616 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[guybrush2099]

Huawei p8 u carnt go wrong

I tried and tested P8 near my loved Z3. It's a great smartphone, better than others

I thinked Sony was the only one to get the best hardware/software/camera combo but I have to admit P8 is similar..a very good product..:good:

Z3 or Z3+? I think z3 is the best choice, better price/performance..so you could get your next smatphone before, saving your money for a closer future

Z3 has root, better advanced firmware, better battery...
only manual camera controls support is missing

 

[joonlin]

I think changes between Z3 and Z3+ is not huge. If me I will pick Z3, mainly because cheaper, larger battery, louder speaker compare with Z3+. Snapdragon 801 probably still can provide a smooth experience in 2 years time. If you don't mind paid more, is better for you to wait for Sony next flagship. Rumors say it will launch in September this year.

 

[SovPanda]

I'd choose the Z3 just for the magnetic charging port. I can't believe they no longer have it.

Sent from my D6616 using XDA Free mobile app

I prefer the z3+ which I still believe should of been the z3 design, the magnetic port is only held by tape which has broken alot apparently on amazon reviews

 

[Aegethir]

Well, I think I will get the Z3 then; I really don't want a phone bogged down by the heat.

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

 

[dj_richard05]

Thanks for the directions.

And you wrote in the first comment:
"But however I rooted and flashed the zip with the sound mod and it is way better than normal. "

What was that mod?

Flash the zip made by pricey2009. Flash the v 6.0 mod. It will fix the internal ear speaker. I have a similar problem as yours. Unable to ear the other side properly.