Sony acknowledges Xperia Z1 Compact LED flash problem, says the issue affected only a small number of phones

posted by Florin T. / Apr 07, 2014, 11:25 AM

Sony acknowledges Xperia Z1 Compact LED flash problem, says the issue affected only a small number of phones

Back in February, not long after Sony released the Xperia Z1 Compact, certain users complained about an issue that their Z1 Compact handsets had with the LED flash which accompanies the 20.7MP rear camera: when taking photos in low-light situations, the flash bled into images, distorting the final result.

Today, Sony Germany reportedly acknowledged this problem. According to German website Inside-handy, Sony stated that the issue only affected a low number of Xperia Z1 Compact units, and had been corrected in newer devices.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Sony provided an official fix for users who may have been initially affected. Still, if you’re planning to buy an Xperia Z1 Compact from now on, the flash bleeding problem shouldn’t be a concern.

The Xperia Z1 Compact currently costs around $500 unlocked. It's not officially available in the US, but you can order it via Amazon. The smartphone was launched running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean in January, and an update to Android 4.4 KitKat for it is available since March.

source: Inside-handy (translated)

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22 Comments

1. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

Sony SHOULD give a replacement for these customers! I hope at least the retailers will give them new ones if they want.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 11:38 AM 5

7. akki20892

Posts: 3902; Member since: Feb 04, 2013

Yep that's what customer service mean.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 12:58 PM 1

12. Fynjy777

Posts: 35; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

Of course they will replace it for new ones! Otherwise there is no reason in acknowledging this problem.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 5:50 PM 2

13. SuperMaoriBro

Posts: 533; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

HTC never offered replacement for their HTC One X with the constant wifi drop out issue. I got screwed with a faulty one. No matter how good HTC devices may be I will never buy another one of their products because of their lack of support. Manufacturers need to step up when they know they have sold customers devices with known issues.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 5:50 PM 2

2. wrm2013

Posts: 231; Member since: Mar 28, 2013

Why wasn't this launched in the us?

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 11:41 AM 0

3. maherk

Posts: 6705; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

so no replacement for those who got screwed? nice!

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 11:46 AM 6

4. StraightEdgeNexus

Posts: 3689; Member since: Feb 14, 2014

Man if this sony's customer support, i'm reluctant to buy a z2.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 12:07 PM 2

5. mayur007

Posts: 593; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

they do this always remember xperia s yellow tint issue they said it will be replaced for free without concerning the time , after few weeks they said they no longer will be replacing the display for free u have to pay, as its the manufacturers defect not from the consumer side they should have provided free replacement of phone rather then display. sony is the worst in quality control and sales support

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 12:26 PM 5

14. JunitoNH

Posts: 1946; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

I have to agree with you on that one. Also, what about the overheating issues with the Z1; did they provide a fix and/or replacements?

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 6:19 PM 1

6. Adrian38

Posts: 142; Member since: Nov 05, 2012

Since it's only a "small number of phones" they should replace the devices for free since this is a manufacturing issue.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 12:36 PM 4

8. FaisalWibowo11

Posts: 166; Member since: Aug 12, 2013

Off topic but you guys need to see this: Xperia Z2 tops Nokia 808 in dxomark by 2 points in dxomark ranking. I know dxomark since a long time ago, they are the best professional camera reviewers. If they give a device with a camera whether it is a DSLR, compact, point and shoot, or a smartphone a good score.. That means that particular device truly has great image quality. http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-Z2-overview-Revised-model-takes-first-place-in-Mobile-rankings

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 1:15 PM 2

9. pablobaluba

Posts: 4; Member since: Apr 07, 2014

They'd better respond also to the self-bending issue on Z1 phones. If you google it you'll find a lot of cases, not only one. It's a whole discussion on the sonytalk forums. Anybody encountered the bending problem on Z1 Compact?

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 2:09 PM 1

10. buccob

Posts: 2952; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

Apparently this is also a problem for Z1 Compact owners... it has appeared in the forums as well though not to the same recurrence as the bigger Z1... Z1 Compact have had many issues I am glad I waited... If I get it I will make sure to get a newer revision By the way... the revision that fixes the Led Bleed apparently is 14W11 and above. Hope this helps

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 3:42 PM 0

11. mokhtar

Posts: 405; Member since: Jan 06, 2014

http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/04/07/xperia-z2-tops-dxomark-camera-rankings-takes-nokia-808-pureviews-crown/ Z2 smokes 808 and 1020 NOKIA , and the best camera phone ever ... BEST DISPLAY , BEST SPEAKERS BEST CAMERA BEST DESIGN BEST SOLID SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONY RUUUUULES

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 3:46 PM 5

15. maherk

Posts: 6705; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

lol nice joke

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 6:45 PM 0

16. vipervoid123

Posts: 163; Member since: Aug 27, 2013

That not a joke dude ~ That is a geek's review ~

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 6:59 PM 0

17. maherk

Posts: 6705; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

not talking about the review mr. obvious. I am talking about all the BESTS he mentioned. Best screen goes for the s5, build quality goes for s5 and htc one m8, best design One 8, best speakers, again the M8. Sony fans should pray and hope the Z2 won't have the self destruction feature found on the Z, Z1, Z1s and Z compact, at the end of the day, no one wants a bended phone with a cracked glass.

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 7:03 PM 0

18. vipervoid123

Posts: 163; Member since: Aug 27, 2013

Too bad ~ Z2 wont have the same glass that use on Z1 , Z , Z1 compact ~! As it have no firm-sheet on above the glass the Z1 , Z , Z1 Compact ~ So no doubt the build quality will be far above the Z1 and the Z series ~ While for the screen , I knw a lot of ppl will prefer AMOLED over IPS, as AMOLED have deep black , which I think ppl will prefer , while the Live LED technology on Z2 Display is going to can let a IPS colour richer than over a normal LCD Display ~ So I think that I can reach or near the S5 Display ~ As for Speaker , will be based on song ~ M8 is more for modern music like pop genre and k-pop genre ~ while Z2 have better and clear sound on classic genre song ~

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 8:41 PM 1

22. Busyboy unregistered

lol did you seriously just say "build quality goes for s5"?? dkm man

posted on Jun 27, 2014, 1:21 PM 0

19. Rexperia

Posts: 136; Member since: Sep 28, 2012

maherk is a truly SONY haters, he never stop digging the bad things about xperia's, no matter what the xperia is, he's blind, good luck to you!!

posted on Apr 07, 2014, 9:55 PM 4

20. mahmood74

Posts: 18; Member since: Jul 24, 2013

Yes i have sony xperia z1 compact its problem in flash ohhhhhhh im get 520$

posted on Apr 08, 2014, 7:12 AM 0

21. JoshHill

Posts: 1; Member since: Apr 10, 2014

I contacted Sony Australia and they had no knowledge about any of it. So I contacted Sony Germany and they confirmed they were aware of the article but claimed it was misinformation. Do you think your website could contact Sony for an official response/comment? I am an effected user and so far the response from Sony has been disgraceful. If I can't get some resolution soon I'll be getting a refund from the retailer and never purchasing a Sony product again.