[TheVoid]

Getting a replacement Xperia U this week as my current one is faulty. Feels slow and laggy on ICS so I might stay on Gingerbread out of the box.

Anyone else agree? Anything I'll miss out on without upgrading?

[November_Rain]

This might give you an idea of what you'll be missing out on.

http://www.android.com/about/ice-cream-sandwich/

I presume you were using the "stock" version of ICS?

[lovedoctor1978]

GINGERBREAD!!!!!!!!!
I HATE my phone on ICS. So slow and apart from aesthetically (sp?) no advantage. Whatever made Sony think the U would be OK on ICS I will never know. If I had the confidence to try rooting the phone, I would in a heartbeat.

[TheVoid]

Yes it is stock version of ICS and it was much slower than Gingerbread, so when I get my new one I don't think I'll bother upgrading.

[Ultraman1966]

The Xperia U has recently had an update to the ICS build but it's my dad's phone so I only play with it briefly. Either way it's slow (I'm using a Nexus 4) but with only 512MB of RAM it was never going to fly (with respect to things like multi tasking).

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by Ultraman1966

The Xperia U has recently had an update to the ICS build but it's my dad's phone so I only play with it briefly. Either way it's slow (I'm using a Nexus 4) but with only 512MB of RAM it was never going to fly (with respect to things like multi tasking).

512MB of RAM is quite a lot for a smart phone.

ICS really screwed with the Xperia U. On Gingerbread it flew through menu's and apps with no lag at all.

[alan1302]

I'd agree with the above - stay with gingerbread - ICS is slow and laggy.

[Ultraman1966]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

512MB of RAM is quite a lot for a smart phone.

ICS really screwed with the Xperia U. On Gingerbread it flew through menu's and apps with no lag at all.

No, 2GB is quite a lot, 512MB is really pushing it. I'll be honest, Android isn't very efficient when it comes down to the nitty gritty. ICS simply demands more than GB (think XP versus W7) but do you really want to use an OS version dated from 2 years+ ago?
Having said that, I very much agree that Sony has totally buggered up with the updates. When I installed a custom ROM on my Galaxy S it was completely fine, the browser was far smoother etc.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Ultraman1966

but do you really want to use an OS version dated from 2 years+ ago?

Don't see why not? Better Gingerbread than a laggy ICS

[Ultraman1966]

Originally Posted by alan1302

Don't see why not? Better Gingerbread than a laggy ICS

ICS isn't laggy, the trouble is Sony's implementation of it.

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by Ultraman1966

ICS isn't laggy, the trouble is Sony's implementation of it.

It might not be laggy in general, but on the Xperia U it is. It should never have been released for the U as the handset loses it's power.

[prking]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

512MB of RAM is quite a lot for a smart phone.

ICS really screwed with the Xperia U. On Gingerbread it flew through menu's and apps with no lag at all.

It's quite possible to run ICS (and Jelly Bean) with 512MB. The difficulty is that Sony choose the Mali-400 GPU which is not very memory efficient and so reduces the amount of free RAM.

If it's not important to you, then turning off Facebook integration; using a lighter launcher (Nova launcher) and managing what apps automatically start at boot up will make a huge difference.

By default Sony has things like Music Unlimited start automatically, which eats up RAM.

If Sony has given it 768MB (like the Galaxy Ace 2), then none of this would have been necessary.

[Ultraman1966]

Originally Posted by prking

It's quite possible to run ICS (and Jelly Bean) with 512MB. The difficulty is that Sony choose the Mali-400 GPU which is not very memory efficient and so reduces the amount of free RAM.

If it's not important to you, then turning off Facebook integration; using a lighter launcher (Nova launcher) and managing what apps automatically start at boot up will make a huge difference.

By default Sony has things like Music Unlimited start automatically, which eats up RAM.

If Sony has given it 768MB (like the Galaxy Ace 2), then none of this would have been necessary.

Well said. I still don't understand why manufacturers are so skimpy with RAM, it's hardly that expensive but can make a huge impact.

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by prking

It's quite possible to run ICS (and Jelly Bean) with 512MB. The difficulty is that Sony choose the Mali-400 GPU which is not very memory efficient and so reduces the amount of free RAM.

If it's not important to you, then turning off Facebook integration; using a lighter launcher (Nova launcher) and managing what apps automatically start at boot up will make a huge difference.

By default Sony has things like Music Unlimited start automatically, which eats up RAM.

If Sony has given it 768MB (like the Galaxy Ace 2), then none of this would have been necessary.

Thanks, but how do I choose which apps to not start up automatically?

[TheVoid]

Well after using Gingerbread all morning, I can see why ICS would be required...

The text is way too big on Gingerbread with no option to decrease font size.

There's also no 'swipe to close' option with a long press of the home button.

Although it does seem quicker, I do prefer the look and feel of ICS, which is a shame as it's a memory hogger.

[November_Rain]

Are you comfortable with rooting, as there are custom ROMS available?

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by November_Rain

Are you comfortable with rooting, as there are custom ROMS available?

I wouldn't want to root no. Tried it with my LG and messed it up!

How can I stop certain apps at startup then as mentioned before?

[November_Rain]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

I wouldn't want to root no. Tried it with my LG and messed it up!

How can I stop certain apps at startup then as mentioned before?

Try this, it has a startup manager and more.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...GJveC5mdWxsIl0.

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by November_Rain

Try this, it has a startup manager and more.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...GJveC5mdWxsIl0.

Is that something that has to run in the background all the time though?

[November_Rain]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

Is that something that has to run in the background all the time though?

I believe so but don't take my word for it. I'm not currently using it although I have done.

[Mr. Cool]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

I wouldn't want to root no. Tried it with my LG and messed it up!

How can I stop certain apps at startup then as mentioned before?

It's quite easy when you follow the instructions. Bricking your device is also unlikely.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

How can I stop certain apps at startup then as mentioned before?

Later versions of Android let you disable (but not remove) manufacturer bloatware. I think this was introduced in 4.1 though, not 4.0?

I kind of agree with sticking with gingerbread; to the casual user there's not much difference in functionality. There are some apps that will require ICS or higher, as a lot under the hood changed. But as long as you don't want any of those apps,its fine to stay on Gingerbread.

[TheVoid]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

Later versions of Android let you disable (but not remove) manufacturer bloatware. I think this was introduced in 4.1 though, not 4.0?

I kind of agree with sticking with gingerbread; to the casual user there's not much difference in functionality. There are some apps that will require ICS or higher, as a lot under the hood changed. But as long as you don't want any of those apps,its fine to stay on Gingerbread.

I upgraded in the end. Some of the features like the % battery and swipe to close and font size are all things I use.

I can't seem to stop certain apps from starting up when booting up the phone though.

[alan1302]

Originally Posted by Ultraman1966

Well said. I still don't understand why manufacturers are so skimpy with RAM, it's hardly that expensive but can make a huge impact.

It's cheaper for Sony and allows them to differentiate their product ranges better.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by TheVoid

I can't seem to stop certain apps from starting up when booting up the phone though.

according to this its possible on 4.0 and up, so you might be in luck:
http://www.talkandroid.com/guides/be...id-4-0-and-up/