Background to the decision:
Here was my last phone, my first android - the Xperia U, a mistake about the future suitability. Covered 512MB RAM for a phone is quite tidy. That of 128MB graphics unit occupied and the system consumes more 150MB I did not know before. After upgrading to Android 4.04 and the increasing demands of Apps it was no longer satisfactory for me. This means that the Chrome browser virtually unusable, apps started hesitantly, which still somehow bearable. Except that when you call the button for lifting part appeared only after 20 seconds it makes for the basis function, you want therefore calls, useless. And although I rooted the phone and made assozial had (Facebook, G +, Timescape among others deleted from the system).
Wanted to next but prefer zero currently so modern 5 "+ brick and also do without performance. In addition, I would like Geren can use my phone with one hand. Small phones as dieminis of Samsung and HTC Unfortunately, all neutered badly in terms of equipment.
Limited to Second Android device I have, incidentally, a Nexus 7 3G.
Thus, in early December 2013, the Xperia V bought as WHD quite favorable.
For phone:
1. Look & Feel
By design, I feel the part as truly one of the best phones on the market, the boundary box looks like metal (although painted or galvanized plastic) and the curved rubber backing looks great and is also comfortable to hold. While greater it is only 10g heavier than my Xperia U and thus a true lightweight. The front is smooth with no visible buttons or controls, also like it very much. Since all ports are closed by Deckelchen it is completely smooth.
The charging port is also closed and as noted already often here, it does not make them exceedingly long the impression. So far not a problem as the side load contacts are available. The original dock is hardly and get if only at exorbitant prices, but you can make do. I have one hand (because where read) ordered me to about 8 a charging station for the Z on a known auction platform. It fits that model with additional adapter insert so that the Z with shell fits in. The use and sprung pressers removed (with a screwdriver 3 minutes does), then it fits perfectly, if one uses the V at the right stop. On the other hand, every now and then I have to invite at work, I bought at a portal for Far Eastern traders a cradle made of wood (!!!), a bit pricey, does also their service and calls astonished looks of colleagues out.
2. Function & Performance
First, the sense of added Sony Android interface is mentioned. Compared to the pure Android on my Nexus 7 is a better keyboard to mention (for the Nexus purchased separately) to create the opportunity in Appmenü folder and to create order and Sony own apps for photos and music. Is a matter of taste, others like the colorful Tochwiz and Sense surfaces like better. The surface can be truly liquid and serve the dual core system under all conditions, the 1.5GHz processor seems to be strong enough. Stuttering I have as yet not noticed, even though in the background there was activity. Now compared to the Nexus 7, the same screen resolution but has a quad-core 1.2GHz the V acts still brisk. The Nexus has become quite slow especially since Android 4.4 and often indulges in long pauses in which it does not respond. In addition, it's almost unusable from the very beginning, when apps are updated in the background. In the benchmarks, the V is noticeably faster, in Quadrant almost twice as high, rated at least 30% faster in Antutu.
Compared to other phones in the same segment that I had in de fingers last year, I would say Subjectively:
felt faster than Nexus 7 2012 Galaxy Nexus, and S3 mini, S4 mini, HTC One mini, S, SV, iphone 3, 4, S, Xperia U
roughly the same: Galaxy S4, Nexus 7, 2013, Nexus 4, 10, HTC One, iphone 5, Xperia Z
felt slower: Snapdragon 800 devices (Nexus 5, LG G2, Xperia Z1), iPhone 5s
Functionally no problems so far, it all comes down quickly and without crashes, neither device nor Apps, the SoD likely Sony under control. In comparison, since Android 4.3, I'm used to on Nexus 7, that several apps to crash, freeze the part and restarts.
3. Camera and Multimedia
The camera makes a phone really good pictures even in low light. Whether it takes 13 megapixel is now an open question, but the result fits. Now compared to Galaxy S3 and S4 really better (S3 is even worse than my old Xperia U - actually an impertinence in the price range), at least equivalent to the iPhone. 5
The disadvantage to my previous phones (Xperia U, Vivaz pro, P1i): there is no hardware button for the camera shutter! What bothers me is that since you may not getrent focusing and trigger, you can also restart the camera just above the lockscreen and a Appverknüpfung. While there are apps that emulate the button above the volume keys or the proximity sensor, which you have to also start off operations only. Only makes sense if you want to use the phone under water, the app must, however, even before launch (underwater work the touchscreen does not).
Walkman I use practically impossible, functionally OK. It is handy that you can stream media content directly on a TV.
Compared to the specification can be had a 64GB micro SD card use easily. I have a 64GB Transcend SDXC class purchased from Amazon 10, works flawlessly. Tip: in the Kameraapp you have to change the location after installation, with apps, there is no single solution. Some do it automatically, sometimes the SD card is only to select. When hiking navigation komoot you have the Linux Mount Path and know the program in the settings (/../sdcard0/ on /../sdcard1/ change), at the Naviapp Sygic you have to use an editor bearbiten a inifile and in a file manager Move the entire folder (googling how to do it). But this has nothing to do with the Xperia V, which is a general Android problem because every manufacturer uses different mount points. Only at the Nexus there is no problem, because only one data partition and no card slot.
4. Battery and heating.
Have the phone made just by assozial I have facebook & Co disabled (must not tell if I have sometimes big). In addition, I've looked at the running apps and turned the resource hog.
I also turn off the data connection when not in use.
In normal use, ie 30-90 minutes call a day, write a few SMS, about 3 times a day mails, from time to time what I'll look in the iNet on one charge of 2-4 days. I find quite well.
When the system prompts the phone is similar with the Flash LED noticeably warm, but not as hot as many iphones, Galaxy, Nexus 5
Thus, to say: no superclass performance but still neat and contemporary. For my claims price / performance ratio is absolutely in order, also you get a waterproof phone.
Whether for oneself fits everyone must decide for themselves, but absolutely satisfactory for me and did not regret.
EDIT 03/28/2014
Meanwhile, almost 4 months in use and buying no regrets.
Updates:
Was so in the US, worked without any problems in the networks of T-Mobie and AT & T.
Soon 1,000 photos made see great. In low light but often fall out of focus or camera triggered too late.
The Walkman app is great, invites additional information and service incl. Channels is well resolved.
Battery constant at 2-4 days duration.
Call quality is my feeling very good, and the reception quality. In the Austrian network provider A1 I found no dead spots where absolutely nothing went. In NYC in the subway but was often silence.
GPS is the position in seconds (XPU often several minutes), with a little waiting time even in buildings.
Tip: for Amazon MP3 is the internal memory arg scarce. You can drag the entire folder to the memory card after restart and a little waiting time is again found everything (patience !!), however, new downloads end up back in the internal memory.
The update to Android 4.3, with a decision-making, has been published, but not yet approved for the country version "Customized-DE" (am still on 4.1.2). Android 4.4 update is questionable, it is no longer appreciate. The latter makes but in my view nothing because you can not write to the memory card with Android 4.4, only photos and media with the Sony apps go. Etc. This means that third-party apps like Sygic-Navi can not write it, and thus do not run out of memory card. I read in a blog and general Android 4.4 problem. Subject to all 4.4 updated phones as Z1 (+ compact) and Z.
