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All about the Sony Xperia z3 phone. Review of the smartphone Sony Xperia Z3: unearthly beauty. Operating system and shell

By pursuing Sony Xperia Z3 black review we noticed that the characteristics remained almost unchanged compared to the previous model, but the design was transformed. The device has become thinner and lighter, there are fewer side frames that go around the display. The degree of protection against water has also been improved, and the metal ends have become smoothed. The Xperia Z3 is a stylish flagship made from premium materials. The model was developed to compete with existing models at that time, such as Htc one M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5. Let's review the Sony Xperia Z3 d6603 and find out how the basic parameters of the device have changed.

Sony Xperia Z3 design

Even with a faded acquaintance with the new model, you can notice changes in the design. The metal edging has acquired rounded ends, the thickness of the case has decreased. If you held the previous model in your hands, then surely remember that the angular body was one of its main drawbacks. The Z3 is much more comfortable to hold in the hand. Narrow bezels and lighter weight are already significant advantages that have a positive effect 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 Z2, in the event of a fall, the impact force was distributed over the entire surface, including glass, which was covered with cracks, then in Z3 the problem was eliminated with the help of polycarbonate inserts in the corners. The kit includes the smartphone itself, documentation for it, simple headphones, a charger and a cable to it.

The company decided to transform the color scheme, adding copper and silver-green shades. For fans of classic solutions, a black and white version of the device is provided. The thickness has decreased to 7.3 mm. The changes are felt thanks to the smoothed corners, the phone is like a glove in the hand despite the 5.2-inch display. But everything has its own price, because for the sake of a thinner case, the manufacturer 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 corresponds to the declared characteristics as well as possible. 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 in its characteristics is not inferior to Corning Gorilla Glass 2. The oleophobic coating is of mediocre quality, the body collects handprints well. In the sun or in the 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 cap.

This is how the dock connector looks like:

On the right, behind a wide flap, there is a slot for nanoSIM and a slot for a memory card.

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

The control keys remained in the same places, including a separate camera button.

The manufacturer has 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 always fit tightly to the ends, but this is not a defect at all, but a characteristic feature of the device, due to which protection is provided in the event of a fall. There are no connectors or holes on the bottom. The microphone is hidden behind a membrane-covered lower speaker grill. The second microphone is located near the top of the 3.5 mm jack.

Display Sony Xperia Z3

The screen size remains unchanged at 5.2 inches. It used all proprietary technologies and has an excellent margin of brightness. The display of the Sony Xperia Z3, as well as its characteristics, correspond to the level of the flagship, which is confirmed by the reviews. The display works with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 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 screen was that it embellished the colors, made them too bright, which made them 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, which turned out to be doubtful for him, because the colors are still misinterpreted. The settings in the menu do not really change the situation. But most users will find the display great.

The Sony Xperia Z3 has changed the display mechanism of the picture. Now, each dot is able to change the brightness of the backlight, thereby forming a more believable picture in any light. If in Z2 in the bright sun it was necessary to twist the brightness to the maximum, then it increased by 20%. This has a positive effect on the perception of the screen 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 the flagship, and in terms of time. autonomous work it is by no means inferior to competitors. On the full charge using a standard 2A charger takes about 3 hours, although 90% is recruited in 2 with a small tail. In terms of autonomy, the device outperforms 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 a large-scale work was carried out on the power-saving of the processor. 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. In the talk mode it lasts about 16 hours, and in the standby mode - 920 hours. Music playback time is about 130 hours. The smartphone has shown excellent results. With active use, it will calmly hold out until the evening or last several days with moderate. If you practically do not use it, then it will last about a week.

Memory

Sony Z3 specifications provide 3 GB of RAM, which at the time of release was a record figure. The main competitor, the Galaxy S5, has only 2 GB installed. But just an increase in the amount of memory does not change anything. It is important that it works smoothly with the processor. Based on the test results, it becomes clear that the increase in memory practically did not affect the 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.

Filling and performance Sony Xperia Z3

The smartphone is built on the 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 special differences. In synthetic tests new model gains the best result, but the difference is not so great. When the interface is working, the differences are almost invisible or none at all.

In demanding games or recording 4K video, the device warms up noticeably. This is more noticeable in a glass case than in a metal or plastic one. If you shoot 4K video for a long time, then the camera application spontaneously closes, which is associated with overheating.

Cameras

While reviewing 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 for shooting, then the pictures are taken in a resolution of 8 megapixels. If you need a photo in a higher quality, then set it 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 are taken in automatic mode, when data from a 20 megapixel sensor is collected to create 8 megapixel images. As a result, noise is minimized and the image is smoother.

Sample photo:

Interface

Reviewing Sony phone Xperia Z3 d6633 must be mentioned user-friendly interface based on the Android OS, but with proprietary changes. It will appeal to fans of uncluttered interfaces, which have all the essentials. Compared to the Z2, the icons have been enlarged here, making them easier to hit.

The user can customize each element for himself, change themes, wallpapers, the number of desktops. In the application menu, they can be sorted 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 using the window of open applications. You can download new ones from Google Play.

It should be noted that all multimedia applications are branded here. Of the interesting features, it is worth noting the ability to record a 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 in terms of sound, because it uses the new Sony DSEE HX codec. It reproduces the highest quality sound that can be compared to High-Resolution Audio. The proprietary digital noise reduction technology is available to users: when listening to music from a special headset MDR-NC31EM, the level of external noise is reduced by 98%. The Walkman music player is stylishly designed and interesting equalizer... The ClearAudio + option improves sound quality, but makes it quieter.

Conclusion

The Sony Z3 smartphone review 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 the protection against falls and exposure to water. The changes also affected the camera, but we did not reveal any special differences. The display has become brighter, but the problem of oversaturation of colors is still relevant. It is worth noting that the sensor grid was removed from the display, which many did not like in the Z2. The proprietary power saving mode and autonomy are the strengths of the device. The smartphone turned out better in everything previous model and outperforms competitors in many ways. It is definitely worth paying attention to even now, because its cost is more affordable than ever, and its characteristics are suitable for solving any tasks and demanding games.

The following factors speak in the direction of buying a phone:

  • Slim and lightweight design
  • Premium Crafting Materials
  • Dust and water resistant
  • Powerful filling
  • High quality sound and non-overlapping stereo speakers
  • Excellent battery life
  • User-friendly interface and many proprietary technologies

Flaws:

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

In terms of ergonomics, the smartphone is worthy of all praise. The rounded corners make the device comfortable to hold in the hand, and the excellent balance of weight allows it to be deftly manipulated. It is not always possible to use one hand, but this is the norm for solutions with a screen larger than 4.5 inches, let alone 5.2. A responsive screen sensor, well-positioned keys and oleophobic coating of glass parts - so many pluses and not a single obvious minus.

Screen, camera

At first glance, the screen of the smartphone is exactly the same as that of the Xperia Z2 - it is made using IPS technology with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and a resolution of 1920 × 1080 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 "spoiled" by the factory film, so the picture looks juicy and bright even on the street on a sunny day. The color gamut of the display corresponds to the sRGB palette, and the viewing angles are close to the maximum possible. All in all, the Xperia Z3 allowed Sony to finally catch up with its competitors in terms of the flagship screen quality.

Don't be afraid of perfection. You cannot achieve it. This is what the great Salvador Dali said. I wonder if Sony's flagship Xperia Z3, recently presented at IFA-2014, could have puzzled a genius?

Design and ergonomics

At first glance, it seems that the Sony Xperia Z3 is not much different from its predecessor with the Z2 index. Perhaps, only small slots above and below the display - the speakers - are striking.

The manufacturer's intention is that the device should be symmetrical. This is the basis of the OmniBalance design concept that was used to create the Sony Xperia Z3.

In fact, the Z3 is a bit narrower than its predecessor. The height of the device has also decreased. In addition, the Japanese managed to fit the "iron" into a thinner body - 7.3 mm. Recall that its thickness in the Xperia Z2 is 8.2 mm.

The corners and border are now slightly rounded. So those who like to place the phone vertically on the table for comfortable video viewing will have to be disappointed. The same could have been done with the Z2. With the help of giving roundness to the angular body of the "two", it was possible to achieve the ideal position of the Xperia Z3 in the user's hand.

They say that they do not seek from goodness. But in the personal electronics market, this worldly wisdom does not work. When creating smartphones, it is important not to stop, not to stagnate. But even in attempts to do even better, an already good one can be trampled by rivals in a matter of weeks - the competition is fierce today! So the company Sony, having shown its next flagship Z2 at the MWC, has already fueled the premiere of its successor - Z3 by the fall.

The end caps are now also slightly rounded. There is no plug for the audio jack (3.5 mm). Like the Z2, the smartphone is IP65 / IP68 protected. He is not afraid of splashes of water, as well as immersion in it, rain and dust.

The gadget can stay under water for up to half an hour, of course, with tightly closed ports.

The right side of the device conceals slots for nanoSIM and microSD. Also on the right side are located: the traditional for Sony round metal power button, under it is the volume control button, at the bottom is the camera button. The left side contains a microUSB port and a notch for a strap.

At the back is a 20.7-megapixel camera, a small LED flash, and the manufacturer's logo.

There are no hardware keys in the smartphone. They are being replaced by virtual ones.

The designers have tried to reduce the bezels around the display. And they succeeded, which led to an overall reduction in the size of the device.
In terms of tactile sensations, the smartphone is slippery if you hold it by the glass panels. Fortunately, the side aluminum edges save the situation. Also in the Z3 there are polycarbonate inserts in the corners, making the device more resistant to drops.

Sony has revised its color policy. The company added to the black and white Sony Xperia Z3 a delicate silvery green and original copper devices. The purple version has gone into oblivion.

Display

The 5.2-inch IPS screen retains a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Their density is 423 ppi.

The screen in the novelty has received the brand name Triluminos. He is familiar with this technology for improving color rendering. It aims to expand RGB coverage.

The clarity of the picture is very high level... No matter how hard you try, you cannot see the graininess even on the smallest details. So the Sony Xperia Z3's screen should be praised for its excellent color reproduction, but also scolded for the viewing angles: even with slight tilts of the device, the colors fade a little. You can adjust the white balance.

Among other things, we note the technology for improving images X-Reality for mobile.

The built-in Smart Screen Rotation gyroscope helps to assess the position of the device in space and avoid incorrect orientation (display, of course).
The sensor is very sensitive. Ten-finger multitouch. And after digging into the settings, you can turn on the control mode with gloves.

The manufacturer claims an impressive screen brightness of 600 cd / cm2, which promises good picture in bright light. The Z2, for example, has a hundred less. Subjectively, the screen of the novelty reflects less in the sun, although the colors still fade a little.

The display backlight can be adjusted manually, or you can trust the sensor, which copes with this very well.

The overall impression is that the flagship display is really chic. It is crisp and color-accurate. True, the viewing angles fail, but from top smartphone waiting for perfection. Is not it?

Hardware base

The characteristics of the "hardware" new items slightly differ from the predecessor smartphone Xperia Z2

Sony Xperia Z3 is equipped with one of the newest processors - a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 with a clock frequency of 2.5 GHz, paired with an Adreno 330 video accelerator. The device has 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory.

The hardware allowed the device to score 41,247 points in the AnTuTu test.

The device browser allows you to open multiple tabs at the same time. The 1080p video in the Xperia Z3 plays very smoothly and without jerking, applications open quickly, and photos scale without a hitch. Feels overall power and confidence in performance.

Almost all games are supported by the device. No glitches were observed during the test. At the same time, the device heats up slightly, which is a pleasant surprise.

The smoothness of the menu is also at a high level, flipping through the desktops is a pleasure.

Wireless interfaces, as you would expect from a flagship, are presented in complete set... The device works in GSM and WCDMA networks, supports LTE. Holds the signal confidently. There is GPS with GLONASS support, as well as traditional modules Wi-Fi, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC.

Sony Xperia Z3 one-touch connects to SmartWear to help you keep an eye on the moment

Sony Xperia Z3 camera

Main 20.7MP wide-angle camera with flash and autofocus - we've seen this somewhere before. Is it not in the Xperia Z2? But the sensitivity of ISO 12800 was definitely not there yet. This was a consequence of the increase in the matrix itself, which is directly related to the quality of photographs. So you should expect cool shots from a fresh flagship!

The device's camera deserves special praise, which, thanks to the enlarged matrix, allows you to get high-quality images in almost any shooting conditions

When working with the camera, the first thing that catches your eye is that the focus works with a 2-3 second delay after pressing the touch button, but it is always correct.

The pictures are commendable, the color rendition is natural. So, for example, there are no "plastic" colors. Good frame depth.

It is not at all a shame to print such pictures, and you will hardly need a digital point-and-shoot camera if you have an Xperia Z3. Although there is still a slight blur and spots in sharpness in some photographs, we are already finding fault with it.

I am very pleased with the presence of a shutter button in the device. IN landscape orientation shooting with the on-screen button is difficult.

There is a so-called fast shooting mode: a long press on the camera button takes a snapshot, a short press starts the camera itself.

With bright contrast, the camera makes a little mistakes, darkens and flares, but everything is easy to fix by turning on the HDR mode.

In different lighting conditions, the camera behaves commendably. Night shots are also pretty good, with a few exceptions. The flash fires as a decent backlight. It doesn't just light up the frame.

Sample pictures from the main camera Sony Xperia Z3

There are many interesting modes in the model. The most successful for lazy people is probably "super auto mode". In it, you just need to press the trigger, and the automation itself will choose the necessary settings.

AR mode allows you to use augmented reality: graphics are superimposed on the real image. In this way, you can get interesting work, for example, pictures among gnomes in a fairyland or at the bottom of the ocean among fish. You can even indulge in dinosaurs. Cool entertaining feature!

For users who like to take selfies against the backdrop of landmarks, there is a mode in which you can simultaneously take pictures with both the main and front cameras, inserting your face into the frame. And they captured something interesting, and did not forget themselves. Excellent!

Sound Photo - a mode for taking photos accompanied by sound. It allows you to take pictures of living creatures: dogs and cats, birds and in general everything that makes sounds. Perhaps the same can be recorded on video. But unlike him, such work will also save device memory.

Examples of macro shots from the main camera Sony Xperia Z3

Macro shooting in the Sony Xperia Z3 is also at a high level. By the way, it allows you to blur the background, even when shooting with artificial lighting.

This is rarely seen, not only in smartphones, but even in inexpensive cameras... You can play around with the degree of blur, you can also choose its shape.

Panoramic shooting is a little capricious, if you do not bring the turn to the end, you get a dark spot.

Please note that if a mechanical button is used to start the camera, the camera is captured by default at 8 megapixels. Looking for higher quality photos? Change the settings manually.

Video recording can be done both in MP4 and 3GP, the maximum resolution is 4K. During the process itself, you can pause the video. This eliminates the need for post-recording video processing.

You can slow down the selected section of the video by focusing on it

Timeshift Video mode allows you to highlight individual moments in videos, slowing them down. Shooting is carried out at a high frame rate, and the user himself determines which fragments should be slowed down. Thanks to a good interface, everything is easy and fast.

Front-camera Sony Xperia Z3, which has 2.2 megapixels, of course, will not allow the device to compete with modern selfie phones, but it is suitable for demonstrating oneself beloved / beloved.

Sound

The sound of the device is provided by a pair of stereo speakers located on its front side. In this regard, the gadget is good. Present low frequencies... It does not wheeze even at maximum volume, it creates a surround sound.

A proprietary Walkman player is provided for playing music.

There is a standard smartphone and FM radio. It traditionally works only when headphones are connected, which act as an antenna. Like the Xperia Z3 Compact, there is no voice recorder in the new product.

Software platform and interface

Sony Xperia Z3 comes with Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system. The manufacturer has installed its own shell in the smartphone, which adds color to the "bare" Android. For example, when you release the lock by holding your finger on the screen, you can smoothly change the color of the theme. The assortment of live wallpapers is impressive, and the animation when turned on deserves special attention.

Of the features, it is also worth noting the ability to receive calls by simply bringing the device to your ear. Another possibility is to switch it to silent mode by simply placing the smartphone screen down. The screen will also not turn off while the device is in the user's hand.
Quick adjustments can be made by pulling the shutter down. Conveniently turn on / off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, adjust brightness, screen rotation and more. In the next section, the curtains are traditional notifications.

Among the applications are: the already familiar Walkman player, gallery and video player. It is possible to create handwritten notes.

Feature Sony smartphone Xperia Z3 has the ability to play "adult" games from Sony PS4. This is all a PS4 Remote Play feature.

You just need to connect the device to the set-top box via home network, attach a joystick with a special mount - and you can enjoy full-fledged colorful games anywhere in your home.

Sony Xperia Z3 is the only smartphone with PS4 games

Sony Xperia Z3 battery life

On the official website, the manufacturer claims that the smartphone works without recharging for two days. This is true when used sparingly.

Powerful accumulator battery provides a smartphone up to two days of work without recharging

The battery in the smartphone has a capacity of 3100 mAh. This is one hundred units less compared to the Z2.
For severe energy savings, the user is encouraged to use a mode called Ultra STAMINA mode. In it the device will be able to receive calls and send SMS-messages for a whole week.

The autonomy of the device under heavy load is quite typical for modern smartphones. She is not satisfactory. Z3 allows you to enjoy multimedia content all day long, use functions social networks, take pictures and play games for about an hour or two, and, of course, call, call and call again.

The main consumer of energy is the screen. When the backlight is off, the smartphone is discharged very slowly. In video mode, it works up to 10 hours, music can play about 130 hours.

Outcomes

The new Sony Xperia Z3 is a lot like the previous Z2. Although it cannot be denied that the manufacturer has done serious work on the errors, one step closer to the ideal. The smartphone looks really worthy against the background of competitors.
Sony managed to make the gadget smaller and thinner, install more bright screen, new processor and improved camera. However, all this creates the impression of a kind of déjà vu.

Sony Xperia Z3 will definitely find its buyer. It contains many innovations, unique features. The device has a proprietary design, which is popular with many users, and, of course, protection against dust and moisture, which has become the hallmark of the Japanese.

Additional images of the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone:

Semi-annual release cycle flagship smartphones gave us in September 2014 another representative of this link and the fourth in a row in the top line of the company, and this Sony Xperia Z3 review- go! Despite the not so big difference with its predecessor Xperia Z2, the novelty still found a number of improvements, both in terms of design and technical filling, with its own strengths that make it possible, without exaggeration, to call it the main representative of the line. Here you will find a faster processor, improved audio, new camera algorithms, software additions and other innovations, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Design and dimensions

Seeing for the first time new xperia In truth, I fell in love with Z3 with this device - despite the general design concept of OmniBalance, the smartphone received rounded side frames in the body color, which made it much more comfortable and pleasant to hold it in the hand. The Japanese also managed to make the case, albeit a little, but still more compact, thinner and lighter than its predecessor - the physical dimensions of the model are 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and the weight is only 152 grams, which is very good considering that the case is made of metal. As already mentioned, the side edges are rounded and they are completely made of metal, the only thing is that all four corners are made of a special polymer that can absorb and cushion the impact from a possible fall, so that the internal components do not suffer - this is the consumer's concern. And the front and rear panel traditionally covered with tempered glass. The buttons are also made of metal, and the power key has become larger. The plugs are now rounded. By the way, the phone uses nanoSIM, which is worth considering. On the front, you will see two stereo speakers that are located in the center of the top and bottom bezels. And yet, how not to twist the Z3 - it is perfect and beautiful!










Traditionally for expensive models of the line this smartphone received a waterproof and dustproof case in accordance with a higher degree of certification IP65 \ 68, so if it is suddenly covered with sand, then you can soak the phone for half an hour at a depth of up to one and a half meters.

Another innovation was the color options and the Sony Xperia Z3 should be noted in colors: classic black and white, as well as new menthol and bronze. This is how they look live:

If we compare the model with the main competitors of the market, then it is a little larger, but it also looks more beautiful for me.


Sony XperiaZ3 overview of display parameters

The model received a display similar in size and characteristics to that of the Z2 - it is a 5.2-inch IPS LCD matrix with FullHD resolution with a pixel density of 424ppi. And yet, despite the lack of differences in terms of parameters, this is a new panel with a corrected color gamut, more optimized in terms of power consumption and very high brightness. All this thanks to Live Color LED technology and TRILUMINOS. In tests, the screen performed very well - the highest brightness, deep blacks and great contrast. If you are looking for superior clarity and high quality images, then the Xperia Z3 will provide you with it in full. The only thing is that the color gamut goes a little blue, but again this is done because the human eye perceives just such tones better. If something does not suit you, then you can always correct the white balance.

Hardware and performance

You can look at more detailed technical specifications in, but we will tell you a little about the main part of the hardware part. First of all, I would like to say that two versions of the model have been released: Sony Xperia Z3 with one SIM card and dual SIM Sony version Xperia Z3 Dual review which, would be completely similar to this one, because in everything the phones are the same except for the amount of support for operator cards.

At the heart of Sony Xperia Z3 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset MSM8974AC - this is an overclocked version of the chip with 4 cores at 2.5 GHz and Adreno 330 video. It is a slightly improved processor than the Xperia Z2. There is also 3 GB of RAM on board. Based on synthetic tests, the smartphone takes its rightful place among competitors, even despite some slight differences in performance. Still, you can't rely on "synthetics", because the true performance is felt in real use, and I'll tell you, it's more than enough. Multiple test results:


To store data in the phone, a 16 GB drive is installed, of which more than 11 are available to the user. You can always expand it using maps. microSD memory up to 128 GB.

The sound of the speakers is good enough for a waterproof smartphone: its quality is high, the melody is clear. Support for noise canceling headphones has not disappeared anywhere, only they are not included in the kit, which is a pity.

Despite the fact that the battery capacity was reduced to 3100 mAh, as it turned out, this did not negatively affect the battery life, with all this, the smartphone showed one of the highest results on the market in terms of battery life! If you use your phone for an hour of calls, an hour of internet and an hour of video a day, then the battery should last for 85 hours, that is, for three and a half days!

User interface

Out of the box, the smartphone comes with Android 4.4.4 KitKat user interface was changed and as for me, then for the better. The branded Xperia Home is very smooth, comfortable and practical. Fortunately, the smartphone is not overloaded with an excessive amount unnecessary programs and has a list of really important applications, among which, of course, it is worth noting multimedia: "Album", "Movies" and WALKMAN. Below you can see the video of the interface and screenshots.



Highest light sensitivity camera on the market

The camera in the Sony Xperia Z3 is a 20.7 Megapixel Exmor RS module, already well known to us since the Xperia Z1, and a BIONZ processor. The front camera has not changed - 2.2 Megapixels. As for the main camera, it received an enlarged matrix and new optics, as well as the highest light sensitivity ISO12800. The mechanical button for launching the camera has not gone anywhere, which is very convenient when shooting underwater. However, when you start the camera in this way, “Super auto mode” will start with a maximum frame resolution of 8 Megapixels, to switch to the full 20 Megapixels, you need to use “Manual mode”. The settings have all the necessary options, modes and settings, and you can also use special applications for the camera, such as augmented reality effect, slow motion and more. This is how the camera interface looks like:





The Japanese have done a great job with the algorithms of the camera, and the camera began to work really better. Images come out clear in both automatic and manual modes. The photos have excellent dynamic range, good color reproduction, but still noticeable increase in white balance. 20MP shots have more detail. Pictures taken from automatic mode have slightly less noise and increased sharpness. In low light conditions, the automatic mode also has less noise. Here are some examples of photos taken with the Xperia Z3:







A photo in ISO12800 mode in very low light without a flash - of course, noise is noticeable and the clarity is not the best, but in reality, not a single smartphone will take a photo of better quality in such conditions:

In terms of video, the camera is also good: it has the ability to shoot video at 2160p at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and even a slow-motion mode with 720p resolution, as well as HDR video. SteadyShot digital stabilization does its job well - the picture does not jitter. Below you can check the quality of the recorded video:

Outcome Sony Xperia Z3 Review

In general, the transition from Xperia Z2 to Xperia Z3 cannot be called too global, if you own the second “zet”, then there are not so many reasons to switch to Z3, but if you are buying the flagship of a Japanese brand for the first time, then for sure the best choice will be exactly the Sony Xperia Z3. It has a beautiful design, first-class build quality, a waterproof case, a bright display with great contrast, high performance, excellent autonomy, stereo speakers, a good camera.

In contact with

Today we have a new flagship from Sony, Xperia smartphone Z3. The previous model turned out to be quite successful, but very little time has passed since its release. Let's see what the improvements are over its predecessor and how high-quality the fresh Z3 is.


With the Sony Xperia Z3, the company continues to hone the design ideas behind the first. In fact, before us is the same "sandwich" of two glasses with an iron filling.


Compared to the previous flagship, the changes need to be looked for in the details. The first thing you pay attention to is the changed shape of the sidewalls. Now they are neatly rounded, no trace of brutality remains. Plastic inserts appeared on the corners of the case.


They were added for practical reasons, with them the smartphone has a better chance of surviving a fall. Perhaps for the same reason, our engineering sample of the Xperia Z3 has minimal gaps between the glass and the bezel, which, unfortunately, collects debris.

In addition, compared to the Z2, the Sony Xperia Z3 has become a little thinner, narrower, shorter, lighter and received a new protection class:

The new body colors are another new addition to the Xperia lineup:


The arrangement of controls and connectors is traditional for Sony flagships. The camera keys, volume control, power and connectors for Nano-SIM and memory card under the common flap are located on the right side.




The magnetic connector on the charging dock, the Micro-USB port under the cap, and the strap attachments are on the left. Above - only the headset jack and the hole for the second microphone.





In addition to the name of the company and the display on the front side, you can see small slots for stereo speakers, a camera lens, light and proximity sensors. The multi-colored indicator of missed events is now in the upper left corner, it is hidden under the glass.

The rear of the Sony Xperia Z3 is practically indistinguishable from the Z2 - the same camera lens, flash, NFC area.

When it comes to usability, the Xperia Z3 is thin. It is on her that you pay attention first of all when you take the device in your hands. In general, the device is quite compact. At first it may seem that you are holding a 5-inch smartphone in your hand, but the increased diagonal, and with it the dimensions make themselves felt - to successfully handle the Z3 with one hand, you need to practice a little.




Smooth rounded sides, together with a thin body and glass back, create an ambiguous effect - the smartphone seems to stick to all smooth surfaces, which makes it difficult to lift it off the table at first.

Metal and glass are very pleasant to the touch and feel expensive, but in dry hands the Sony Xperia Z3 turns out to be quite slippery. The volume keys are convenient to use for their intended purpose, but many programs for reading books and articles suggest using them for turning pages and in this scenario of use they turn out to be inconvenient due to their low placement.


Sony is one of the first companies to launch waterproof smartphones. Already in the second generation Xperia Z, engineers were able to get rid of the 3.5 mm plug, but it still remained with MicroUSB. There is no doubt about the reliability and durability of the connector covers, but the aesthetics and usability suffer. Perhaps, in future models, engineers will be able to reduce the number of detachable elements of the case, or they will add wireless charging to the smartphone.

Apart from the small slots mentioned above, there are no complaints about the build quality. The Sony Xperia Z3's body feels monolithic, although it does have a minimal degree of flexibility.

Operating system and shell

As befits a flagship, the Xperia Z3 runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system. The entire line of Sony Xperia Z smartphones will receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. Compared to the Xperia Z2, the interface has not received any changes.

Hardware platform

The smartphone is built on the basis of a system-on-chip Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC), in which 4 Krait 400 cores operate at a frequency of up to 2.5 GHz along with Adreno 330 graphics. The amount of RAM is 3 GB, permanent memory - 16 GB, of which 11.5 GB available. There is a slot for memory cards, media up to 128 GB are supported.

Wireless interfaces include Bluetooth 4.0 (ANT +), Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (DLNA), NFC module.




The speed of the smartphone corresponds to the class of the device, there are no problems with games, watching FullHD and 4K video or solving any other tasks. After prolonged use of the camera or heavy games, the back of the smartphone heats up slightly. Overall, the performance of the Sony Xperia Z3 is similar to that of the previous model and other flagships.

The work of the GPS and Wi-Fi modules is not satisfactory.

Calls, multimedia

In the Sony Xperia Z3, the company has implemented a number of proprietary technologies aimed at improving the sound quality of the smartphone. In addition to the classic equalizer, there are “ClearAudio +” settings to optimize the sound and “Dynamic Normalizer” to equalize the volume level of different recordings. If you turn them off, the smartphone sounds similar to others. flagship models, but their inclusion makes the sound subjectively better quality and more spacious.

In addition, Sony Xperia Z3 plays uncompressed audio formats (wav, aiff, flac, alac). The company calls them "high-definition audio" and recommends using a number of proprietary full-size headphones or output the uncompressed source signal via USB to compatible proprietary hardware - the smartphone can act as a DAC. Unfortunately, we didn't have the right hardware to test this functionality.

The smartphone uses a special 5-pin 3.5 mm jack, which allows you to connect branded accessories. Among them: MDR-NC31EM active noise canceling headphones and external microphone STM10. These headphones came with the Xperia Z2, but they were removed from the Z3 package. Considering that this functionality is unique, and the availability of Sony accessories in Ukraine leaves much to be desired, simplification of the packaging is a key deterioration in the Xperia Z3 compared to the previous flagship. In addition to those listed, the company has other accessories in its arsenal - a charging dock and a special holder for the Play Station 4 joystick. The latter is needed to conveniently implement the Remote Play function, which allows you to display an image from the set-top box on the smartphone screen.




Support for various video formats is implemented at an average level, for some reason our sample did not play files with AC3 tracks, although the previous model did not have any problems with this.




It's hard to make any complaints about the quality of the speakers. They are loud, conveniently located, but sound less voluminous compared to the HTC One M8.

During a call, the speaker shows an excellent volume reserve, which is enough for comfortable communication even in a very noisy environment. The vibrating alert on the Xperia Z3 feels good, the user will most likely not miss an incoming call.

Together with the Xperia Z3, the company announced a version of the Z3 Dual smartphone that supports the simultaneous operation of two Nano-SIM cards.

Working hours

The smartphone has a non-removable battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh. Compared to the previous model, its capacity has decreased by 100 mAh, but this did not prevent the smartphone from showing an increase in autonomy of 10-20%, depending on the operating mode.

ModeSony Xperia Z3Sony Xperia Z2Oneplus oneLG G3 (ART)
Music66:40 87:30 58:49
Reading16:40 13:20 15:23 8:42
Navigation10:32 8:20
Viewing HD video12:30 11:06 11:07 7:02
Watching HD Videos from Youtube8:00 10:00 6:27 6:04
Antutu tester (points)6773 590* 4667 396*
GFXBench (minutes)193 245 181 140
GFXBench (points)1625 (29.0 fps)1228 (21.9 fps)1607 (28.7 fps)634 (11.3 fps)
In the mode reading all wireless communications are disabled, including data transmission to mobile network and the display brightness is set to 200 cd / m2. While listening music automatic data synchronization and data transmission worked. Headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels. All music files in MP3 format, bit rate 320 Kbps.Navigation includes laying a route to google app Navigation. The brightness is set to 200 cd / m2, all communication modules are disabled. During playback video data transmission in the mobile network is active, the display brightness is set to 200 cd / m2, the sound volume in the headphones is at level 12 out of a possible 15. Video file format MKV, resolution 1024x432 pixels, frame rate 24. Video playback from Youtube accompanied not only by work in Wi-Fi networks, but also by active data transmission. Display brightness is set at 200 cd / m2, headphone volume at 12 out of 15 possible levels.
* - data obtained under similar conditions, but with brightness set to 50% and possible
You can get acquainted with the testing methodology in material

The company promises up to two days of smartphone operation in a typical operating mode. According to the information posted on the manufacturer's website, this mode includes approximately five hours of total activity (calls, text correspondence, web surfing, multimedia) with a screen brightness of 100 cd / m2.

In the author's mode of operation, which includes constant synchronization of two Google accounts, conducting various tests, watching videos at maximum brightness, active use cameras, the smartphone worked for about a day, and the screen time was five hours.

Taking into account the fact that the smartphone practically does not discharge in standby mode, the data given by the manufacturer can be considered correct - an abstract user will receive two days of work from one charge. The smartphone has power saving modes Stamina and Ultra Stamina, allowing you to increase the operating time.

Display

The Sony Xperia Z3 has a 5.2-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Its brightness varies from 3 to 519 cd / m2, the contrast is 1: 572. The smartphone uses a new matrix with an increased brightness level. In the display settings, you can turn on the X-Reality picture enhancement technologies, the increased brightness, activate the ability to operate with gloves and adjust the white balance.




Based on the measurement results, an average quality matrix is ​​used. Its main disadvantages are inaccurate color reproduction and a very high color temperature, which gives the image a characteristic bluish tint.

Default display settings:





Adjusting the white balance manually allows you to lower the color temperature a little, but the color rendition still remains quite cool.

Manual White Balance (Blue: 0, Green: 200, Red: 250):





Based on personal impressions, the display of the smartphone can be called controversial. It has excellent viewing angles, one of the most wide ranges brightness control, good readability in the sun and high-quality oleophobic coating.






On the other hand, not everyone will like the specific cold color rendition so much, the displays of most competitors have a much more natural color rendition. Minor shortcomings of the screen also include the grid of the sensor layer, which is barely visible in direct sunlight (appears in the form of small reflective dots) and the average sensitivity of the sensor in the "With gloves" mode - it reacts to cloth gloves, but ignores leather ones.

Cameras

The Sony Xperia Z3 has two cameras. The main module received a new Exmor RS sensor with a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, a maximum light sensitivity of 12800 ISO, a wide-angle (25mm) G Lens with an aperture of 1 / 2.3. It is capable of shooting 4K video, FullHD video in HDR mode or at 60fps. The front camera has a resolution of 2.2 megapixels, it is capable of recording FullHD video.








The camera app gives you access to a variety of shooting modes, including quite a few entertaining ones. For example, you can take a photo and record ambient sounds, or shoot the same subject from multiple angles using a pair of Sony smartphones, and combine all the images into one video sequence.


You can add virtual dinosaurs, gnomes to the photo, follow them in the viewfinder. From Play Market you can download additional camera modules such as the Time Lapse video app.

Examples of pictures in maximum resolution(20 MP):










When you start the camera with the volume key from the locked screen, a special automatic mode is activated. All shooting parameters, scene and required mode are adjusted automatically, and the resulting photos are saved in 8 megapixel resolution.

Sample photos taken in automatic mode (8 MP):















To get photos in full resolution, you need to switch to manual mode, in it the shooting parameters can be adjusted by yourself.

Examples of photos taken at night (8 megapixels):






Traditionally for smartphones, the final quality of photos and videos depends on the shooting conditions. In a studio setting, the Sony Xperia Z3 delivers picture quality comparable to the Xperia Z2 and other flagships. Looking at photographs taken in real conditions, you can notice the aggressiveness of the image processing algorithms and periodic errors in determining the white balance. As is often the case with Sony flagships, the quality of the resulting photos will improve with the release of new firmware.

Sample Videos

FullHD video:

Slow-motion video shooting:

4K video:

The front camera shows the normal modern devices photo quality:


In terms of camera launch speed, focusing and saving photos, the smartphone is comparable to other flagships.

Outcomes

The Sony Xperia Z3 can be perceived as a slightly improved version of the Xperia Z2. Compared to it, it has become smaller, lighter, got a brighter display, new body colors, a slightly overclocked processor, better battery life and a comparable camera. Unfortunately, excellent headphones have disappeared from the bundle, helping to evaluate a number of proprietary technologies and distinguishing a smartphone from among similar ones, and the display has received a rather specific color rendition. At the same time, the famous "Sony-style" has been preserved, including high-quality case materials, the maximum degree of moisture protection, a huge selection of branded accessories, so the Z3 will surely find its customers.

Liked:

Body materials

Maximum degree of water resistance

Hardware platform and performance

Stereo speakers, support for uncompressed audio formats

Autonomy

Display: brightness, olephobic coating, readability in the sun, work with gloves

Large selection of accessories

Did not like:

- Slippery body

- Average number of supported video codecs

- Lack of a headset in the package

- Display: cool color rendering

RAM, GB3
Built-in memory, GB16
Expansion slotmicroSD (up to 128GB)
Dimensions, mm146x72x7.3
Weight, g152
Dust and moisture protectionIP65 / IP68
Accumulator battery3100 mAh
Opening hours (manufacturer's data)talk time: up to 16 hours, standby time: up to 890 hours, music playback mode: up to 130 hours
Diagonal, inches5,2
Permission1920 × 1080
Matrix typeIPS TRILUMINOS
PPI424
Brightness adjustment sensor+
Touch screen (type)touch (capacitive)
Other16M colors, X-Reality for mobile
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 801 + GPU Adreno 330
Kernel typeKrait 400
Number of Cores4
Frequency, GHz2,5
Main camera, MP20,7
Autofocus+
Filming2160p, 30 fps
FlashLED
Front camera, MP2,2
Other8x digital zoom, image stabilization, face detection, geo-tagging, burst mode
Wi-Fi802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot
Bluetooth4.0 (A2DP)
Gps+ (GLONASS)
IrDA
NFC+
Interface connectorUSB 2.0 (micro-USB)
Audio jack3.5mm
MP3 player+
FM radio+ (RDS)
Type of shellmonoblock
Keyboard typescreen input
Moreproximity and lighting sensors, accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope, barometer, A-GPS receiver, vibration alert, DLNA support, Sony 3D Surround Sound (VPT) technology, Clear Audio +


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