Unveiling Sony Xperia C3 Dual Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Network Technology

The Sony Xperia C3 Dual supports GSM and HSPA technology, providing users with reliable connectivity. It offers 2G bands for GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 on both SIM slots, allowing robust global connectivity for voice calls and basic data services. In addition, it supports 3G bands with HSDPA 850, 900, 1900, and 2100, ensuring high-speed internet access and efficient data transmission.

Launch and Availability

Announced in July 2014 and released in August of the same year, the Sony Xperia C3 Dual captured attention with its unique features tailored for selfie enthusiasts and social media users. Although the device has been discontinued, its innovative features contributed significantly to the evolution of mid-range smartphones during its time.

Design and Build

The Xperia C3 Dual boasts a sleek and lightweight design, measuring 156.2 x 78.7 x 7.6 mm and weighing 149.7 grams. Its slim profile and lightweight build make it comfortable to hold and use. The device features a dual SIM capability, supporting Micro-SIM cards with a dual stand-by option, enhancing flexibility for users who require separate lines for personal and professional use.

Display

The phone sports a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 67.8%, the display provides an immersive viewing experience suitable for browsing, media consumption, and interactive applications.

Platform and Performance

Powered by Android 4.4.2 KitKat, upgradable to Android 5.1 Lollipop, the Xperia C3 Dual ensures a user-friendly interface with access to a wide variety of apps via the Google Play Store. It is equipped with a Qualcomm MSM8926 Snapdragon 400 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and Adreno 305 GPU, providing decent performance for everyday tasks and multitasking capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 8GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to increase storage capacity for apps, media, and documents. Paired with 1GB of RAM, the Xperia C3 Dual handles basic operations smoothly, although it may face limitations when running more demanding applications simultaneously.

Camera Capabilities

The Sony Xperia C3 Dual is particularly noted for its camera capabilities. It features an 8 MP rear camera with f/2.3 aperture and autofocus, supporting LED flash, panorama, and HDR modes, and is capable of recording 1080p video with HDR enhancement for improved dynamic range. The standout feature is its 5 MP front-facing camera with an LED flash, specially designed for high-quality selfies and video calls. The front camera also supports 720p video recording, catering to the growing trend of selfie and vlogging culture prevalent at the time.

Sound and Audio

For audio, the Xperia C3 Dual includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with most audio accessories. The device offers decent sound quality, making it suitable for voice calls, music, and video playback. While it may not deliver the highest fidelity compared to premium models, the audio performance is satisfactory for general usage.

Communication and Connectivity

The phone comes with comprehensive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless internet access, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA for media sharing, and hotspot functionality. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming and data exchange. The inclusion of GPS and GLONASS ensures accurate location tracking and navigation services. The device also integrates NFC for convenient contactless transactions and file sharing, and an FM radio with RDS support for traditional media consumption. Charging and data transfer are facilitated through a microUSB 2.0 port.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Xperia C3 Dual is equipped with essential sensors such as accelerometer, proximity, and compass, enhancing the device's responsiveness and user interaction in various applications and scenarios.

Battery Life

Energy is supplied by a non-removable 2500 mAh Li-Ion battery, providing adequate endurance. Users can enjoy up to 1040 hours of standby on 2G networks, or 960 hours on 3G networks, along with up to 11 hours of talk time on 2G and 25 hours on 3G. Music enthusiasts can benefit from up to 65 hours of continuous playback.

Miscellaneous and Price

Available in black, white, and mint colors, the Sony Xperia C3 Dual caters to different aesthetic preferences. The device model is identified as D2502. During its release, the phone retailed at approximately 250 EUR, positioning it competitively in the mid-range smartphone market.

Performance and Benchmarks

The Xperia C3 Dual's performance was evaluated with benchmark testing. It recorded a Basemark OS II 2.0 score of 175, indicative of its capability to handle basic operations efficiently. The display performance was also examined, showcasing a contrast ratio of 1153:1, providing valuable insight into its visual quality under different lighting conditions. The phone's audio quality and loudspeaker performance, along with its battery endurance rating of 91 hours, complete the device's comprehensive performance assessment.