Black Myth Wukong Review, Guide and Tips

Finally completely the hottest game, Black Myth Wukong on my PS5. Not just once but 3 times, in order to prepare for the DLC with maximum stats and inventory of all drinks, soaks, weapons, armor, etc.

This is is really well crafted. From the story line to the logic in every game play. Not just punching the buttons away. Certain bosses have certain logic behind them or certain items you need to be carrying to help you.

I have gone through walkthrough, youtube video to name some to enjoy the maximum of the game. So here are some of the list I would recommend. Below includes also some logic explanation and story line created by others so you will appreciate the game better. Do note no glitches are shared here as mostly everyone is been patched.

Information

• Story of the characters you met in the game.
• All characters Journal entries
• Additional dialogue when you use certain item on some bosses
• All trophy list you will need to play NG+ to complete some of the armor and weapons

Logic

• Chapter 2 Yellow Wind Ridge - The Yellow Sage help you by determining how good you are.\
• Chapter 5 Yin Yang Boss Logic - This boss, can be easy or tough depending if you know the logic. Interesting game play for this.
• How to unlock the 4th focus point. A reason why I played NG+2

Tips

• IGN Walkthrough - When I was playing they only have to Chapter 3. Now they have up to Chapter 5. So it is still a great guide to help you though. 
• Best place to farm for ingredients and level.
• Secret areas in every chapter. Before going to final bosses
• Bosses in each chapter and location include map of each chapter
• Drinks and Soak locations
• Gourd locations
• Curios locations. Note not every Curios can be obtain more than once
• Fire date seed which I was missing to complete the trophy after completing the game and repeat farming to finally got it
• Tiger Tendon Belt which I repeat a few times to get it to complete the trophy
• Venomous Armguard - In chapter 4, from Venom Daoist, hit 4 of hands off before defeating him. I missed this and have to do it in NG
• Summon 2 sets of Duplicate
• Bosses easy strategy

Hope the above helps you as it helps me.

Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Review

Today I am writing a review on Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones which I have purchase in Dec 2019. Having used it close to six months now, I would say it is a fair headphones. Definitely not the best but an average headphones pricing at SGD349.

Let's list down some of the features when you want a wireless headphones to help in your daily work.

• Build quality
• Sound Quality
• Comfort
• Noise Cancelling
• Bluetooth connection stability
• Microphone
• Hear through mode (able to hear outside sound together)
• Multi-device connections
• Ease of use of the earphones
• Ease of use of the app

Let go through go through each item and put a score to it.

Build quality 8/10

The build quality of the headphones are good. The case however get easily scratched with its smooth metallic painting. The plastic quality and build does not make the earphones looks cheap in any way. The case looks good but since it get scratch easily, you might end up getting a silicon case to cover it completely. Guess what, there are plenty of design for them.

Sound Quality 10/10

Sony being a music device manufacturer, it didn't fail in this category. If they do, I think they cannot be still in the market till date. Every song you play you can hear and enjoy good quality playback. You can also adjust the EQ in the app. This is where they excel.

Comfort 8/10

For the comfort level, there are multiple size of silicon tips for the ear bud. So you can choose what that fit you most. In fact, the right one would be one that stuff in your ear and hold it there without dropping. I have no problem wearing it for long period of time. However, it can still slide off for me with some heavy head movement. If they were smaller like the Jabra close to your ear, it could be less weightage to drop off.

Noise Cancelling 8/10

It has the usual noise cancelling. Of course since it is a in ear device, it cannot isolate the sound completely like an over ear headphones does. In this case, it serve it's purpose.

Bluetooth connection stability 2/10

This is what ignores me most. And just do a google search, you can find a lot of forum discussion. Pairing a device is fine and works seamlessly. However, the pain comes when you are in a call and it start to end you call abruptly. 

The next ignoring thing is when you are in a call or music, the left ear piece will lose it connection with no sound. Workaround is to place it back to the case to disconnect it and take it out again. This can happen anytime, and many times. Next the connection is not stable, even with the right ear still having sound, it still will disconnect on and off and connect back by itself.

Now this is the part, whether its first time connection or re-connection, there are chances that the connection will end up with lots of white noise. You will have to place the ear piece into the case to disconnect and wear it back again. Every incoming call will be in white noise more than half of the time especially using one side of the ear piece.

So other than pairing is seamless nothing else solve the rest of the issues. Whether is it a firmware upgrade or a service center repair. These things keep coming back.

Even their WH-1000XM3 headphone suffer the same fate if you google it around. Seems like Sony doesn't learn and just create one wireless headphones from their over-ear headphones and inherit all the same issues.

Even my Huawei FreeBuds which cost half the price works better.

Microphone 4/10

If you are in a quiet place, your other party will hear you loud and clear, however when your background start to have some noise, the other party will hear them very clearly. The microphones seems to pick up all the sound in your background include your voice. This is not a very smart microphone intelligence build in.

Whether on a PC or a mobile phone, it happens.

Hear through mode (able to hear outside sound together) 5/10

This feature in Sony is called Ambient sound. So yes it does have that capability. I really like that however it has an auto mode which fails big time. Often than not, I rather activate as and when I need it.

Multi-device connections 5/10

Yes it can be paired to multiple devices but it can only be connected to one at anyone time. This is something I thought could be improve. My Bose headset can at least do it with two at the same time. Jabra can do the same as well.

Ease of use of the earphones 4/10

Sony try hard and include more function but the hardware has only one touch surface. This results in trying to create function by tapping once, twice or thrice. It get so complicated that half the time I can't remember what each does. Including new functions is great but when you didn't device the hardware to be part of it, it makes memory skills requirement a must.

One thing to note, you are able to use one earbud and that is the only right side allowed.

Ease of use of the app 7/10

The app is nicely done. Not the best, but once you use it enough you will get to understand how to use it easily. I didn't put a very high score for this is because, firmware update via the app is really slow. No matter the connection speed of the data you are on.

Finally verdict, would I still pay the same price to get this Headset if given a choice? The answer would be No. The usability is very important as a wireless headset and since this is not even meant for sports and price as much as those on the market with water resistant ability, it is not worth. I am doubting to get another Sony headphones till they resolve the major usable issues.

If you add the wire and remove the mic, the headphone is perfect but not at this price.

Update 4th May 2020

Having turn off DSEE HX mode to test out the connection. Will update in a few days.

Thomson Medical Center for Baby Delivery Review

This is a personal experience as a first-time parent walkthrough.

Seeing most of my friends delivering in Thomas Medical Center (TMC), and have a great review so we decided to have ours at TMC.

We sign up a package at one of TMC seminars at Raffles City with TCM Herbal Care, Single-Premium, Confinement food since our gynecologist practice at TMC, so why not?

TMC isn't the newest hospital from the car park which is always full to getting around the hospital isn't easy.

Day 1 - 11pm

On the day of admission, during admission, I was informed that renovation work is done at one of the rooms. I wasn't even informed that that room was next to ours. Great information handling there.

I was given a season pass parking ticket. Which was told to use it when exiting to register for my car. The iPad that was at the admission counter, shows an app to register the season parking ticket that was issued so as not need to do the above mentioned, the app was not applicable for Singapore location. I wonder if TMC has even tested it before even provide such information and service.

The HRMS system was not able to process my information twice after asking for my information twice, they end up with paper and pen process. In the world of technology, I am amazed at how TMC has leverage on technology or even at all. 

Day 2

My wife was transferred from the observation room followed by the labour ward all this in your delivery suites. The nurses take the turn to come in to check on her every few hours. I was with her throughout the 24 hours of labour. I fell asleep and woke up to discover the pee bag leaks until the whole floor was wet and dirtied our bags and luggage. As a routine, what did your staff came to check every few hours and not see that the pee bag has leaked? If it was a few drops I can understand they missed it. How did it end up the whole floor? When was the last check I wonder? When I walked out of the labour ward, the display of each ward with which gynecologist was filled with MS Window prompt window errors. What a high tech hospital!

After more than 24 hours, my wife delivered, we were moved to her room. 

Day 3

Upon reaching the room, realize that the ward has two sections and we are located in the 2nd section where there is only a nurse manning the reception. There are at least 5 wards. The section we are at can be access any time any day unless the other section which will be lock by an entrance door during non-visiting hours.

Isn't that great? Yes, great if your friends keep coming visiting and also allow all the advertisers from baby hand mould to confinement food, to baby photography, etc seller to enter the ward.

The room next to us was having the renovation, there were people walking in and out and talking at the corridor. Follow on there is the Texas Instrument industry-grade air filter clearing the air due to renovation. As my wife is a light sleeper, these have completely ruined her rest throughout the stay.

When in the room, the staff asked my wife to attempt to pee and let them know once she did. After she is done, we informed the staff, they mention they need to check why didn't we inform them when attempting? After this, they place a measurement tray on the toilet bowl and ask my wife to pee into it next time so they can check. What on earth is that? Ain't you suppose to place that when you ask my wife to attempt the first time? Why did this tray come about only now?

My child was sent to NICU. I was told I can make a trip down to view him. I make a trip down to visit him at around 10am. The staff at NICU told me they will be expecting me at 11am for NICU orientation. TMC, am I hearing or seeing things wrongly. Why is such information only passed to me when I am physically present and not mentioned when you told me my child is in NICU. If I wasn't there, so I will miss that orientation or you will ask me back another day (hopefully).

During the NICU orientation, I was told I am able to check the interim cost for NICU at the admission counter. I headed down at around 7PM to ask for the estimated cost. The staff there responded to me after trying to find the paperwork that they were just about to call me. Seriously from 10am to 7pm, you do not want to contact me. So you intend to contact me past 7pm or 12 midnight?

Day 4

From my friend who also signed up the Herbal Care, he was told the TCM practitioner will come to see my wife. We do not know how this going to work so I went to the staff counter at the room, they told me I need to call. So I went down to the registration counter and was told after 10 mins after trying to find out what the TCM Herbal Care I signed up, told me I need to call up TMC TCM at Paragon. Why were we not informed during the signing up of the package? We last check at the registration counter a few weeks ago, the staff told us they have all the details not to worry, yet when we asked, no one knows what is happening? TMC, is your system even integrated. It seems like information is all over the place. I thought this would happen in a community hospital but they do much better in this area than you. As a first-timer, I am completely lost in navigating your hospital disparate system.

We were asked if we wanted to attend a class by your Lactation consultant at 11am. We went and was told we will be given alcohol swaps and cotton cloth for bathing.

Day 5

Discharging day, I told the staff at the ward reception we will be leaving for lunch since the discharge time is between 11-12pm. The staff told us we will receive an SMS for the payment. I left to keep things in our car. My wife was given the tub and the nursing bag upon leaving. My wife has done a C-section. Why when I mention at the counter, things ain't hand to me first and you expect a C-Sect patient to carry all these? 

My wife asks the staff regarding the alcohol swap and the cotton cloth and was told, the cotton cloth is not given.

I headed down to the class which was held and asked, was told by the Lactation consultant the cloth is not given. Great job done, I must be hearing things yesterday with the rest of the patients. The cloth is not important its the message been given to different departments is completely inaccurate.

We then have to go to the baby gift shop to process our confinement food after reading the notice at the information counter. We were also not told how to do it.

After this whole experience at TMC, I realize that you do provide me a D.E.L.I.V.E.R brand promise:

Delight - You must be delighted never fail to provide great disappointment without meeting expectations for your customers.

Empathise - the only staff that I remember was May Lee, who with patience and without agitation walk me through my registration regardless of system error and with a customer call who cut her off when she attended one in front of me. And the only staff I remembered by name. She even remembers me the next day when I walked past asking how was my wife. You should instill such staff attitude to all your staff. The other staffs that did a great job are the nurses in NICU angels, the Lactation consultant, the doctors, and TCM practitioner. Anything outside is all disappointment services.

Learn - Learn from other government hospitals how they operate. Does a private hospital such as TMC, be the same or worse off standard than a polyclinic?

Innovate - Your technology to serve your customer are completely old dated and not relevant and you should have an integrated systems not disparate system with wrongly provided information without even testing yourself.

Value-add - Definitely the price I paid for does not justify the service we received. The Value Add lesson from lactation and feeding is appreciated.

Empower - TMC did empower the knowledge gain was your class by a Lactation consultant during the stay and from the NICU staff.

Respect - I hope you respect this feedback and strongly do something about it.

In summary, the class by lactation was well received. The handling briefing upon discharge in feeding and changing the diaper by the NICU staff was great. The staff, May Lee, who handled my admission has a fantastic attitude. Confinement food is excellent.

Any other hospital services did not meet up to expectations.

The person who was very busy during this whole stay was me, not any staff or any people involved. Should TMC pay me for doing all the work myself?

Lasly, I was asked to do a feedback form at NICU and was told that was for NICU. However, the headed was a default TMC feedback form. They were trying to cover up your feedback for NICU for their servicendelivery as a hospital. How scheming is that?

Update 31st Dec 2019

Have you been to a Polyclinic in Singapore? If you do then you know seeing a doctor take hours. This applies the same.if you are seeing any Paediatrician Doctor (PD) at TMC. In fact, do you know in Polyclinic, newborn priority is much faster than you seeing a PD at TMC and at fraction of the cost and even free for mandatory jabs for Singaporeans? Shocking truth.

Update 7th Jan 2020

Is TMC a nursing friendly hospital? With so many mothers and babies in and out we would thought TMC is nursing friendly. Sadly to say, TMC is not. In fact, the whole hospital only have one nursing room at Level 3 and only accessible via one lift lobby. The nursing room can only fit two person at any one time.

Google Nexus 6p by Huawei - A User Experience

Finally in Singapore, Huawei decide to bring in the Nexus 6P in Graphite and Aluminum.  I finally got my hand on it on 24th Nov 2015.

Some might ask me why not Samsung, Sony, LG, etc?

• I was very keen with LG but G4 has been out for awhile.  The only impressive thing LG did was their camera at F1.8 which is very decent.
• Samsung TouchWiz UI is just too heavy, it can come with 4GB memory like Note 5, but it will still slow down due to the demand of the UI.  
• Sony, almost vanilla Android, my previous phone is a SOny Xperia Z3.  It was decent but lots of Sony own apps like Music Play, Camera, etc. not that is not good but the inbuild storage was too little for me.  Yes Z5 might be a good choice, but I want a bigger phone and shortlisted Z5 Premium but drop the idea completely after see that the volume button is at the bottom half of the phone makes it hard to use when in a call.

Eventually I chose Huawei Google Nexus 6P been first it's stock Android and it's tuned on the hardware so it will be as good as a iPhone in terms of smoothness.

The case more of environmental material not very hardy or very premium.  The outer wrapper is the one that tie the box together.  However the IMEI tag is on it so after opening this wrapper need to be kept for warranty for sure since it doesn't stick after opening.

In Singapore, the phone does not comes with any $50 Play Store credit instead Huawei just throw in their own phone case (which I find it poor in quality as it has sharp edges) and ear phones (which I prefer using my own).  You can find accessories in Qoo10, Amazon or even Taobao easily.

Why Aluminum vs Graphite?
I got the the Aluminium one instead of the Graphite.  As Singapore only release these 2 colours to choose from reason for this was Graphite is a fingerprint magnet it's just like your glossy screen protector which make me switch to Aluminum after a hands on the real thing.

Free case and ear piece

In the box, is one power adapter, one USB-C to USB-C cable for use with the power adapter to charge the phone, a USB-C to USB-A cable to connect to a laptop or use with other power adapter using USB-A, Nexus 6p and the SIM card tray removal pin.  The instruction sheet is nicely done in diagram and pictures as you can see.

A few things you might want to take note that many reviews just mention the great features but left out some stuff.

1. Most mobile phone charger is using 2A output however in Nexus 6p, it is a 3A.  You might use the old mobile phone power adapter with the USB-C to USB-A cable however do not the fast charging timing will not be the same since the current output is different.
2. Buying a USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A cable online or from anywhere else, might not be able to leverage on the fast charge feature or it might damage your USB port if it does not meet the USB-C specification.  You can refer to Benson Leung from Google who has reviewed and explained which cable works to avoid this.  He also added almost every USB-C to USB-A cable in Amazon.  You can also download the CheckR, and connect the cable to your PC and your phone and switch your "Use USB for" to Photo transfer (PTP), if it turns green been the cable is USB-C compliant.
3. USB-A to USB-C adapter that convert your micro USB cable, might not be able to use as a data cable anymore but end up been a charging cable (I have bought some and it turn my data cable to a charging cable).
4. Buying a screen protector that covers the proximity sensor lying just under the bottom right of the upper speaker will cause black screen when in a call.
5. Buying a case that covers the mic at the back below the finger scanner might cause your call quality to drop.

Option to choose which to use with the USB

CheckR showing green indicating cable to USB-C compliance

How do you know how much is fully charge and how long more?  There is an indicator on the time remaining only on the locked screen below.

If you are charging from a source that output too little power you will see the message below.

How do you enable the percentage shown on the battery and also change the quick settings icons and layout?  Just pull down your notification window and pull down one more time to have quick settings in sight, press and hold the setting icon (gear logo) for a few seconds and release.  Go into your settings and the last item of the list will be System UI.  You will see a percentage on you battery.  While charging, you can only see the percentage on the notification screen by pulling down twice.

If you want to save some battery power, you can turn on Battery saver from the Settings>Battery, click on the top right hand corner where the 3 dots are and choose Battery saver.  You will be directed to the below section.  Turning on the Battery saver switch your theme to orange.  Don't ask me why Google choose this colour.  Do note that Battery saver is automatically turn off when you charge your phone.  Do note that when Battery saver is turned on, the phone animation will be turn off which I find it rather appearing very fast as there is not transition animation.

Inbuild in the Settings menu also contain a Explorer.  I would recommend you to download one e.g. ES Explorer instead.  However if you want to use the internal one, you can go to Settings>Storage. You will see the section as below, click the last line Explore.

You will be brought to the below section.  This is an internal explorer where you can browse and copy and even delete files here.

While there are no major bugs or issue that I came across, there are some cosmetic interface bug I discovered so far:

• Finger mark on the Google search bar left behind if you press and hold and slide off which is also found once left on the Google Now page on the extreme left of your dashboard.
• Words correction prompt come out below the word covered by your keyboard which can be resolved by hiding your keyboard.

Screenshot
Taking screenshot can be done pressing the Volume Down button with Power button at the same time.  You will have to use the native Google Photo to view or share the photos.  I used it quite often and turn on the auto backup when charging.  Alternative photo app I used is QuickPic Gallery from Cheetah mobile (the one who also make Clean Master used by Samsung) where you get free online storage.

A new method introduced in the new Google Now, is to hold the Home button and Google Now will give you share icon, choosing that will allow you to share to your friends without saving a copy in your storage.  You need to be using Google Now as your default home button.  This needs to be turn on at the server side so you might not received it yet.  At time of writing (14th Dec 2015), you can join the beta release to use it join here.  I joined and after awhile I got the Share icon.

Display
For those who find the colour of the display too high a contrast, you can switch the screen colour display to a sRGB scheme via the developer menu.  You will need to press a few times on Build Number in Settings>About Phone till it says Developer Options unlock.

One thing to note if you use the adaptive screen, often I find the sensor does not sense accurate either too bright or too dark.  I end up doing my own adjustment and turn off that adaptive function.


Camera
So far the camera is decent.  However you cannot shake too much of your hand else the picture will appear blurred.  Also the flash when taking people do have Red Eye which many reviews did not test this out.  Nothing can't be fixed with some photo editing apps.  (I will show some of the camera picture at later as to make sure I know how to use it completely and with other apps.)  You can enable quick camera launch in the Settings to Press Power Button twice to go to camera mode.

Something which I find most manufacturer camera app is focusing the right focus.  What do I mean, trying focusing on a lightup signboard with lights, likelihood it will be blur out.  But for Google Camera, it knows its too bright and will dim it down!


Battery
The battery life for me wasn't ideal for now it manage to last me about 10 hours from the time I left the charger till I am home.  Will update the battery further on this.  The main reason for this might be due to the use of my Moto360 which requires a constant connection over Bluetooth.

One thing to note, if you are using any Android Wear Smart watch, make sure you turn off "auto connect" if you are not wearing else Android Wear will constantly try to search and connect and this will run off some power.

You can now auto backup your photos using Google Photos.  Be Careful of what you choose for the setting especially only do when it is charging else you might end up wasting power trying to backup via Wifi or wasting data using your mobile.


Updating in progress...  While I am still using it, I will constant put up what I discover the good and bad of it.  Do check back.

The Wheelie: Electric Unicycle

Have you seen occasionally people riding on an electronic unicycle on the road?  I saw some on the road and came across some mention in blog and forum and end up locating Singapore local Unicycle Community that is called, The Wheelie.  They have a facebook page and a blog which you can follow them on.  They are many others .e.g Solowheel, Airwheel, etc.  Some will cost you a bomb.

I decide to get from them as they are like a start up community with common interest individuals.  There are many sources your can get this, but most are out to do commercial sale with you or you can even order from Taobao, but no one is going to teach you  Also if you hit problem with your unicycle you will want someone you can get attention from.  No matter who you get it from make sure you have some kind of warranty coverage.

They are picking up popularity that they were featured in Ch5 and Ch8 programs.  I happen to met up with one of the founder who 1) I won a selfie stick from their Christmas contest and 2) I bought my first electric Uni-Cycle on Valentine's Day!

So I met up with Colin who came with my unicycle and the handle that can be fitted with the Wheelie at a multistorey carpark as he is going to give an hour of training on it.  Yes they do delivery to you and teach you at places near you.

Here it is the box is look big.

The power adapter in here and safety strap which is not shown here.

The Wheelie is right underneath with the learning wheels.

 

They even have their decal sticker on it.  But it looks good better than a plain white wheelie.

To learn this unicycle, you would need the safety strap for safety not for learning.  As you will wear out your calf when trying to first learn it, they actually throw in a free calf support so as to reduce the bruises you might get learning.  How thoughtful!

As I bought the model known as R8, you looks pretty but the material of the plastic is of a more towards what you see on phones vs the lower end model where its like industrial plastic.  In such, it is best to cover some of the parts where you lightly crash you wheelie.  Every set you purchase some with a pack of rubber stickers for you to wrap your unicycle.

Colin just gave me some left overs as well.

I am not a artistic person so here is my attempt to doll it up with protection.

It's not looking good perfectly but its better than crashing up my unicycle right.  This R8 is not light so I purchase the handle bar as well.  Just in case I need to carry around much easier.

Since my unicycle is new, and was without any protection, Colin was nice to lend me his to teach me throughout the one hour.  Do note it is very tiring and exhausting if you are someone who seldom exercise, you might just end up stopping after 30 minutes that what Colin share with me.

During the session, I was able to mount on and ride a short distance.  However everyone learning period is different I am not going to give you hope that during the first time you will be able to do it.  Perhaps my experience with roller blading and ice skating do help here.

Yes I dent a few spots on the wheelie.  Sad but well its comes with the first few try but its not obvious as I have all the bumper cushioning it.

The Wheelies do hold weekly meet up if you are keen to try it out by referring to their Facebook page.


Update 8th Mar 2015
Today is the first time I joined The Wheelies for a group session.  Thanks for my fiancee who allows me some times off to join this.  It was a fun group of people.  This was my 3rd time testing out my Wheelie, 1) when I bought it, 2) I brought it to test run myself for an hour trying to learn, 3) this group outing.  I also get to see the amazing kid who was able to do all stunts.

There were a few people who came up to us to enquire of the unicycle.  They get to try a bit.  Hope to see more people around.

 Waiting for the everyone to catch up for a phototaking.

Look at the different Wheelies from all the users.  Majority are purchased from The Wheelies while there are some who bought themselves from some other sources.  the community does not stop you where you get it from to join the fun!

 One photo taking pit stop.

Another stop.

As I am new, some of them accompanied me but slowly but surely you will pick up your speed to learn.  Of course safety is very important and I experience it the hard way.  I fell due to speeding and losing control of the wheel when it try to slow me down.  So be WARNED! Do not speed with it unless you are full protected and even if you are, its advisable not too unless you are eager to pay "road tax".  Here is what I pay for:

I am considered a fast learner able to wheel using just 3 tries.  That does not mean everyone can do that.  You will need to practice.  It might be my roller blading background that helps me.

Wheel safe.

A short video while on my wheelie.  Do not try this till you are confident of it.  I am just been too eager to do it :)

Switch from Samsung Galaxy Note to Sony Xperia

I was an avid Apple user but started to switch to Android after using the first Android phone Samsung Galaxy Note.  Then on I moved from Galaxy Note 2, Note 3 and eventually winning a Note 8 during a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 fans' event.

Sadly my last experience with Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was a short one and disappointing one.  The screen started to occur on off yellowish stint on the AMOLED screen on and off.  I sent it to the service center twice over a period of months and a software reset was done on both occasions.  The third time was after a splash of water the day before and it was told the screen has corrosion and it will be chargeable (even under warrranty) over SGD600 to service it.  With that price I could have got a new set off the shelf!  Though it was my fault getting it splash by water, even storing it in dry both and cleaning the internal completely, coming from an engineering background tells me corrosion does not happen over night.  As I am an active person who goes running with my phone on and off, I thought it was due to this reason.

Few days ago, my friend who owns a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, encounter the same problem in front of me with that yellow stint appearing on and off.  Before I could take a picture of it, it returns to normal.  My friend who not active person kept the phone in dry condition.  With the witness of this incident, it seems that Samsung device generally Galaxy note 3 is prone to; Corrosion. I believe this is due to the high humidity in Singapore where I am located, the phone gets corrosion easily inside the phone!  With such an experience, I decide to switch to a phone that has water and dust resistant, definitely that would not be Samsung Galaxy S5 as a friend of mine have to send to service after the phone power off by itself suddenly and refused to power on in less than a month!

Enough of my dismay, I was loving Samsung Galaxy Note series due to the S Pen.  However I was wondering how can I do without it making a switch.  I was very tempted to get Samsung Galaxy Note 4 or Edge, however I encounter the usage of Galaxy Note Edge design pretty useless (mainly its a right handed phone and lightly the next iteration will be double screen edge) and easily damaging the screen by accidental drop.

The verdict why not Galaxy Note 4?  Well another friend of mine who got the Galaxy Note 4, tried the *#0*# test and guess what?  The touch test have one straight area of fault.  How on earth did the phone pass the QC test?  Didn't Samsung QC this via the test?  With many complains of Galaxy Note 4 (all screen related) on their Singapore Facebook page, I decide to drop the idea completely and not to face with the same warranty issues paying for the most expensive Android phone.

Here a Samsung Galaxy Edge demo set encounter screen distortion issue.  Are you kidding me so many screen issues?

I have been Sony Xperia Z3 for more than a week now, I am going to review this phone in sections comparing this with my previous Galaxy Note 3.  Moving forward if you didn't catch the news, Sony Mobile is going to focus on premier phones instead of market share.

The hardware specification in terms of CPU and Memory is the same other than Sony Xperia Z3 uses Snapdragon 801 while Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is on Snapdragon 800 both has 3 GB of memory and with Note 3 32 GB of storage and Sony 16 GB.

Body
The body of the Sony Experia Z3 is front back with glass.  Apparently I tested it pouring water over it and it seems like some coating is on top of it where water does not stay on it.

The edge is surrounded by rounded metal with the four corners with soft material suppose to block a fall.  This design looks similar to Apple iPhone 6 perhaps that's was how it was copied from since Apple iPhone 6 was launch later this year while Sony Xperia Z3 was beginning of the year.

So I got a transparent case for my Sony from Qoo10 as well.  It even has a stopper for the ear jack.  Since Sony is already waterproof this is just added protection.  The side where the dock charger is rather lose due to the thin line covering over the edge.  But not a problem just need a cover over the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is totally plastic front, back and side.  Nothing much to shout about.  In fact, a little water droplet and your phone might be in for corrosion.  I tested it my faulty Note 3 and place a drop of water on the screen and move the water droplet and realize it is able to sip into the edge where the glass and the edge touches!  I am not able to test this on Galaxy Note 4 or Edge, but since quality of the NOte series are dropping each release, I assumed this will be the same even though now they change from plastic to metal.

Overlay
Sony uses Xperia while Samsung uses TouchWhiz.  When I tried upgrading the latest firmware on Sony and Samsung, the numbers of build in components on Samsung was way over 100 while Sony has 18.  Yes 18!  That is how much Samsung has bloated that TouchWhiz.

I uses the Power Clean app (do not mixed it with Clean Master which drain quite a bit of power itself) and often I will get notifications on CPU and Memory over utilized on Galaxy Note 3 and not on Sony.  This is how out of the box you have left for your own use for the hardware resources on Samsung.  I installed the same apps I used and I am impressed with Sony resource utilization versus what I can see on Samsung.  Are you paying more for less to use?

Sony transition do feel very smooth much smoother than Samsung as TouchWhiz is just way too heavy.  On Note 4, after changing the runtime to ART, it feel smooth.  I wonder what will happen to Sony when runtime is switched to ART?  You can do that math.

To show that TouchWhiz is heavy this is when an update is applied to Note 4 (355 apps) and Note Edge (339 apps).  Why would a stock phone off the shelf have so much apps!  What you are paying for?  I wasn't able to show the Sony Xperia Z3, but it contains 18 apps during optimizing so it was very fast in updating.

Home Screen

Home screen works almost the same except that Sony have the Google bar permanent on the top of page but you can always hide it while Samsung is a widget to choose.  Same as App drawer, you do not get back to the first page like Samsung when you reach the last page.

Apps Drawer

One thing I love about Galaxy Note 3 app drawer was it is able to create folder and check the apps to be placed in it.  I can also arrange the pages and the app drawer once reached the end will rotate back to the first page.  In Sony, this is not so.  You will need to drag app over app to create a folder just like iOS.  Once you reach the end of the pages, you have to swipe left again you do not get back to the first page.  No arranging of pages and arranging the app drawer took really awhile for me but this is due to Sony using the vanilla android style without bloating the phone.

However Sony have a slide out tool bar on the left to allow you to search or access Sony Select or Google Play store.  This seems to look something like Windows 8.  Clicking on Uninstall, shows what apps can be uninstalled.

Bloatwares
Sony comes as lean as possible almost pure vanilla android other than some Sony apps.  Samsung on the other hand have lots of apps from themselves and third party making them almost too bloated to function.  In fact, I have to disable lots of Samsung default apps to release my memory and resources e.g. S Voice, S Translate, Album, ChatON, etc. (what on earth are these even there?)

Sony does not have special apps that requires certain version to be open.  For Samsung Galaxy Note, for the newer version of S Note, the older version is not able to open them.  Meaning to say, when you have a device newer than your older Note series, the S Notes are not portable between each other.  I sort of got in the middle when I got Note 3 where my Note 1 & 2 & 8 is unable to use Note 3 S Note created notes!  For Samsung Galaxy Note user be prepared for this if you use S Note intensively especially when Samsung Marketing is marketing S Note like wonder.  Yes I use S Note intensively for work to jote notes during meetings and this experience left we strangled.

Screen
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a 5.7 inch screen which makes it a phablet which also make viewing any page or documents easy on the eyes.  For the Sony Xperia Z3, it is 5.2, that is 0.5 inch which I need to get used to.  Though it takes a while to adjust I do however miss the bigger screen of Note 3.  Sony Xperia Z3 has it return and Home button located in the screen which took away some vertical space but its still acceptable in most apps, it is hidden with just 3 dots.  I did not compare the density in pixel as these are marketing numbers, it is transparent to the eyes once you reach a certain degree.

Under the sun, Sony adaptive display is able to brighten the screen quite fast and well.  Comparing to Samsung, sometimes it took a while to react and times it failed to brighten the screen in time.  This is mostly due to the TouchWiz algorithm written isn't as smart.

Screen recording was a featured function when Note 1 was about to launch but end up Samsung removed it due to some reason.  Till Note 4 there is still nothing as promised when it wanted to launch the first Note series.  Sony however does have the screen recording feature.  It sort of hidden and launch through pressing the power button.

Reading news on Sony make me feel I miss slightly bigger screen like Note 3, however I was able to get use to it for awhile since I have been using phablets for years before reducing the screen size slightly.

Buttons
Both phones has the volume and power button on the edge.  For Sony Xperia Z3, it has a camera button so taking pictures feels like using a real camera.  Also in the camera app, I used to set volume as shutter key for Samsung Galaxy Note 3, with Sony Xperia Z3, I can use it as a zoom button instead.

The home, recent and return key for Sony are all in the screen which makes holding the phone in portrait or landscape an ease mentioned by my friend who first took it to try on which I wasn't aware and find it true.  Samsung on the other hand has it at the edge, so make holding the phone by the side especially on landscape mode often hitting on the buttons.

Camera
In terms of megapixel, Sony big win on Xperia Z3.  However on Galaxy Note 3, though the camera isn't as fantastic, Samsung has made a long way using software to enhance many things.  The launch of the default camera in fact lags quite a bit comparing with other phones, however they are good at making the picture colours shine via software processing.

Sony been a camera maker, makes the camera app really easy to use, the most used mode: Auto, Manual is my favourite.  You can even download more modes if you want to.  However there wasn't any grid line that can be show on the screen.  Colours are not as rich as Samsung as Sony do not add heavy processing to the pictures.  This isn't a problem where app cannot resolve.

Macro mode in Note 1 was great, after which in Note 2 and 3 it just failed tremendously.  It is so hard to capture something near.  This does not affect Sony and it still take great close up.

I love the flash from Sony, it takes picture well without over exposing the object.  It also add a soft touch filling the object nicely which Samsung fail to do so.  Samsung LED flash just always over power the object.  In fact, only Galaxy Note 1 was fine, Note 2 and 3 just did not work out properly.

In terms of Night shot, Samsung lose big time as it does too much post processing on colours this make its ability on night mode weak.  Sony however has a high ISO support of 12800, the highest among any smart phone so far.

Just note that extensive use of Camera at highest resolution of 21 Megapixel or recording of video at 4K will result increase in heat and the camera app will prompt you the warning that it will close due to increased in heat.

Sony default camera app also comes with AR, this allows detection of faces and adding theme to it.  It rather fun in groups of friends and many asked me what app was it.  I have to disappoint them this is only for Sony phone.  And yes some of my Note 3 friends, will be considering Sony Xperia Z3 instead of Note 4 since nothing really much changes between 3 to 4.

Lastly Samsung do not allow you to access your Camera irregardless you might just need to take an urgent picture for whatever reason when power is less than 20% (alternative you can install a third party app to bloat it further to get around).  Sony or any other brands so far have no such limitation.

Sound/Speaker
Sony did a great job with the speaker facing forward.  When you place the phone down or picking it up, it can still hear it.  The great thing it has two speakers one at each side when you hold it in landscape mode!

Samsung fail greatly with this.  Even Galaxy Note 4 the latest at time of writing still have the speaker at the back.  Who would thought of such a design in four iterations?

Sound produce by Sony has always been great with higher treble.  It's loud especially with two speakers comparing with Samsung which sometimes I do miss my call when placed in my pocket.

Charging
Sony Xperia Z3 has two ways of charging one via the micro USB which need to open the flap and the other is via the magnetic dock charger which can also purchase some adapter to convert your normal micro USB charger to do a stick on to charge.  Apparently, charging from the magnetic charger is faster than using the micro USB port.  So I bought this micro USB adapter via Qoo10.

For Samsung Galaxy Note 3, charging is standard and it can be faster when using power bank like Xiaomi Power Bank.

Power Management

Samsung only has a Power Saving mode, that is about it even though the latest Note 4 has some super saving mode which literally turn off everything.  Sony has full customization to this.  In fact, it setting is almost similar to an app I used to use call Juice Defender!  Those of you who have used it will know how granular you can customize it.  It shows you an estimate of the time remaining.

Here you see STAMINA mode where you can choose which app allows data when screen is off.

It also shows you the list of apps that are consuming power when the screen is off.

During my use of the phone, with STAMINA mode disabled, I wasn't able to last thoughout the day.  In fact, battery seems to goes down pretty fast.  However after I enabled STAMINA mode with only Extended usage, it got better.  This is similar to the Power Saving mode on Samsung where CPU is run at a lower clock speed.  However many reviews has mentioned Sony Xperia series devices have very good power especially Z3 which can at least last through a day or more.

My friend who own a Sony Xperia Z3 asked me to turned on Location-based Wi-Fi and also another friend owning a Z2 have it turned on mention his battery power consumption was fine.  My knowledge turning on such functionality often drain power.  However I put it to the test and indeed it was very well received.  Now I am able to last through the day (with moderate usage)!


Warranty

Samsung has the greatest problem with warranty service.  Often their only solution is to reset your firmware irregardless of issue.  If you are sure it is a hardware issue, I encourage you to demand a change of the hardware and see that they do that.  In Singapore, with great humidity, the component on Samsung device fails greatly and now they are selling Premium Care warranty for water damages by paying for it (SGD156).  They are trying to copy Apple Care+ (SGD138) with this Premium Care at a Higher Cost adds the water damage with repair while Apple still do 1 to 1 exchange.  You might be paying for a a low quality device which needs you to pay to get have it warranty protected.  My recent experience with Samsung on my Note 3 still in warranty due to corrosion from humidity in Singapore just waken me to stop using Samsung completely.  If you really need such insurance, you can look for mobile device insurance offered by many around lower than what Samsung is selling an example here.

I have friends who uses Sony way before me in the Xperia Z and Z2 and they like their service.  Since the phone are water proof, if it leaks or gotten any water damage it is covered.  Not to mention humidity does certain damage as well.

I would recommend go for device that can protect water damage and warranty it.  Do not choose a device that fails easily especially if you are in a humid country like Singapore unless you intend to change the device every year and have warranty void due to the short lifespan of the device you bought.

Summary
Though I miss some features in Samsung like Blocked Mode; where you can choose when the phone is silent for the night and customize which number is allowed; though it fail to function properly at times especially at night.

Sony has the similar function named Smart Connect; to create multiple type of events and yet able to start and launch or action on something or after a time will close or action on another which helps me replace night mode but no allowed calls.  E.g on connecting to a bluetooth camera trigger, I enabled auto launch Camera app for selfie (isn't that what it is for).

Having use Sony Xperia Z3 for more than a week now, I am getting used and loving it.  Battery wise on 4G have to be on moderate use to last through the day else if intensive usage I can still last 3/4 day much better than Note 3.

Pros
Camera
Fast and responsive
Smart Connect
Water proof, dust proof

Cons
Slightly smaller screen
Night mode no customize allow certain numbers
No fast charge
Home and App drawer page does not return to page one

Lastly if I were to buy Samsung Galaxy Note 4, and many of my friends who have asked me, I will recommend to wait for batch 2 or batch 3 shipments, as the current batches has lots of quality issues proven from Samsung Singapore Facebook Page under Post to Page.