Sony has released firmware updates for its Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3 smartphones which address several relatively minor problems and requests. Both handsets will remain on Android 5.0 Lollipop, with the headlining feature being a close all button in the app switcher.

The update also brings some other minor improvements, including a change which makes the LED light independent of the sound settings. Previously, putting the device on silent also turned off the LED indicator. This was probably annoying, since the light is the exact thing you would want in place of audio. The update will now allow devices that have security policies enforced by services like Microsoft Exchange to see notification content on the lock screen, which was blocked for security in the prior version.

The lock screen also gets a bug fix, eliminating an issue where it would incorrectly state the phone had no service for a moment. Sony also made some backend changes to fix some difficulties users had in moving files between the internal and external SD cards. Ultra stamina mode was causing some issues for messaging in the previous version but that was taken care of as well.

The update will roll out for both handsets starting today, but Sony warns users that the availability may vary based on location and carrier choice.

It was just yesterday that we saw Sony start its Android Lollipop rollout for the Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact. Now the company has started rolling out the latest version of Android for the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet.

The Xperia Z2 (D65XX) is currently receiving the Android 5.0.2 version with the 23.1.A.0.690 firmware build, where users in the Nordics and Baltic regions with the D6503 variant among the first to receive the update. We expect Sony will continue rolling out the update to other regions in Europe before it is pushed out to carrier branded models.

While Sony has not published a changelog for the Xperia Z2, the update is expected to bring the usual improvements including the improved battery life, Material Design inspired user interface changes, and multi-user support. We will post a detailed changelog one it is made available by the manufacturer.

The update will be pushed out to handsets OTA (over-the-air) and is reportedly 1.2GB in size. It is advised that users are connected to Wi-Fi to avoid unnecessary data charges. It is also advised that your battery is appropriately charged (at least 50%) before you initiate the update.

The Sony Xperia Z2 is currently receiving the Android 4.4.4 software update (from 4.4.2) alongside the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet. which brings the latest version of Android along with features previously exclusive to the Sony Xperia Z3 along with the Remote Play feature.

The Remote Play feature allows the Xperia lineup to stand out among its competitors, allowing its owners to remotely play their PlayStation 4 games on their Xperia phones or tablets. This is possible as long as your Xperia device is connected to your PS4 over a network, so you don't even have to be in the same room to enjoy this feature. While Remote Play will theoretically work from anywhere over an internet connection, it is recommended to be used within a Wi-Fi network for optimal performance.

The update will also bring some audio enhancements to your Xperia Z2, which include Hi-Res audio playback as well as Sony’s DSEE HX technology, which should help restore the audio quality of over-compressed files. It also gets optimized settings profiles for various Sony headsets.

The camera app on your Xperia Z2 will also get some attention from the update, with features like Sound Photo, AR Fun, Multi Camera, and Face In modes making their way to Z2 smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, the "Live on YouTube" option will remain a Xperia Z3 exclusive.

With the Smart Screen Rotation feature, your Xperia Z2 will be able to determine if you are lying on the sofa or bed and prevent the screen to rotate to landscape mode, allowing for uninterrupted reading and browsing. The Record Screen feature allows one to effortlessly record videos of whatever they are doing on their Xperia and is great for making a quick tutorial or gaming walkthroughs.

The Battery Stamina Mode also gets updated to the latest version, and the Xperia Z2 will now benefit from the Ultra Stamina Mode, which launched as an Xperia Z3 exclusive.

Sony has also ported the Xperia Z3's ability to unlock itself automatically, when it detects a known Bluetooth accessory or smartwatch. Which will allow you to unlock your Xperia Z2 with any SmartBand, SmartWatch, or even a bluetooth headset you have previously authorized.

When the Sony Xperia Z3 was first announced, the company also unveiled a feature called PS4 Remote Play, which allows you to to stream content from your PlayStation 4 to a supported Xperia device. Now Sony has (accidentally) revealed that this feature will be coming to the Sony Xperia Z2 and Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet.

When PS4 Remote Play was first launched, it was an exclusive to the Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z3 Compact and the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. With little difference between the Sony Xperia Z2 and Sony Xperia Z3, it might not seem like such a surprise that the PS4 Remote Play feature will be available on the older model. But what is a little surprising, is that Sony is planning on making it available on the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet immediately upon the feature's launch next month.

Once you have PS4 Remote Play on your Xperia device, you will be able to leave the HDTV to your family and continue your game where you left off in another room.


source - Xperia Blog

The Nokia Lumia 1020 and the Nokia Lumia 930 go up against competing flagships like the Apple iPhone 5s, Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, LG G3 and the Sony Xperia Z2 to prove which one was the best at capturing audio and visual elements at a noisy concert.

Since the release of the Nexus 4 followed by the Nexus 5 and LG G2, LG has gained some serious credit as an Android manufacturer. It has pushed forward with that momentum, with the introduction of the LG G3. The G3 is the first phone from a first-tier brand to come with a 5.5 inch Quad HD (1440 x 2560) resolution display. The Sony Xperia Z2, on the other hand, is one of the many flagship phones that compete directly against the G3, and it’s time we compared these two devices in-depth.

Aside from its Quad HD display, the LG G3 also features an improved 13MP camera with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. It is also a beautifully crafted device with a well performing battery.

The Sony Xperia Z2, however, does not fall far behind - its 1080p display appears practically as sharp as the Quad HD one from regular viewing distance, and it has the more premium body, a very decent battery life, plus it’s water-proof. But best of all, the Z2 also has a great camera that captures impressive images.

At this point, it’s time to call it a draw in terms of specs, and you can safely choose the one with the style and interface that you like better, without worrying that it might disappoint in terms of hardware performance.


source - PhoneArena

The Sony Xperia Z2 is the third in a lineage of Sony flagships that focus on combining a sleek design with state-of-the-art hardware. Its flagship status will put the Z2 alongside some of the best selling Android devices that out on the market. So how does this smartphone stack up against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

The Xperia Z2, on its part, features a 5.2-inch 1080p display, the latest Snapdragon 801 system chip, and a 20-megapixel main camera. It is also sealed from the elements in a futuristic-looking body made of glass and metal. However, Sony’s new flagship comes with the typical Sony price premium, making the phone more expensive (about $700) than other top-shelf devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8 and the Apple iPhone 5s.

Meanwhile the Galaxy Note 3 which features a 5.7-inch 1080p screen, a Snapdragon 800 chip, and a 13-megapixel shooter, is priced at around $540 off-contract. While it may not be as premium as the Xperia Z2, its a decent device with great features, which include a built-in S Pen stylus, removable battery.


If prize is not an issue, the Xperia Z2 will be the easy choice between the two. On the other hand, you may prefer the productivity aspect that the more affordable Galaxy Note 3 brings to the table with its S Pen.

The Sony Xperia Z2 offers on of the best cameras on the Android world. Its 20.7MP sensor has very few who can compete with it. So how will Sony's flagship fair against a Windows Phone device from Nokia? Namely the Nokia Lumia 1520 which offers a 20MP camera of its own with a few tricks included

Both Nokia and Sony have been competing in the smartphone camera space long before the rise of the modern smartphone. Leave us a comment and let us know which you think is better and if this video will help you select either one of these smartphones as your next device

When the LG G2 was released last year, it had one of the fastest processors in the market in the Snapdragon 800 from Qualcomm. Since then, many new flagships have been announced sporting a newer and faster Snapdragon 801, one of which is the Sony Xperia Z2. Does the LG G2 still have what it takes to be called number one, or is it time for the device to bow out to a new crop of flagships?

The Xperia Z2 feels like the superior device in this battle of the 5.2-inch Android flagship phones. It’s got a sleek style to both its outwards appearance and software, a great overall performance, great camera and a super long lasting battery. In terms of design, the difference between the two is huge: the glass body of the Z2 gives it a decidedly premium appearance, while the G2 looks much more utilitarian with its glossy plastic shell. The LG G2 is also a great performer that does not lack much in processing power, but its design feels less refined and the camera is a bit less capable.

However, when it boils down to value-for-the-money, the LG G2 has got price on its side, as it can be found for an off-contract price of $400 (€350), while the Xperia Z2 can be had for a much heftier price north of $600 (€600). So if price is not a concern, the Xperia Z2 has got a clear advantage, but if you don’t want to pay the full cost of a new flagship, the G2 is one of the best value-for-the-money offers that still pack flagship-like specs.

source - PhoneArena

Since the Sony Xperia Z, Sony has been releasing a new flagship smartphone every six months. We saw the Sony Xperia Z1 released last fall followed by this spring's Sony Xperia Z2. While the Xperia Z2 does bring some significant upgrades over the Xperia Z1, let's find out if its a worthy upgrade for Xperia Z1 users

Despite the bi-annual upgrade schedule, Sony significantly improved the Z2 over its predecessor. Although it's thinner and lighter, the new heavyweight boxer features a larger, better 5.2-inch IPS display, a larger battery and faster chipset, paired with the generous 3 GB of RAM. Its 20.7MP camera on its back is capable of 4K recording, slow-motion video, and adding real-time effects now. The Z2 camera is also faster than the Z1 and produces slightly better photos in some conditions, despite being offering the same sensor as its predecessor.

In addition, the Z2 one-ups the Z1 with a stereo speaker set, as well as noise cancellation, plus a few more software and hardware extras. Sony has also improved the Xperia Z2 to offer better battery life, and a much improved display over the Xperia Z1.

Overall, if you can afford the Xperia Z2, get it, but if you'd like to save a few dollars, there will be better alternatives at that price point than the Z1. If you already own a Z1, and are considering an upgrade, the move to the Z2 will be worth the price difference, as you will be getting more in every aspect, and the most glaring omissions of the Z1 now stand corrected with the Z2.

source - PhoneArena

Sony released the Sony Xperia Z2 as the successor to the Sony Xperia Z1 and is promises to be one of the top smartphones of this year. However it has some huge competition in the market, especially from devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5. When you compare them side by side, Sony's flagship has the slightly more remarkable body and the slightly bigger screen, battery, and pixel count on its camera. But let's find out if this makes the Xperia Z2 the better device.

At the end of the day, you will get a true flagship experience, without any compromise whether you choose the Xperia Z2 or the Galaxy S5. The Sony Xperia Z2 is arguably the more attractive device of the two, with a premium, glass-and-metal build, yet the Samsung Galaxy S5 is lighter, slightly thinner, and just more compact overall. The 5.2-inch IPS display on the Z2 does render a more life-like image, but we are sure that the S5's AMOLED panel will likely entice many with its punchier, more lively colors.

Sony offers a total of 3GB of RAM on the device, while the Snapdragon 801 processor that is found on both handsets, is clocked slightly faster on the Galaxy S5. Unfortunately Samsung has more work to do optimizing its TouchWiz user interface, allowing Sony's device to feel more fluid between the two. Its important to note that HTC's Sense performed even better than Sony's UI when the Xperia Z2 was compared with the One M8.

As for imaging, we generally find the 16-megapixel snapper on the S5 to be superior to the 20.7-megapixel unit on the Z2. It is the slightly more reliable shooter of the two, and it does churn out the slightly more attractive stills overall. On the whole, however, the difference is really, really small.

In all, picking either of the two really boils down to what you're looking for in a device, and you'll need to do some serious soul-searching before you're able to diffuse the stalemate between the Sony Xperia Z2 and Samsung Galaxy S5.

The Sony Xperia Z2 is easily one of the best devices in terms of design, following in the footsteps of the established Xperia Z1 with its water resistant body, but with some minor tweaks that elevate it to the next level. Sony has also notably improved on the Xperia Z2 display by adopting IPS LCD technology which has resulted in a vibrant screen with pleasant viewing angles. Sony's 20.7 MP G Lens camera on the Xperia Z2 also continues the high standards set by the Z1 with some minor improvements and enhancements.

While their are several alternatives to the Xperia Z2 in the market, notably the HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Apple iPhone 5s, the device is definitely one of the top choices for someone looking for the best in the market. Especially if your key requirements are build quality, camera, performance and water resistance.


source - PhoneDog | PhoneArena

Sony builds great smartphones, but has been struggling to establish itself with a flagship device over the years. This may change with their Sony Xperia Z2 which is more than capable of taking on all comers. It looks great, works well and runs smoothly. So let's find out how it compares against the likes of one of its top competitors, the HTC One M8.

Price-wise, the Xperia Z2 and the One M8 are among the most expensive smartphones in the market, alongside devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Apple iPhone 5s. Still they pack the high end hardware and premium build, which makes them well worth their price.

Both smartphones are beautifully designed, but the One M8 may fit better in your palm because of the larger size of the Xperia Z2. However it is important to remember that the Z2 has the added advantage of water-resistance.

Both devices feature the same Snapdragon 801 quad-core processors, though the Xperia Z2 comes with 3GB of RAM, while the HTC One M8 has only 2GB. Still HTC has optimized their Sense 6.0 UI so well, that it allows the One M8 to perform more fluidly that the Xperia Z2. Still your Xperia Z2 may have a slight edge when it runs graphics or performance intensive games.

The Xperia Z2 does however trump its competitor in the camera department. While the 4MP Duo UltraPixel cameras on the One M8 are flagship material, it doesn't match up to the quality of the photos produced by the Xperia Z2.


So which one will you pick? Leave us a comment and let us know why you prefer one over the other,


source - PhoneArena

The Sony Xperia Z2 was launched in india today at a price of 49,900 Indian Rupees ($834 USD). Those who purchase Sony's newest Android flagship from the company's website will be entitled to some freebies along with their new phone.

Among the goodies you will find the Sony SmartBand SWR10 which will alert you when you have a call and can act as a control for media playback on your phone. When coupled with its accompanying LifeLog app, the SmartBand will allow you to record all of your social, physical and entertainment activities. You can even set target goals for exercising, and see how close you came to meeting them. That is a 5000 Rupee ($84 USD) value.'

Additionally Sony will also be including a premium flip cover for your Xperia Z2, which is valued at at 2990 Rupees ($50 USD). This cover can also be used as a stand that gives you a favorable angle for watching movies on your phone. You also will receive a 6-month subscription to Sony Music, 50GB of Box cloud storage and  3500 Rupees ($58 USD) worth of eBooks from Flipkart with your new smartphone.

Last but not least, your new Sony smartphone will include 6 free months of Accidental Damage Coverage, which is an insurance in case you accidentally drop and crack your smartphone screen. Since the Xperia Z2 comes with P 58 certification protecting the handset from dust and water, there is little chance of those elements damaging your new device.

Did you recently purchase a new Xperia Z2 in India ? Let us know in the comments why you chose Sony's flagship as your smartphone of choice.

source - Sony

The Nokia 808 PureView is still arguably the best camera-centric smartphone available. Its huge 41MP sensor set the inspiration for the Nokia Lumia 1020 along with Android competitors like the Sony Xperia Z2 which comes with a 20MP camera aimed at dethroning Nokia's veteran photo champ

Both smartphones make use of image oversampling to produce high quality images from their large camera sensors. It is important to note that the Xperia Z2 produces 8MP images, while the 808 PureView samples are 5MP in size. Although these resolutions are different, so are the fields of view of the two camera lenses, and the comparison is a 1:1 crop from the center detail of each case.

T-Mobile is one of the few carriers in the U.S. who offer Sony smartphones. So it was assumed that the nations fourth largest carrier would have the Sony Xperia Z2 on their lineup. After all they did have the Sony Xperia Z and the Sony Xperia Z1 on their network. However it tuned out that Sony is saying that no U.S. carriers will get their hands on either the Sony Xperia Z2, and the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact.

Still those in the U.S. who want an Xperia Z2 will be able to purchase the unlocked handset later this summer though Sony's online store in the U.S. for its full retail price. As far as the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is concerned, U.S. consumers will need to go overseas for this one. Not only won't the highly spec'd mini be seen on the shelves of any U.S. carrier, it also will not be offered online.

At least not officially, as users will still be able to find the Sony Xperia Z2 through online retailers like Negri Electronics and Amazon. Though you should be sure to check of the device supports your carrier's bands first.

Still with Sony's current trend of offering a flagship device once every 6 months, the Xperia Z3 may be announced by the time the Xperia Z2 finally lands on U.S. shores.


source - Engadet

The Sony Xperia Z2 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 are two of the top Android smartphones in the market these days, and they are both known for offering great cameras. The Xperia Z2 comes with a 20MP camera which 1/2.3" sensor, while the Galaxy S5 has a 16MP camera with 1/2.6" sensor. Check out the following photos which compare the cameras on the Galaxy S5 and the Xperia Z2.