Buying a new X Compact now

[Andre9]

This is not quite the same as the topic where a possibly refurbished phone is being bought off EBAY, hence a new topic.

My X compact is still serving me well after almost 3 years, but did die in my pocket on the weekend. At the time I was unaware of the restart with volume & power button trick, so I don't know if that would have worked. I was in a mall and happened to walk by a small repair shop when I discovered my phone was dead so aksed if they had any ideas. They tried a few things unseccessfully then opened up the phone, unsoldered and resoldered the battery and the phone was alive again, and still is. But this has rung an alarm bell as it is the first time this happened.

My service provider still has a few X compacts in stock and, since I like the compactness and most other features, and could possibly get a good deal, I will be happy with a new one. So this is a new phone imported through the right channels. I know there are no more new updates available, but will the phone update to the most recent level once it is on the network and I check for updates ? Or will it remain at the same as level as taken from the box ?

[Strampke · Accepted solution]

Hi,

It will update to the latest update available, somewhere september, October 2018.

Do not install apps to start with.

The OTA updates will go faster.

When you want to jump to the latest update at once then do a software repair with Xperia companion.

[Andre9]

Thanks, let's see if I can negotiate a deal.

[Jonas]

Hi @Andre9,

As @Strampke mentioned, you can update a device as long as it is still in the support scope and has not reached end of support (this is when software is no longer available, spare parts are not available at the authorized service centres and there is no longer any support content on the Support Web).

Depending on when the device was manufactured, there may be a lot of updates to do and you can of course do them one at the time but before you start setting up the device, performing a software repair will be faster if you have access to a computer as it will reinstall the latest available software in the device. This takes around 20-25 minutes to do, instead of having to do around 15 updates one by one with reboots in between directly in the device.

I hope that explains it a bit more and hopefully you get a good deal!

[pseudonym]

Especially since there are no further security updates for this model, I would make sure that Chrome, as well as any other apps that you may have installed (look at File Managers, for instance) cannot install applications outside of the Google Play Store.

(Assuming Android 8.0):

Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Install Unknown Apps

This may help in the event that something nasty comes along as an email attachment or as part of a malicious web page. Otherwise, you cannot obtain a relatively recent phone this size and weight (except for Xperia XZ1 Compact); I still use mine.

[Strampke]

In general: stay out of the obscure.

Install main line.

Don't download every hickup you notice.

Less is more.

BTW Check out Windy! And Windy.maps

I'm flabbergasted.

Windy shows wind and rain, storm and thunder, even air polution all around the word.

When you zoom in it shows the smallest walking and cycling tracks.

Sorry for the enthousiasm.

it's been long since an app surprised me in a positive way.

[Jonas]

Hi @pseudonym,

That is very important as well and something that I forgot to mention.

I can count the cases where a customer has installed something that they weren't supposed to do on one hand after working with this for 5 years, but you can never be to sure these days and since everyone has more information than phone numbers in today's devices, going the extra mile is never a bad idea!

Thanks a lot for helping out and have a great weekend!

@Strampke, it's like the old saying, if something If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true!

I feel pretty secure these days with Google Play Protect and I try and stay away from shady websites and I never use public Wi-Fi (thank god for cheap data plans).

Thanks for the app recommendation and have a great weekend!

[Andre9]

Thanks Strampke

I don't load apps just for giggles, only those that I think will be useful. Windy is an app I happen to have. They are reasonably accurate with their forecasts and I love the way they present the information.

Thanks for your valuable input.

[Andre9]

Thanks for all the useful information.

It's been a bit of a stuggle though, although I have been assured there are still a few X compacts in stock, the dealer I went to could not find any on their computer, but turns out they are a franchise to the service provider (who hold the stock as I am on a contract with them) and they suggested I go to one of their service centers. Haven't found the time yet as it is a bit out of my way.

Pity good compacts are so rare.

[Jonas]

@Andre9, that is very unfortunate.

I used the Xperia XZ1 Compact since it was released and recently replaced it with an Xperia 5. That one was the best device that I have ever used (can't really comment on the Xperia 5 as I haven't used it enough).

I'm not sure if you have an easier time finding this device, but it's better than the Xperia X Compact if you just compare the hardware. It also has Android Pie.