Z3 repeatedly falls due to slippery back

[mybrownpolarbea]

I have an issue with the z3 which I believe is a design flaw.

The glass back, while very nice, is so smooth that it just won't stay on many surfaces. I've put it on a book on a table, and it falls off within a minute. I have it plugged in overnight on a wooden bedside table, and it slowly slides off onto the floor. I even put it on a cushion on the sofa and it slides off that as well.

I've compared each scenario with a Samsung Galaxy S3, with a smooth plastic back, and an iPhone 5s with a smooth metal back, and neither of them slide at all.

If I was doing anything odd like tilting the surface or putting it on an already sloping table, I wouldn't complain. But I think this is going to happen to many people. I've seen comments about this on reddit, xda-developers, gsm arena and on a review on The Register website. The ease at which the phone slides and falls is, In my opinion, totally unreasonable, and ought to be addressed by Sony because their design has caused a problem which could so easily lead to the phone smashing, simply because it's been plugged it in to charge - a problem which doesn't happen with two other phones I've tried, and I doubt happens with most others.

Yes it's easy to buy a case but I don't see why I should have to spend more, simply to stop my phone falling on the floor, and which would hide the design of what is otherwise a beautiful phone.

Does anyone else have this problem? Ideally I'd like Sony to provide, free of charge, some kind of case (or other creative design) to fix this, because the ease at which is slips is pretty ridiculous! If any Sony designers read this I'd love to know your thoughts. And if anyone else recognises this problem please make yourselves known.

[nippit]

I have a copper color too. And I am on ky second screen. The first one smashed on the concrete floor from the table and cracked. Coat me aLOT of money sony says it is not covered with warranty. And it still falls of from any surface.
Maybe the copper model has an extremely low coefficient of friction compared to the other colors. I dont know.

But I am looking ways to increase the friction. The phone acts as if its oiled permanently or Teflon coated.

The vibrator is a killer but the phone slides from any surface even with vibrator completely turned off.

I have used Xperia Z, Xperia Z1 and now Z3 the first two do NOT have this type of problem.

I have also realized both Z and Z1 the bezel is at the same height of the glass or slightly higher, just a tiny bit. And when the device is flat on the table ( either surface) the bezel touching creates much higher coefficient of friction then glass and it stays in.

I also find I the phone slippery even when talking at times. Has only one tried to hold the Z3 phone between your check and shoulder and talk?

This is a design feature that cracks the screens then Sony should replace them NOT charge us.

How many of you has cracked screen or back here?

Nippit.

[GonMotas]

That is a constroction problem...

U must be care with ur phone... i have one too... and it happens too, only when i don't have the proper care with it...

[kmeb85]

I'm so glad it's not just me!! I've had the phone 3 days and keep finding it on the floor when I put it down on the coffee table.. Was getting a bit freaked out till I watched it slide right off the edge of the table. It slides off books and the arm of the sofa too. Luckily we have carpet in the living room but I'm worried now in case it happens on a hard floor. I have just ordered a case but Im not happy about it as it completely ruins the look of the phone it's a shame really.. The phone seems to be resistant to any material :-?

[katie29]

Yes I have the same problem with my new mint green Z3Compact... Bought the phone not only cos I've always had Sony phones and never had a problem but also cos the glass back made it look cool.... However am constantly looking at screen for cracks and scratches after the amount of times I put it on FLAT surface and it falls off! I got bought a boom box for Christmas you know the one that amplifies the sound of the music on ur phone just by putting ur phone on it... Anyway I can't use the **bleep** thing without it falling off

[stockyvillage]

@kstie29.Get a Ringke Fusion clear back case for your phone.They are available on eBay or Amazon

[stockyvillage]

Sorry for typo error in your name Katie. Big fingers small keys

[dandy63]

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@katie29 wrote:
Yes I have the same problem with my new mint green Z3Compact... Bought the phone not only cos I've always had Sony phones and never had a problem but also cos the glass back made it look cool.... However am constantly looking at screen for cracks and scratches after the amount of times I put it on FLAT surface and it falls off! I got bought a boom box for Christmas you know the one that amplifies the sound of the music on ur phone just by putting ur phone on it... Anyway I can't use the **bleep** thing without it falling off

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If you dont want to spoil the good looks of your phone but want that little bit extra grip on the back...try & find a good quality Skin sticker for the back, a clear one would be good to keep the style/colour of your phone :smileysmileywink:

[Al-Dee]

To Sony If you BOTHER to read your customers' comments.  ( I doubt you do - commerce is supplier driven in this century rather than customer-need driven).

There is a DESIGN FAULT with the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact.

The material used for the CASE is UNSUITABLE FOR A HANDHELD COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.

The material is TOO SLIPPERY. My phone has slipped onto the floor (luckily carpeted) approximately 8 times within 24 hours of puchase. And yes I swore! The angle for slipping to commence is somewhat less than one degree.

I **have** ordered a gel case and anticipate its arrival which can't come soon enough (of course the supplier didn't have any cases for the phone).

I since discovered that SONY supplied a screen protector and a ** back ** protector in the box (this is admission in itself that the phone is poorly designed!). The back protector does reduce the slipping to some extent but not completely. The Gel case is still needed.

SONY:  Please TEST your devices with REAL people. Please DESIGN for the purpose. If the phone NEEDS a case, please ship one with it. Although it is rather pointless paying those arty types millions of bucks for their designs if you cover it up with a case.

I have an idea ...

- Design phones to have NON-SLIP cases.

- Design phones to have a secondary e-ink display so we can see time and message information when the main display is off.

- Design phones to have a SELECTION of case types, from fancy to ruggedised for your various customer types. (Mobile phones are all now almost exactly the same! - Even the sales staff are bored selling them. "This is the same as that one but shinier".

- Have some variety and uniqueness instead of copying Apple year in year out!   "Oooh look what Apple did now - let's copy them again!"

And please please please do NOT infer that customers are LYING when they call for support.

On the plus side - the CAMERA button is FANTASTIC - Apple could copy you on that one - (if only the phone weren't trying to slip out of my hand while taking pictures 🙂

We love you Sony - please look after us.

[dquilon]

@katie29

I agree with the advice of Stockyvillage, I got the Ringke Fusion case (smoky instead of clear) and it totally change the feel of my device. I admit that it does not feel as nice, but it feels SECURE... It does not slip (has raised corners at the back and raise border on the front) and it really helps preventing damage.

I try to take care of my devices, specially this new and expensive (relatively) phone, but I dropped it from my lap when I was geting down from a car, onto concrete. The phone survived without any scratches.

Also I take advantage of the eyelet hole that Sony phones provide, and I use a wrist strap with mine... just like a point & shoot camera... I got used to holding it with my hand on the strap, and this is way better than any case, because you are not "trying to survive" an accident, you are preventing the fall altogether...

Either way, the Ringke Fusion case and/or the wrist strap are great ways to protect our phones.

[zeefozz]

But we DON'T want cases, defeats the purpose of owning a nice phone. Sony need to supply "grippers" for the back of the phone like sold here,  https://flexinno.com/egrips?g2_itemId=1849

seems to be the only fix.....

Zane