Complied the FAQs for the Xperia Z, and maybe to a certain extent for other Xperia Phones. Let me know if somewhere is wrong, or should include additional questions.
____________________________________________________________
1) Help! Where can I buy the cheapest Z
Cheapest, you can buy with a 24months contract from the 3 Telcos at subsidized rates. Go to their respective websites for pricing plans.
Cheaper, go to Marketplace and buy a 2nd hand
Cheap, buy from a retailer. As no advertising is allowed, please do your necessary search in the Official Z thread. Also, prices are a little sensitive now to be posted, so call up the respective retailers to ask.
2) Help! I thinking between Xperia Z/Galaxy S3/Nokia 8810/Galaxy S4/HTC One/iPhone 5/(insert your choice of phone here), which one should i buy?
Since you are posting in a Sony Forum, answer will be the Xperia Z. But my advice is see which phone suits your lifestyle more. There are some considerations you can go through.
Display - the galaxy series uses AMOLED which is known to be very satuated, very bright and not very natural (IMHO), Sony uses the TFT panel and provides the most accurate and natural colours. Some prefer bright colours, others prefer natural colours. Regarding pixels, our eyes cannot differentiate anything between 300 and 440ppi
Removable Battery - You cannot remove the battery in the Xperia Z, meaning no spares. But nowadays there's so many battery packs out there that i'm not sure if this should even be a consideration
Battery Life - battery lives are dependent on the apps and usage habits. But keeping all things constant, the higher the capacity, the longer they are supposed to last between charges
Camera - The common misconception about cameras is the higher the megapixel it has, the better it is. To a certain extent its true, but the key factor in producing beautiful and sharp photos is actually the sensor. Google Image Sensors for details
The considerations are not exhaustive and should be tailored to your needs. Don't rush into buying a phone and complain about it when you had not done your homework
3) Help! How do i take a screen shot on the Xperia Z?
You can take a screen shot by selecting "Screenshot" from the power off menu by pressing the power button, or you can hold power button together with volume down button.
4) Help! The battery life on the Xperia Z sucks!
First of all, how long have you used the phone? New batteries need to be seasoned in after about 2 weeks of usage. Only then will you start to see stablised and improved performance from the battery. Another thing to consider is whether your backgrounds apps are sucking out any juice from the battery. LTE is said to be also using more battery than 3G.
5) Help! My LED is not working.
This could possibility be a bug in the software, what is recommended is to do a full reset factory reset before you start using. Added by hush66 is that during the 1st setup or after a factory reset, when adding the Google account to the device, do not choose the option to restore / backup apps. Just install apps manually from Play Store. Also take note that the LED do not work in Stamina Mode.
6) Help! Whats those 2 weird icons at my status bar?
The one that looks like an N is for NFC, means you have NFC enabled. The one looking like a battery between fingers means you have Stamina mode enabled.
7) Help! Google locations/Maps is not working for me even though I have enable GPS!
Go to settings> Accounts > Google > Location Settings > Let google apps access your location
8) Help! My wallpapers do not fit nicely!
Try app call wallpaper wizardrii
9) Help! Can my 64GB card works on the Z?
Yes, just format the card on the phone itself and not on your computer.
10) Help! I just used the phone to fry a fish because its so hot after use.
Due to the water resistant feature of the phone, it is only natural that heat is unable to dissipate as well as other phones due to the sealed body of the phone. Just remember to wash your phone after that so it doesn't smell fishy
11) Help! Whats rooting and unlocking bootloader?
Rooting means you get full administrator rights of the phones. You can remove any systems apps, or do systems changes. Unlocking bootloader allows you to flash customs ROMS and Kernels. but unlocking the bootloader will cause DRM keys to be lost, and you will not be able to use TrackID and Bravia Engine. You can root without unlocking bootloader. More information at XDA forums.
Rooting with locked bootloader -[ROOT] Xperia Z for LOCKED, UNLOCKED bootloaders! [Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com] - xda-developers
Rooting with unlocked bootloader - [ROOT] Xperia Z (C660x) for unlocked bootloaders ONLY! (RELEASED) - xda-developers
Bootloader unlocking - [Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking - xda-developers
12) Help! Can I stick a screen protector over the existing shatterproof protector?
All Xperia Z comes with a factory applied shatterproof screen protector. You need not apply anything yourself. While to a certain extent this protector can protect against minor scratches, you can also apply additional screen protectors on top of it with no side effects.
13) Help! I am unable to use 3G/LTE after resetting phone.
You can request for settings from Telco using Setup Utilitiy, alternatively Settings --> Xperia --> Download Internet settings. Will appreciate if someone can give me the APN Settings to update here for each Telco
14) Help! how do i know how much of my data have I used.
Singtel users, go to Play Store and download My Singtel. Alternatively go to Settings > Data Usage
15) Help! The camera sucks!
Beside the intelligent auto mode, I suggest you take some time to play with the other settings in Normal Mode and etc. There's alot of hidden functions in the other modes and the intelligent mode is not so intelligent actually afterall. Here's a thread with photos taken by Xperia Z
Post Pictures Taken with Xperia Z - xda-developers
And the camera review between Xperia Z and the HTC One
HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z quick camera shootout: Is less more? - GSMArena Blog
16) Help! How do i access the phone service menu?
key in *#*#service#*#* using the phone dial pad, where the alphabets correspond to the numbers on the dial pad.
17) Help! Can i use my charger from my previous phones?
The charger for Xperia Z output is 1.5A, so anything at the rating will do. However, it is not recommended. Lower output means slower charge, higher output means faster charge but put the battery at risk of overheating.
18) Help! Where can I buy Screenprotector/Casing/accessories for the Xperia Z?
No advertisments allowed, but you can browse here with reviews and some references on where to get them
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/s...-135/review-xperia-z-accessories-4101911.html
19) Help! I saw people commenting that the screen cracks after dropping. Yucks! Don't think i want to buy the Z anymore.
The Xperia Z has gone through extensive abuses and drop tests and still nothing happen. I'm not sure how did they crack their screens after "dropping"
Here are some videos of the Xperia Z being abused
This is the only case where i see the screen of the Xperia Z cracks and shatters
20) Help! I saw comments where people said the phone is not as water resistant as it is supposed to be. Yucks! Don't think I want to buy the Z anymore.
I will let the tests do the talking
Feel free to even drop into a hot steamboat
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=514401941934641
Just remember to close all the flaps tightly before dunking it in water to showoff!
21) Help! What kind of sim card is the Xperia Z using? Can I cut it myself?
Xperia Z is using the Microsim, so coming from the older phones you will need to cut them. To cut you can just pay a small fee to those handphone accessories shop for them to cut. And when you want to go back to phones using the normal Sim, you can just purchase the adapator for 10bucks or so. Do not attempt to cut it yourself as the touch points may be misaligned, resulting in your sim card not being read and you have to change a new sim card.
22) Help! I swim with my Xperia Z and now the volume is very soft! Sony is lying about the phone being water resistant! Can i go back for warranty claims?
The volume will revert back to normal after a short usage of about 10 to 30 mins. There is no need to go back for warranty claims.
23) Help! Can I charge the battery overnight when I sleep? Will i wake up in a ball of fire?
Yes you can charge over night. Current battery technology is not the same as before where overcharging will result in overheating and explosion and fireworks. Once maximum capacity is reached, the phone will go into trickle charging. Read more here Trickle charging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
24) Help! My phone battery went flat, i plug in the wall charger but the phone still doesn't start up after holding the power button.
Allow the phone to charge for another 30 mins before trying to power on. There is a minimum 4% battery level before the phone can start up.
25) Help! I am going diving next week and I want to take videos underwater. Can I use the Xperia Z?
The Xperia Z is certified to be underwater up to 1 meter for 30 mins. But sea water is corrosive and should be avoided at all costs.
26) Help! Can i remove that ugly NFC sticker at the back?
Yes you can. It is simply an indication of the sensor location. It does not interfere with the NFC sensor at all.
27) Help! Can i remove those annoying bloatwares in the phone?
Yes you can. If you can't uninstall them from App Management, just root the phone (see above) and use Titanium Backup to remove them.
28) Help! My Xperia Phone is not responding and there is no removable battery for me to do a reset!
Hold the power button and volume up key to do a hard reset.
29) Help! I own a phone from another brand and I want to troll Sony fanboys!
Go out, make more friends and have a hobby. If not, head over to the XDA forums and learn more about your phone. Go put your time to better use.
____________________________________________________________
1) Help! Where can I buy the cheapest Z
Cheapest, you can buy with a 24months contract from the 3 Telcos at subsidized rates. Go to their respective websites for pricing plans.
Cheaper, go to Marketplace and buy a 2nd hand
Cheap, buy from a retailer. As no advertising is allowed, please do your necessary search in the Official Z thread. Also, prices are a little sensitive now to be posted, so call up the respective retailers to ask.
2) Help! I thinking between Xperia Z/Galaxy S3/Nokia 8810/Galaxy S4/HTC One/iPhone 5/(insert your choice of phone here), which one should i buy?
Since you are posting in a Sony Forum, answer will be the Xperia Z. But my advice is see which phone suits your lifestyle more. There are some considerations you can go through.
Display - the galaxy series uses AMOLED which is known to be very satuated, very bright and not very natural (IMHO), Sony uses the TFT panel and provides the most accurate and natural colours. Some prefer bright colours, others prefer natural colours. Regarding pixels, our eyes cannot differentiate anything between 300 and 440ppi
Removable Battery - You cannot remove the battery in the Xperia Z, meaning no spares. But nowadays there's so many battery packs out there that i'm not sure if this should even be a consideration
Battery Life - battery lives are dependent on the apps and usage habits. But keeping all things constant, the higher the capacity, the longer they are supposed to last between charges
Camera - The common misconception about cameras is the higher the megapixel it has, the better it is. To a certain extent its true, but the key factor in producing beautiful and sharp photos is actually the sensor. Google Image Sensors for details
The considerations are not exhaustive and should be tailored to your needs. Don't rush into buying a phone and complain about it when you had not done your homework
3) Help! How do i take a screen shot on the Xperia Z?
You can take a screen shot by selecting "Screenshot" from the power off menu by pressing the power button, or you can hold power button together with volume down button.
4) Help! The battery life on the Xperia Z sucks!
First of all, how long have you used the phone? New batteries need to be seasoned in after about 2 weeks of usage. Only then will you start to see stablised and improved performance from the battery. Another thing to consider is whether your backgrounds apps are sucking out any juice from the battery. LTE is said to be also using more battery than 3G.
5) Help! My LED is not working.
This could possibility be a bug in the software, what is recommended is to do a full reset factory reset before you start using. Added by hush66 is that during the 1st setup or after a factory reset, when adding the Google account to the device, do not choose the option to restore / backup apps. Just install apps manually from Play Store. Also take note that the LED do not work in Stamina Mode.
6) Help! Whats those 2 weird icons at my status bar?
The one that looks like an N is for NFC, means you have NFC enabled. The one looking like a battery between fingers means you have Stamina mode enabled.
7) Help! Google locations/Maps is not working for me even though I have enable GPS!
Go to settings> Accounts > Google > Location Settings > Let google apps access your location
8) Help! My wallpapers do not fit nicely!
Try app call wallpaper wizardrii
9) Help! Can my 64GB card works on the Z?
Yes, just format the card on the phone itself and not on your computer.
10) Help! I just used the phone to fry a fish because its so hot after use.
Due to the water resistant feature of the phone, it is only natural that heat is unable to dissipate as well as other phones due to the sealed body of the phone. Just remember to wash your phone after that so it doesn't smell fishy
11) Help! Whats rooting and unlocking bootloader?
Rooting means you get full administrator rights of the phones. You can remove any systems apps, or do systems changes. Unlocking bootloader allows you to flash customs ROMS and Kernels. but unlocking the bootloader will cause DRM keys to be lost, and you will not be able to use TrackID and Bravia Engine. You can root without unlocking bootloader. More information at XDA forums.
Rooting with locked bootloader -[ROOT] Xperia Z for LOCKED, UNLOCKED bootloaders! [Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com] - xda-developers
Rooting with unlocked bootloader - [ROOT] Xperia Z (C660x) for unlocked bootloaders ONLY! (RELEASED) - xda-developers
Bootloader unlocking - [Tutorial] Xperia Z & ZL Bootloader Unlocking - xda-developers
12) Help! Can I stick a screen protector over the existing shatterproof protector?
All Xperia Z comes with a factory applied shatterproof screen protector. You need not apply anything yourself. While to a certain extent this protector can protect against minor scratches, you can also apply additional screen protectors on top of it with no side effects.
13) Help! I am unable to use 3G/LTE after resetting phone.
You can request for settings from Telco using Setup Utilitiy, alternatively Settings --> Xperia --> Download Internet settings. Will appreciate if someone can give me the APN Settings to update here for each Telco
14) Help! how do i know how much of my data have I used.
Singtel users, go to Play Store and download My Singtel. Alternatively go to Settings > Data Usage
15) Help! The camera sucks!
Beside the intelligent auto mode, I suggest you take some time to play with the other settings in Normal Mode and etc. There's alot of hidden functions in the other modes and the intelligent mode is not so intelligent actually afterall. Here's a thread with photos taken by Xperia Z
Post Pictures Taken with Xperia Z - xda-developers
And the camera review between Xperia Z and the HTC One
HTC One vs Sony Xperia Z quick camera shootout: Is less more? - GSMArena Blog
16) Help! How do i access the phone service menu?
key in *#*#service#*#* using the phone dial pad, where the alphabets correspond to the numbers on the dial pad.
17) Help! Can i use my charger from my previous phones?
The charger for Xperia Z output is 1.5A, so anything at the rating will do. However, it is not recommended. Lower output means slower charge, higher output means faster charge but put the battery at risk of overheating.
18) Help! Where can I buy Screenprotector/Casing/accessories for the Xperia Z?
No advertisments allowed, but you can browse here with reviews and some references on where to get them
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/s...-135/review-xperia-z-accessories-4101911.html
19) Help! I saw people commenting that the screen cracks after dropping. Yucks! Don't think i want to buy the Z anymore.
The Xperia Z has gone through extensive abuses and drop tests and still nothing happen. I'm not sure how did they crack their screens after "dropping"
Here are some videos of the Xperia Z being abused
This is the only case where i see the screen of the Xperia Z cracks and shatters
20) Help! I saw comments where people said the phone is not as water resistant as it is supposed to be. Yucks! Don't think I want to buy the Z anymore.
I will let the tests do the talking
Feel free to even drop into a hot steamboat
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=514401941934641
Just remember to close all the flaps tightly before dunking it in water to showoff!
21) Help! What kind of sim card is the Xperia Z using? Can I cut it myself?
Xperia Z is using the Microsim, so coming from the older phones you will need to cut them. To cut you can just pay a small fee to those handphone accessories shop for them to cut. And when you want to go back to phones using the normal Sim, you can just purchase the adapator for 10bucks or so. Do not attempt to cut it yourself as the touch points may be misaligned, resulting in your sim card not being read and you have to change a new sim card.
22) Help! I swim with my Xperia Z and now the volume is very soft! Sony is lying about the phone being water resistant! Can i go back for warranty claims?
The volume will revert back to normal after a short usage of about 10 to 30 mins. There is no need to go back for warranty claims.
23) Help! Can I charge the battery overnight when I sleep? Will i wake up in a ball of fire?
Yes you can charge over night. Current battery technology is not the same as before where overcharging will result in overheating and explosion and fireworks. Once maximum capacity is reached, the phone will go into trickle charging. Read more here Trickle charging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
24) Help! My phone battery went flat, i plug in the wall charger but the phone still doesn't start up after holding the power button.
Allow the phone to charge for another 30 mins before trying to power on. There is a minimum 4% battery level before the phone can start up.
25) Help! I am going diving next week and I want to take videos underwater. Can I use the Xperia Z?
The Xperia Z is certified to be underwater up to 1 meter for 30 mins. But sea water is corrosive and should be avoided at all costs.
26) Help! Can i remove that ugly NFC sticker at the back?
Yes you can. It is simply an indication of the sensor location. It does not interfere with the NFC sensor at all.
27) Help! Can i remove those annoying bloatwares in the phone?
Yes you can. If you can't uninstall them from App Management, just root the phone (see above) and use Titanium Backup to remove them.
28) Help! My Xperia Phone is not responding and there is no removable battery for me to do a reset!
Hold the power button and volume up key to do a hard reset.
29) Help! I own a phone from another brand and I want to troll Sony fanboys!
Go out, make more friends and have a hobby. If not, head over to the XDA forums and learn more about your phone. Go put your time to better use.
Last edited:
