Just as Apple promised the new iOS is definitely slimmer as my iPhone 5S requires only 1GB of free space to download the new operating system (do tell me what size the download is on your respective model).
New multi-task layout (that now shows potraits of running applications)
New spotlight for searches
an upgraded Siri who is more proactive
Much improvements to the iPad (Split View)
and best of all, better battery life!! (Apple promised around an extra hour of usage for the iPhone 6)
Devices that uses iOS 8 are able to download the latest update, meaning owners of 4S can still enjoy Apple OS support. Fret not, Apple also promised that the new OS is optimised to run on older devices.
If you want more info on iOS 9, do visit my specific post on it here.
You can either download it Over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update
There you should find the new iOS ready to download. As of the moment the server is kind of crowded as people rush to download the new iOS so expect the download to fail to start in a few attempts.
The second method is by using iTunes (if you don't want to delete spaces on your iPhone). Simply connect your iPhone to your computer, open up iTunes, go to the iPhone menu and Click on updates.
Happy updating!
Sources: BGR.
Pictures coming soon - when my download and installation finishes
If you like to read on what the new OS is offering:
The last of the trio that Sony presented at IFA 2015 is the smallest in terms of size but not performance, Xperia Z5 Compact. Manufacturers tend to do nowadays is to create a smaller/lite version of their main flagship but most of the time will tune them down. What I like about Sony is that the smaller counterpart is not compromised in terms of performance. So in essence you get a phone that is easier to handle with one hand without sacrificing power and features.
The Z5 Compact is quite similar to the Z5 apart from only 2-3 differences and I think that'll be the main focus for this post.
To start with, the display is well smaller at 4.6-inch and is only HD (1280x720p) quality all packed within a body measuring 127 x 65 x 8.9 mm. The same technology can also be found within this Z5 compact as in the Z5 which are: Triluminos Display for more true-to-life colour palette, X-Reality to bring more details into the screen and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer that helps enlarge the viewing angle.
Another aspect of the phone that is different is the battery which is now at only 2700 mAh (still big by today's standard) and promises 2 days of usage by Sony (STAMINA Mode). And while the other two models receive 3GB of RAM, the compact only get 2GB. Should be enough but hey more wouldn't hurt. ( The Xperia Z5 Compact also supports Quick Charge) The Xperia Z5 Compact is built using the same excellent built materials as on the Xperia Z5, frosted glass with wrapped around slick metal. A finger print sensor on an enlarged power button with a dedicated camera button right next to it. The processor is the same, the powerful revised version of the Octa-core Snapdragon 810 that is suppose to be less hot with Adreno 430 integrated for running games or graphic intensive applications. It has 32GB of storage with the option of additional storage through microSD of up to 200GB.
It has the same camera, the new upgraded 23MP Sony Exmor RS f/2.0 rear camera with wide G-Lens (24mm), ultrafast Hybrid Autofocus (in 0.03second) and SteadyShot. The front is also a 5MP shooter Sony Exmor R with wide G-Lens (25mm) capable of shooting FHD videos.
And finally it is waterproof as its bigger versions which should be a much welcomed feature. For more explanation on the technologies found in the Z5 Compact do give the Z5 post a read as like I said before these two are quite similar apart from the few differences. You can get this phone in 2 bright colours, yellow and coral, and 2 standard colours, White and Black. The Z5 compact will also arrive with Android 5.1 pre-installed.
While the Z5 Compact would be a great small phone with high-end specifications, it's still a bit dissappointing that Sony didn't at least gave the Z5 Compact a FHD display instead of a HD one. With more contents being made available in FHD is a no brainer why Sony didn't opted for it because I'm sure there market for a small flagship exist (I for one do prefer smartphones that I can use with one hand). Here's to hoping that Sony produces their next compact flagship with improvements in these areas.
Apparently Sony has teased a Z5 Compact Premium which has incredible specs! Even beating some on the Z5. Will try to get news on it asap.
Here's the specifications on the Xperia Z5 Compact:
4.6-inch HD (1280x720p) 323 ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 with Adreno 430 GPU 64-bit Octa-core processor
32GB of storage with 2GB RAM
microSD slot with up to 200GB of expansion
23MP Sony Exmor RS f/2.0 rear camera with 5MP rear camera
Alongside the Z5 launch was two other devices, the Z5 Premium and the Z5 Compact. In this post we are going to take a look at the Z5 Premium and what makes it special. The first of the feature that is going to get your attention is, you guessed it, the 4K Display. One of the first found on a smartphone.
The 5.5-inch 4K 3840x2160 pixels, IPS Triluminos Display (shows more palette of colours that are true-to-life) is contains 4 times the details as compared to a Full HD display (found on the Xperia Z5). But what's the use you ask for the extra details if most websites and social medias offers only FHD contents? Well the Xperia Z5 Premium has a technology that upscale contents on its screen to 4K resolution while maintaining the details.
Apart from the display, most of the other components are the same as those found on the Z5.
In terms of built quality it is excellently crafted with frosted glass to reduce finger smudges wrapped around with a slick metal. This certainly gives a feel and look of premium to it.
On the sides you'll find a larger power button with an integrated finger print sensor. A new solution for the placement of the sensor, that feels natural and is quite swift. There's also a camera button right next to it to give you a natural camera like feel when taking pictures.Another special feature only found on the Xperia Z5 Premium the chrome-like back that reflects like a mirror (handy for girls right?)
Same Snapdragon 810 and Adreno 430 is also powering it and is helped with a high capacity 3430 mAh battery that Sony states will give you up to 2 days of battery life (with STAMINA Mode), not surprising since Sony's Xperias are known to be durable in terms of battery life.
The Xperia Z5 Premium also gets the new upgraded 23MP Sony Exmor RS f/2.0 for mobile with G lens that is wide-angled (24mm) and allows more light to be captured. It's capable of ultra fast auto focusing within a sheer 0.03 seconds with the help of their new Hybrid AutoFocus (combines contrast-detection for accuracy and phase-detection for speed). Other than that the camera has a 5x Clear image zoom and 8x digital zoom.
It is able to capture photos with an ISO of up to 12800. Sony also promises better low-light photos with their new Exmor RS CMOS censors. Recording 4K videos would be easier with the inclusion of Sony's trademark SteadyShot on this device.
The front camera meanwhile is a 5MP Sony Exmor R for mobile wide wide-angle lens (25mm) capable of shooting FHD videos and also has the SteadyShot technology for better selfies.
You can also find the Hi-Res audio which makes the musics sounds clearer and closer to their original recordings, as well as the same waterproof ratings (IP65/68). Do keep in mind that Sony recommend taking the phone with the highest waterproof rating into depth not deeper than 1.5m of fresh water for no longer than 30 minutes.
Colours that available for this model are: Gold, White/Silver and black.
Here's the specifications on the Xperia Z5 Premium:
5.5-inch Ultra HD (3840x2160) 806 ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 with Adreno 430 GPU 64-bit Octa-core processor
32GB of storage with 3GB RAM
microSD slot with up to 200GB of expansion
23MP Sony Exmor RS f/2.0 rear camera with 5MP rear camera
A few months ago there were rumours that Sony was going to get rid of their mobile division, similar to what they did to their laptop division, but fortunately it was finally denied by the President of Sony Mobile. What made the rumour believable was the fact that most smartphones makers are not making profit with each phone sale, even to a point of having losses per sale (post on the topic will come). Only Apple and Samsung are known to make profits of their smartphones (Samsung margin being only around $33 per phone).
Moving forward, Sony's smartphones are known to be one of those well-crafted premium device. It's a matter of time that they hit the market with an excellent phone. So at the recent IFA, Sony unveiled the much improved Xperia Z5. Along side the release of it is the Z5 compact and Z5 Premium which would be covered in different posts.
I bet you are wondering. The last Xperia Z was Z3, isn't the next one suppose to be Z4? Well, the Z4 did come out around earlier this year but it was only released in Japan, and it was quite a minor upgrade that Sony didn't export it out. The few rare countries that managed to get it, instead got the Z3+. Different name but same phone. Shows how minor of an upgrade Sony deemed it.
Before I start, here's a glimpse of the specifications on the Xperia Z5:
5.2-inch Full HD (1920x1080) 428 ppi
Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 with Adreno 430 GPU 64-bit Octa-core processor
32GB of storage with 3GB RAM
microSD slot with up to 200GB of expansion
23MP Sony Exmor RS f/2.0 rear camera with 5MP rear camera
Android Lollipop 5.1
2900 mAh non-removable battery with STAMINA mode
Waterproof and dust tight (IP68)
LTE Cat 6
PS4 Remote Play
Single NanoSim
Sporting glasses and sharp rectangular edges, there is no denying that the Xperias are among the best built smartphone in the world. As most know, glass is like a fingerprint magnet and what Sony did to counter this is by instead fitting in a frosted glass. Wrapped with metal that is smoother compared to previous Xperias gives the Z5 a slicker look.
On the side of it, you'll see a new larger power button that now accommodates a fingerprint scanner. It's a nifty solution since most of manufacturers would include a front home button just to have the fingerprint scanner or placing it at the back (something that personally for me feels weird). Next to the power button is a dedicated camera key that gives taking landscape pictures a natural feel.
Dimension wise it's similar in size to the Z3 measuring 146mm x 72mm x 7.3mm. The screen on is a 5.2-inch Full HD 1080p screen, that takes a screen-to-phone ratio of 70.91%, with Sony's own Triluminos Display for mobile (found in their Bravia TVs). According to Sony, this allows their devices to display a wider palette of true-to-life colour. Apart from that Sony also included their X-Reality for mobile that should reduce noises, improve texture, outline, and pixel reproduction. To give the display a larger viewing angle, the Xperia Z5's display has the all-condition display with Dynamic Contrast Enhancer.
Only Full HD when others are going 2K? In my opinion it's a smart move by Sony because resolutions higher than FHD on a small 5.2-inch doesn't quite make sense to me (plus you won't see much of a difference). Yes it's a nice feature to have but imagine the toll it would take on the battery. Going FHD has allowed the Z5 to have up to 2 days' of battery life. You read it right, up to 2 days. Sony fitted a 2900mAh battery in the latest Xperia Z and we've all known that the Xperia Z series has been known for its long durable battery life so it's not quite surprising (STAMINA Mode) . Standard nowadays is the Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 capability which Sony stated to give a full day's usage from 45minutes of charging.
Although the Snapdragon 810 has received criticism for being a heat generator, its latest version should be a different story. This is the version that Sony is using in the Z5s. An octa-core 64-bit processor and 3GB of RAM to play around with, the Z5 should provide a smooth, lag-free xperience for the user. What powers the graphics is the integrated Adreno 430 that should handle the latest demanding games with ease.
Moving on to the most important part of a smartphone now is the camera. More specifically the rear camera. The Sony Xperia Z5 receives an major upgraded camera compared to its previous iterations, this time the new shooter is a 23MP f/2.0 Sony Exmor RS for mobile with G lens that is wide-angled (24mm) and allows more light to be captured.
Another aspect that Sony improved on its camera is its autofocus speed which is now ultra-fast, focusing on the object in only 0.03 seconds. Sony achieved this through its Hybrid Autofocus that combines contrast-detection for accuracy and phase-detection for speed. Other than that the camera has a 5x Clear image zoom and 8x digital zoom.
It is able to capture photos with an ISO of up to 12800. Sony also promises better low-light photos with their new Exmor RS CMOS censors. Recording 4K videos would be easier with the inclusion of Sony's trademark SteadyShot on this device.
The front camera meanwhile is a 5MP Sony Exmor R for mobile wide wide-angle lens (25mm) capable of shooting FHD videos and also has the SteadyShot technology for better selfies.
Audiophiles rejoice! The Z5 is said to be equipped with Hi-Res Audio with digital noise cancelling. Making your music library sound much clearer and closer to the original recording. To what extent is the difference remains to be tested.
Continuing its siblings, the Z5 is also waterproof with a rating of IP68. So spills or dunks should not hurt the device but Sony cautioned users to now take the phone deeper than 1.5m of fresh water and for no longer than 30 minutes. Sony states that usage in chlorinated pool is allowed as long as you remember to wash your phone with fresh water afterwards. Beware as voiding any of these terms would invalidate your warranty.
I would say as a conclusion the Xperia Z5 is a great phone! It's well built, certainly looks and feels premium, has an excellent camera, great display, a fast processor, long battery life compared to today's standards and is waterproof. 4 colours that are available for it are White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green. What more can you ask from a flagship phone. I do hope that the public realise this and give Sony another try. We need more competitors in the smartphone market to go against the likes of Samsung and Apple.
Just as Apple promised the new iOS is definitely slimmer as my iPhone 5S requires only 1GB of free space to download the new operating system (do tell me what size the download is on your respective model).
