Sony XA lineup is joke, with that low battery and SOC. So basically there is only low end phone and flagship phone and nothing to fill the void in between. This seems to be a bad strategy, Sony.
Besides it doesn't matter what strategy they opt for they will always under perform, because they don't listen to the consumer and keep using lower capacity battery on their phones and in return consumer don't buy their phone.
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Only problem is that not every Chinese OEM sells in every market. Here in the Philippines, we'... moreI'm also from the Philippines and last Sunday, I went to SM MOA and at the CyberZone, I found Sony's booth to be exclusive - so exclusive that they are separate from others.
For instance, Oppo's store is just beside Samsung's store.
LG doesn't even have any store there, at least from when I walked around the mall.
Sony's store is easily visible from sight and I've seen more people there than in any other OEM stalls.
Sadly the latest phone that I saw there is still the XZ, not the XZs yet.
Great news, we all know Sony is best at flagships and nowadays midrangers. The "Premium standard" was a nightmare from the beginning.
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Good news for folks who complained about the outrageous prices that Sony wanted from their fla... moreOnly problem is that not every Chinese OEM sells in every market. Here in the Philippines, we're stuck with crappy vivo and Oppo with crappy pricing. $350 for Oppo F3? Some PR I even found to even commit false advertising. PR said Oppo Y53 is made of metal but in truth, it didn't have any antenna lines and was actually made of plastic. This is what sometimes makes me avoid Chinese phones, they're not that reliable and doesn't have that much of a brand recognition.
AnonD-461167, 25 May 2017Xperia Compact as a concept is good. Problem is that its not premium feel. Its plastic. thick ... moreCompacts are thick because where are you supposed to place the flagship grade hardware inside?
If you want it thinner, you can just get an iPhone SE and play with the very small 1,500mAh battery.
Thick bezels are of the same story. Where will you put the stereo speakers without wasting too much space?
They feel plasticky only with the X Compact, which IMO is an underwhelming one and isn't truly a compact flagship. Hold a Z5 Compact and be impressed of how solid it feels in the hand.
Xperia Compact as a concept is good. Problem is that its not premium feel. Its plastic. thick large bezel and not top specs. Just look it side by side with Iphone and story ends there.
I dont still get it why they cant do proper phone. They have good size and then they use some 2nd hand materials and not top specs hardware.
They should focus on non grainy cameras with no corner softness. Less bezels. And loud loudspeakers.
If Sony want it to, they can make a monster phone for Japan only and the current specs that we have right now for international version. Devices in Japan only will always be better, but doing that will spark criticism from international fans.
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Except individual iPhones aren't exact carbon copies. There are quality gaps. Software issues,... moreI think u have misspelled Samsung with iPhone... :P Quality gaps? Hardware issues? Software issues? with iPhones out of the box ?? Have u gone nuts..!!
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Interesting article! Thanks for sharing.
While we are talking about Sony smartphones, thr... moreI don't know about this site but:
1) Sony headphones performance is one of the best and loud among the competition, speaker is average loudness not loud but its ok
2)sony had one of the best hardware and software, the only prob is lack of ois, proof? Daylight shot none can rival Sony in detail, but lowlight, sony camera like to crank the iso up to increase the shutter speed, the shakier your hand get the higher the iso it get, thus resulting in noise heavy image
3)maybe in your country the box don't contain much but in my country, the one that likely one of sony focused market, get a headset, and a quickcharge+pump express capable charger along with the phone
Create innovation sony! Make something new on your xperia devices. Don't just make the camera resolution bigger and bigger.
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Except individual iPhones aren't exact carbon copies. There are quality gaps. Software issues,... moreiPhones with software issues?
Yeah like there always will be problems, but the thing is that Apple could easily release updates because they have less phones to update, and they can easily reach their own products.
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Xperia X Performance, Xperia XZ, Xperia XZs and XZp semi flagship and flagship! Less than two ... moreThey have that attitude of releasing many flagships as a matter of prioritizing different sizes, and thus Japan's market chooses a 6-month cycle of new releases, so Sony has to follow the demand.
But they actually have a good strategy.
I like the Premium flagship and mid rangers at first quarter of the year, then actualy main flagships at the second quarter of the year.
XZ Premium is the flagship phone of first quarter, along with the XA1 & XA1 Ultra as the mid rangers of this year from Sony.
XZ1 and XZ1 Compact are the main flagship of second quarter of the year, and eventually are the main top end flagships of this year from Sony.
Sony is the only OEM that still continues the path of true compact flagships.
Umbrella, 25 May 2017Less phones means better software updates and support. Read: iPhonesExcept individual iPhones aren't exact carbon copies. There are quality gaps. Software issues, out of the box defects in both hardware and software... They aren't miracle devices just very useful devices, want the most out of your battery life and thermal efficiency? Do not update your phone's OS version more than once or twice...
Good news for folks who complained about the outrageous prices that Sony wanted from their flagships. But I still want at least one Sony flagship released per year.
The midrange market is good enough for 90% of the world that don't care about specs. We are in an era of smartphones that has reached laptop level where we can use them for years and years.
Let Apple and Samsung stay with the flagships. HTC should follow Sony. Not enough room to battle at the penthouse suite. The Chinese are already dominating the midrange prices.
Interesting article! Thanks for sharing.
While we are talking about Sony smartphones, three things they desperately need to change:
1) Quit cheaping out and using cheap audio hardware. Headphone output and speaker volume needs to be better to compete.
2) Better Camera hardware and software optimization. At this day and age, using digital stabilization for your flagships isn't acceptable.
3) Improved packaging. Really minor gripe but you'd be surprised how big a part the unpacking experience is for many people.
Sony has been overpriced from the start and didn't have the specs to match the price. my main real gripes are low battery life and no fingerprint reader support in USA. Also for $300 for an XA1 you can just buy an Honor 8 which is still under a year old and is much better.
Umbrella, 25 May 2017Less phones means better software updates and support.
Read: iPhonesXperia X Performance, Xperia XZ, Xperia XZs and XZp semi flagship and flagship! Less than two year!! Why!? In my opinion:
Yearly! Just and only Just one flagship or semi flagship (for example a phablet), one midrange and finally one low end no more! I guess they never want Sony's smart phones from beginning! Just Ericsson pity!! ALAS
Anonymous, 25 May 2017Not good not bad strategic path ! Good luck SonyLess phones means better software updates and support.
Read: iPhones
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