[Xperia Z General] E90 Commie:
I don't like the FUD about AOSP/AOKP/CM/PA since it is great ROMs and telling a newbie that they should stick to the stock ROM with screenshots showing a default AOSP ROM isn't a good idea.:angel:

So now will be a post with a lot of screenshots from my Xperia Z that runs PAC ROM with my own setup and customizations.

We are talking about this ROM:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2208249

It is the best ROM I have ever used on any of my devices - it offers a superior combination of smoothness and customization options. Instead of being reliant on mods that has to be flashed through CWM/TWRP for things like transparent status bars, different button layouts etc - everything is handled through the settings. The Paranoid Android settings is also great - no more fiddling with Xposed Framework App Settings module in order to get tablet mode. The great thing is that it is possible to use Phablet mode and then run all apps in Tablet Mode.

The screenshots is coming here:

My homescreen (Nova Launcher Prime) with Beautiful Widgets, Battery Monitor Widget Pro and System Tuner Pro.

The notification switches. Superior to the stock ones and fully customizable. Since I am using phablet mode here, they are a separate drawer that I reach from the right side of the screen, the notifications are to the left.

Settings (tablet mode is used). The theme is Sony styled, hence the same icons as the stock ROMs. Note that the Theme manager and its themes has a wide effect - camera, dialer and messaging etc got a different look.

Sony themed dialer.

Sony themed Messaging.

Honami Movies up and running.

Xperia Z Album up and running.

Honami Walkman works great.

Sony 4X Video Player is also working.

Xperia Z Ultra/Togari Sketch runs great.

Xperia themed CM camera (other cameras like FV-5 is available for more settings etc.

The AOSP Browser is just great in tablet mode with tabbed browsing.

Gmail in tablet mode is very nice, then we have Aqua Mail that is a superb client.

Sony Launcher feeling can be obtained too - this is the Advanced Xperia Z Launcher. The Honami Launcher works too.

Google Play in tablet mode and with transparent mod is nicer than the phone mode.;)

When it comes to alarm clocks I can only say this: there are a lot of them out there. Alarm Clock Xtreme is one example.

All of this has been accomplished with the PAC ROM. I used stock based ROMs before but PAC is vastly superior. Since I can run all Sony apps I like, I don't regret the switch at all.

It is also worth to mention that Play Memories works great under PAC too.

Simply put: Sony has a decent stock ROM but PAC is even better.

When it comes to bootloader unlock: carrier branded Xperia's are to be avoided since the unlock feature rarely works. It depends on the carrier though. Buying a T-Mobile version is a bad idea when there is the unlocked and unbranded C6602 available at the Sony Store.

The tablet mode paired with the hassle free customization where you enter settings rather than fiddles with specially made mods for a specific ROM is a very strong point for PAC. It is more efficient to change status bars etc through a setting rather than flashing .zip mods.;)

The theme engine in those CM related ROMs are great too - there are many nice themes available.

---------- Post added at 12:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------

I don't see any reason to buy a T-Mobile branded Xperia Z when the C6602 is avaible. Don't mention LTE - if it is necessary - just wait for the Honami, which should offer the same LTE radio as the Xperia Z Ultra - it has the bands covered.

Just skip the T-Mobile edition and buy the unlocked version. If the argument "it costs me $569" I say "Sony financing". They offer financing plans so no need to go to a carrier for that. The present credit card is another option.

Getting postpaid solutions is a bad idea in the US because "regulatory taxes and fees" - going prepaid is the way to go, especially for high quality devices that are unlocked and unbranded (carrier branded products are just inferior). I am using my Xperia Z with Straight Talk and pay $45 per month - great working.