That isn't dust. Googling the issue, you'll find more users with the same complaint. A user in forum XDA sent his unit in, and the camera lens / sensor was replaced under warranty. However, because they had to dissamble his phone, it lost it's waterproof capabilities. He submerged his phone in the water , and his phone 'drowned'.

This is a known issue and is affecting many people. It is not a software defect nor is it due to accumulation of dust. Some say that if you turn on the image stabilization future, the black dots would start to move.

This post has been edited by CubixShoppe: Jun 15 2013, 10:21 AM

If I am not mistaken, the hardware on the ZL and XZ should be nearly identical so they should be using the same camera sensor / lens. The good news is I have not heard / read any complaints from XL users. For now, the complaints are coming from XZ users only.

It's unfortunate that this has to happen to the XZ. It's good that it can be replaced under warranty, but again, this is a waterproof phone and the only way for them to open the phone is to heat it up so the glue melts and the back cover can be removed. This could unfortunately kill the phone's waterproof ability.

True. If it was me, I would insist too. But there are some people who purchased AP sets, and I don't think it'll be easy for them to demand for a replacement knowing how AP companies are.

If possible, always demand for a replacement if the warranty of the device is covered by Sony Malaysia. Make up as much excuse as you can until they surrender and pass you a new unit.

True. AP companies can give all sorts of excuse. I just hope other users will not fall prey to their gimmick that is offering 2 Years warranty on devices. It's basically 3 Months warranty for screen / battery / hardware , and 24 months for transreceiver. Basically, after using an AP set for 3 months, you can consider your device warranty-less.

That is good news. At least it'll restore some confidence to potential buyers. What about AP sets?

True. In terms of hardware , there is no difference between AP and 'ori' set. I say 'ori' because it should be local warranty set since theoretically, both devices are original. The only difference between them is, with an original set, you don't have to worry about warranty. Warranty is officially covered and they cannot give you excuses.

AP on the other hand, can come up with a hundred and one excuses from providing warranty on the device. In my opinion, it's better to pay the price difference so you'll have a peace of mind when using your device.

It's unfortunate to hear that. I guess since the hardware are the same, then XZ and XZL would both suffer from this defect.

Found these spots but they could be the paper and not your camera.

Then there is no issue with your camera. Do check from time to time as it doesn't appear immediately. It will appear randomly as what I heard from others.

Some members claim that instead of their units being repaired, they're getting replacements. Depends on the luck. AP set users, are sadly out of luck.

Yup, as long as it's an 'original' set and not an AP set.

When did you buy it and how much did you pay for it? Is there any label / sticker at the sim tray?

Rooting wouldn't have much to do with killing the phone unless you actively kill the phone. Whenever I buy a phone, the first thing I would do is root it. Use titanium backup to restore my previous backup and remove unwanted system apps. No problem whatsoever. If I have to send it for warranty, all I have to do is flash it back to stock and done.

Should add: Make sure the screen is at maximum brightness, and you're in a dark room. Then from the service menu, open up the black color screen from the dead pixel test and put your eyes as close as possible to the phone.

It's not good to let it go that low. Best way is to charge it when your phone prompts you to charge it that is when it's below 15%

Try going to a dark spot maybe? They can't classify dead pixels as user-damage however, I am not sure what their policy is because for some, you need x amount of dead pixels in the screen to be able to claim for warranty. If you have only 1 dead pixel, then it might be hard to argue.

To flash AOSP rom, you'll have to unlock the bootloader of your device. Backing up the "TA" partition mainly "saves" the DRM of the phone. When you unlock the bootloader, you'll lose the bravia engine 2 for album (it still works for videos) and if I am not mistaken, the ability to retrieve song titles from the Walkman app. If you backedup your TA partition before doing so, then once you go back to the stock ROM, and restore the TA partition, your phone would run as the first time you've bought it with the DRM in tact.

To unlock the bootloader, you have to request for a serial key from Sony's site. You have to provide your IMEI number. I am not sure but if Sony do check your imei from their database and founded that you have unlocked your bootloader by requesting for the serial key, they could deny the warranty for your device.

You can refer to the guide on unlocking the bootloader here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153261

It involves going into Sony's site and keying in your email address and imei number and sony would send you the serial key to your email address.

I unlocked the bootloader of my device as I couldn't stand the battery life. Flashed a custom kernel and undervolted the phone. After doing that the battery life was bearable but after a few weeks, I decided to let the phone go

Always remember to backup the TA partition before unlocking the bootloader as your DRM keys would be forever gone. You cannot use another user's TA partition as it will brick / kill your phone instantly.

Yup. That is exactly it.

If they are not strict (I suspect Sony Malaysia is pretty laid back) then you can go ahead and claim for warranty.

In some countries, the Sony Warranty center would be more strict and they will verify if they bootloader of the device has been tampered before by keying in the phone's imei in the database and would see if a serial number has been requested.

No. Rooting is rooting.

Unlocking bootloader allows you to install custom kernel , AOSP ROMs and developer roms (like the current 4.2.2 ROM)

If you don't unlock the bootloader, you are limited to be able to flash only stock based roms.

Yes, can only flash mods and roms that doesn't need an unlocked bootloader which means no AOSP roms.

Yes, some Roms (Stock ROMs tweaked by the developer) doesn't require an unlocked bootloader.

Some stock roms are already pre-rooted by the developers.

It's normal for it to get hot. You'll feel it more hotter than other devices due to it's glass body.

Think about this as well. It is made to be waterproof so there might not be any gaps for air to go in or out unless you open up the ports. So the device gets hot due to it's ventilation as well.

The phone doesn't really heat up when you're charging it. It heats up when the processor is working.

No need to charge for 8 hours. That seller is still stuck in the year 1990.

Charge it until 100% and once it is fully charged, remove it and you can use it. Charge it when the device asks you to connect a charger.