yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Z2 General] cr0wnest:
The settings menu seems a lot more sensitive to touch, icons are much bigger in stock launcher (But I use Nova, so this wont affect me) , the high-res audio is a nice feature but I honestly didnt hear any difference when I was listening last night, and the headphone volume output is still as low as ever. I'd stick to Viper4Android and Poweramp, I can increase the gain which is my main issue with music on the Z2. Ultra STAMINA is something I'll probably never use since the battery life on the Z2 is already so epic, hell I've never even used the normal STAMINA mode before :P
[Xperia Z2 General] hyelton:
Try and scroll through webpages the sensitive can be annoying! The reason Why I had to go back :(
[Xperia Z2 General] sam_conrad:
Well, I saw the brighter screen before I came here. I saw it with my eyes. Just two weeks ago, I had screen on max brightness to show my friend who was getting the Z3v. My phone seemed brighter when I tried max brightness after the update. I see now that others before me also reported a brighter screen. It could be placebo, but multiple people noticing without any outside influence makes me think it's probably true.

As far as FPS in the viewfinder, I measured it with my eyes. Typically the viewfinder would be capped in multiples of 15, such as 15, 30, 60... I see no reason why Sony would cap the viewfinder FPS at say, 12 FPS when shooting modes are in multiples of 15. (30/60 fps) ...the FPS are obviously way below 30.

Yesterday I compared max screen brightness with my friend's Z3v and it looked about the same except his display had a more yellowish hue.
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
Me too. Much more modern. Small icons are for lower res displays. I'm wondering why it took so long to move to larger icons.

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:46 AM ----------

Trust me it's no placebo, the screen is certainly brighter. Sony were very conservative with the brightness before that's all.

It's not even slightly brighter, it's markedly so!
[Xperia Z2 General] kokesh:
Animations are much more fluid than on 4.4.2. I'm having only one problem with the update: Facebook app closes almost every time I try to do something in it.
[Xperia Z2 General] effective:
Try to clear the data/cache on it.If that doesn't work and u have rooted device reinstall it,or if its so important to you the leatest option is to make new clean install of the Firmware.
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
I know this is off topic but superior auto just depresses me. It really gives the Sony smartphone cameras a bad rep.

As far as I'm concerned, Sony should have pulled it instead of the mighty x loud.

Two pictures attached. First is manual mode at full res with iso 200 while the second is SA which as usual gets the white balance wrong and cranks up the iso way too high producing a mess!
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
Out of the window shot of the train tracks behind me.

First manual again at full res. The second SA again messing things up terribly.

It needs to be scrapped!
[Xperia Z2 General] Kwokinator:
Sweet, that's great news! Your post is probably the one in the whole thread that convinced me to go update.
[Xperia Z2 General] Haldi4803:
oh btw, about Camera Manual Mode!

Scenes do only work in 8mp mode, and not in 15.5MP (16:9 both) was this also before ?

And i was sure there was once a way so switch the quick settings. IMHO the switch to from came is utterly useless there, i'd rather have iso settings there.

Does anyone know a way to automatically start camera in Manual mode insteal of superior auto ? Couldn't find it in camera settings, but a xposed module or a hack should do, right ?
[Xperia Z2 General] doministry:
You can use it by Camea widget.
[Xperia Z2 General] doministry:
Also one great change in 4.4.4:

You can finally have the whole inbox on your phone.

Email app is not throttling your inbox to the latest 200 emails anymore!
[Xperia Z2 General] naeem123:
I updated and the notification sound is noticeably lower and the camera lag of the viewfinder is down to about 15 FPS which I'm not happy about. I understand they tried to make the most out of 4K but I never really use 4K so it just seems sluggish. On the bright side, the battery has improved a lot for me it it just keeps going
[Xperia Z2 General] norti:
Whaat? Where will it store my 89 GB of mail? :DDD
[Xperia Z2 General] kibbster:
Overall I like it so far apart from the icon size.

The camera was laggy till I cleared data now the whole phone feels more snappy than before.

I've also found the notification sound for SMS is really quiet no matter what sound I select but email and other apps are fine.

Good job overall Sony!
[Xperia Z2 General] ipmanwck:
Icon size is stupid. I guess they are copying the size from lollipop maybe? Phone is more snappy but not liking camera app anymore at all.
[Xperia Z2 General] Haldi4803:
On your 128gb MicroSD card ? ohwell... if you have an 128gb MicroSD card you surely won't have 89gb free space xD i'm on 10gb free on mine :D
[Xperia Z2 General] BlackS0ull:
Hello,

Finally my Z2 receive the official update to 4.4.4, but like others said, the new size of the icons is hilarious. I really don't like (actually is my wife phone - and she doesn't like). So, there is anyone who found a solution to downsize the icon size? Or can be done only with a 3rd party launcher.

thnanks!
[Xperia Z2 General] kalda01:
Upgrade to 4.4.4

If I don't like the update, is there easy way to go back to 4.4.2 ? (stock non rooted)
[Xperia Z2 General] ghostofcain:
Yes stock ftf with flashtool.
[Xperia Z2 General] Rahulg247:
Thanks for this - the camera did lag at first with the update but when I cleared the data for the camera app it made it snappy again :D

What else did you clear to make the phone more snappy?
[Xperia Z2 General] kibbster:
Not a great deal.

Rebooted once I think and let it settle.

I've turned off all the animations in developer options so the phone has always been fairly quick but it's other things like scrolling speed in Facebook app seems to be smoother.

Generally I've always found the phone to be smooth (Not M8 smooth but pretty good) with the new update it just feels a little better than it was but not sure how much is real or imagined.
[Xperia Z2 General] effective:
You cleared the camera app data? Because ive tried it and nothing happened.Still low FPS.But at least the Menu scrolling is smoother now.
[Xperia Z2 General] kibbster:
The camera isn't as high FPS are pre update, but after clearing the data it shouldn't be very laggy.

Don't forget like I did after clearing the camera app it resets the default save location to internal from SD ;)
[Xperia Z2 General] kalda01:
Do I need a specific FTF that belongs to the country where I bought the Z2 ? (mine is from Austria although I use it in Israel)

If I update to 4.4.4 via PCC, is it required to restore factory defaults or clear any app data ?
[Xperia Z2 General] giancaleone:
Root your 4.4.4 if you don't want install 3th part launcher.
[Xperia Z2 General] ghostofcain:
FPS reduction is intentional by Sony to reduce heat build up and save battery.
[Xperia Z2 General] hzmenxd:
My phone is better now!
[Xperia Z2 General] Lagamorph:
My biggest issue is the removal of xLoud and no replacement. xLoud was the only thing making my notifications/alarms audible, now they've gone back to practically silent :(
[Xperia Z2 General] kibbster:
The other bonus with the viewfinder FPS reduction is there's less difference in framerate when you open one of the camera overlay menus now.
[Xperia Z2 General] Popaia:
Is it possible to root 4.4.4 on the z2. The reason I'm not updating is because I don't know any way to root 4.4.4 on my z2. :(
[Xperia Z2 General] cr0wnest:
The only way would be to use flash tool if your bootloader has already been unlocked.
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
Indeed! X loud needs to make a return. Just waiting for an easy root method
[Xperia Z2 General] kalda01:
This is interesting. I never turned on Xloud on 4.4.2 and notifications sounded just fine. wonder why they decided to take this option away.
[Xperia Z2 General] vikrant7027:
Downgrade via flashtool works on Locked BL too

---------- Post added at 11:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------

Did anyone notice,power management shows estimated time of 23-24 hrs afer a full charge of 100%.In 4.4.2 it used to show 4 days estimated battery time...Can anyone explain this?
[Xperia Z2 General] benjmiester:
I have to say, the battery life is amazing! Even better than before. And I do a lot of navigating with my job, get about 30+ texts a day from them, and I also use talbox and voxer which are like walkie talkie apps that also use the GPS for location in each message. I worked both days on this last 2 day run.

I'm using stamina, device performance restrict checked (I rarely game so no problem), and also the stamina clock function so stamina stays until I unlock. Also I use manual sliding brightness from gravitybox instead of auto so I can set outside brightness a little lower than max.
[Xperia Z2 General] hasona:
Wow, I just noticed that my wifi download speed has been more than halfed since the update, I used to get around 190 Mbit/s I know get 70Mbit/s in download speed. Its not my router because i downgraded and tested it there too and it was back to normal. Anyone else having this?
[Xperia Z2 General] Haptein:
The camera's viewfinder fps is ok, it isn't as unbearable as some make it seem, at least on my phone. Everything is really smooth (except viewfinder).

I haven't noticed a diference in battery life and I think ultra stamina mode could come handy sometime. For people who live in dangerous places or people traveling a lot this could be a life saver.

At first I thought I wouldn't like big icons but after updating I really like how they look, they are really not THAT big, there's still the same number of icons on each page.

Audio is ok, I noticed some small improvements on music audio; DSEE is neat but don't expect too much from it, specially if you don't have a trained ear. I think both the audio and icon changes are a matter of taste.

I had some bugs while using walkman app (involving scrollbar) and also had issues with wifi signal strength and conections. When I got 4.4.4 all of them dissapeared. My phone even boots faster.

Overall I'm pretty happy with this fw.
[Xperia Z2 General] kostas66:
Try this thread ... it's not a direct root method, but a guide to create a ROOTED 4.4.4 update package from stock FTF.

K
[Xperia Z2 General] Haptein:
[MENTION=5980137]Popaia[/MENTION] give a look at this.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2936269

This is the easiest method I have seen for 4.4.4. It worked for me.
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
I actually think superior auto is much worse on 167 than it was on previous firmware.

The sensor on 4.4.4 is a lot more light sensitive and so SA just does a lot of crazy things.

It's not really a problem for me as I never use SA anyway but it just means the z2's camera rep is going to get even worse as most reviewers are as lazy as hell using purely auto modes when comparing cameras.

The sad thing is I don't thing it's going to improve anytime soon. Sony seem to be struggling with developing good automated software. Even the newer Chinese manufacturers do better.

It's a major challenge going forward for Sony but I'm not very optimistic. With Sony smartphones, you feel like all you get is raw capability. You know how to use it and it'll serve you well. You point and shoot and you'll be greatly disappointed. They should at least place iso settings directly on the viewfinder like white balance and exposure. That would improve shot times by avoiding having to go into the settings repeatedly.
[Xperia Z2 General] el_doksh:
too bad FW a lot of problem and the mainly problem's battery life

check the below link, you will see battery life test on my device

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=56812013&postcount=86
[Xperia Z2 General] ghostofcain:
No problems at all here, the general consensus is that battery life is the same or better on 4.4.4, may I suggest the problem is with your setup. Try flashing stock rom for your locale and see if that helps.

Looked at your link and don't understand your complaint ST of circa 7 hours is non too shabby.
[Xperia Z2 General] el_doksh:
battery draining fast i downgraded my device to 17.1.2.A.0.314 FW and battery working good now

I will take new print screen and share it
[Xperia Z2 General] ghostofcain:
Take all the screen prints you want, if your findings differ from the majority of users then it's either a pecularity of your device setup or you've not given the device sufficient time to setttle.
[Xperia Z2 General] bdithug:
Initially I had 314 stock rooted, and upgraded through pcc. I noticed many bugs with 167. Then I downgraded back to 314 by flashing the ftf, rooted, and flashed a created pre-rooted 4.4.4 using prf creator to achieve root with 167. That's when I noticed the improvement with 167 over 314. I think sometimes doing too many upgrades (55 to 69 to 314 to 167) causes issues. Sometime you have to just start fresh with a fresh installation from an ftf.
[Xperia Z2 General] Konvict64:
Just downgrade to 4.4.2 then root and install recovery. Create your zip with your country firmware with prfcreator 0.5. Download supersu zip and recovery 2.7.154 patched. Include it in the firmware. When you got the zip, copy it to SD card and flash it. DON'T REBOOT AFTER THAT, power off. Using flashtool, flash the ftf you use to convert into zip and exclude system and ta. Then you can reboot, you're fully rooted now! The link to download all of this is in the thread post above (thread how to create a 4.4.4 zip). It works for me on locked bootloader and odex!

Edit: don't forget to backup your data and wipe data when downgrading to 4.4.2 or you'll bootloop!
[Xperia Z2 General] V4LKyR:
Guys, 5GHz Wi-Fi started to work on this latest FW (4.4.4). It wasn't working AT ALL on .314. Now I can connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi all good, without any problem. So, this shows that this 5GHz Wi-Fi connection issue was a software issue.

I've had my phone since June and I'm able to connect 5GHz WiFi connections since the day I got on 4.4.4 :)
[Xperia Z2 General] noisymime:
Hotspot tethering broken?

Anyone else seeing issues with tethering with this new firmware?

Was working fine in 4.4.2, but since upgrading it enables and I can connect to the wifi hotspot, but not traffic seems to be being routed through from the PC. Phone can still access internet no problems, but tethered devices get nothing. Have tried with both a Mac and Win7 PC and wifi and bluetooth tethering, all combinations have the same issue.
[Xperia Z2 General] ravdo:
No problem here.

Wifi tethering works fine.
[Xperia Z2 General] defsix:
Sorry, but you're wrong. Flashtool works on any device, stock, rooted, unlocked. You can flash any firmware version for your device onto a stock device. To keep your data untick Wipe Data
[Xperia Z2 General] myduck80:
Tethering doesn`t work

Same here,

Tried everything and tethering doesn`t work. Before was fine, now is connecting but doesn`t send any data thru.
[Xperia Z2 General] noisymime:
Seems like DNS still resolves when you're tethered, but no actual TCP data goes through. Tracert shows the connection hitting the phone, but then stopping there.

I contacted Sony support who got me to do a repair, but same problem continues. They're scratching their heads still.
[Xperia Z2 General] bdithug:
Funny you say that. I have a dual band (2.4ghz and 5ghz) router. Had nothing but issues with both bands with both 4.4.2 and 4.4.4 fw. I disabled the 5ghz, and now I have no issues with the 2.4ghz. This is on 4.4.4, I haven't tested it with 4.4.2 though. Anyone still with wifi issues using a dual band router, try disabling one of the bands.
[Xperia Z2 General] Super Prince:
Check The APN Protocol for your mobile data access point and make sure it is IPv4.

I had all kind of tethering problems when IPv6 or IPv4/IPv6 was chosen.
[Xperia Z2 General] myduck80:
Tried this but no change sadly.
[Xperia Z2 General] Pandemic:
Contact your network provider then ;)

Sent From Somewhere On Earth With My Z2 ^^
[Xperia Z2 General] myduck80:
I`ve reset the phone to factory settings and tethering works. :)

When restored my settings and apps tethering stopped working so there must be something going on with settings or apps...
[Xperia Z2 General] noisymime:
For anyone else having the tethering issue, fix from over on the Sony forums that worked for me:

Go to Settings -> Wireless & networks -> Mobile Networks -> Access Point Names -> Options -> Reset to default
[Xperia Z2 General] myduck80:
I can confirm that this works :)

Nice one noisymime, well done
[Xperia Z2 General] noisymime:
No credit to me, I just found it on the Sony forums and thought it might benefit others here as well. Glad to hear it helped.
[Xperia Z2 General] bissa:
is it normal that the top speaker (behind Sony label) to be softer than the other speaker?

It is noticeable if I watch a video test indicating the right and left speakers, the left is noticeably softer.

Could some one try the test?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTvJoYnpeRQ
[Xperia Z2 General] mhyke13ph:
Oh i thought im the only one with this kind of problem. Top speaker is softer than the bottom speaker.
[Xperia Z2 General] Die Bruine:
No attachments possible e-mail

Anyone else having issues with attchments in e-mail? As soons as I select an attachment the e-mail app FC's. Doesn't happen in Gmail, just e-mail. I'm running stock 4.4.4 just rooted + mount-restore script on a fresh install.

Tried different e-mail accounts (IMAP and Exchange). Doesn't seem to matter. Add attachmenst, select a file and bam it's gone.
[Xperia Z2 General] Haldi4803:
Nope I can download and show PDF's just fine.
[Xperia Z2 General] Die Bruine:
If this is a reaction to my request, I meant sending an e-mail. When I compose a new e-mail, or reply to one, and select an attachment, the e-mail app crashes.
[Xperia Z2 General] Martinus:
He Bruine :)

geen probleem met attachments, zowel jpg als pdf.

Eng: no problems with any attachment. Using 4.4.4. wothout any root.
[Xperia Z2 General] Die Bruine:
:mad: Great. Just great... This means another @#$%)(#$@( fresh install. Just cleared cache, deleted all account info, rebooted and reconfigured. Nada. Email still crashes as soon as I select a file for attachment. pffffffff.
[Xperia Z2 General] keyz86:
I was put off updating to 4.4.4 due to reading about all the problems people were having but finally gave in last Friday so I thought I would share my experience so far.

I updated from rooted 4.4.2 via this method without wiping: http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z2/general/4-4-4-creating-rooted-update-package-t2933155

I have full root still, no issues with mounting system.

So far I have not come across any issues and I am very pleased with this update. I have noticed a big speed increase all round, in particular the multitask/app switcher used to take a couple of seconds to open and now it is instantaneous.

My battery life was always amazing on 4.4.2 and now I find it's even better on 4.4.4. I could quite easily go two days without Stamina Mode with moderate/heavy use.

The noise cancelling works fine still and have had no issues with any apps. I did not notice any drop in speaker volume for ringtones or notifications but I have since installed this mod for both speakers to work on ringtones/notifications but I am only using the "normal" version and not the increased volume version as I am more than happy with the default volume. http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z2/themes-apps/sound-mod-xperia-z2-android-4-4-4167-t2929709

The only thing I have noticed is the slight lag with the camera preview but it is still perfectly usable and does not cause any real problem. The camera app itself opens much faster and the pictures and video taken are the same quality as before.

I am really enjoying some of the new features, the Z3 camera apps are great and the screen recording works really well.

The main reason I finally gave in and updated was for the new microphone gain control options as I record a lot in studios and at gigs. I used to use the noise cancelling mic but now I don't need to carry it with me all the time.

The new Smart Screen Rotation option is a bit temperamental and sometimes doesn't rotate when I need it to.

All round very happy, glad I have updated and if anyone hasn't updated yet I highly recommend the above method and making your own flashable .ftf from the original .ftf file which is a direct update from what you currently have. In my case I was running stock UK unbranded 4.4.2 on my phone before the update and made a flashable .ftf from the stock UK unbranded 4.4.4 .ftf file to update to.

I may be wrong but this might help stop getting any issues after the update than if you went from a UK ROM to a Hong Kong ROM for example.
[Xperia Z2 General] avercros:
Received the phone today, ota arrived and installed.

Cons:

Laggy camera.

Battery drain

Low volume on speakers.

Pros:

Faster boot

Some visual improvements.

Conclusion:

Downgraded to 4.4.2.
[Xperia Z2 General] ghostofcain:
Any rom will take time to settle down to comment on battery drain even within 48 hours is ludicrous. Camera viewfinder is capped to 15 FPS this is a conscious decision by Sony to reduce heating and battery drain it has no effect on camera recording.
[Xperia Z2 General] Envious_Data:
It took about a week to properly settle with 4.4.4 and after that no more battery drain

Life with 4.4.4 is far above 4.4.2, as for the camera, thats intentional,

Lower refresh rate=less hardware load= essentialy less heat
[Xperia Z2 General] OverTheEdge:
I have noticed that my device gets really hot when on wifi or data compared with previous firmware .314.
[Xperia Z2 General] OverTheEdge:
With my previous phone got water damage even I put a lot of care for it not to, my Z2 will not get near to water thats for sure.
[Xperia Z2 General] Envious_Data:
Same goes, i wash my device often
[Xperia Z2 General] OverTheEdge:
Well I envy you guys but atleast that incident gave me this Z2 for free. Hehe
[Xperia Z2 General] LORD_THOR:
Did you guys down grade via pc and needs root?
[Xperia Z2 General] tuktukscotty:
Super vivid

I'm new to Sony phones (Been a Samsung guy for years) and have just got myself the Z2. I was going to trade it in the second day of having it, but I persevered and I am glad I did. Things is.......

I can't find anything to do with Super vivid. Can someone tell me where I find it

Thanks in advance Scotty.
[Xperia Z2 General] pc167pc:
really ugly icon ... hope can get 5.0 quickly
[Xperia Z2 General] El.Guaje:
Beginning of 2015 we will get lollipop.

I dont know if there's something new in camera.

Camera FV-5 has updated to support real time shutter speed control, it require Camera2 API with Android 5.0. Just Nexus 5 and 6 have that API.

http://m.connect.dpreview.com/post/1354170437/camera-fv-5-brings-dng-raw-capture-to-android
[Xperia Z2 General] Envious_Data:
Much better camera quality can be expected and also less issues around exif data, rotation and all
[Xperia Z2 General] Maniakaz:
It worked for me after reset to default
[Xperia Z2 General] zodiac100:
it's a good update. A lot of new features and improvement to camera performance. Plus it's a lot snappier, UI and all!

Yes x loud is gone and overall volume levels have decreased noticeably. Battery life doesn't seem as good either.

It'll improve with subsequent patches.

Hope they bring back x loud though. It'll be sorely missed if not!

Wonder why they took it out! It was pivotal in many ways. At least for me!
[Xperia Z2 General] Haptein:
Are speakers lower than the speakers without Xloud or just lower than speakers + Xloud?