WC 1M Post Challenge - You Ready?!

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

I haven't really followed their latest phones much so no idea what they've done.

Still not sure which phone I'd get anyway if I were to choose anything right now. Don't want to spend a lot of money but don't want mid range.

The compact line historically for Sony has always been the better seller when launched with the flagship. Having seen the XZ2C as recently as last week, it is a whole lot more compact than the Pixel 2 (Libra...). They just couldn't justify it if they had to switch to glass as there would've been no point to buy it VS the larger model.

I actually if given a chance would get a XZ2C as a better back up than the 8. The XZ2 has a nice charm to it though. I think that the new compact (thanks Apple) is the X/Pixel 3. The XZ2C was a more 18:9 compact iPhone 6/7/8 alternative. Otherwise, everyone is in Mate 20/V40/Note 9 size.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Getting off phones and 45 for a minute. I’ve been living in Florida for 49 years and I’ve never seen this bug before. Anybody know what this is?//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190113/d4ab2fe0354611cbbe425ecc49215e19.jpg

Not sure. Looks similar to a few moths I've seen before.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Well, HMD Global looks like they've kept the old Nokia radio performance intact. The radios on the 8 have been rock solid.

Again, it's not a bad device. Maybe I'd like it better in a matte black or the copper/blue colors a bit more. It kinda reminds me of the E71, with about 1/4th of that device's charm.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Here are some stills. This is the order:

HMD camera app in color, mono and G cam port (pre night sight version).

 

[libra89]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

The compact line historically for Sony has always been the better seller when launched with the flagship. Having seen the XZ2C as recently as last week, it is a whole lot more compact than the Pixel 2 (Libra...). They just couldn't justify it if they had to switch to glass as there would've been no point to buy it VS the larger model.

I actually if given a chance would get a XZ2C as a better back up than the 8. The XZ2 has a nice charm to it though. I think that the new compact (thanks Apple) is the X/Pixel 3. The XZ2C was a more 18:9 compact iPhone 6/7/8 alternative. Otherwise, everyone is in Mate 20/V40/Note 9 size.

Yep, I ditto this! That's why I figured that the X would be the best option for me. I tried the XZ2C and I liked it but I found that it doesn't play well with my carrier. The size of it, along with all of that screen and decent battery life is a nice combo considering that the camera was almost there for me. I also had the stupid issue of media just randomly stopping, which was very annoying. I hope that is fixed now.

 

[libra89]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Here are some stills. This is the order:

HMD camera app in color, mono and G cam port (pre night sight version). View attachment 140422View attachment 140423View attachment 140424View attachment 140425View attachment 140426View attachment 140427View attachment 140428View attachment 140429View attachment 140430

Nice shots! The differences are really interesting here. The mono seems to capture more detail but the G cam has a way of brightening things up.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Nice shots! The differences are really interesting here. The mono seems to capture more detail but the G cam has a way of brightening things up.

Some people love the Google auto HDR magic (ahem, 99) where they typically do the boosting at the expense of the colors being colder.

It highlights the difference between OEMs when they work on the same sensors. Some people get the best of the same sensor based on their philosophy, others don't have a clue.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Well, HMD Global looks like they've kept the old Nokia radio performance intact. The radios on the 8 have been rock solid.

Again, it's not a bad device. Maybe I'd like it better in a matte black or the copper/blue colors a bit more. It kinda reminds me of the E71, with about 1/4th of that device's charm.

My initial impressions, which aren't likely to change much, of the 8:

Pros:

Sharp and gorgeous LCD panel (I may like it a bit better than the G7+)

Battery life reminds me of the XZ2, which is good. Wish I could run the display at 1080P to milk the battery life some more.

Price. $200 new wasn't bad at all ($170 would have been a hit for me as it's a 18 month old device).

Oreo stock phones for me do sound better via Bluetooth (this and the Pixel 2 plays really nice with the MA-650 wireless)

Phone is fast. Pixel 2 was much quicker, XZ2 was a bit quicker, this feels about the same or a hair faster than the G7+. It would still run ever nicer with 6GB RAM.

Typical Nokia radios - which are superb. Drop these radios into the G7+ and I'd be all set.

Meh:

Camera.

4GB RAM.

Headphone jack.

Splash resistance.

Glance (this feels more useful on the XZ2, and I still turned it off)

Fingerprint scanner. Front placement is fine, but it's just OK.

Cons:

It's got a dull in hand feel for me. Even with similar dimensions, the HTC 10 has a better in hand feel and is a hair more compact. The sandstone style case I have makes it more tolerable but haven't had a phone with an in hand feel that make me "sigh" in a long time.

Stock software on this is plain as F. I used Andy's and that was bare bones. I used the Pixel and it was OK. This just feels bland, adding to the dull in hand feel.

I've got Niagara launcher on it to give it a more tolerable feel.

If you like the old school 16:9, this thing works. I think that's the best advantage of it. When it was launched, it was positioned against the OP5, which was a decent move at the time. I think that if they had gone for a 5.5" (or an odd 5.4") 16:9 in this body with 6GB RAM it would have been much nicer - even if they had kept the same camera.

I doubt this will get Q, which is sad. It was a non treble phone so they took forever to update it. I'm not on pie yet, and I want the build with the full pie feature set, sans the gestures (to which I don't care for) that has the January 2019 security patches.

I'm still glad I tried it, maybe a different color scheme would make it sit better for me. Too early for this? Maybe, but I know my usage well enough.

 

[libra89]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

My initial impressions, which aren't likely to change much, of the 8:

Pros:

Sharp and gorgeous LCD panel (I may like it a bit better than the G7+)

Battery life reminds me of the XZ2, which is good. Wish I could run the display at 1080P to milk the battery life some more.

Price. $200 new wasn't bad at all ($170 would have been a hit for me as it's a 18 month old device).

Oreo stock phones for me do sound better via Bluetooth (this and the Pixel 2 plays really nice with the MA-650 wireless)

Phone is fast. Pixel 2 was much quicker, XZ2 was a bit quicker, this feels about the same or a hair faster than the G7+. It would still run ever nicer with 6GB RAM.

Typical Nokia radios - which are superb. Drop these radios into the G7+ and I'd be all set.

Meh:

Camera.

4GB RAM.

Headphone jack.

Splash resistance.

Glance (this feels more useful on the XZ2, and I still turned it off)

Fingerprint scanner. Front placement is fine, but it's just OK.

Cons:

It's got a dull in hand feel for me. Even with similar dimensions, the HTC 10 has a better in hand feel and is a hair more compact. The sandstone style case I have makes it more tolerable but haven't had a phone with an in hand feel that make me "sigh" in a long time.

Stock software on this is plain as F. I used Andy's and that was bare bones. I used the Pixel and it was OK. This just feels bland, adding to the dull in hand feel.

I've got Niagara launcher on it to give it a more tolerable feel.

If you like the old school 16:9, this thing works. I think that's the best advantage of it. When it was launched, it was positioned against the OP5, which was a decent move at the time. I think that if they had gone for a 5.5" (or an odd 5.4") 16:9 in this body with 6GB RAM it would have been much nicer - even if they had kept the same camera.

I doubt this will get Q, which is sad. It was a non treble phone so they took forever to update it. I'm not on pie yet, and I want the build with the full pie feature set, sans the gestures (to which I don't care for) that has the January 2019 security patches.

I'm still glad I tried it, maybe a different color scheme would make it sit better for me. Too early for this? Maybe, but I know my usage well enough.

I'm glad that you were able to try it too, even though it sounds like it is a okay device, aside from battery life and the radios both being good.
Thank you for sharing your impressions as I was looking forward to them.

 

[libra89]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

I think I'll be trying the Jabra earphones. The AirPods work fine for calls and all, but the fact I need a case to case the AirPods case (since it's so slippery), I don't know if it's worth it for me to keep.

I'm also debating a cheaper option that has good phone call quality since I don't use them much in general.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

I think I'll be trying the Jabra earphones. The AirPods work fine for calls and all, but the fact I need a case to case the AirPods case (since it's so slippery), I don't know if it's worth it for me to keep.

I'm also debating a cheaper option that has good phone call quality since I don't use them much in general.

It depends on what you want - truly wireless vs something with a neckband (variant).

 

[libra89]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

It depends on what you want - truly wireless vs something with a neckband (variant).

You're right. I'll have to look at some and compare but from what I see, truly wireless (and not something that goes over my head) would probably work better for me. My hair doesn't cover my neck (it's short but not super short) so having the neckband might not work for me and plus, ideally, I'll prefer for it to fit in my bag as well. I'm also the type to put one in and not the other.

I am a big fan of the carrying case being able to recharge them.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

You're right. I'll have to look at some and compare but from what I see, truly wireless (and not something that goes over my head) would probably work better for me. My hair doesn't cover my neck (it's short but not super short) so having the neckband might not work for me and plus, ideally, I'll prefer for it to fit in my bag as well. I'm also the type to put one in and not the other.

I am a big fan of the carrying case being able to recharge them.

Most truly wireless (I have a pair) currently are 1st gen. Which means 3.5hrs and down of max talk time per charge. They also only do stereo for music in both ears with mono audio in one ear for talk time.

Gotta decide on what your priorities are with them first (music vs talk time). Flossy Carter has a video on his channel where he reviewed 10 truly wireless ones he liked. His perspective was from a music first for gym workouts, then calls. I got my Jam Ultras and while I like them, I'd use them only for winter with a hat on. I wasn't a neck band person until the Sony's I used and then the RHA's. I went with those are my primary because great battery life for music playback time and calls between charges for my commute are important for me. Plus, they fold up really nicely in the pouch and with my hat on aren't as obtuse.

 

[raycpl]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Moonrise today.
S9.//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190112/7d1577c0a22194333bda1f0b38b8ae6f.jpg

" Thats no moon ... its a space station "
Hahaha. Sorry, couldnt resist !!

 

[raycpl]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Getting off phones and 45 for a minute. I’ve been living in Florida for 49 years and I’ve never seen this bug before. Anybody know what this is?//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190113/d4ab2fe0354611cbbe425ecc49215e19.jpg

its a Gaudy Sphinx Moth

 

[N_LaRUE]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

The compact line historically for Sony has always been the better seller when launched with the flagship. Having seen the XZ2C as recently as last week, it is a whole lot more compact than the Pixel 2 (Libra...). They just couldn't justify it if they had to switch to glass as there would've been no point to buy it VS the larger model.

I actually if given a chance would get a XZ2C as a better back up than the 8. The XZ2 has a nice charm to it though. I think that the new compact (thanks Apple) is the X/Pixel 3. The XZ2C was a more 18:9 compact iPhone 6/7/8 alternative. Otherwise, everyone is in Mate 20/V40/Note 9 size.

So XZ2 vs XZ3 which is better in your opinion.

Also if you were to buy a phone right now because you needed to, what would you get and why?

 

[N_LaRUE]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

I'm so f'in tired it's not funny.

Barely slept last night. Don't know why I'm so anxious about this job. Must be the added stress of everything else I guess.

Here's to lots of coffee!

 

[N_LaRUE]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

Back to the grind...

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

So XZ2 vs XZ3 which is better in your opinion.

Also if you were to buy a phone right now because you needed to, what would you get and why?

Had a long post I threw away. Here's the short version:

1) If had to buy a phone and wanted to be objective, I'd get a Pixel 3 (software support, camera, compact design).

2) If I was buying a phone and I was being cash conscious, I'd get an S9 on a carrier for the best all round experience (outside of software support)

3) If I wanted an exotic and money wasn't a problem, I'd get a Mate RS (design, camera hardware features I like)

4) Because audio is super important to me right now and I have a history of sacrificing camera, I'm stuck with LG for now.

5) As for XZ3 VS XZ2, Damir Franc's XZ2 and XZ3 videos are worth watching. He tries to answer your question at the end of the XZ3 video. Basically, you cannot go wrong with either. I'll go see the XZ3 again and get back to you with something a bit firmer. To me, Sony turned the corner with the XZ2 (same as in the XZ3) camera wise. Still not quite Pixel, but can hold its own VS the S9 very well.

 

[MSFTisMIA]

Re: WC 150K Post Challenge - You Ready?!

You're right. I'll have to look at some and compare but from what I see, truly wireless (and not something that goes over my head) would probably work better for me. My hair doesn't cover my neck (it's short but not super short) so having the neckband might not work for me and plus, ideally, I'll prefer for it to fit in my bag as well. I'm also the type to put one in and not the other.

I am a big fan of the carrying case being able to recharge them.

RHA's open and folded. Ear tips have some weight to them, and that some may find uncomfortable.