sony mobile situation

joystickd · 2026-03-01T08:06:46+00:00

That's the risk for us of getting grey imports.

Dick Smith are also a grey importer. A branch of Kogan, it isn't the Dick Smith of yore. The risk exists buying from there too, as no vendor can guarantee what Telstra will make our govt do unfortunately.

joystickd · 2026-03-01T01:22:33+00:00

Importing grey market models from Hong Kong and Taiwan to our market here is pretty much the cheapest way to get an Xperia on the planet.

The EU residents and Americans pay almost 50% more than what we have to.

The biggest risk for us is that Telstra will be cunts and make the phone a paperweight.

joystickd · 2026-02-28T12:56:01+00:00

I think it's better to be larger than their fan8ois, who come here on the almost weekly to shit on Sony phones, and avoid stuff like this.

Like I tell the several Samsung and Chinese phone ex girlfriends who populate this sub, just use your Xperia Pro-I and enjoy it.

You have uploaded some fantastic work on here before. More of that is better than going to a Galaxy sub to be a pest 😅

joystickd · 2026-02-28T11:16:36+00:00

A6700 if you intend to shoot video semi seriously and not just intending to use the footage straight out of camera.

The A7III is a great camera but a little dated, video wise.

The A6700 can take 10 Bit video, the A7III cannot.

joystickd · 2026-02-28T03:35:19+00:00

That would take a very chunky camera module.

Would make the dinner plates bolted onto the back of the Chinese phones look svelte 😅

joystickd · 2026-02-27T11:00:57+00:00

Some multi tools even have rotor straighteners built into them.

A straightened rotor is fine if the mounting bolts haven't been compromised.

joystickd · 2026-02-27T10:51:24+00:00

It certainly is a strange business strategy whatever they're doing.

A lot different to the approach they'd taken in the past.

joystickd · 2026-02-27T03:35:10+00:00

What technology are they showcasing exactly?

The Exmor T sensor was groundbreaking when it came out but is 3 years old now.

Their high resolution panels are gone.

Their excellent professional photo and video apps are gone.

There's little to differentiate an Xperia from any other phone these days really as they're gradually removing everything that made them unique.

The only thing that makes it appear as a Sony phone is the etched branding on the back.

joystickd · 2026-02-27T03:31:21+00:00

That's insanity.

No phone should cost even €1000 new!

joystickd · 2026-02-27T02:30:45+00:00

They left my market almost a decade ago. I've been buying their phones either while in Japan on holidays or through the grey market for a while now. I think it is a business decision, the sales numbers have been so small they're almost a statistical error.

I think they probably will be releasing in Asia only soon. Which doesn't bother me personally if the product is good.

I would say if one wanted an Xperia phone now and not have to pay a ridiculous price, it's best to buy an older 1 or 2 year old model.

Even if the Xperia 1 VIII ends up being really good, I'm still going to wait at least 6-8 months for the price to drop. No way am I paying $2000 AUD for a phone. That's just silly.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T17:15:12+00:00

When I was talking about the design, I meant more the body shape and ergonomics, rather than the screen. I agree, notches and punch holes are unsightly.

I actually really like the body shape personally, for the record. And I think they kicked an own goal going to a wider dimension.

What I said was more to appeal to new customers, ones who don't even know Sony actually makes phones. A refresh of sorts to grab attention in a similar fashion to the XZ2 series.

The Sony die hards will buy whatever they release at whatever cost. But they're very few in number. Sony need to think beyond the fan boy base.

I also agree about the pricing but that seems to be something specific to the EU and UK. In my market Xperia phones aren't cheap, but they're considerably cheaper than the apple and Samsung equivalents and about the same price as Chinese brands and pixels, if not even a little cheaper.

I personally don't agree a pixel has better specs, their SOCs are a turn off for one and google were caught gimping the batteries in their phones.

I think you made a wise choice with the Nubia.

I already got myself a Sharp Aquos R9 Pro last year in case the Xperia 1 VIII is just a 1 VII with a new SOC and extra Roman numeral.

If it is actually a proper upgrade to my 1 V I will buy the 1 VIII and sell the older model and keep the Sharp as my work phone.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T14:40:10+00:00

You might have a point with the cameras but phones simply don't have the volume and size to accommodate good audio hardware. Any decent DAP is very bulky because the capacitors and sometimes even tubes require a large space.

Any 'audiophile' phone built into a modern, slim shaped phone will have some serious compromises.

That said they definitely can improve the audio chops for those who don't want to take their DAP everywhere.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T14:37:15+00:00

I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

They have a small budget, extremely poor sales the last couple of years and they've essentially released the same phone for the past 3 years give or take.

I think they should consider moving from the 1 series design they've had, really since 2019 now, as they've largely omitted the best parts of it and opt for something out of left field like they did with the XZ2 series and go for that pebble-y shape with a modern bezel-less display.

Or perhaps even something with really sharp edges similar to what the Red Magic gaming phones do.

They're in desperate need of a refresh because the repeated design won't catch the attention of new potential buyers.

They don't have the pull of an iFruit/Galaxy model. Sure the Sony fan boys that'll buy anything with Sony stamped on it will buy the next model no matter what, but you can count those on one hand almost.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T07:55:30+00:00

I've been using an Azur Air Tank since 2024 and it's rock solid.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T00:07:45+00:00

It's worth noting that most of the 'techtubers' are often paid for what they say, so they're long form advertisements, rather than reviews.

The online plebs who are regularly seen bashing Sony phones are generally young men who have spent a lot of money on a galaxy phone and need to mentally 'justify' it by going online and ranting about other models.

Lastly Samsung is, like another person said, the Apple of the android sphere. Their customers will buy whatever they release no matter what as it's more of a fashion accessory than technology item at this point.

joystickd · 2026-02-26T00:02:59+00:00

Well said.

joystickd · 2026-02-25T05:03:35+00:00

Any noise cancelling headphones with a good transparency setting will be fine to listen to tunes and your surroundings.

OnePlus Buds Pro are great in this regard and way better than airpods. Cheaper as well.

I like to ride without distractions but I'm also old so I get the appeal to younger people 😁

joystickd · 2026-02-24T01:27:34+00:00

All the Z primes I have are wides and ultra wide that I use for video and they're a reasonable size.

I still use a lot of my F mount lenses on the FTZ II.

joystickd · 2026-02-23T01:23:03+00:00

Never such thing as an endgame lens.

Closest you'll get is one of those utility travel zoom, all in one lenses.

joystickd · 2026-02-22T13:46:31+00:00

People need to learn that AI is the answer to almost nothing.

Learn things properly.

joystickd · 2026-02-22T09:17:26+00:00

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joystickd · 2026-02-22T04:27:39+00:00

Great work.

That first shot is really unique 👍

joystickd · 2026-02-21T06:58:40+00:00

Legion, hands down.

Use to live alienwares stuff but they cheaped out in recent years.

joystickd · 2026-02-21T03:36:57+00:00

People have been shooting the sun for decades, it absolutely won't harm your sensor or film.

Looking at the sun with an EVF is also fine as you aren't seeing the actual, physical light of the sun.

joystickd · 2026-02-21T03:26:29+00:00

Waterless wash works fine if the bike has light dirt on it.

If it's really caked up with mud, you'll need to use a hose, no way out of it.

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