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Sony Xperia Z3 The Ultimate Guide to Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Release Date
2014, November 06
Camera
20MP
Battery
3100mAh
Battery Type
18W
Processor
Snapdragon 801
Screen
5.2"
Storage
16GB/32GB , microSDXC
Ram
3GB RAM
Operating System
Android 4.4.4, up to 6.0

Design and Build

The Sony Xperia Z3 boasts an elegant and robust design characterized by its glass front and back, encased in an aluminum frame. Its dimensions are 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use. Weighing just 152 grams, it's lightweight for a phone of its caliber, ensuring ease of portability. The device also features a Nano-SIM slot, contributing to its streamlined appearance.

Display Quality

Equipped with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display, the Xperia Z3 offers a vibrant and color-rich viewing experience. The 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution, with a pixel density of approximately 424 ppi, ensures image sharpness and clarity. Additionally, the scratch-resistant glass and oleophobic coating offer protection against scratches and fingerprints, enhancing the longevity of the screen's pristine condition.

Performance and Hardware

At its core, the Xperia Z3 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 chipset, featuring a quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. This hardware configuration ensures seamless performance for daily tasks and gaming. The device comes with 3GB of RAM, and with internal storage options of 16GB or 32GB, it supports expandable memory through a dedicated microSDXC slot.

Camera Capabilities

The Xperia Z3 is equipped with a superior main camera of 20.7 MP, f/2.0 aperture, featuring a 25mm wide lens, 1/2.3" sensor size, and 1.12µm pixel size, capable of autofocus, and has features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p at 120fps. The 2.2 MP selfie camera is sufficient for video calls and standard selfies, with 1080p@30fps video recording support.

Battery Life and Charging

Fitted with a Li-Ion 3100 mAh non-removable battery, the Xperia Z3 offers substantial battery life, supporting up to 890 hours on standby and facilitating around 14 hours of talk time on 2G and up to 16 hours on 3G. For music enthusiasts, it provides up to 130 hours of music playback. Fast charging capability with 18W wired charging ensures the device is quickly charged, especially important for users on the go.

Software and User Interface

Initially running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the Xperia Z3 is upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allowing users to experience a more modern interface and enhanced features. The usability is further smoothened by Sony's custom UI, providing additional features, optimized performance, and a unique aesthetic.

Connectivity and Network

The device supports a comprehensive range of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, making it versatile in various geolocations and network settings. Enabled for fast connectivity, it accommodates speeds of up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, ensuring fast data transfer rates and seamless streaming capabilities.

Additional Features

The Xperia Z3 is also equipped with WLAN capabilities supporting Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, and hotspot functionalities. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and aptX for high-quality wireless audio transmission. Other notable features include NFC for easy pairing and transactions, FM Radio with RDS, and microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out) connectivity.

Sound and Audio

For audio output, it houses stereo speakers, and it maintains the inclusion of the 3.5mm audio jack, a relevant feature for those using wired headphones. With a loudspeaker output of up to 69 dB and refined audio quality, the sound production is tailored to offer a balanced experience whether listening through headphones or via the loudspeaker.

Price and Availability

At its launch, the Sony Xperia Z3 was available in a variety of colors including Black, White, Copper, Silver Green, and Purple, and priced around 180 EUR. Although discontinued, it is remembered as a formidable competitor in the smartphone market, known for its robust design, excellent performance, and solid camera capabilities.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia Z3 stands out as a prime example of Sony’s expertise in combining functionality with sleek design. It remains a significant part of Sony's Xperia series, remembered fondly by users for its durable build, satisfactory performance, and advanced features relative to its peers at the time of release. Though it is no longer in production, the Xperia Z3 continues to be a capable device for users who prefer a classic smartphone with reliable features.

Key Features of Sony Xperia Z3

  • Supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks for wide connectivity options
  • Slim and lightweight design with dimensions of 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and weight of 152 g
  • Premium build with glass front and back, and aluminum frame
  • 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution (1080 x 1920 pixels)
  • Protected by scratch-resistant glass with an oleophobic coating
  • Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with a quad-core 2.5 GHz processor
  • 3GB RAM with options for 16GB or 32GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC
  • Main camera with 20.7 MP, f/2.0 aperture, and capable of 4K video recording
  • 2.2 MP front camera, capable of recording 1080p videos
  • Stereo speakers with 3.5mm audio jack for excellent audio experience
  • Comprehensive wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and NFC
  • Large 3100 mAh battery with impressive endurance and fast charging capabilities
  • Water and dust resistant features (not explicitly listed in the specs, but known feature)
  • Available in multiple colors such as Black, White, Copper, Silver Green, and Purple

Disadvantages of Sony Xperia Z3

  • The device is discontinued, which may result in lack of software updates and support.
  • The phone uses an older Android version (upgradable only to 6.0 Marshmallow), missing out on newer features of later Android versions.
  • The device is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, which is considered outdated for modern applications and performance requirements.
  • The front (selfie) camera is limited to 2.2 MP, which may not satisfy users who prioritize high-quality selfies.
  • The battery is non-removable, limiting the options for users to replace it themselves if battery performance deteriorates.
  • MicroUSB 2.0 is utilized, which is slower and less versatile compared to modern USB standards like USB-C.
  • Lacks features such as wireless charging and newer fast charging standards seen in contemporary devices.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - D6603, D6643, D6653, D6616
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D6603, D6643, D6616
4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 - D6603
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2014, September 03. Released 2014, November 06
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 in)
Weight 152 g (5.36 oz)
Build Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
SIM Nano-SIM
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Protection Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Platform
OS Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm)
CPU Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400
GPU Adreno 330
Memory
Card slot microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
Main Camera
Single 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF
Features LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Single 2.2 MP, f/2.8
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, aptX
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, BDS
NFC Yes
Radio FM radio, RDS
USB microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Type Li-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable
Charging 18W wired, QC2 (Japan)
Stand-by Up to 890 h (2G) / Up to 740 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G)
Music play Up to 130 h
Misc
Colors Black, White, Copper, Silver Green, Purple
Models D6603, D6653, D6616, D6643, SO-01G, SOL26, D6646
SAR 0.80 W/kg (head)     1.44 W/kg (body)
SAR EU 0.62 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
Price About 180 EUR
Tests
Performance Basemark X: 12637
Display Contrast ratio: 1333:1 (nominal), 2.618 (sunlight)
Camera Photo / Video
Loudspeaker Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB
Audio quality Noise -86.4dB / Crosstalk -86.6dB
Battery (old) Endurance rating 85h

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