Display:
The "small" resolution, I do not mind. At this size, you have to zoom in on web pages anyway to be able to read the text, so you do not really have a loss of space. As a positive side effect of the screen is consumed by the smaller number of pixels even less power.
But what about me not like the surface. It reflects relatively strong and the fingers from time to time remains during wiping "hang". The brightness is sufficient for shady areas out, however, is a problem in direct sunlight.
Camera:
The image quality is referred to in several test reports as abysmal - I agree. However, it is not right on the camera itself, but to the settings of the app (which is, as far as I can see it, can not even change in manual mode). The app tries to sharpen the images, so it goes much too far.
The result is unnatural sharp images with clearly visible noise, which is apparently mitgeschärft. Remedy creates an alternative app in which you can adjust the sharpness parameter. I'll upload some pictures to compare in the Gallery, you may form their own opinion. I am satisfied with the quality of the image without sharpening.
GPS:
So far I could in any review find something to GPS performance. To measure this, I have the GPS app testers used. The result can be seen:
- The position is determined within 17 seconds in, with an accuracy of 20 ft
- Outside it is much faster: 3-4 seconds, accuracy 10ft
As far as I know, do not reach many smartphones such results.
Audio:
The Walkman app is relatively good and supports all formats that supports also Android natively. I'm missing Replay Gain support. I'm not a fan of real-time normalization (what the Walkman app does) because it can occasionally lead to changes in volume within a song.
The audio quality is good in itself. With a pair of my in-ears (Creative EP-630) is the noise but too high. Other headphones do not exhibit this behavior. Whether this is due to the sensitivity of the ear, I do not know. On other devices, the noise is not so loud.
Video:
For video, I use the MX Player. No problems with mkv (h264 / AVC and .ass subtitles), as long as it's 8-bit h264. 10-bit h264 are not smoothly playable with this SoC. Slow scenes are indeed played smoothly in fast scenes, the CPU goes immediately but in the knees. The use of the H / W (+) decoder for such videos can not and will not change according to the developer of MX Player so. The same is true for the new H265 / HEVC what is not relevant.
Battery:
The negatives: it is firmly installed. The positives: it holds by long. When I got the phone, I've fully charged it and then a lot of messing around with it. Install apps, video, GPS, etc. Configure on the next two days I have also spent a few hours. The battery charge has passed about three days.
Now I use it less, 1-2 hours a day, depending on the situation. It holds so by 4 days (last charge: 4 days, ± 2 hours), which is perfectly acceptable. When the low battery mode switches (from WLAN, brightness is halved), it will probably hold even longer.
ROM:
This is an outdated Android version on it, for me is a bonus (!). Google has refused to write to the SD card with the update to 4.4 apps. This means that the apps their data can no longer move to the SD card. One can also the data will no longer manage the Phone. This is a real drawback for me.
In this respect I am glad draufzuhaben Android 4.3. I also want to commend Sony for the surface - the additional changes have thought through and contribute to better use at. On top of the UI eats too much RAM as that of some other manufacturers, which I will not mention here.
Other:
- ΜSD slot is a blessing. Especially if you also have full access to it.
- After mucking out the vorinstalierten Apps and install the apps that I need, I have 3.9GB free (max 5GB). So it is in my opinion not really trashed.
- WLAN has good reception and creates depending on the transfer to 2.5MB / s.
- The internal memory works fast, and I did not make any measurements
- The operation is smooth so far, the device also reacts very quickly to changes in orientation
- Lock and homescreen are always fixed on edge.
- Processing is good only if you wipe over the cover of the SIM card from the bottom upwards with pressure, it creaks slightly. But never happened during normal operation.
- It looks really noble, but is material requires a fingerprint magnet. In the white version but one hardly sees.
Conclusion:
I am zufreiden. Apart from the camera app, it is a good device for the price. If me something will come up, I will add it here.
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Addendum 6/28/14:
I have seen that some claim the back is made of glass - it is not. Or at least not scratchproof. Today I discovered a slight scratch, although I am very careful to deal with the smartphone (not dragged across surfaces, pure etc. in same pocket as keys). It is best to plan to make a protective film, if you want to use it without a cover.
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Addendum 10:09:14:
The not yet available for the Smartphone version unbrandete update to Android 4.4.2 has reworked the way at the camera: there are a lot less sharpening artifacts and noise, but I prefer to continue a separate app.
On the subject of Bluetooth headsets: Since the M2 comes with Android 4.3, it suffers from a too small Bitpool for A2DP. That we hear because the music has distorted highs. The upcoming update to 4.4.2 resolves the problem but. The M2 supports the way also aptX. Have it tested with a aptX-enabled headset and "connected aptX-enabled device" message appears. The sound quality is as expected better with this particular headset there but unfortunately repeatedly misfires, especially if you bring the Walkman app in the foreground. But that is at least according to CPU-Z is not the CPU usage ... Sony could just tell me on the subject that "the compatibility with all Bluetooth headsets can not be guaranteed".
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Addendum 17:11:14:
the update to 4.4.2 has reworked as expected at the camera. The battery life has doubled about me. The Bluetooth Audio quality is better now.
Unfortunately, Sony has something totally screwed: there are now using the same headset again dropouts during audio playback via Bluetooth - and only via Bluetooth.
The same headset works with two other Android 4.4.2 devices perfectly. Also, another member appointed to sample headset has shown the same behavior - Sony Recomm neuflashen the firmware followed by exchange / repair. But a replacement device showed the same behavior - and even firmware only via Bluetooth and only with Sony's 4.4.2.
Sony insists that it is one-neither a hardware defect, or an incompatibility. With a custom ROM but I had no problems. So it's definitely the firmware. The only pity is that KK 4.4.2 probably the Last update will be for this smartphone. Since I do not always want to pick out the smartphone to operate the player, me properly functioning Bluetooth was important. So for me unusable with official firmware. One star deduction.