[Xperia Z2 General] sam_conrad:
Hi guys. I just updated to 23.0.1.0.167 about 48 hours ago. I haven't read the whole 14 pages of this thread, but I saw some people complaining about things like lack of xLoud.

Some things I'd like to note:

1. Most if not all software Z3/Z3v functions have been ported over along with the new UI. This includes PS4 remote play, new settings such as Ultra Stamina and Super Vivid Mode, new power button menu including screen record and a restart option, large icons, and now a Flashlight is included in the quick settings from the menu drop-down bar. A flashlight app is no longer necessary to use the rear flash as a torch light. Chromecast support is now baked in as well, the option is there in the Xperia Connectivity menu just like the Miracast support was previously.

2. xLoud is removed because it is ALWAYS ON. My friend got the Z3v on release, which has the new sound settings, and his front-facing speakers sounded EXACTLY the same as mine when I had xLoud ENABLED and both phones had ClearAudio+ off. The sound is still the same now even though I no longer have the xLoud setting, though Clear Phase is also unavailable and seems to be removed (as if it were off).

3. Sony designed preset equalizers for several Sony headsets. It sounds to me like Sony analyzed the frequency response of each of their headsets and integrated equalizers behind-the-scenes to compensate for uneven frequency response and make a flatter, more balanced and accurate response curve. The Noise Cancelling headset sounds much better with the new EQ than it did on 4.4.2. To achieve noise cancelling, you must select the correct headset, which forces the EQ. This is completely separate from the five-band graphic equalizer available for you to change, which just makes adjustments on top of what's already going on behind the scenes.

4. Touch screen lag has been minimized and the UI is more responsive. When I first used my friend's Z3v, I was a little disappointed in the fact that his phone felt smoother. The touch input lag is almost non-existent now, and the UI stays at 60+ FPS more often than it used to. Scrolling in Spotify playlists and the settings menu is now completely fluid for me, for example, when before it was slightly choppy.

5. The camera viewfinder now runs in / is capped at 15 FPS, this is most likely to save on battery drain and heat as well as to leave more room to accurately process camera sensor data to correct exposure, and etc. The Timeshift Video viewfinder still runs at 60 FPS as normal. I haven't tested 4K video, but using the AR Fun effect allowed my phone to quickly heat up warmer to the touch than I had noticed on Android 4.4.2 when recording 4K video before the camera would shut down. I will probably test 4K video recording length soon, I was previously capped at 5-6 minutes.

6. WiFi disconnection issues and intermittent BT disconnection issues seem to be completely solved and I'm finding an increase in battery life. I've had my phone on for almost two days now on a single charge. :)

7. Screen calibration seems to be different with the new build. The automatic brightness is no longer as conservative, and max brightness seems to be higher. Originally, the Xperia Z2 was listed as a maximum of 460 nits brightness. The new Verizon-only Z3v is listed at 500 nits, and both phones share the same display. Absolute max brightness seems to be higher with the new build, (I was surprised,) and colors seem somewhat more saturated as compared to X-Reality before the update. Maybe it's possible that the new build overdrives the backlight LEDs somewhat, compared to the older build, but within the same tolerances that the Z3v carries.

8. I'm pretty happy. :)