Currently have an S3 on Three due to upgrade on 22/4.

Had a shortlist of Z2, new HTC one and nexus 5 (Samsung S5 completely underwhelms me coupled with a recent 4.3 update that has ruined my current phone) but have ruled out nexus as price difference on contract isn't significant enough to offset its lesser specs.

I am now down to a straight shoutout between HTC one (m8) and Z2 and am changing my mind all the time. Currently the Sony is the slightly favoured option but just canvassing other opinion as I have a few weeks to make up my mind and wanting to see if someone can point out something to help as there seems to be little between them.

Z2 for sure.

I'd say the Z2 based on my rather short interaction with it at MWC, but having a One M8 in front of me right now.

The camera on the M8 is good, but not great. The second camera is pretty much a gimmick, although this photo I took earlier is quite good. Problem is, it's like Instagram; it makes any photo look good or 'interesting' but the image itself isn't all that.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn8xvg5t03...18.39.21-1.jpg

The Z2 camera is the same as the Z1/Z1 Compact and in auto mode usually takes some rather suspect photos, but in manual mode it's really good indeed - especially with the new features/modes on KitKat. Oh, and that includes its own background defocus feature if you want.

The One M8 is bigger than my Z1 but the Z2 is bigger again, so it's probably about the same.

For me, having had a Z and then the Z1, I quite like the waterproofing and have become accustomed to using it outdoors when it's raining hard (or sleet/snow) and using it in the bath. I fear I'd soon be reminded that my M8 isn't waterproofed the hard way..!

Got to agree with you there the Camera doesn't look that good. Interesting that the foreground is so nice and sharp and than the back looks blurred as hell can't think of why I would want a photo look like that. Advantage to the HTC than Jon forgot mention is they guaranteeing updates for 2 years. Not heard about Sony doing the same.

Before breaking out the champagne on an assurance of 24 month support, what did HTC exactly say? Was this promised at the NYC event (we didn't watch that at the UK one, we actually had our own presentation).

You see, we were told that Blinkfeed, Zoe and the other HTC apps will now be available to update on the Play store. In other words, you won't need a firmware update/patch to keep them updated.

A very smart move, but I'd be fearful that they're not promising OS updates for two years - but simply the fact that for at least two years (and probably longer) you'll be able to update core features.

Don't get me wrong, that's still a good thing - but not necessarily what people think.

Sony does generally support the main flagships for some time (probably not two years) but has sometimes seemingly given up on some models. You'd be fine with the big ones like the Z, Z1, Z2 etc - but when they do variants, it can be a bit risky. IMO that is (don't hold me to this in two years!).

The effect is called 'Bokeh'.
Usually used when you want a shallow depth of field, so that the subject stands out sharply against a blurred background.

I'm in a similar situation OP , I've a N4 at the moment so N5 is a strong contender. My son has a Xperia T that seems to cope quite well with anything thrown at it so have been leaning towards the Z2.

Samsung is out after my S3 spent more time being 'repaired' than in use.

What kind of deals are 3 offering you? My upgrade is about a month after yours and I don't remember 3 offering anything outstanding last time.

Called HTC Advantage can't remember exact details but it was a big thing they released towards the end of last year about the original one promising it updates for the first two years. Would be surprised if they weren't including it with the M8.



Haha I know what the effect is called I just can't see a lot of people actually using it. One of my friends is a professional photographer and barely uses it a lot of people want a fully sharp picture. Not had any offers I'm sim only doubt I will get any.

Havent got in to negotiations yet, just looked at contract deals online. One plan is about £44 a month but I think its 38 to have unlimited data, unlimited texts and 600 mins which would be fine for me!

Looks like HTC is £49 upfront and Z2 £99, but I wont let 50 quid dictate my phone for the next 2 years. Would be happy if they waved the upfront payment and may push for that as once ive got the new phone ill factory reset my S3, box it and keep it as my 'insurance'.

http://www.htc.com/us/go/advantage/


http://www.htc.com/uk/go/advantage/ Does work but just has 'coming soon' on it.

Not sure what sort of joke EE are playing but they think someone is going pay £57.99 a month for 10GB and £389.99 upfront someone would have to be stupid to pay that much.

A fool and his money are easily parted - and fools who have money are an easy cash-cow.

True enough within two months of that contract you would be able to buy the phone sim free lol.

Though Xperia SP is going for an amazing price 20GB of data for £38 a month that is pretty amazing price. Obviously would just sell the phone for 50-70 quid on ebay.

Apple iPhone fanboys/girls do it every launch

I'm sure there will be plenty of takers for this.

Wow, that's a 24 month contract I presume? If so, that's £1781.75 total cost of ownership.

If I keep my One Plan as is, at £15 a month, and buy the phone SIM free for £550 then I'd pay £910 and have unlimited data!

Only a difference of £871.75 then (or £36.32 a month).

I pray it is/was a mistake but having seen similar crazy prices for the iPhone over the years, nothing would surprise me. Seems some people are happy to shell out up to a grand a year on a mobile phone.

Oh and then not insuring it!

I think I skipped this when I was setting up my phone yesterday.

If it really does mean Android updates for 2 years, that's great. Let's hope they're timely updates though, as I'm sick of waiting up to 6 months to get the latest OS.

Motorola being a good example, although I was shocked to hear that Motorola has decided to update some of its older models to KitKat - like the Razr i.

Yeah that is a 24 month contract or it is 74.99 a month and 99.99 upfront for 50GB the 50GB contract is probably the better value one lol. Honestly I would struggle justify paying over 50 a month for my mobile phone.


Yeah that was what I was referring to they mentioned It yesterday maybe it's not ready in UK as it includes a new screen within first six months as well. But obviously the updates part would apply to the UK I presume. Well going by there updates recently HTC pushed the 4.3 and 4.4 updates out for the One pretty quick.

Both companies have dubious track records for updates. Ask owners of the Xperia S and HTC One X & S. But that is in the past and they have a chance to redeem themselves in the future. Just look how well Samsung do now.

OP you need to see and try both phones. It's not like you can make a bad choice. It is just personal preference. And next time pay attention to the name of the phone you are asking about.

I doubt anyone could be disappointed with the GS5, Xperia Z2 or HTC One M8. They're all at the top of their game, but the best advice is to go and look at all three. They'll all be out by mid April (if the Z2 isn't delayed as rumoured).

Just ordered a z2 from ee.

20gb £40 up front and £42 a month

Their website is messed up. If you slide the filter bars to up to £45 a month and the data to at least 10gb you get the proper price filter through. Their website is broken.

Have to weigh in here and say that the bokeh effect is what many professionals actually strive for. You will see it used a lot in print media, for artistic photography and even in film and video.

Many lenses for professional cameras, if you read reviews will mention how good the bokeh is from a particular lense which does actually influence a person looking for a camera lense.

Its actually really good to see a subject in sharp focus with a blurred background. And I wouldn't compare it to all those blue tinged instagram effects that people overuse. sure you won't do this with everything but it's good that you can get something close to what a pro camera can produce with regards to bokeh.

Well you learn something new every day. When I have seen those photos I thought the person taking it had made a mistake. It never occurred to me that some one would want a blurred photo.

I am very good at taking professional blurred photos. Its my specialty. Maybe I shouldn't have deleted them.

My wife's Z1 has incredibly bad call quality so something to keep in mind for the Z2.

I've got HD Voice and think that the Z1 quality is stunning. There are options to adjust the sound (natural, enhanced or similar).

What network is she on? Some networks, like O2, seem to have very low call quality on account of the codecs used.

O2 use the same codec as EE for all of my calls, and in fact, the same as all networks for cross-network calls.

There must be some other reason than the codec.

My wife was on EE and now on Three and the sound is almost like she is underwater and if she turns the volume up to near maximum then I can hear an echo everytime I speak and when she turns it down the echo goes but then I can hardly hear her.

On some occasions for a split second it's nice loud and clear then bang it's back to muffled.

Forgot to say I was also on EE and now Three and owned a Z1 as well and I sold my phone due to the bad call quality as well.

2 defective phones??