Sony Malaysia officially launches Xperia Z Ultra

Today, Sony Malaysia officially launch a brand new Android smartphone, Xperia Z Ultra, a bigger brother for the Xperia Z. It is also Sony first attempt in creating phablet because this giant is come with 6.44" screen size.

The event started with welcome remarks by emcee and followed up by product presentation by Jason Smith, Director of Marketing, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Sony Mobile Communications.

If you followed up my Twitter & Faceebook, I mentioned before that how much I dislike on big size, thin and light phone. Reason being is I has a small hand and big sized phone doesn't allowed me to have single hand operation. I dislike phone thin & light because it feel soulless. But, I change my mind now. I would't mind had a Xperia Z Ultra as my main phone because it is truely beauty! Beautiful!

Oh well, beauty or not, it is depend on individual taste. Nevertheless, here are the main spec of Sony Xperia Z Ultra :

• 6.44" with 1080p resolution, Triluminos screen with X-Reality Engine
• 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 Krait 400
• Adreno 330 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal memory with microSD slot
• 8-megapixel back facing camera with Exmor RS sensor
• 2-megapixel front facing camera
• IP 58
• 3,000mAh
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Check out my first hands-on on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra is the first Android smartphone with 6.4" full HD Triluminos Display & powered by X-Reality mobile engine. It is as slim as 6.5mm, waterproof and dust-resistant rated as IP58. It also one of the first mobile phone that packed with latest processor from Snapdragon, which is Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that clocked on 2.2Ghz quad core. Sony Xperia Z also allowed write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen.

On first glance, the physical design is resemble alot on Sony Xperia Z itself. It might look like an up scaled product but actually they do have a little difference on side.

On right side, only micro USB port available while left side, the 3.5mm jack (none covered and it is water resistant), microSD & micro Sim card slot, Sony signatured powered button and volume rocker can be found. While on bottom right is the speaker itself.

Unfortunately the launcher itself wasn't running the latest one as I seen on Youtube during the international launch on June. Not to mention it is still powered by Bravia Engine 2 instead of X-Reality. According to a XDA senior, 14.1.B.1.414 update and onwards will have the new UI and X-Reality display. I hope Sony Malaysia will roll out the update as soon as possible because the new launcher indeed looks better and much polished. Not to mentioned the X-Reality will make the user experience much better especially on media comsuption.

I have abit mixture between love and hate on the writing/sketching ability in the Xperia Z Ultra. It is good idea that the phone allowed you to write or sketch with any pencil, pen or stylus as long as it met this two criteria - at least 1mm diameter and also can conduct electric. I said it is good idea because you don't need to worry when your stylus gone missing. You can simply replace it with pencil. Of course, don't worry you will scratch the screen. The only thing I hate it was it doesn't come with touch pressure like Wacom. Your hand can't rest on the phone during sketching. Nevertheless, it is pretty good innovation. I had yet to try putting a paper on top the phone and try to sketch.

Sadly the camera a little bit let down. It doesn't come with LED light though I actually doubt is anyone care using it for photography. The low light performance wasn't that superior either since the sensor size is small.

* SBH52, Smart Bluetooth Handset that allowed use to use it as handset or music by pairing it via NFC. It is splash proof as well *

* Sony Smartwatch 2 *

* Sony official leather flip case *

Some quick comparison between the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and my HTC One. My phone look like midget...

Sony Xperia Z Ultra will be available in all Sony store from now with RRP RM 2,299. Sadly it is HSDPA version instead of LTE. In conjunction of Hari Raya celebrations, Sony giving out free premium phone casing worth RM80 along with 8GB microSD card and also an Xperia t-shirt for whoever purchase the device. Sony will have roadshow at Lowyat Plaza starting 5-11 August.