Purple Sony Xperia Z Ultra unit with support for the X-Reality engine and a new UI spotted in China

posted by Chris P. / Aug 23, 2013, 9:41 AM

Purple Sony Xperia Z Ultra unit with support for the X-Reality engine and a new UI spotted in China

A purple-colored version Sony XperiaZ Ultra of as of yet unknown origin has apparently gone on salesomewhere in China, and it holds a little surprise for Sony fans.Those of you who identify themselves as such probably know this, butSony's touted X-Reality Engine for mobile, along with thepromised UI refresh are nowhere to be found on Z Ultras incirculation, our review unit included. This seems to have changed, asa user on the Chinese GFan forum boards has shared snaps of his newpurple Sony Xperia Z Ultra showcasing a new software version,14.1.B.1.493 (our review unit had 14.1.B.1.491), along with supportfor the X-Reality engine, the successor

-->to the mobileBravia Engine 2. Alsoshown are the somewhat reworked keyboard and an extra side menu inthe app drawer thatwe've seen running on the Sony Honami software.

Though werated the Sony Xperia Z Ultra highly in ourin-depth review, there's no denying that the omission of theotherwise marketed X-Reality engine, and to a lesser extent – thenew UI, left us wanting. To that end, we're definitely glad to seethe first of the new firmware, and hopefully it won't be long until ZUltra owners get an update prompt. Last we heard, the new software isexpected to start rolling out the week commencing September 9.Whether that turns out to be the case remains to be seen.

New firmware spotted on a purple Sony Xperia Z Ultra

source: Gfan

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12 Comments

1. Shatter

Posts: 2036; Member since: May 29, 2013

I wouldm't trust anything from China as being real, odds are its a clone.

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 9:43 AM 5

5. MistB

Posts: 581; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

I'm not sure it's actually a fake. Plus the counterfeits from the country are cloning the more popular OEMS such as Samsung and Apple but rarely do they ever clone Nokias, LGs and Sonys. Homegrown OEMs Meizu/Xiaomi/Jiayu (the latter 2 especially) are being increasingly cloned due to their popularity over there.

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 2:09 PM 0

7. Shatter

Most of the clones are iphone clones, s4/s3 clones and HTC One clones.

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 3:22 PM 0

9. Remmy

Posts: 189; Member since: Jul 31, 2012

I've actually seen (and tried using) some Xperia clones, but they're extremely rare compared to Galaxy clones which you can find almost everywhere here in our country. :

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 10:33 PM 0

2. Genersis

Posts: 219; Member since: May 29, 2013

I would love to see a major overhaul of Sony's UI, not sure why, because their current one is okay. I'd just like to see what they'd do...

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 9:51 AM 0

3. tech2

Posts: 3487; Member since: Oct 26, 2012

Wow........the phone is huge !

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 10:11 AM 0

4. Shatter

Its like a mini nexus 7.

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 12:21 PM 1

6. boosook

Posts: 1442; Member since: Nov 19, 2012

Yes, it's too big, yet there are many people who bought the galaxy note so it might find its niche, especially in japan were many people would rather buy sony than samsung, if they have an option.

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 3:10 PM 1

8. rency0722

Posts: 158; Member since: Jun 12, 2013

The side menu on the app drawer is already available at launch. On the pictures itself, there is no UI seen. In fact, that SoftVer is kinda like dev support which in case XperiaBlog reported there is a PTCRB certified XZU firmware in the form of 14.1.B.1.510

posted on Aug 23, 2013, 7:29 PM 0

10. jaisix

Posts: 13; Member since: Aug 18, 2013

Hey am from. india. Currently working in sony india . As sales promoter. For xperia And am glad to say that in our z ultra training they. Showed. Us an ultra. With. X reality... Also this update. Will come in 37th week for all ultra believe. Me... Am typing. this. From my ulta. Which. Sony has given for promotion this is also not updated but will be updated. By September. 10 for sure