Sony Xperia Z1 Compact - true Android flagship in a non-humongous body

Forums › Android › Sony Xperia Z1 Compact - true Android flagship in a non-humongous body

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Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1029845 23-Apr-2014 15:22

Got mine today from Clove via royal mail and no GST (first time I have ever managed that).

Was on 4.3 but it updated to the latest 4.2.2 build straight out of the box OTA. Apparently the first build had a few bugs.

Overall I am pretty impressed so far. I love the screen size and it is very responsive. I was also surprised to see the USB host cable in the box. I am just debating what sort of case to get.

Only bugbears so far are the stupid dots at the top of the home screen indicating which home screen you are on and which limits the home screen size. There is no way to get rid of them as far as I can see short of using another launcher and/or rooting.

Also since they provide magnetic charging it would have been nice if they had put a cable in the box for it especially since they felt they could put the host one in, rather than making me go and buy one separately. Looking at the flap over the micro USB port I think it would be a good investment.

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1029871 23-Apr-2014 15:56

Great phone, congrats!

Wonderful they include the USB OTG cable, as you say, but equally a shame they didn't include the magnetic charging cable. They're available on Trademe and a worthwhile investment.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1030288 24-Apr-2014 08:44

Thanks.

Anyone got a recommendation for a shell case?

OVER

109 posts

Master Geek

#1032521 28-Apr-2014 12:42

How did you manage no GST charge? I recently got stung on a clothing order where I had to pay an extra $180 on $500 worth of clothing from the UK. Would have worked out cheaper if I had split the order and paid twice the shipping!

Only thing putting me off ordering a phone from overseas to be honest... the GST charge and exorbitant fees from the freight company will make it more expensive than getting one from a local importer.

NzBeagle

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1032539 28-Apr-2014 13:15

Giggs: Got mine today from Clove via royal mail and no GST (first time I have ever managed that).

Gutted, mine is still a no show, same source and shipping method.

jeffnz

2870 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1032541 28-Apr-2014 13:20

OVER: How did you manage no GST charge? I recently got stung on a clothing order where I had to pay an extra $180 on $500 worth of clothing from the UK. Would have worked out cheaper if I had split the order and paid twice the shipping!

Only thing putting me off ordering a phone from overseas to be honest... the GST charge and exorbitant fees from the freight company will make it more expensive than getting one from a local importer.

need to go to Customs website in future and work out your charges. Sometimes what looks cheaper overseas isn't especially when you also need to look at at not having the CGA coverage. False economics sometimes.

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Garmin Fenix 5

OVER

109 posts

Master Geek

#1032546 28-Apr-2014 13:32

jeffnz:
OVER: How did you manage no GST charge? I recently got stung on a clothing order where I had to pay an extra $180 on $500 worth of clothing from the UK. Would have worked out cheaper if I had split the order and paid twice the shipping!

Only thing putting me off ordering a phone from overseas to be honest... the GST charge and exorbitant fees from the freight company will make it more expensive than getting one from a local importer.

need to go to Customs website in future and work out your charges. Sometimes what looks cheaper overseas isn't especially when you also need to look at at not having the CGA coverage. False economics sometimes.

Yeah, true. And I will be more careful next time. My main complaint is that customs is so inconsistent with charges. I've been stung a few times when people like the above have managed to get away with paying nothing!

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Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1032548 28-Apr-2014 13:41

OVER: How did you manage no GST charge? I recently got stung on a clothing order where I had to pay an extra $180 on $500 worth of clothing from the UK. Would have worked out cheaper if I had split the order and paid twice the shipping!

Only thing putting me off ordering a phone from overseas to be honest... the GST charge and exorbitant fees from the freight company will make it more expensive than getting one from a local importer.

Clothing has a duty on it over and above GST as do other things like footwear. There is a list here. http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/charges/feetypes/Pages/default.aspx?s=7 There are some odd things like car radios have a duty but other radios don't. So yeah you need to check before you buy.

I fluked the no GST thing, although as others have noted on this forum, if you bring things in by Royal Mail you have a chance of avoiding it whereas with the likes of DHL you are hit just about every time. I also suspect bringing it in over Easter helped as there would have been a lot of mail to clear.

Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1032550 28-Apr-2014 13:45

NzBeagle:
Giggs: Got mine today from Clove via royal mail and no GST (first time I have ever managed that).

Gutted, mine is still a no show, same source and shipping method.

Strange. I ordered mine on Monday 14 April and it arrived straight after Easter on Tuesday 22 April.

I have ordered this case http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390757171842?var=660205200431&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&clk_rvr_id=625487012131

and this magnetic cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Magnetic-USB-Charging-Cable-For-Sony-Xperia-Z1-Mini-Compact-M51w-/390823501204?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160

I am pretty impressed with it so far especially battery life. Even after some serious fiddling to get it set up the way I like it, I am only recharging every 2 to 3 days. Mind you I don't do anything too power intensive like lots of gaming.

NzBeagle

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1032552 28-Apr-2014 13:49

Giggs:
NzBeagle:
Giggs: Got mine today from Clove via royal mail and no GST (first time I have ever managed that).

Gutted, mine is still a no show, same source and shipping method.

Strange. I ordered mine on Monday 14 April and it arrived straight after Easter on Tuesday 22 April.

I have ordered this case http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390757171842?var=660205200431&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&clk_rvr_id=625487012131

and this magnetic cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Magnetic-USB-Charging-Cable-For-Sony-Xperia-Z1-Mini-Compact-M51w-/390823501204?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160

I am pretty impressed with it so far especially battery life. Even after some serious fiddling to get it set up the way I like it, I am only recharging every 2 to 3 days. Mind you I don't do anything too power intensive like lots of gaming.

Hmm, I'll go back to them, it was 'shipped' prior to that so that's no good.

Ordered with the book case and the compact charging dock, unfortunately, can't provide any feedback.

Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1032556 28-Apr-2014 14:00

Very weird. Maybe it was stopped by customs? Normally the call you though or failing that send you a letter. NZ Post track and trace normally says that though.

Giggs

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1042180 12-May-2014 12:21

I have ordered this case http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390757171842?var=660205200431&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&clk_rvr_id=625487012131

and this magnetic cable http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Magnetic-USB-Charging-Cable-For-Sony-Xperia-Z1-Mini-Compact-M51w-/390823501204?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160

Just an update, both the case and the cable have arrived. The case took a week and cable 2 weeks. The cable works well, so much better than fiddling with the USB flap. The case is quite robust but it is getting marked around the edges so white might not have been my best choice.

Very impressed with the speed and battery life and in particular the stamina feature which automatically disables the wifi and mobile data (which ever is on) when the screen is off.

The screen size is also perfect for me.

greenbone

176 posts

Master Geek

#1043269 13-May-2014 21:38

rooted and running CM 11. pulled the screen film off (always dirty) and treated the glass with oelophobic coating, a lot better

really good phone. as an iphone guy its been a lot of learning, and there are still things i wish it could do, but happy with the Z1c. probably will get a Z2 now

greenbone

176 posts

Master Geek

#1043272 13-May-2014 21:40

pretty

jbmoocs

91 posts

Master Geek

#1055230 28-May-2014 16:24

greenbone:

pretty

Man you killed the Sony look completely, that love heart icon? Why didn't you just S protect the plastic film over the glass instead of ripping it off?
My Z1C arrives next week and I'm looking forward to saying bye bye to Sammy for good. After tinkering with my wife's Xperia ZR I was sold. The HP audio/camera/build is stellar. Seriously IDK why
Sony is so undermined in NZ it runs rings around any other small form factor SP in the market and that's fact unless anyone can prove otherwise! I've been waiting years for this to happen for Android.
I started a thread on here a couple of years ago about the need for such a device and it got over 3000 hits so it was prominent subject over here back then. Nothing came of it in the market except for watered down smaller versions of the flagships.

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