You've probably come across this phrase on the pages of our resource, but in the case of the Xperia Z3, we consider it necessary to duplicate it: Sony has officially announced that it will release new flagship smartphones as technology improves. While other manufacturers update their older models once a year on average, the Japanese manage to produce as many as two flagships during this period. Accordingly, you have to come up with something new twice as fast.

We cannot say that changes from device to device are insignificant - it’s just that a large number of new technologies do not have time to accumulate in six months. Rather, engineers refine and improve their older, and therefore main, device from time to time - they work on errors and revise possible changes. So, I got a gorgeous IPS display, which the Z1 was noticeably lacking. At the same time, it improved the camera and interface, and added support for some cellular communication bands. There were changes to the exterior: the frames around the display became thinner, and the screen itself grew by two-tenths of an inch. Fine? Undoubtedly. Revolutionary? Not at all. Slow evolution. So what's new in the Z3?

⇡ What's new?

Perhaps that's enough new. At least from the appearance of the smartphone alone, we can say with confidence that this is truly a new model. You had to take a closer look at the previous “Z”s: look at what the inserts are made of, try to determine the thickness by eye. Well, or put smartphone A to smartphone B - such a comparison made it possible to identify the newer one, at least due to the difference in size. With Z3 everything is much simpler.

Sony designers emphasized the change in the appearance of the gadget with a new color scheme. Black and white options have not gone away, but rich purple has been replaced by two colors: light green and copper metallic. A “strict” white version of the Z3 came to us for testing, which we are, perhaps, rather happy about.

There are several changes in terms of characteristics. For example, the Z3 uses the smallest SIM card format - Nano-SIM. It will probably be in all future Xperia smartphones. Despite the increased IP (Ingress Protection) value - IP65/68 versus IP55/58 for the Xperia Z2 - the waterproofness of the case (remember, the last digit in IPxx is responsible for it) of the device remains the same. The smartphone is protected from low pressure water jets from all sides. It can also stay in fresh water for up to half an hour at a depth of up to one and a half meters. The protection of the case from dust has increased exclusively, which, frankly, is not significant for most users: what difference does it make whether dust can get into the device (IP6x) or not (IP5x), if it does not harm it in any case.

Sony Xperia Z3 - official photo

In terms of technical content, there are practically no changes: Sony engineers still put a 5.2-inch Full HD screen, the 801st Snapdragon (except overclocked to 2.5 GHz) and three gigabytes of RAM in the flagship. Someone might want to talk about stagnation or savings, because there is already the Snapdragon 805, the 810 was recently announced, and competitors are making full use of higher-resolution displays. However, most sober readers will probably agree that Sony acted rationally. LG engineers, for example, equipped the G3 with the world's first Quad HD display (translated into numbers - 2560x1440 pixels), which significantly reduced its battery life. Excess power will also eat the battery with double appetite. So we understand and approve of Sony’s desire to concentrate on design, and not on “giblets”, which seem to be coping with the tasks assigned to them so far.

⇡ Appearance and ergonomics

Nevertheless, the development of the OmniBalance concept, which is reflected in the new “Zetka,” may upset many fans of the modern Xperia line. Sony Z series smartphones have always been identified with strict, angular, but very stylish “bricks”. The Xperia Z3 turned out to be much lighter than its predecessors - both visually and in fact. The gadget weighs 152 grams, while the Z2 with the same screen diagonal weighs 163 grams. Moreover, the body of the new product has lost weight by a millimeter compared to the previous version - from 8.3 to 7.3 millimeters.

Sony Xperia Z3 - front panel

The changes in appearance are obvious. The corners of the case have become more rounded, the sides are not so flat, and the frames around the display are much thinner. Due to the latter, the gadget looks more elongated. It is still made of pure materials - metal (edges, frame) and glass (back and front panels). However, now it is much more comfortable to hold in your hands - the corners and rough flat ends do not dig into the palm. From an ergonomic point of view, it has become noticeably better. We don’t undertake to judge the design - this is too individual a question.

Perhaps the Z3 is the most comfortable of all four Zets. Your hands don’t get tired of it even with prolonged contact, and thanks to its reduced dimensions, it’s actually quite comfortable to use with one hand - the thumb of a normal, average hand can easily reach all four sides of the display. Tested on several boys and girls.

Sony Xperia Z3 with display on

The front panel is still free of hardware keys. At its bottom there is a speaker - the same as at the top. Next to the latter there is a front-facing camera lens, a two-megapixel camera and sensors. The new events indicator has been moved to the upper left corner. He can still glow in different colors.

Sony Xperia Z3 - side edges

The design feature of the new “Zetka” is that there are polycarbonate inserts in the corners of the case, which in theory should soften the impact when the device falls. Of course, we didn’t check this, but it’s good that Sony generally thinks about the “survivability” of its smartphones. Many modern gadgets break after the first fall.

Sony Xperia Z3 - right side

All connectors are still covered with plugs, thanks to which the case is protected from moisture. The hardware wake-up button of the smartphone is located on the right side. There are also volume keys and a separate physical button for activating the camera and shooting.

Sony Xperia Z3 - card slots

At the same end there are slots for installing microSD and Nano-SIM cards. The device “swallowed” a 64 gigabyte TF memory card without any problems. The universal 3.5 mm audio jack is located at the top end. Next to it there is a second microphone, with the help of which a noise reduction system is implemented.

Sony Xperia Z3 - left side

The Micro-USB interface on the left side is also hidden under a flap. With its help, you can connect external peripheral devices to the Z3 via a special OTG adapter. Next to it is a magnetic connector with which the gadget is connected to the docking station.

Sony Xperia Z3 - rear panel

The “back” of the device, as we have already said, is covered with scratch-resistant glass. We carried the gadget in the same pocket with our keys, and it still has a completely factory look. There are no stickers on the front or back. Despite the fact that the panel is smooth, due to the rough convex ends, the Xperia Z3 fits perfectly in the hands and does not try to slip out of them. At the top of the back panel is the main 20-megapixel camera lens along with an LED flash.

The smartphone case is monolithic, non-separable - users do not have access to the battery. Its capacity, by the way, due to the reduction in the thickness of the gadget, engineers had to reduce it - from 3200 to 3100 mAh. However, this is perhaps the only clear deterioration in the new flagship Sony smartphone.

In general, the exterior of the Xperia Z3 left us with ( True, not all of us. — approx. ed.) pleasant emotions. It is convenient to use, pleasant to hold in your hands, but one cannot deny the fact that the gadget has slightly lost its “thoroughbred” face and began to look more ordinary. I would like to believe that designers will continue to experiment and find a middle ground between individuality and ease of use.

⇡ Technical specifications

	Sony Xperia Z2	Sony Xperia Z3
Touch screen	5.2 inches, 1080x1920 pixels, IPS; Capacitive, up to ten simultaneous touches
Air gap	No
Oleophobic coating	Eat
Polarizing filter	Eat
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB v3: four Qualcomm Krait-400 cores (ARMv7), frequency 2.27 GHz; process technology 28 nm HPm	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC: four Qualcomm Krait-400 cores (ARMv7), frequency 2.5 GHz; process technology 28 nm HPm
Graphics controller	Adreno 330, 450 MHz	Adreno 330, 578 MHz
RAM	3 GB LPDDR3-1600
Flash memory	16 GB (about 11.5 GB available to the user) + microSD
Connectors	1 x micro-USB 2.0 1 x microSD 1 x micro-SIM	1 x micro-USB 2.0 1 x 3.5mm headset jack 1 x microSD 1 x nano-SIM
cellular	2G/3G/4G One SIM card in micro-SIM format	2G/3G/4G One nano-SIM format SIM card
Cellular connection 2G	GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Cellular 3G	WCDMA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz DC-HSPA+ (42.2/5.76 Mbps)
Cellular 4G	LTE FDD band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 (2100/1900/1800/1700/850/2600/900/700/800 MHz) LTE Cat. 3 (150/50 Mbit/s)
WiFi	802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz + Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth	4.0
NFC	Eat
IR port	No
Navigation	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
Sensors	Light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer/gyroscope/pedometer, magnetometer (digital compass), barometer
Main camera	20.7 MP (5248x3936), Sony Exmor RS matrix with back-illumination, 1/2.3 inches Autofocus, LED flash
Front-camera	2.1 MP (1920x1080), Sony Exmor R back-illuminated sensor
Nutrition	Non-removable battery 12.16 Wh (3200 mAh, 3.8 V)	Non-removable battery: 11.78 Wh (3100 mAh, 3.8 V)
Size	147.2x73.4 mm Case thickness: 8.3 mm	146x72 mm Case thickness 7.3 mm
Weight	163 g	152 g
Housing protection	IP55, IP58	IP65, IP68
operating system	Android 4.4 KitKat Sony Xperia's own shell
recommended price	25,990 rubles	29,990 rubles
Average retail price	23,800 rubles	29,990 rubles

While conducting a review of the Sony Xperia Z3 black, we noticed that the characteristics have remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous model, but the design has changed. The device has become thinner and lighter, the side frames around the display have become smaller. The degree of protection against water exposure has also been improved, and the metal ends have become smoother. Xperia Z3 is a stylish flagship made of premium materials. The model was developed to compete with existing models at that time, such as the HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5. Let's review the Sony Xperia Z3 d6603 and find out how the main parameters of the device have changed.

Design Sony Xperia Z3

Even with a faint acquaintance with the new model, you can notice changes in the design. The metal edging has rounded ends, and the thickness of the body has been reduced. If you held the previous model in your hands, you probably remember that the angular body was one of its main drawbacks. The Z3 is much more comfortable to hold in your hand. Narrow frames and lower weight are already significant advantages that have a positive impact on ergonomics.

The back cover is still made of glass, but now it is more organically installed in a metal frame. Thanks to this feature, the phone should be better able to withstand falls. If in the Z2, in the event of a fall, the impact force was distributed over the entire surface, including the glass, which became covered with cracks, then in the Z3 the problem was eliminated with the help of polycarbonate inserts in the corners. The package includes the smartphone itself, documentation for it, simple headphones, a charger and a cable for it.

The company decided to transform the color scheme by adding copper and silver-green shades. For fans of classic solutions, there is a black and white version of the device. The thickness has decreased to 7.3 mm. The changes are felt thanks to the smoothed corners; the phone fits like a glove in the hand, despite the 5.2-inch display. But everything has its price, because for the sake of a thinner case, the manufacturer has reduced the battery capacity by 100 mAh.

The plugs turned out to be more accurate. At the same time, after reading the Sony Xperia Z3 review, you will be convinced that the price perfectly matches the stated characteristics. On the Aliexpress website, the model can be purchased at a price of 13,500 rubles. Traditionally, the smartphone has protection against water and dust, made according to the IP65/IP68 standard. The device can withstand immersion to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

The front and back panels are made of DragonTrail glass, which is not inferior in its characteristics to Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The oleophobic coating is of mediocre quality, the body collects handprints well. In the sun or light, this moment is not so noticeable, especially if you have chosen a white device.

On the left side there is a microUSB port covered with a plug.

This is what the connector for connecting the docking station looks like:

Hidden on the right behind a wide flap is a slot for a nanoSIM and there is also a slot for a memory card.

Above the display there is a speaker, under the mesh of which there is a notification light indicator. It can flash red, green or blue, highlighting various notifications. If desired, you can disable it in the settings. On the front panel you can find a selfie camera and a proximity sensor, but it is almost impossible to see the latter. It is hidden behind glass.

The control keys remain in their original places, including a separate camera button.

The manufacturer equipped the new model with a pair of stereo speakers located at the bottom and top of the front panel.

The build quality is excellent. The glass does not fit tightly to the ends everywhere, but this is not a defect at all, but a characteristic feature of the device, which provides protection in the event of a fall. There are no connectors or holes at the bottom. The microphone is hidden behind the grille of the lower speaker, covered with a membrane. The second microphone is located on top near the 3.5 mm jack.

Sony Xperia Z3 display

The screen size remains unchanged - 5.2 inches. It used all proprietary technologies and has an excellent brightness reserve. The display of the Sony Xperia Z3, as well as its characteristics, correspond to the level of a flagship, which is confirmed by reviews. The display operates at a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, the pixel density is 423 ppi. The display uses proprietary Triluminos technology. Its peculiarity is that the image has better RGB coverage than standard LCD TVs.

The main problem with the Z2's screen was that it exaggerated the colors, making them overly bright, which caused them to lose their realism. The result is a situation where the display is capable of more, but is limited by the capabilities of the technology. In Z3, the manufacturer made an attempt to cope with this problem, but it turned out to be doubtful, because the colors are still distorted. The settings in the menu don't really change the situation. But most users will find the display excellent.

The Sony Xperia Z3 has changed the picture display mechanism. Now each point can change the brightness of the backlight, resulting in a more believable picture in any lighting conditions. If in Z2 in the bright sun you had to turn the brightness up to maximum, then here it increased by 20%. This had a positive effect on the screen experience both indoors and outdoors. The data always remains readable. In the settings, you can activate the option to work with gloves and with wet hands.

Battery

Sony Z3 review shows that the smartphone has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh, which is 100 mAh less than the Z2. Nevertheless, this is a good result for a flagship, and in terms of battery life it is by no means inferior to its competitors. A full charge using a standard 2A charger takes about 3 hours, although 90% is charged in just over 2 hours. In terms of autonomy, the device surpasses all competitors. It can only be compared with the Note 3.

Despite the reduced capacity, it holds a charge even better than the Z2. This is due to the fact that extensive work has been done to save the processor power. In standby mode, the charge is practically not consumed. If you use Stamina's proprietary technology, you can further increase autonomy. When watching videos at a comfortable brightness level, the smartphone lasted 10 hours. It has a talk time of about 16 hours and a standby time of 920 hours. Music playback time is about 130 hours. The smartphone demonstrated excellent results. With active use, it will quietly last until the evening or last several days with moderate use. If you barely use it, it will last about a week.

Memory

Sony Z3 technical specifications include 3 GB of RAM, which was a record at the time of release. The main competitor, the Galaxy S5, has only 2 GB installed. But just increasing the amount of memory does not change anything. It is important that it works harmoniously with the processor. Based on the testing results, it becomes clear that the memory increase had virtually no effect on overall performance. After turning on the system, only 1 GB is available for use.

The amount of built-in memory is 16 GB, of which 11.57 GB is available. The volume can be expanded with a memory card up to 128 GB.

Sony Xperia Z3 hardware and performance

The smartphone is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor based on 4 cores with a frequency of up to 2.5 GHz. This is a slightly modified version of what was used in the Z2, but there are no significant differences. In synthetic tests, the new model scores better, but the difference is not so great. When the interface operates, the differences are almost invisible or non-existent.

In demanding games or recording 4K video, the device gets noticeably warm. This is more noticeable in a glass case than in a metal or plastic case. If you shoot 4K video for a long time, the camera application closes spontaneously, which is due to overheating.

Cameras

While conducting a review of the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone, we tested the camera's capabilities by shooting in various conditions. The main disadvantage can be considered the fact that in manual shooting mode the maximum resolution is only 8 megapixels. The manufacturer increased the viewing angle to 25 mm and added several new modes, including multi-camera (recording from different points), AR entertainment (shooting with virtual objects), unique self-portraits and others. If you use a mechanical key to take pictures, the pictures are taken in 8 megapixel resolution. If you need a photo in higher quality, then set this in the parameters. In manual mode, the manufacturer has provided many options: adjusting ISO, white balance, changing modes, and even slow-motion video shooting.

Camera interface:

All photographs below were taken in automatic mode, when data from a 20 MP matrix is ​​collected to create 8 megapixel images. As a result, noise is minimized and the image is smoother.

Example photo:

Interface

When reviewing the Sony Xperia Z3 d6633 phone, one cannot help but mention the user-friendly interface, based on the Android OS, but with proprietary changes. It will appeal to fans of uncluttered interfaces that contain everything you need. Compared to Z2, the icons have been enlarged, making them easier to navigate.

The user can customize each element, change design themes, wallpaper, and the number of desktops. In the application menu you can sort them by date added, alphabet and other criteria. The interface is designed in the same style, everything works quickly and stably. As before, mini-widgets of some applications remain available, which are called up using the open applications window. You can download new ones from Google Play.

It is worth noting that all multimedia applications here are branded. Among the interesting features, it is worth noting the ability to record video of the screen, as well as direct video blogging to the Youtube service.

Sound

The technical characteristics of the Sony Z3 phone are also good regarding sound, because it uses the new Sony DSEE HX codec. It reproduces sound at the highest level of quality, comparable to High-Resolution Audio. Users have access to proprietary digital noise reduction technology: when listening to music from a special MDR-NC31EM headset, the level of external noise is reduced by 98%. The Walkman music player has a stylish design and an interesting equalizer. The ClearAudio+ option improves sound quality, but makes it quieter.

Conclusion

The review of the Sony Z3 smartphone showed that the model turned out to be very unusual; it has everything for success in the global market. The manufacturer not only visually improved the case, but also improved protection against falls and exposure to water. The changes also affected the camera, but we didn’t find any significant differences. The display has become brighter, but the problem with over-saturated colors is still relevant. It is worth noting that the sensor mesh was removed from the display, which many did not like about the Z2. The proprietary energy saving mode and autonomy are the strengths of the device. The smartphone turned out to be better than the previous model in everything and is in many ways superior to its competitors. It is definitely worth paying attention to even now, because its price is more affordable than ever, and its characteristics are suitable for solving any tasks and demanding games.

The following factors speak in favor of buying a phone:

• Thin and light body
• Premium materials
• Dust and water protection
• Powerful filling
• High quality sound and non-overlapping stereo speakers
• Excellent battery life
• User-friendly interface and many proprietary technologies

Flaws:

• You expect better quality from the camera, although many will definitely like it;
• Oversaturated display colors.

In terms of ergonomics, the smartphone is worthy of all praise. Smooth corners make the device comfortable to hold in your hand, and excellent weight balance makes it easy to manipulate. It’s not always possible to use one hand, but this is the norm for solutions with a screen larger than 4.5 inches, not to mention 5.2. Responsive screen sensor, good location of keys and oleophobic coating of glass parts - so many advantages and not a single obvious disadvantage.

Screen, camera

At first glance, the screen of the smartphone is exactly the same as that of the Xperia Z2 - made using IPS technology, 5.2 inches diagonal and a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which means a pixel density of 424 ppi. However, this is a modified version of the display with increased brightness. The screen is made on one layer of glass and is not “damaged” by the factory film, so the picture looks juicy and bright even outdoors on a sunny day. The color gamut of the display corresponds to the sRGB palette, and the comfortable viewing angles are close to the maximum possible. In general, the Xperia Z3 allowed Sony to finally catch up with its competitors in terms of flagship screen quality.

Every company sleeps and dreams of how to catch up and overtake Apple. While everyone around us seems to think that Samsung is the most unwell, I ask you to pay attention to Sony. After all, they are the ones who release flagships twice a year. They produce good, interesting, stuffed with all the innovations in the world. But does that make them mainstream?

Sony has its own special audience. It seems to me that these are people who want to get a good smartphone (because you can’t drink Japanese quality) with protection from water and dust and full stuffing inside. Even more than complete, with all possible features in general. If you are the owner of a Sony smartphone, write in the comments why this particular brand. The Z2 had a certain number of problems, but Sasha Lyapota still decided that he finally considered it a flagship with a capital F, and allowed us all to want it. And yet, the company decided that they had something to fix, and they were fixing it within six months. And what do we see as a result? - a very, very good smartphone!

Design and ergonomics

I can’t say that since the Z2 everything has changed dramatically and the device has been redesigned, no. Almost everything remained in its place. The main control buttons are on the right side. Under the flap are slots for microSD up to 128 GB and nano-SIM. The power button is located just above the middle, it is ribbed and comfortable. The volume swing is not suitable for it - short and below the usual comfortable place. The same camera button is located more logically - near the very bottom of the bottom of the case. Two-position: half press - take aim, all press - shoot from the photo gun. Convenient.

Strategically important connectors are located on the left side. Under the plug is for microUSB, without plugs is for the docking station, at the very bottom there are holes for the lanyard. Not like the previous ones (one on the side, the other on the bottom), but everything is here, on the side. Because the bottom edge is empty. And on the top there is a microphone and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

I need to say a few words about the ends themselves - they are not solid. The edge is made of metal, and the corner is made of plastic. This is for less damage to the smart phone in case of damage (fall, for example).

Both the front and back of the device are covered with DragonTrail glass, which is not very different from Gorilla Glass 2, but clearly not gorilla level 4. Pleasant to the touch, but easily soiled. The 20.7 MP camera is hidden in a corner, under it there is a flash, an NFC icon, which is so useful that you can only apply it to wounds, a logo on the entire back and an Xperia logo on the entire lower back.

Everything in front is under glass, the control buttons are virtual, they eat up part of the display, the speakers are located on the chin and forehead.

I think this smartphone is one of the most beautiful. With its parameters 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and a weight of 152 grams, firstly, it seems very light, and secondly, very compact. Rounded corners, good build quality, strength incomparable with previous copies - progress is immediately noticeable, the devices have never had any problems with the premium quality of the body, and in this color it looks absolutely gorgeous. And there is also mint! It's not interesting to talk about black and white. It feels very nice in the hand. But I warn you - it's slippery. Just like the latest iPhone. But unlike the iPhone, if you drop this device in the toilet, it will be saved. If you remember to close all the plugs.

Protection

In previous releases, the device was protected according to the IP58 standard. This is protection from fresh water. Now the Z3 has more pathos, because the protection here is IP65/68, that is, from water and dust. All thanks to changes in the rubber layers on the plugs. Manufacturers also removed the speaking microphone from the bottom end and hid it in the bottom speaker grille. So now they have one protective membrane. Unfortunately, it was not possible to dip it in Morko, but after a basin of water the speakers do not stall.

You can also note the plastic corners as one of the ways to protect the device. This does not mean that now it can be thrown around in every possible way. But if it falls, repairs will cost much less.

Display

It's dizzying! As soon as you unlock your smartphone, you look at it and can’t look away. Because there is so much color! Blame it on Triluminos technology, which has better RGB coverage than LCD screens. Whether it’s true or not, the smartphone misinterprets the colors and can make you depressed. On the screen everything looks much richer than in life. So this menu will most likely be useful to you if you have a trained eye.

The 5.2-inch display has a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels, which is 423 ppi. The image looks good, in no case falls apart into pixels and looks organic. At angles, the image has virtually no inversion, except perhaps black, but this is a sore subject for IPS displays. The angles are as large as possible, and this is pleasing. I also liked the brightness margin; it’s definitely not bad for a cloudy winter; I can’t vouch for the brightness on a sunny summer day.

The front part is DragonTrail and did not get scratched during testing. Unfortunately, it picks up fingerprints quite well, despite the presence of an oleophobic coating. But overall, you get only pleasant impressions from the display. Especially if you are a fan of contrasts or want all the captured moments of your life to look as bright and juicy as possible.

Cameras

Every time I'm glad when the phone has a separate camera launch button. This is especially true for the Sony Xperia Z3, because you can swim with it and take wonderful underwater photos. The screen reacts chaotically to wave movements, so it can act up. But the button itself works flawlessly: half-press - focus, press - shoot. Only the camera launches with a resolution of 8 MP. And even if you set the shooting mode for two cameras, the automatic mode still turns on. Softinushka oh-ho-ho...

As for the quality of the cameras themselves, the main one seems to have 20.7 MP with automatic focusing, a 1/2.3 matrix and an EXMOR RS module. The photos come out widescreen, but you can choose the aspect ratio as you wish. The resulting images look better than reality. They turn out to be very rich. But the front camera received 2.2 MP. The results are relatively good. I liked taking selfies and being able to take photos of blogs if something happened. If you are one of these bloggers.

Readers of my Twitter have heard a lot about the problem with my copy. There's nothing to hide here. I had a sample copy of the smartphone, so when I connected it to a computer (any kind), all the photos self-destructed. I have not heard of such problems from regular Z3 users.

Sony, as always, does a great job with its camera software - it has many shooting modes. From the cartoonish examples you've already seen in the gallery to background blur. Multi-camera, face recording, 4K video and timeshift, where you can adjust the time and slowdown length. In short, a lot of cool stuff - tune in as much as you like. But in some modes the device may overheat.

Specifications

It cannot be said that here the Sony Z3 tears apart its predecessor like a hot water bottle. It is built on the Snapdragon 801, but a slightly different modification than the Z2. That is, there was MSM8974AB, and now MSM8974AC, this is an increase in the processor frequency from 2.3 GHz to 2.5 GHz. In real everyday use this is never noticeable at all. But, nevertheless, 3 GB of RAM and good hardware, coupled with Adreno 330 graphics, provide a smooth picture, allow you to play all modern games in good quality, and the interface does not freeze. Synthetic tests also give good results.

The device has 16 GB of memory, but it is possible to install microSD up to 128 GB. So that you never put anything in your life into storage. But right away, a little less than 12 GB of internal memory will be available.

• Dimensions: 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm.
• Weight: 152 g.
• Operating system: Android 4.4.4 KitKat.
• Processor: quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC, 2.5 GHz.
• Graphics: Adreno 330.
• Display: IPS, 5.2 inches, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 423 ppi.
• Memory: 16 GB, supports microSD memory cards up to 128 GB.
• RAM: 3 GB.
• Camera: front – 2.2 MP, main – 20.7 MP, 4K video recording.
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, USB on the Go, GPS/Glonass.
• Interface connectors: 3.5 mm headphone jack, microUSB.
• Battery: 3100 mAh.
• Protection: IP65/IP68.

Autonomy

It seems that the device can live forever in standby mode. The battery capacity was 3100 mAh, and overall, I charged it once every two days, and once lasted for three days. Taking into account instant messengers, mail, social networks and video, there were no calls or SMS. I think the result is excellent. But if you were expecting the fantasy that the producers promised, sorry, the miracle did not happen.

Less than six months have passed, and we have in our hands another flagship from Sony - the Xperia Z3. The previous Z2 model was and remains a relevant device in 2014, but Sony decided to improve an already very balanced smartphone. I’ll say right away that the new flagship has many small changes and all of them are positive. In this article we will look at what has been added, what has undergone changes, and what remains in the past. And, of course, we’ll answer the most important question - should I change my already old Z2 to a new smartphone?

In the review, I will focus on the key, important details of the new smartphone, which in one way or another differ from those in its predecessor. Therefore, if I never touch upon the Sony Xperia Z2 in the topic, then nothing significant has changed. The main character of today's article is, of course, the Sony Xperia Z3. And Z2, in cinematic language, has a supporting role. Let's return to the new product.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with a charger (EP880) and a microUSB cable for connecting to a computer or charger. I haven't forgotten anything.

The package actually lacked at least some branded headset.

If in the box from the previous model you could find a pleasant surprise - a very decent MDR NC31EM headset with noise suppression function, now, as they say, don’t blame me. Japanese generosity obviously has its limits.

Design and appearance

The first change that immediately catches your eye is the metal rounded frames. Now there are no square or flat inserts on the sides. The aluminum frame along the entire perimeter is interrupted only by plastic plugs at the corners, which in theory should take the impact when dropped and, thereby, protect the case from serious damage. I didn’t risk doing a crash test with the smartphone provided for review, so I’ll have to take the manufacturer’s word for it.

There are tempered glass panels on the front and back. Of course, there is no factory film. The front glass has an oleophobic coating and does a good job of protecting against fingerprints on the screen. Of course, they still remain on the surface, but in noticeably smaller quantities, and are also easily removed with a soft cloth.

Above the screen there is a proximity sensor, a light sensor and a front camera eye. Everything is unchanged here. But the speaker windows narrowed and crawled from the corners of the case onto the glass plane. We will return to sound later, because there is something to talk about here.

Smartphones are available in several colors: copper, black, white and silver-green.

The company did not come up with any loud names for its color versions, ala heavenly angelic, etc., but limited itself to simple and understandable names. And it is right. The main thing is how it all looks in life. Here I must note that photographs do not convey half of how the smartphone actually looks. I highly recommend going to the store and looking at all the new devices with your own eyes, including the Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, holding them in your hands and, as they say, squeezing the devices. Most likely, practical experience of communicating with devices will make a positive impression.

If everything is approximately clear with the black and white variations, then the copper and silver-green models look very stylish and noble. In my opinion, copper looks best in the sun and, in principle, suits any style of clothing.

Recently, both operating systems and various hardware have been developing towards visual simplification. Sony Z3 is no exception. Numerous edges and corners are a thing of the past, the caps have become rounded, and even the screen power button has acquired a more stylish design. This approach can only be welcomed.

I think the Z3's design is one of the best in the entire mobile device market right now.

It’s great that Sony left the physical button responsible for activating the camera and releasing the shutter in the same place. Taking photos using haptic feedback is very convenient.

Under the covers are all the connectors and card slots. Getting the latter out, as before, is inconvenient. You need to have uncut nails (girls don't count), a pick, a pin or something similar so that you can pick up the plastic backing on which the SIM card is placed. You can, of course, try to pry off this tray with the card itself. The latter, by the way, is now Nano SIM.

The backing for the cards is very fragile and can easily be lost. Don't underestimate this detail.

The slot for installing a SIM card has moved to the right side of the smartphone, and on the left, that is, the microUSB port remains in the same place. Just below, in their original place, there are contacts for connecting the Z3 to a special docking station. Let me remind you that it is not included in the kit and is sold separately.

At the top there is a 3.5 mm audio output, next to which there is a microphone hole.

There is nothing on the bottom edge.

And the lanyard loop has moved slightly from the corner of the smartphone to the left side.

The dimensions of the Z3 have decreased compared to its predecessor, but this can only be felt by placing the two devices next to each other. Of course, you can still estimate the sizes using the comparative table:

	Length	Width	Thickness	Weight
Sony Xperia Z3	146,5
Sony Xperia Z2	147,8	73,3
Samsung Galaxy S5		72,5
Apple iPhone 6	138,1
LG G3	146,3	74,6
HTC One (M8)	146,4	70,6

The smartphone fits perfectly in the hand. It is moderately large and moderately heavy, but the risk of dropping the device from your hands has increased. Z2, due to its chopped edges, held in the palm very well, but its successor is a little worse. This is not a critical point, but just an observation. The same iPhone 6 is many times more slippery due to the all-metal coating. By the way, the texture of the metal on the frame in the Z3, in my opinion, is almost identical to the apple six.

The body is beautifully put together. There is no play or creaking anywhere. The buttons do not dangle, and the plugs do not fall out. As before, every time you connect a charger or any accessory, the smartphone reminds you to check the tightness of the plugs.

All this is not easy, because the device is capable of being immersed in water to a depth of one and a half meters for no more than 30 minutes (water and dust protection standard IP65/68). Swimming in salt water is not recommended, but just between you and me, you can do it. The main thing is to soak the device in the sea for a short time and then do not forget to rinse the device under running water to wash off the salt, which corrodes the delicate seals of the plugs.

Overall, the device looks interesting and modern, even though only a few months have passed between generations. The colors of the case add a special twist. Some people may not like them, but the solution is interesting from any point of view.

Display

The Z3 has a completely different screen. Yes, it retains a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi) and a diagonal of 5.2 inches, but the brightness and colors are completely different here. If Z2 was a little yellow and slightly dull, then Z3 is already cast in a cool blue color. This is clearly visible against a white background and when directly comparing the devices (Z3 on top).

The maximum brightness threshold burns out the eyes, especially indoors. It is better to leave the brightness adjustment to the ambient light sensor, since it works well.

But in the sun, a bright display is a very useful property of any smartphone. Z3 does not lose the picture in direct sunlight and the display remains readable.

The viewing angles are excellent, just like a smartphone (the new one is on top again).

In the menu there are sliders in their place for independently adjusting the display of colors. I don't know if anyone uses these parameters. Still, adjusting the color of a picture is a very thankless task and you need to have relevant experience in this area.

In addition to the already familiar X-Reality for mobile technology, a maximum brightness item has appeared in the Z3 parameters. If the first feature makes the picture in the video player more saturated and clear, then the extreme brightness mode improves the image even more. It looks interesting and lively, I advise you to try it. If you don't like it, you can always disable the feature.

Specifications and performance

It is best to track the dynamics of changes using a comparative table between old and new smartphones (changes are reflected in red).

	Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503)	Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603)
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3 GHz (4 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz (4 cores)
Video accelerator	Adreno 330	Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Built-in memory	16 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	microSD (up to 128 GB)	microSD (up to 128 GB)
Display		5.2’’ IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi)
Main camera	20.7 MP	20.7 MP
Front-camera	2.2 MP	2.2 MP
Battery	3200 mAh	3100 mAh
OS	Android 4.4.2	Android 4.4. 4
cellular	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Interfaces		Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n/ac), NFC, aGPS / GLONASS, DLNA, OTG, USB 2.0
Protection from moisture and dust	IP55 and IP58	IP65 and IP68

In terms of raw numbers, the Z3 isn't much to brag about. The processor clock speed has increased slightly, the battery capacity has decreased to accommodate the thickness of the case, and nothing else interesting.

The flagship still works great in any application, flies through the menu, instantly opens even heavy applications, and so on. Compared to the Z2, the difference in launching heavy toys is approximately 5-10% in favor of the Z3, of course. There's not much to talk about here. We still have one of the most powerful smartphones on the market.

In synthetic tests, the gap between generations is even smaller. Let's look at the screenshots (on the left are the results of the new product, and on the right are the Z2 indicators:

Photo capabilities

The camera in the Z3 deserves a separate analysis.

Compared to its predecessor, the quality of the images has improved, if not by an order of magnitude, then by half an order of magnitude. In addition, the number of preset shooting scenarios and various presets has increased.

First, a little about the numbers. The same proprietary Exmor RS photo module with a resolution of 20.7 MP is installed here. The physical size of the matrix is ​​1/2.3. Sony notes that the maximum sensitivity of the matrix reaches ISO 12,800. Of course, this threshold is only available when shooting in super auto mode. When manually setting the camera, you can select a maximum of ISO 3200. I was unable to take photos in the dark with a sensitivity higher than ISO 3200, even in super-automatic mode, but the manufacturer still claims this possibility.

I propose to compare pictures taken on both devices under the same conditions and with the same settings. The resolution of all frames is 3264 x 2448 (8 MP), HDR mode is enabled by default. On the left are shots taken with the Xperia Z3, and on the right is its predecessor, the Xperia Z2.

Without HDR (left) and with dynamic range enabled (shots below taken with the Z3 only):

Now let's look at pictures taken with both devices (Z3 on the left as before) at a resolution of 5248 x 3936 (20.7 MP) and image stabilization enabled.

Of course, both devices can do panoramic views (panorama with Z3 on the left):

100% crop (Xperia Z3):

100% crop (Xperia Z2):

So, additional modes.

Face in (with face) allows you to take pictures from two cameras at once: front and rear. The frame with its own face can be changed in size and moved across the screen from place to place, but its design cannot be changed.

Remember the AR effect with virtual dinosaurs and all sorts of fairy-tale gnomes? All this was in the Z2 and other models of the Xperia series.

Now, in addition to this mode, the developers have also preinstalled AR entertainment. You can throw bombs directly into the frame, draw a 3D picture, burn the frame with fire, and so on. It looks very funny and can, even if only for a short time, entertain a group of friends.

Even in the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, I really liked the shooting mode, which is well suited for shooting children, pets and other actively moving objects. The camera independently takes 60 different frames, from which, so to speak, without leaving the cash register, you can choose the best one and save it.

The operating principle is the same. Everything is done very clearly. You can select the part of the video you like and save it immediately.

A pre-selected section of the video is produced in slo-mo (slow motion) style, and everything else is of normal duration. The scenario is not new, and it is also present in Z2, however, the feature is interesting and deserves attention.

I would like to note that you should not get too carried away with these two modes. Literally all captured frames that were not saved are carefully stored by the smartphone in a separate folder, which is not visible from the Gallery. Using a file manager, you can detect them and delete them if you need to clean up space.

There is an opportunity to shoot photos with sound. The duration of the audio stream can be changed while shooting. Viewing, of course, is only possible on the device.

Among the new products we also added multicamera mode. The point is this. The viewfinder is divided into two parts. The first is responsible for shooting with the Z3, and the second receives a signal from the connected device. The mode is only compatible with Xperia devices. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect the Z2, despite the fact that it is the most Xperia device. On the latter, at the moment of connection, a window that was clearly not needed at the moment popped up. Maybe it's the Z3 software. The OS version is currently being actively developed, so it is very likely that this defect will be corrected in the future.

Screenshots of the camera interface are shown below. Fundamentally, the appearance of the photo application has not changed.

You can read the description of the remaining modes yourself in our review.

Front-camera

A 2.2 megapixel matrix is ​​used with a wide-angle (25 mm) G Lens lens. The maximum resolution of pictures and videos, including FullHD (1920 x 1080, 16:9). In the settings you can activate the HDR setting and stabilizer. Of course, they don't work together. Apart from the updated lens, there are no innovations here.

Video shooting

The video camera is capable of recording videos in a maximum resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.

There is a SteadyShot image stabilization function. The peculiarity of her work is as follows. Intelligent Active Mode technology and built-in sensors responsible for recognizing the position of the smartphone in space help the system evaluate the image frame by frame and compensate for hand vibrations. With active stabilization, the resolution drops to 1080p and the frame rate to 30.

Example FullHD video:

Sound

On the front side, top and bottom, there are external speakers, which have been redesigned and begin to reproduce sound an order of magnitude louder and clearer than it was in the Z2. The difference is especially noticeable in dynamic and loud toys. At maximum volume, the entire body of the smartphone begins to resonate, but in this case this is not bad. I didn't notice any extraneous squeaks or rattles.

The S-Force Front Surround setting, which is activated from the player menu, in my opinion, only spoils the picture. The speakers sound very good and clear without it.

In the headphone playback settings, there is a five-band equalizer in its rightful place, a ClearBass setting, as well as interesting sound presets for various branded headphones.

As for the sound through third-party headphones, everything is at the highest level. As in other smartphones from the company, in my opinion, the ClearAudio+ setting makes the sound a little richer and more interesting. Otherwise, additional settings for audio effects have appeared.

The video player has also not changed and supports the following files for playback: 3GPP, MP4, Matroska, AVI, Xvid, WebM.

PS4 Remote Play

Only in the new series of devices (I'm talking about the Z3, Z3 Compact and the Z3 Tablet compact) support for PS4 has been added, the essence of which is as follows. You can stream the game directly from the console to your smartphone and continue playing literally from pause using DUALSHOCK4.

I think it’s clear that you need a fourth version console and the same joystick. The smartphone and console must be connected to the same wireless network. In addition, do not forget about the special mount for the device on the controller.

Battery

Interestingly, the manufacturer installed a smaller battery in the new smartphone: 3100 mAh in the Z3 versus 3200 in the Z2. This is obviously due to a decrease in the thickness of the case and overall dimensions. The battery is, of course, non-removable.

Reducing the battery capacity did not affect battery life in any way. You will be provided with one day at a very high load. With moderate handling of the device (two hours of Internet via 3G, two hours via Wi-Fi, several dozen pictures from the main camera, an hour of listening to music through headphones), you can hope for a day and a half of work. Not more.

If it suddenly becomes clear that the battery charge may not be enough, then from the parameters you should activate the STAMINA mode, which disables all synchronization and communications of the smartphone to the outside world while the smartphone screen is turned off.

In Z3, the developers also added the Ultra STAMINA mode, in which the system cuts off almost all applications and communication with the outside world, with the exception of the phone function, messages, FM radio, camera, alarm clock and several other utilities. In this scenario, the device can survive even at 30 percent charge for an additional 3-4 days.

Bottom line

Over the past years, I have been watching with great interest the development of the flagship line from Sony. From generation to generation, Sony refines its products and with each new release, you want to stop and say: “This is it!” The same can be said about the Z3. However, there is still room for growth. You can install an even better camera, upgrade the processor to Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, remove the blue in the screen, and so on. Do users need this? But where to go, because in January we will most likely see a new flagship.

Is it worth spending your money on the Sony Xperia Z3?

There are two possible scenarios:

1. You are the owner of a Sony Z2. In this case, I think there is no point in changing your smartphone. The second “zedka” remains and will remain a relevant smartphone for at least another year. It has excellent performance, a good camera and an interesting design. All the improvements in the new smartphone are not worth upgrading from the Z2.

2. You are the owner of Sony Z, Z1 or have not yet joined the 2014 flagship users. In this situation, I would advise you to opt for the Z3. At least try holding the smartphone in your hands before making the final purchase. This is not the best camera on the market, but it is a very good camera with a great variety of additional effects. The new Japanese flagship is very powerful and, I think, most importantly, it has the best design on the market. I’ll say something terrible, but the Xperia Z3, in my opinion, looks better than the iPhone 6. And the design for a device costing 29,990–38,990 rubles (as of early February 2015) is important.