Sony Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 get stock Android versions

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

ThatObviousUser

ὁ αἴσχιστος παῖς εἶ
Sony Z Ultra

27qz9F6JM-5DqfDLYF9f1pvbC-ZY5s1lfG0mcGA3UOtuMS7dL_OfMLCK0xpa7M6Vu1E=w800-rw


A 6.4” big screen smartphone with a television-quality display for big entertainment, built strong to be tough and waterproof ¹. Now featuring the latest version of Android from Google.
Click to expand...



LG G Pad 8.3

oiGxOQySQhKe2Q8jO6oNxmbDsIneK7nr-YmezsIP0MP0zIiVqHDwCvu_A-KGrkWGaxM=w800-rw


Super slim design, thin bezels, premium aluminum casing, and an expansive 8.3” 1920 x 1200 Full HD display make the powerful and portable LG G Pad 8.3 a pleasure to use.
Click to expand...



Both are shipping with Android 4.4 KitKat (sans Google Experience Launcher, like all other non-Nexus 5 devices.) Of course, these join the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, which also have Google Play Editions.
 
Calmine said:
Guessing the LG 8.3 one is the Nexus 8 LG were talking about or is that some different for the future?
Click to expand...

AFAIK the LG isn't a Nexus.

Damn it, I just noticed that it says it's a Google Play exclusive. Does any one know if I would be able to force mine to have the latest OS?
 
shakin_haitian said:
AFAIK the LG isn't a Nexus.

Damn it, I just noticed that it says it's a Google Play exclusive. Does any one know if I would be able to force mine to have the latest OS?
Click to expand...

Yeah I know it ain't Nexus device but LG did talk about a stock android 8" tablet, it might be this.

Sucks they're going to be Google Play exclusives likely get in the UK either which was a kick in the balls when the HTC One and S4 stock android came out.

I'm sure someone will probably take the ROM from the stock ones and stick on current LG 8.3 and Sony Z's.
 
shakin_haitian said:
AFAIK the LG isn't a Nexus.

Damn it, I just noticed that it says it's a Google Play exclusive. Does any one know if I would be able to force mine to have the latest OS?
Click to expand...

Root and then just load the stock ROM whenever it leaks out.
 
I like this trend! I sure do hope Sony puts their flagship 5" phone out on this program. 6.4" is just a little too big for me.
 
I want that Ultra Z so bad, but it feels crazy to spend that kind of money on a phone.

Where's my subsidized prices at?
 
Andrex said:
Or the actual GEL...
Click to expand...

nah.

No gestures, no apps' hider, no icon packs' support, no grids, almost no customization at all.
Although it is more restrictive on a phone (where Nova or, in my opinion, Action are literally lightyears ahead of the stock launcher) I would still choose one of these over the GEL any day of the week.
 
LG should have snapdragoon 800 and be $299.

Right now it's only $50 less than an ipad mini which trumps it in everything.
 
I want a G Pad with stock android.


However I can't see it reaching the UK.... so, maybe buy a G Pad and hope that the stock rom gets ported over. Did it work that way with S4/HTC1 and their GPE roms?
 
Groof said:
It's funny because it looks huge in videos and photos but it looks even bigger in reality.
Click to expand...
yes i agree and this is why this phone is so awsome. U can easily watch movies read books or comics on it. Also perfect for web browsing.
 
Looks like they're up on the Google Play store and no surprise it's US Only for the both of them :(

Also white styled Nexus 7 which is pretty neat like the white Nexus 5.

Edit My dumbass didn't actually notice OP already links to them on play store.
 
I've had my Z Ultra for 2 weeks now and I'm loving it!

It's not the perfect device by any means though. Its size can be a positive and a negative. It's amazing to take advantage of the screen real estate for web browsing and video watching. It can be a bit of a problem trying to use it one handed though. In my case I also attached an oleophobic screen protector on the front and back, so that makes it even more slippery. I've got the Sony battery case on order though, so I'm hopeful that it will provide some much needed grip to better handle it one handed.

The external speaker is adequate for personal use, but it's not going to be as loud as some of the other phones out there. This is due to the water resistant nature of the device. I do wish it'd be louder, but it's not a huge deal for me.

The camera is so-so, but won't blow anyone away and of course it has no flash. The camera's not a big deal for me because I rarely ever took pics with my phone and I have a proper camera for taking pics. The flash, I do miss because I used to use my old phone as a flashlight a lot. To compensate I just bought a little flashlight for my keychain, or I can also use the massive Z Ultra screen to light my way.

That covers my list of downsides to this device. The upsides FAR outweigh them. The screen is fracking glorious . Amazing picture overall and can't say enough about the experience using it. It's extremely quick and I don't experience any lags or microlags. I don't plan to intentionally take advantage of the water/dust reisistant nature of the device, but it is great to know it's there. The ability to use a pen/pencil as a stylus is great and I've used my key a few times when precision is required. The case I'm ordering includes a stylus, so I imagine I'll be using that a lot more.

Overall it feels great in the hand and is perfect for 2 handed use. One handed use, like I mentioned is simply ok. I keep it stored in my shirt pocket so carrying it around isn't much of a problem for me. The best part about it are the comments I get as I show it off everywhere I go :)
 
vivftp said:
I've had my Z Ultra for 2 weeks now and I'm loving it!

It's not the perfect device by any means though. Its size can be a positive and a negative. It's amazing to take advantage of the screen real estate for web browsing and video watching. It can be a bit of a problem trying to use it one handed though. In my case I also attached an oleophobic screen protector on the front and back, so that makes it even more slippery. I've got the Sony battery case on order though, so I'm hopeful that it will provide some much needed grip to better handle it one handed.

The external speaker is adequate for personal use, but it's not going to be as loud as some of the other phones out there. This is due to the water resistant nature of the device. I do wish it'd be louder, but it's not a huge deal for me.

The camera is so-so, but won't blow anyone away and of course it has no flash. The camera's not a big deal for me because I rarely ever took pics with my phone and I have a proper camera for taking pics. The flash, I do miss because I used to use my old phone as a flashlight a lot. To compensate I just bought a little flashlight for my keychain, or I can also use the massive Z Ultra screen to light my way.

That covers my list of downsides to this device. The upsides FAR outweigh them. The screen is fracking glorious . Amazing picture overall and can't say enough about the experience using it. It's extremely quick and I don't experience any lags or microlags. I don't plan to intentionally take advantage of the water/dust reisistant nature of the device, but it is great to know it's there. The ability to use a pen/pencil as a stylus is great and I've used my key a few times when precision is required. The case I'm ordering includes a stylus, so I imagine I'll be using that a lot more.

Overall it feels great in the hand and is perfect for 2 handed use. One handed use, like I mentioned is simply ok. I keep it stored in my shirt pocket so carrying it around isn't much of a problem for me. The best part about it are the comments I get as I show it off everywhere I go :)
Click to expand...


Wait, it really has no flash? I never knew that. Is there a reason for that? I'm dumbfounded that a smartphone in 2013 releases without some sort of flash.
 
I think they decided to design it like their Tablet Z in the camera area so no flash. Plus I suppose it's questionable on whether people would want to really use such a large device to take photos. I've heard some claim that the device thickness might be a factor in adding a flash, but I dunno about that.

Anyways, while I would like the flash, I can live without it.
 
vivftp said:
I've had my Z Ultra for 2 weeks now and I'm loving it!

It's not the perfect device by any means though. Its size can be a positive and a negative. It's amazing to take advantage of the screen real estate for web browsing and video watching. It can be a bit of a problem trying to use it one handed though. In my case I also attached an oleophobic screen protector on the front and back, so that makes it even more slippery. I've got the Sony battery case on order though, so I'm hopeful that it will provide some much needed grip to better handle it one handed.

The external speaker is adequate for personal use, but it's not going to be as loud as some of the other phones out there. This is due to the water resistant nature of the device. I do wish it'd be louder, but it's not a huge deal for me.

The camera is so-so, but won't blow anyone away and of course it has no flash. The camera's not a big deal for me because I rarely ever took pics with my phone and I have a proper camera for taking pics. The flash, I do miss because I used to use my old phone as a flashlight a lot. To compensate I just bought a little flashlight for my keychain, or I can also use the massive Z Ultra screen to light my way.

That covers my list of downsides to this device. The upsides FAR outweigh them. The screen is fracking glorious . Amazing picture overall and can't say enough about the experience using it. It's extremely quick and I don't experience any lags or microlags. I don't plan to intentionally take advantage of the water/dust reisistant nature of the device, but it is great to know it's there. The ability to use a pen/pencil as a stylus is great and I've used my key a few times when precision is required. The case I'm ordering includes a stylus, so I imagine I'll be using that a lot more.

Overall it feels great in the hand and is perfect for 2 handed use. One handed use, like I mentioned is simply ok. I keep it stored in my shirt pocket so carrying it around isn't much of a problem for me. The best part about it are the comments I get as I show it off everywhere I go :)
Click to expand...



This one has been on my shortlist before I settled for s4. How is the battery life on this thing?
 
So far it's good. I'm still breaking in the phones battery but it is improving over my initial uses. At the moment I can get about 3 days use before a recharge is needed. That's with Bluetooth, wifi, GPS and LTE on, and the screen always at max brightness. My usage daily is light to medium though. It should get better after a few more charging cycles and when I get my battery case I should be able to approach a week before I have to plug it back in. VERY satisfied overall.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Nvidia Stock Recovering!!
33
1K
Kamina replied
LG G3 turning on devices?
8
964
Hookshot replied
Get well soon, @Ultrazilla
37
2K
EviLore replied
Mark Zuckerberg and T-Pain present "Get Low" remix
25
1K
ResilientBanana replied
LG TVs start showing ads on screensavers
31
2K
ForAcademicPurposes replied
Top Bottom