WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[MSFTisMIA]

Mark II videos are out...the upgrades looks REALLY good vs Rue's phone. Let's see what the do with the Xperia 5 for this year. If they keep that functionality in the smaller platform, I'd grab one for sure... NEXT YEAR.

Otherwise, I'd be open to grabbing a Mark II...NEXT YEAR.

So...I'm not sure what Sony's strategy is here.

The Mark II looks very good. If they keep the goodies from this and mix it with that smaller Xperia 5 in Japan, that might be interesting. But ultimately, what's the play here?

If they're going the old Nokia Pureview route where they're building a mobile Alpha camera that happens to make calls, play games and music...then that's actually interesting. To do this it would mean making the three separate camera apps total sense. Most of your audience will use the standalone manual apps anyways and mess with the Xperia app in a pinch. Getting the most out of their software processing is ideal, as they build great sensors.

My question though is...what's the strategy? If you're only making high end phones, this too makes sense. You know you're selling smaller quantities, so it is expected. This is why what they do with the midrange is important. I'm a not sure if a stripped down version of the high end would work as a ton of people kill Sony with value for money in the mid range.

That's what trips Sony up. They still feel stuck in two worlds here.

 

[N_LaRUE]

Mark II videos are out...the upgrades looks REALLY good vs Rue's phone. Let's see what the do with the Xperia 5 for this year. If they keep that functionality in the smaller platform, I'd grab one for sure... NEXT YEAR.

Otherwise, I'd be open to grabbing a Mark II...NEXT YEAR.

Well...

First, I'm really impressed by the camera and the tech. This is the type of stuff they should've been doing years ago... At least it's happening. That camera is pretty amazing.

I do hope they bring that camera app out for my phone... It looks awesome.

Next, I'm happy about the bigger battery and wireless charging. Though indifferent about the wireless charging.

3.5 headphone jack? Sure.

Lastly, they put the damn fingerprint scanner back where it belongs! On the power button! I'm happy about this for my next phone but highly disappointed it's not on my phone.

5G I'm indifferent about.

So overall good. I'll wait for the in-depth ones when it comes out and see some camera shootouts.

The review I looked at concentrated on the cameras. He's a photographer I think. He was really impressed.

 

[N_LaRUE]

So...I'm not sure what Sony's strategy is here.

The Mark II looks very good. If they keep the goodies from this and mix it with that smaller Xperia 5 in Japan, that might be interesting. But ultimately, what's the play here?

If they're going the old Nokia Pureview route where they're building a mobile Alpha camera that happens to make calls, play games and music...then that's actually interesting. To do this it would mean making the three separate camera apps total sense. Most of your audience will use the standalone manual apps anyways and mess with the Xperia app in a pinch. Getting the most out of their software processing is ideal, as they build great sensors.

My question though is...what's the strategy? If you're only making high end phones, this too makes sense. You know you're selling smaller quantities, so it is expected. This is why what they do with the midrange is important. I'm a not sure if a stripped down version of the high end would work as a ton of people kill Sony with value for money in the mid range.

That's what trips Sony up. They still feel stuck in two worlds here.

Mid range has never been a good area for Sony but people still buy their phones, at least in Europe.

If they could figure a way to get the tech into mid range and put a decent price on it then that would be very interesting. They're concentrating on lens tech instead of AI so that could make it more difficult to do. Lenses are expensive.

I can see the X5 being a thing still.

As for the apps. I'm not overly impressed by Cinema Pro. It needs work. Camera Pro looks awesome and they have hinted at RAW support in that app. You can set it as default as well.

So it will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I guess I should have a look.

I'm not sure if you should right now, really.

As much as I like what I see, it feels like if you had last year's phone issues now it would make sense you get this. But I don't think you're missing much from your device.

They brought back the jack. They brought back the FPS + power button as one - and claim it's more reliable. The battery is bigger. They brought back wireless charging (people forgot it was in the XZ2 and XZ3). They brought back the front facin speakers.

(I know you don't do this) But unless you're REALLY in need of those upgrades, then you're fine with what you have. Herein lies another issue with Sony. There's no trade in policy with them. So you'd have to sell this first. You're looking at $450-$500 realistically if you were in the US for the four people who would buy this. So you're still having to find another $800 (including tax) to get the Mark II. It ain't worth that headache.

Plus, this is the LTE model. If they launch that Pro one with 5G, tack on another $200-$300 (SD865 has the 5G modem tacked on top - either the OEM enables or disables it, as there's no SD865 sans 5G modem)

It's all these little things that add up to get in their way.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Mid range has never been a good area for Sony but people still buy their phones, at least in Europe.

If they could figure a way to get the tech into mid range and put a decent price on it then that would be very interesting. They're concentrating on lens tech instead of AI so that could make it more difficult to do. Lenses are expensive.

I can see the X5 being a thing still.

As for the apps. I'm not overly impressed by Cinema Pro. It needs work. Camera Pro looks awesome and they have hinted at RAW support in that app. You can set it as default as well.

So it will be interesting to see what happens.

I agree that such an approach could work. It least then they could semi justify the price tag.

If they do this, I'd drop the budget level L models completely and go with the mid range 10 models and the Mark series for flagship. I'd take the Alpha cameras a step down from what the Mark II compares to and use the same approach for the mid range and cherry pick a few features. There are plenty of powerful mid rangers out there. Plenty of mid rangers with very good cameras. No one is giving pesudo standalone camera experience in the mid range segment.

 

[N_LaRUE]

I'm not sure if you should right now, really.

As much as I like what I see, it feels like if you had last year's phone issues now it would make sense you get this. But I don't think you're missing much from your device.

They brought back the jack. They brought back the FPS + power button as one - and claim it's more reliable. The battery is bigger. They brought back wireless charging (people forgot it was in the XZ2 and XZ3). They brought back the front facin speakers.

(I know you don't do this) But unless you're REALLY in need of those upgrades, then you're fine with what you have. Herein lies another issue with Sony. There's no trade in policy with them. So you'd have to sell this first. You're looking at $450-$500 realistically if you were in the US for the four people who would buy this. So you're still having to find another $800 (including tax) to get the Mark II. It ain't worth that headache.

Plus, this is the LTE model. If they launch that Pro one with 5G, tack on another $200-$300 (SD865 has the 5G modem tacked on top - either the OEM enables or disables it, as there's no SD865 sans 5G modem)

It's all these little things that add up to get in their way.

According to the review I saw the Mark ii has 5G. Unless I heard wrong.

In any case I wasn't planning an upgade.

I just thought it was interesting.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

According to the review I saw the Mark ii has 5G. Unless I heard wrong.

In any case I wasn't planning an upgade.

I just thought it was interesting.

I thought I saw something that they planned to give Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 users some of these new features. We will see. That's the other thing too worthy watching.

Again, I'm down with getting one...next year as this isn't a daily driver for me. LG still gives me enough. But as a mess around where on a day I want to go shoot some stuff? Hell yes.

 

[N_LaRUE]

I thought I saw something that they planned to give Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 users some of these new features. We will see. That's the other thing too worthy watching.

Again, I'm down with getting one...next year as this isn't a daily driver for me. LG still gives me enough. But as a mess around where on a day I want to go shoot some stuff? Hell yes.

Yeah I do recall them mentioning the new apps will be released for the X1 and X5 during the release presentation.

Fingers crossed.

 

[fatclue_98]

There are plenty of powerful mid rangers out there. Plenty of mid rangers with very good cameras.

Just as you broke down both points with separate statements, the mid-range world is equally broken up. You have mid-rangers with decent cameras like the Samsung A70 series and you have powerful kits like the Moto G8 and their insane battery life. But each has compromises that keep them from really standing out. To this day I can't figure out why Moto keeps NFC off their mid-rangers. Particularly now in the Covid-19 era where contactless payment makes more sense than ever. As for Sony, they stepped up the camera game on the 10 Plus compared to the XA2 Ultra before it. But it's not there yet. My Key2 still has a better camera, far and away. Android 10 just dropped on my 10 Plus this week and it's been good so far. I gave the phone to my daughter for her to watch her Disney movies on that crazy wide screen. Best $300 I've spent in a while as it keeps her at bay and away from momma's iPhone.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Just as you broke down both points with separate statements, the mid-range world is equally broken up. You have mid-rangers with decent cameras like the Samsung A70 series and you have powerful kits like the Moto G8 and their insane battery life. But each has compromises that keep them from really standing out. To this day I can't figure out why Moto keeps NFC off their mid-rangers. Particularly now in the Covid-19 era where contactless payment makes more sense than ever. As for Sony, they stepped up the camera game on the 10 Plus compared to the XA2 Ultra before it. But it's not there yet. My Key2 still has a better camera, far and away. Android 10 just dropped on my 10 Plus this week and it's been good so far. I gave the phone to my daughter for her to watch her Disney movies on that crazy wide screen. Best $300 I've spent in a while as it keeps her at bay and away from momma's iPhone.

This is why there's still room for Sony. Their skin is light, and they make good sensors. What they need is a lower tier to the SD765/8 to work with. If Qualcomm releases a SD 680 or SD740 with 5G, that could work. Sony with a decent sensor and Gen 3 of the Cinema Pro and Gen 2 Camera Pro apps could work. Even if they still keep using LCD panels. If they did that at $550-$600 price range, they'd have something.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Was supposed to be off from work but am on call because of a crisis situation all weekend. Yup, no breaks.

In two weeks I need to put in for a real PTO as I've had to work during my last few ones and not bothered to tell the supervisor. Likely an extended weekend with a Friday and Monday off.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

I see this is happening. Since I converted my AT&T unit to the Fi ROM, I'll leave it stuck on Pie on purpose.


https://www.phonearena.com/news/LG-V35-ThinQ-Android-10-update-release_id124860

 

[Chuck Finley69]

Hope everyone located where the Memorial Day holiday applies is having a healthy and safe holiday.

I always have a hard time saying "Happy" since it technically honors those who've lost their lives defending their nation. That being said, I also wish to extend a thank you to anyone that's served in any military duty or capacity.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

In two weeks I need to put in for a real PTO as I've had to work during my last few ones and not bothered to tell the supervisor. Likely an extended weekend with a Friday and Monday off.

Wish I could call put tomorrow, but I won't.

 

[raycpl]

I don't know what is more perplexing on youtube... watching video on covid by virologist and/or 'experts'.. or reading the inane comments...

 

[raycpl]

Me & the missus are staying in her dad's house together with a couple of her siblings. It's a rented semi-detached house, the owner has migrated and renting it out cheaply. Problem is there is a lot of their stuff laying about. Got around to clear off old dusty boxes and shelves and make place. Haven't had a nasty nasal allergy reaction like this in ages!!
Came afternoon, we didn't have time to cook so we went to a nearby beef-noodle place for lunch. Our first meal outside in over 70 days.. talk about MSG overload!!

 

[N_LaRUE]

Me & the missus are staying in her dad's house together with a couple of her siblings. It's a rented semi-detached house, the owner has migrated and renting it out cheaply. Problem is there is a lot of their stuff laying about. Got around to clear off old dusty boxes and shelves and make place. Haven't had a nasty nasal allergy reaction like this in ages!!
Came afternoon, we didn't have time to cook so we went to a nearby beef-noodle place for lunch. Our first meal outside in over 70 days.. talk about MSG overload!!

MSG overload is never fun.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

According to the review I saw the Mark ii has 5G. Unless I heard wrong.

In any case I wasn't planning an upgade.

I just thought it was interesting.

Europe and Japan get the model with the 5G modem enabled, the US doesn't. Typical Sony.

 

[libra89]

I feel this article. I physically spent time with my sis and her child and it was so good for me. It's been helpful to chat with people over Zoom and such, but a whole other thing to spend in person time.

The headline summarizes the story, which says, "Humans 'not meant to be alone': Many Americans haven't seen or touched another person in 3 months because of COVID-19". The short version is that this article talked about this with the cases of 3 people and how they are dealing with this.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/humans-not-meant-alone-many-120210109.html

 

[libra89]

I'm not sure if you should right now, really.

As much as I like what I see, it feels like if you had last year's phone issues now it would make sense you get this. But I don't think you're missing much from your device.

They brought back the jack. They brought back the FPS + power button as one - and claim it's more reliable. The battery is bigger. They brought back wireless charging (people forgot it was in the XZ2 and XZ3). They brought back the front facin speakers.

(I know you don't do this) But unless you're REALLY in need of those upgrades, then you're fine with what you have. Herein lies another issue with Sony. There's no trade in policy with them. So you'd have to sell this first. You're looking at $450-$500 realistically if you were in the US for the four people who would buy this. So you're still having to find another $800 (including tax) to get the Mark II. It ain't worth that headache.

Plus, this is the LTE model. If they launch that Pro one with 5G, tack on another $200-$300 (SD865 has the 5G modem tacked on top - either the OEM enables or disables it, as there's no SD865 sans 5G modem)

It's all these little things that add up to get in their way.

From what I read, it's an interesting phone for Sony.