Google’s Pixel Leaves Little Room to Breathe for Sony Phones - Bloomberg
Google’s Pixel Leaves Little Room to Breathe for Sony Phones - Bloomberg
After a decade of loyalty to Sony, I surrendered my Xperia smartphone in favor of a Google Pixel last year, and it looks like I’m far from alone. But first...
cross-posted from: https://lemdro.id/post/8675186
As someone who just switched to an Xperia as it's one of the few phones that still has a headphone jack, NFC, and microSD slot, this sucks. The software support is the biggest problem IMO because the rest is great.
And it wasn't a proprietary storage card? They didn't invent their own headphone jack that only works with Sony headphones? Amazing. It's like a whole new company!
If you can't tell, I'm still salty about aaaaaallllllllllllllllll the shit they pulled in the 90s/00s. Nothing like buying an mp3 player with money I should've been spending more responsibly and then learning I could only use Sony brand storage cards. Cards that cost twice as much for the same storage space. I bought my Xbox and dropped PlayStation solely because of those shenanigans.
If, in twenty years, HP makes the only computer that doesn't give you literal AIDS I still won't buy one. And i feel the same about Sony today
Sony is shifty with their PlayStation practices but their phones are genuinely good - seems like they are closer with the camera part of the business, which is pretty well liked from what I understand. The software support (or lack of) is the main issue but the hardware is clearly made by people that care (although apparently not enough about overheating on the IV series).
headphone jack, NFC, and microSD
The holy trinity.
I need to move on from my LG (RIP) G6 soon due to battery life and apps becoming unsupported so I've been shopping around.
Right now I have a headphone jack, NFC, MicroSD, FM Radio and 4k video recording. I'll probably have to give up the radio at least if not more to get a well rounded phone.
The G6 came out 7 years ago but it feels like most new phones are a downgrade in comparsion.
I miss my G6 a lot - easily the phone I was most happy with. Sadly, mine had battery issues years ago.
Why do I love the phones of (potentially) soon to be dying (phone divisions of) companies? I should ask a therapist.
My Nokia XR20 has all three (and NFC), that and it being a "tough phone" were the attraction at the time, as it double times as the GPS on my bicycle and track logging hikes etc
I am not sure if the newer XR21 kept them?.
NFC is on like every phone ever for google pay
Some Asian markets don't use it, so there are some exceptions. This becomes important when the other requirements filter it down so much (but this was more of a problem a few years ago).
The headphone port is one of the reasons I'm considering an Xperia next. My Pixel 4a battery life is feeling pretty rough.
headphone jack, NFC, and microSD
My Moto Power G7 has all of those & a week long battery life.
I had several Xperias before switching to Pixel. It was the lack of updates that did it for me. Offer 7 years of updates in a repairable package and I'll buy an Xperia again. At this point the only two trains that look acceptable with their own pros and cons are Pixel and Fairphone.
I hope they can find their footing again, I've always liked Sonys phone designs. I still miss my old Xperia Z, one of the early phones to the waterproofing game iirc. Certainly my first waterproof phone, loved taking it into the shower lmao. Then T-Mobile stopped carrying Sony phones :(
The naming scheme doesn't help also
I had a few Xperia phones before I switched to pixel
I remember the display and camera being phenomenal and then the battery life still lasting over a day.
Great phones hampered by rubbish update support after the first year or so (back then)
I ran an xz1 compact for YEARS. probably still would be if my replacement screen hadn't kept popping back off. It was literally the perfect size phone. Big enough to watch yt videos on but it actually fit in your pocket!
Site just doesn't work with ad blocker lol. Can't read past the first paragraph or so...
Sony Phones... by the way, I think big part of development still is in Sweden (can someone corroborate?). can be saved.. Sony has this evil nature with overreaching copyright protections but Sony Xperias has been remarkable independent on Sony's appalling reputation.
Most point on the overprice problem... true. For what we get, outstanding optics (but many have them too now), a headphone jack and the best fingerprint sensor placement won't cut it anymore. For that is overpriced!
Now, Xperias, do this (and wont require any more $$$):
- Let Sony Xperias offer more support for open is phones to alternative OS (GrapheneOS, /e/, SailfishOS and the like) than just opening its bootloader. Best yet, partner with one of them!!
- Stay in the 6in format... or better yet, 5.6-5.8in. There is a silent outcry for smaller phones for years! Don't fall for what trials testimonies people say,,, let that to Samsung. Go with your guts!
- Maintain the jack, microSD, NFC, notification LED, no notch, side fingerprint scanner and angled format.
Millions won't mind to pay a premium for that, now, truly distinguished, phone that one can feel proud owning it and... well displaying it out there too.
Proud owner of 5 Xperias since Nokia's 808 but, since 2022 with 2 Pixels with GrapheneOS whose hardware I hate to death but with no viable alternative left.
I would have assumed that it wasn't in Sweden since like 2012 when Sony bought it Ericsson, but it looks like Sony Mobile ab got rolled into Sony Nordic a couple years ago. So they actually may still be designed in Sweden.
Sony only have themselves to blame for the collapse of their mobile division. Everyone and their dog has been saying for years that Xperia phones are too expensive and lack innovation.
They gave up support in multiple countries while charging way more than Korean and Chinese manufacturers. They would have been out if Huawei didn't get into cross hairs of American politics.
