HTC One Max - 5.9" 1080p, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800, 3,200mAh (leaked specs/photo)

[Dari]

I think s-pen is a differentiator to some, not all, and if two phones are similar, many would pick the one with this 'feature'.

Otherwise I think the phablet that will 'win' will be the one that provides a large screen in the most usable package. The Note 2 nailed it for its generation - too big for many, but for those looking for a pocketable, single device with a larger screen - it was great and people got spoiled with the battery life.

So IMO - 5.7 to 6 is all doable as long as the phone remains easily pocketable, is no heavier than the Note 2, and gets competitive battery life. If any of the new phablets fails in any of these aspects, then IMO it won't be a mainstream success. That's why IMO the Z Ultra is DOA and will be a niche product. It's too big to fit into suit/pants pockets comfortable and likely has meh battery life.

As a Note 2 user, I can go a little bigger, but not much and no heavier as it already gets somewhat tiresome holding it for a while.

Well, you're speaking from your perspective. Fact is, SONY (and others) did the research and found out that phablets are big in poor countries. Why? Because people cannot afford phones and tablets. So, the bigger the screen the better. Those people don't care about a stylus. That is why the Xperia Z Ultra is not available here (now) and neither is the Samsung Galaxy Mega. Those devices are geared towards certain markets and the United States isn't one of them. Here, we can afford multiple devices. Over there, these phablets may be the only device people can afford. And, since they're phones, they are considered essentials...

 

[dawheat]

Well, you're speaking from your perspective. Fact is, SONY (and others) did the research and found out that phablets are big in poor countries. Why? Because people cannot afford phones and tablets. So, the bigger the screen the better. Those people don't care about a stylus. That is why the Xperia Z Ultra is not available here (now) and neither is the Samsung Galaxy Mega. Those devices are geared towards certain markets and the United States isn't one of them. Here, we can afford multiple devices. Over there, these phablets may be the only device people can afford. And, since they're phones, they are considered essentials...

Your point might hold weight if the Z Ultra didn't launch at 700 euros in the EU and something like $800 equivalent in HK. For that money, people can afford a mid-range phone and tablet.

We don't know yet if the mega phablets will be a commercial success - right now only the Note series has been proven to sell (and not even close to the sales of the 5" sweet spot phones). I'm certainly not rooting against the Z Ultra - hopefully we'll soon know how they're selling. I certainly would love to try it when it comes out in the US.

Again, from my experience in using the Note 2 probably 4-5 hours a day for the last 6 months in every kind of attire, I'd feel like I'd have a tough time daily totting a 15% wider and 16% heavier phone. The 19% greater height I'd think would be less of a pocket issue.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yeah sorry in Asia I probably see far more Note 2s than in the US, and over there NO ONE uses the freaking stylus. I honestly have only seen Note 2s used with the stylus in ads, but for most people? It's hands all the way. Yes yes, anecdotal evidence.

 

[Daniel Jones]

HTC One Max is no doubt a great phablet and sure it will compete with Note II in coming time.

I loved the design of HTC One with aluminum body, the most disappointing thing about One Max is that it will be launched with a removable plastic back body and still irremovable battery.

 

[Dari]

Your point might hold weight if the Z Ultra didn't launch at 700 euros in the EU and something like $800 equivalent in HK. For that money, people can afford a mid-range phone and tablet.

We don't know yet if the mega phablets will be a commercial success - right now only the Note series has been proven to sell (and not even close to the sales of the 5" sweet spot phones). I'm certainly not rooting against the Z Ultra - hopefully we'll soon know how they're selling. I certainly would love to try it when it comes out in the US.

Again, from my experience in using the Note 2 probably 4-5 hours a day for the last 6 months in every kind of attire, I'd feel like I'd have a tough time daily totting a 15% wider and 16% heavier phone. The 19% greater height I'd think would be less of a pocket issue.

My point does hold. The Xperia Z Ultra is not a midrange phone at all. The SoC is high end. Why would someone compare it to a mid-range phone?

 

[dawheat]

Your point in your previous post was people in poorer countries can't afford a tablet and phone and the Z Ultra was targeted at them. That doesn't make sense to me based on the very premium price of the Z Ultra. For the same price you could pick up a couple competent devices. I don't think the poor countries argument holds true here. Certainly the phones being sold in China point to most people buying mid to low end phones, not a single very high end device.

 

[Dari]

Your point in your previous post was people in poorer countries can't afford a tablet and phone and the Z Ultra was targeted at them. That doesn't make sense to me based on the very premium price of the Z Ultra. For the same price you could pick up a couple competent devices. I don't think the poor countries argument holds true here. Certainly the phones being sold in China point to most people buying mid to low end phones, not a single very high end device.

They could pick up a couple of competent devices but they would not be comparable. This isn't difficult to understand. Not everyone wants to (or is able to afford to) buy an iPhone and an iPad mini so they get a convergence device. They want the best but in one package. If they wanted a cheap or midrange smartphone and tablet there are many choices from China but they prefer quality AND premium. Fact is, luxury is not the purview of the first world. Samsung has gone the low end road with their Galaxy Mega while SONY has gone the premium route.

Based on the prices I've seen, the Xperia Z Ultra goes for $700. That's only $100 more than a regular high end smartphone. Tell me, what tablet can you get for $100? You may not see it here but there is demand for these products in other parts of the world and your view that the XZU is DOA is ridiculous. I think SONY knows their market more than you...

 

[dawheat]

They could pick up a couple of competent devices but they would not be comparable. This isn't difficult to understand. Not everyone wants to (or is able to afford to) buy an iPhone and an iPad mini so they get a convergence device. They want the best but in one package. If they wanted a cheap or midrange smartphone and tablet there are many choices from China but they prefer quality AND premium. Fact is, luxury is not the purview of the first world. Samsung has gone the low end road with their Galaxy Mega while SONY has gone the premium route.

Based on the prices I've seen, the Xperia Z Ultra goes for $700. That's only $100 more than a regular high end smartphone. Tell me, what tablet can you get for $100? You may not see it here but there is demand for these products in other parts of the world and your view that the XZU is DOA is ridiculous. I think SONY knows their market more than you...

We'll see if/when sale figures are released. You seem to be making the argument that if a company releases a product, they do it b/c of some insight into a market that will bring success. Surely Sony's smartphone performance over the last couple years doesn't support that belief, much less the performance of most phone manufacturers outside of Samsung or Apple.

My opinion from using a phablet regularly, is that a convergence device only works when it's still portable. It's certainly an interesting topic to keep track of where the upper limit of a convergence device ends up being.

I think the Z Ultra success will depend mostly on whether the market for a high end converged device will support the size of the phone. Basically the exact same audience as the Note 2, not less affluent markets/consumers where cost keeps them from affording the two devices they want. Its consumers who want a converged device in the first place and are willing to pay top dollar (Note 3, HTC One Maxx, Z Ultra audience).

In the UK, you can pickup an Optimus G Pro + iPad mini 16GB wifi for 50 pounds more than the Z Ultra (570 vs 620 pounds).

In India, the same OGP + iPad mini combination is 49633 rupees vs 44690 rupees for the Z Ultra. Same 10% difference.

 

[Dari]

We'll see if/when sale figures are released. You seem to be making the argument that if a company releases a product, they do it b/c of some insight into a market that will bring success. Surely Sony's smartphone performance over the last couple years doesn't support that belief, much less the performance of most phone manufacturers outside of Samsung or Apple.

My opinion from using a phablet regularly, is that a convergence device only works when it's still portable. It's certainly an interesting topic to keep track of where the upper limit of a convergence device ends up being.

I think the Z Ultra success will depend mostly on whether the market for a high end converged device will support the size of the phone. Basically the exact same audience as the Note 2, not less affluent markets/consumers where cost keeps them from affording the two devices they want. Its consumers who want a converged device in the first place and are willing to pay top dollar (Note 3, HTC One Maxx, Z Ultra audience).

In the UK, you can pickup an Optimus G Pro + iPad mini 16GB wifi for 50 pounds more than the Z Ultra (570 vs 620 pounds).

In India, the same OGP + iPad mini combination is 49633 rupees vs 44690 rupees for the Z Ultra. Same 10% difference.

SONY's strategy has been to take a wait 'n see approach whereas Samsung's, with a superior logistical network, has been to flood the market. SONY seems to be happy with their strategy and it's working for them.

BTW, I'm getting 49900 for OGP & iPad mini vs. 42700 for XZU. That's a 15% difference. Having 1 convergence device that's more powerful and saving 15% is something that's hard to ignore (we'll also ignore that the XZU's price is new whereas the OGP has had time to depreciate...). Anyway, we'll see how SONY & Samsung do. But, seeing that they are releasing these devices everywhere that's NOT America should speak volumes...

EDIT: In Malaysia the price difference is 20% cheaper or roughly 26% more expensive...

 

[Trombe]

These convergence devices are ridiculous my popular in Asia for some reason, just look at the international Samsung tablets, most of them have variants with native dialers and earpieces. Dunno if there's any truth to them being more popular in Europe as well (compared to America) but it sure seems that way at times. I wish we got more of them here. There's too many benefits versus downsides, particularly cost savings, that come with these for me to ignore.

 

[Cobalt]

You own both the s4 and note II? Why? Do you cycle between the two... ? Or is one a weekend warrior... only?

S4 for personal line and Note II for work line. Currently alternating between the BB Q10 and Note on work line for varieties sake. I work for AT&T so I have very easy access to devices of my choosing.

 

[MagickMan]

Waiting for a 24" phone, and monster-sized pockets.

 

[zerogear]

I have to tell you. If HTC makes a developer version of this and sells it ONLY on LetsTalk.com. No way in hell I'm buying it. Letstalk is god awful.

 

[zsdersw]

I think the true winner will be whomever develops a phone whose screen size is adjustable... from postage stamp size to 11x17" paper size, so people can stop whining about screen size on Internet forums.

 

[zsdersw]

BTW... ditched my GSM Galaxy Nexus the other day and got the black One. It was very easily the easiest phone on which to unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP, and flash a custom ROM.

And I really like everything else about the phone, too.

 

[zerogear]

Yep, S-OFF is quite easy to achieve with revone as well. I recently got a SGS4 (traded my HTC One with a friend) and I just realized the bootloader is locked D:

 

[desiplaya4life]

Have Xperia Z Ultra and LOVE IT

I cant go back to small screens.