Sony z3 compact phones. Reduced and improved flagship. Review Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
The constant growth of smartphone screen sizes does not suit all users. Not wanting to buy a “shovel”, many use old models to the last, and choosing a new thing, they are ready to put up with simpler characteristics in order to maintain the desired dimensions. Under such conditions, individual compact flagships are of particular interest, and today we will get acquainted with, perhaps, the most interesting of them.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is a mini version of the Xperia Z3, the company's flagship, with which a few months ago. The Compact prefix in the case of Sony characterizes only the dimensions of the model, because from the point of view of the hardware platform, software and capabilities, smartphones are similar. In order not to repeat ourselves, in some places we will refer to what was written, and in this material we will try to pay attention to the differences and features that make the Z3 Compact stand out from its competitors.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (D5833) comes in a simple box, along with a 1.5-amp charger, cable, a regular headset with in-ear headphones, and documentation.
The model D5803 is officially sold in Ukraine, it comes without a headset.
Design and Usability
The design of the Z3 Compact is reminiscent of other Sony flagship models. The front and back panels are made of glass, and this time the sides are made of a special polymer. They are translucent, and feel like very hard rubber to the touch.
We note right away that this had a positive effect on the ergonomics of the smartphone. Compared to the regular Xperia Z3, which is hard to lift off a table due to its slim body and smooth, rounded sides, the Z3 Compact is noticeably more grippy thanks to the polymer and slightly thicker case.
| Device | Sony Xperia Z3 Compact | Samsung Galaxy Alpha | Apple iPhone 6 | Huawei P6 | Motorola Moto G (1st Gen) |
| Screen diagonal, inches | 4,6 | 4,7 | 4,7 | 4,7 | 4,5 |
| Battery capacity, mAh | 2600 | 1860 | 1810 | 2000 | 2070 |
| Dimensions, mm | 127 x 64.9 x 8.6 | 132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7 | 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 | 132.7 x 65.5 x 6.18 | 129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6 |
| Weight, g | 129 | 115 | 129 | 120 | 143 |
The layout of the controls is similar to the flagship. On the front panel you can find the manufacturer's logo, stereo speakers, a set of sensors, a front camera and a light indicator in the upper left corner.
The back has collected the usual main camera lens with flash, NFC area, Sony logos and the Xperia line.
On the top side you can find a headset jack and a second microphone hole, on the bottom - the main microphone and a hole for attaching a hand strap.
The right sidewall has collected power keys, volume control and a two-position camera button. In the center of the left side is a connector for connecting to a branded docking station with two wide plugs on the sides of it. Under the left is a tray for a NanoSIM card, under the right is a MicroUSB connector and a memory card slot.
Our sample was assembled perfectly, there were no large gaps, all the parts fit tightly together, and the construction is rigid and does not give in to deformation.
If the plastic inserts solved the problems of slipperiness of the case, then with the convenience of physical buttons, everything is not so simple. When you pick up the smartphone for the first time, the attention is drawn to the very short volume and camera keys. In addition, the power and volume keys have an unusually stiff move. By and large, this does not worsen the ergonomics of the smartphone, you quickly get used to them.
Many of those who took the smartphone in their hands noted the specific type of docking station connector, which stands out from the overall well-designed design. From the point of view of ease of use, it would be better to close the connector with a plug and remove it from the MicroUSB connector, especially since it is not a mandatory attribute of a waterproof smartphone.
Like the Xperia Z3, the Z3 Compact has received new body colors.
The black version that was reviewed best demonstrates the shortcomings of using glass as a material for the back of a smartphone. It actively collects fingerprints, which are clearly visible from almost any angle.
They are easy to remove by simply wiping the Z3 Compact with a cloth, but to maintain its appearance, the operation will have to be repeated after each use. On other color versions, this feature will appear to a lesser extent.
Thanks to its compact size, it is convenient to use the smartphone with one hand, even people with small hands will not have problems with it.
Display
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact received a 4.6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels. According to the set of available settings, applied technologies and color reproduction and other features, the display is similar to the flagship Xperia Z3.
The screen brightness varies from 3 to 449 cd / m², the contrast ratio is 1:782 - according to the basic characteristics, the display is quite good. HD-resolution on such a diagonal gives a pixel density of 319 ppi, which is comparable to "Retina-screens" - it is very difficult to see individual elements of the image even on thin fonts, the picture looks smooth.
As we said, the color reproduction is similar to that of the flagship. The color temperature is very high - at the level of 10-11000K, so the image acquires a blue tint that is not the most pleasant for the eye, other parameters also noticeably deviate from the norm.
Measurement results at default settings:
This can be corrected in the display settings, where there is an item "White Balance". By setting it, you can reduce the color temperature to an almost normal value and get a more pleasing picture for the eye, although even after such manipulations the screen will lose to initially correctly calibrated IPS matrices.
Measuring results with manual white balance (255:190:0):
Vertical and horizontal viewing angles are maximum, but when viewed diagonally, fading is noticeable, black becomes gray.
In terms of color quality, the Z3 Compact's screen looks average, but its other characteristics smooth the overall picture. These include a normal oleophobic coating that allows your finger to easily slide on the glass, good readability on the street, a wide range of brightness adjustment, and the ability to control it with gloves.
Hardware platform
The hardware platform and set of communication modules Sony Xperia Z3 Compact completely inherited from the flagship, the only exception is 2, not 3 GB of RAM.
The capabilities of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC are more than enough given the small screen resolution. The smartphone works very fast, in some tasks you even get the feeling that it is faster than the flagship.
Such performance sometimes translates into a slight heating of the case, which is felt, but does not go beyond acceptable limits.
There were no questions about the operation of the GPS and Wi-Fi modules.
Calls, multimedia
The multimedia capabilities of the smartphone are identical to those of the Xperia Z3. A scattering of branded accessories is supported, there is a software function to improve sound quality and much more.
In terms of phone functionality, the smartphone is doing well. The speaker is quite loud, it allows you to communicate without problems in almost any environment. The stereo speakers play nice, although they are very far from those in the HTC One (M8). The vibrating alert is felt in the pockets of your trousers.
Operating system and shell
The smartphone runs on the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system with a proprietary shell that is completely similar to that of the Xperia Z3 and Z2.
Working hours
The Z3 Compact houses a 2600 mAh non-removable battery. As for the flagship, the manufacturer claims two days of work at an average load, these data can be considered reliable.
| Device | Sony Xperia Z3 Compact | Sony Xperia Z3 | Sony Xperia Z1 Compact* | |||
| Music | 100:00:00 | 66:40:00 | 100:00:00 | |||
| Reading | 33:19:59 | |||||
| Navigation | Watching HD video | Watching HD videos from YouTube | Antutu Tester (points) | 6810 | 6773 | 519* |
| GFX Bench (minutes) | 192 | 193 | 213 | |||
| GFX Bench (points) | 2279 (40.7 fps) | 1625 (29.0 fps) | 1954 (34.9 fps) | |||
| PCMark | 6:59 | — | — |
cameras
The photographic capabilities of the review hero are similar to those of the flagship. The user has two cameras - the main one with a sensor with a resolution of 20.7 megapixels and the front one with 2.2 megapixels. The camera application has many settings and shooting modes, which can be supplemented with various extensions installed directly from the program.
When you start the camera with the capture button, the smart mode is always turned on, photos are saved in it at a resolution of 8 megapixels.
Examples of photos taken in automatic mode:
In general, the picture is similar to the flagship – the smartphone shoots well, but is inferior to current flagships. The Z3 Compact offers an excellent module in terms of performance, a camera application with interesting features, but does not provide normal image processing algorithms to get the most out of the hardware.
Examples of photos in maximum resolution:
An example of a photo taken with the front camera:
Results
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is a good example of a compact and powerful smartphone. If we consider it "on the forehead", then we will have just a smaller version of the flagship, with all its inherent advantages and disadvantages. Among the latter, it is worth highlighting a very specific color reproduction of the display, raw photo processing algorithms, and the considerable price of a smartphone can also be attributed to them. Replacing metal sidewalls with polymer ones, no matter how controversial it may sound, Xperia Z3 Compact benefited, it became more grippy, such a solution looks fresh from an aesthetic point of view. But the hero of the review wins in terms of emotions - the productive stuffing and compact dimensions make it easy to stand out from the background of large flagships, and due to the proprietary Sony-style, water protection, good autonomy and the presence of a slot for memory cards, the "compact" will not fade against the background and.
Liked:
Design, materials, body dimensions
Display: oleophobic coating, wide brightness range, glove operation
Hardware platform and excellent performance
Waterproof
Multimedia features: stereo speakers, a wide range of branded accessories
autonomy
Did not like:
- Display: very cold, specific color reproduction
- Heating of the case under load
- Controversial key ergonomics, camera software is still damp, price
The editors express their gratitude to the Stylus online store for the device provided for the test.
The compact version of the flagship smartphone Sony Xperia Z3 turned out to be even more interesting than its older brother - it should be considered as a purchase if you do not need a device with a large display.
Design, construction
I got this smartphone just before a September trip to Munich, went with a friend on a classic trip - look at the line, drink festive beer (Oktoberfest was just starting), buy an iPhone 6, have a delicious breakfast in a cafe near the market and go home. I took the Z3 Compact with me, there was an idea to arrange a broadcast on YouTube, as a result, in the evening there was no strength, and the idea fell through - but you should know that the smartphone also has such a very nice option. And all the time of the trip, the Z3 Compact did not give rest to my friend, he liked it very much, he constantly asked to see it, twist it in his hands, tell me what functions and features are there.
It would seem, here, the iPhone 6, have been waiting for so long. What do you care about a small Android smartphone? But, as practice shows, Z3 Compact really causes positive emotions in people and almost instant addiction. It is small and very well thought out. When I first saw it, I still didn’t want to accept the fact that this “compact” does not have a metal frame, it was replaced by a polymer. After a month of use, I can safely say - it's okay. It looks good, it doesn't slip, the device can be lifted off the table with just your fingertips (unlike the Z3), what else do you need?
And the device is very photogenic, each picture gained a bunch of likes wherever possible. For example, here's a photo.
Already 161 likes! And here is a photo where the Sony Xperia Z3 is in full combat gear, with a microphone, next to it is a noise-canceling headset, all these accessories are supported, since it uses a five-pin 3.5 mm jack. And the sound quality is very good. And the speaker is very loud, about the same as the iPhone 5S.
In addition to white, there are also options for black, mint and red. It seems to me that Z3 Compact is worth buying in some difficult version, black is too boring.
But the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is an emotional thing, it is hardly worth putting it on a par with other Android smartphones. Samsung and LG don't have such smartphones, I don't even know what to call them. These are fashion devices, fashionable in terms of design, materials, some emotional charge - the buyer of the Z3 Compact gets a smaller version of the flagship, but not only. Also the feeling of a thing with a capital B. This is very nice. Girls really like the device, it lies well in a small hand, while men are pleased with its functionality. Water protection? Yes. Good camera? Yes. Interesting accessories? Yes. Can I increase the memory? Yes. Powerful processor? Yes. All these are words for a commercial, but many people choose their gadgets this way.
Let me remind you that there is a very detailed video, where there are several colors of the device and a fairly detailed story about the smartphone.
Well, let's get back to the traditional review. I like the way the smartphone looks when viewed from the front. They tried to remove the bezels, the polymer ends are rough, and the device as a whole lies better in the hand, it is easier to get it out of your pocket. The buttons are well made, and, despite the compactness, they left the camera button. Like the flagship, there are rounded inserts at the ends. Neat plugs, a 3.5 mm jack without protection supports all branded accessories for this pinout, the device is protected according to the IP68 standard.
It's a pity that summer is over and all Z3s will be on sale in the fall, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact would look great somewhere on the beach. Although the winter holidays are coming soon, and many will fly to warm countries. So, don't forget about this little smartphone.
Let me remind you that this uses nanoSIM, you will need to change your large SIM card - but it will not be difficult for iPhone 5S users to switch to Sony's new small flagship.
Regarding the reliability of the glass panels in front and behind: the device once fell from a height onto the stone floor in the kitchen, I did not find any damage. Fingerprints, scratches are invisible on white, keep this in mind when buying.
If the plug on the end annoys you, use magnetic charging. True, it will have to be bought separately. And one more complaint about the assembly - everything is very cool here, glass panels and all that, but the buttons go a little bit. This is especially noticeable on the volume button.
Display
The diagonal of the IPS display is 4.6 inches, the resolution is 1280 x 720 pixels, everything is not bad with brightness, viewing angles. I like how the fonts have been changed here, pay attention to the branded clock on the screen in standby mode, they are well done. Anyway, the fonts are interesting, but the icons seem too big. On the other hand, they are clearly visible on a small screen, you immediately select the desired program, you do not have to fumble around the screen with your eyes.
In the display settings, you can turn on the "Gloves" mode, select the white balance, there is a function to activate the device by double-tapping the screen when the smartphone is turned off. Previously, this feature was only on large flagships. Smart backlight function is supported - the screen remains on while the smartphone is in your hand. You can choose the brightness yourself, or trust the automation, I prefer the first option.
This is not entirely related to the display, but the proximity sensor did not always work adequately for me, during a conversation I opened the quick settings menu with my cheek several times, turned on the flashlight, etc. If you have the same problem, tell us in the comments.
I will also make one more point. Small screen, small keyboard. Writing big SMS here or long messages on Facebook is a real torment, I’m already used to turning my smartphone over and writing with two fingers. But the keyboard itself is not bad.
Contents of delivery
I want to talk about this separately - I still would not advise Sony to save on little things, many are upset that there is no headset, stand or any other accessories. The “you can buy it separately” strategy is good, but even Apple tries to give the user everything necessary to use the smartphone. And Sony has always pleased us with interesting "special stages". I would like to believe that in the Sony Xperia Z4 everything will return to normal and at least a headset (preferably with noise reduction) will be included.
Performance
It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with a clock speed of 2.5 GHz, an Adreno 330 video adapter, 3 GB of RAM, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact has 2 GB of RAM, but there is no need for more, the display diagonal is smaller. 16 GB of memory is installed, you can use microSD, cards up to 128 GB are supported. All devices work very fast, this also applies to E3. Android 4.4.4 is installed, but of course there will be an update to the latest version. Branded wallpapers are used, icons are redesigned, the clock widget has undergone changes, the clock numbers have become thicker - or rather, the font has become thicker, the minutes have remained unchanged. Let's see how the software will change by the time the devices enter the market.
Wireless interfaces are typical, these are Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC. A five-pin connector is used, as on the Z2, all new accessories that require power from the gadget are supported - this is a microphone, a noise-canceling headset. There will likely be other things as well, such as headphones with Hi-Res sound support. The magnetic stand on the end allows you to charge the Z3 without using the microUSB connector. If you get tired of the plug, we recommend buying a docking station. By the way, the headset will be removed from the delivery set of all Z3, you have to buy it separately.
In the Sony Xperia Z3 review, Eldar told everything about performance, I recommend reading the article.
There is also a separate article about the features of the Sony interface, I recommend reading it.
Among the pre-installed programs there is Deezer, a music service (its usefulness is doubtful),
Already in November of this year, a very interesting feature for the entire Z3 family will appear, called Remote Play. The PS4 firmware will be released, the Z3 Compact will have a function, and what will happen? And here's what: a smartphone or tablet can be connected via Wi-Fi to the set-top box and use the device's screen to play along with the DualShock 4 joystick. The display ceases to be touch-sensitive, the image from the set-top box is transmitted there. If you explain on the fingers, Z3 Compact turns into a miniature TV. There will be a special holder for the joystick, where you can put a smartphone or tablet. So far, all this will only work within the home Wi-Fi network, but they promise to expand the possibilities - for example, in Berlin I could turn on the set-top box using the Z3, launch BF4, put the smartphone in the joystick and calmly play for an hour before going to bed. But in the case of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, there is a question of whether this should be done, given the size of the display.
Yes, Z2 will not have such functionality.
Camera
The camera is 20 MP, the front camera is 2 MP, there are a number of new effects, for example, you can draw something like graffiti in the air, the picture will freeze and become voluminous, the camera can be brought from different angles and the resulting something can be viewed. This is also very, very unusual. There is a video recording of what is happening on the screen, which will appeal to the authors of reviews of applications, games for Android, there is an online broadcast on YouTube. There are other effects, see the video at the beginning of the article for more details. The quality of the pictures, as they say in the company, has not changed or has become better - in my opinion, there are few differences from the Z2. In the Z3 review, Eldar spoke in detail about the camera and effects, I recommend reading his article.
I note that the default quality is not the best and I advise you to play with manual settings, the Z3 Compact is capable of a lot. A separate shooting button plays a very important role, you can quickly start the camera, take the first shot. And it works like a camera: press the button - focus, press all the way - shooting.
Food
The smartphone uses a 2600 mAh battery, promises up to two days of operation even without Stamina mode, you can use any microUSB cable for charging. Here is an observation, if you use a watch with Android, then in Stamina mode no notifications will come to the watch, one friend complained that the Moto 360 paired with the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact just turn into a watch - until you activate your smartphone, nothing happening. And Stamina should be turned on, as it seriously affects the time of work. For example, with my quiet use, the device lives quietly for a couple of days - in this sense, the smartphone behaves much better than flagships with huge displays.
And yet, in addition to the simple Stamina mode, there is an UltraSTAMINA mode, only the phone and messages work. If suddenly you find yourself in a situation where 30% of the charge is left and you know that you won’t be able to charge your smartphone for a long time, feel free to turn on UltraSTAMINA – last until the evening (last a very long time). Pay attention to the screenshot: the battery charge is 56%, the approximate operating time is 10 days 16 hours. Not bad, right? I personally often find myself in this situation, I have to carry external batteries with me.
conclusions
The smartphone retails for about 23,990 rubles, the price seems quite adequate to me - behind the "cute" appearance is a functional and powerful device that can serve you faithfully for years. After all, many still use the Sony Xperia Z, we have such a person in our editorial office - well, why not, if everything suits you? So Sony Xperia Z3 Compact can become your faithful companion. Interesting design, good display and camera, water protection – and not just protection, you can literally wash with your smartphone. It's a shame there aren't any accessories included, but you can buy a noise canceling headset or a stereo microphone if you want to get good live videos. The fonts in the menu are well chosen, the camera has really interesting effects, if you are in a company and have nothing to do, turn on AR Effect and enjoy. The speaker, as I said, is quite loud, there are no complaints about the reception quality. LTE is supported, everything worked fine with Beeline and MegaFon.
The quality of voice transmission is good, unlike Z2, there is no effect when you catch sound from the speaker with your ear - one of the latest firmware for Z2 corrected this bug, everything is in order in Z3 Compact. There are no complaints about the volume of the spoken speaker in the Z3 Compact either.
There are no films. This is also a huge plus.
In the age of huge smartphones with large screens, finding a quality small smartphone is proving to be very difficult. It is gratifying that Sony is following the same path, when the miniature version of the flagship is identical in terms of characteristics and has its own chips. What would I like in the Z4 Compact? Maybe they will completely dispense with frames, add a good headset to the kit, make the frames out of metal - after all, users love metal, which is already there. Completely get rid of plugs while maintaining protection against water. What else do you dream about small Sony flagships, write in the comments.
If you are looking for something small and functional based on Android, be sure to take a closer look at the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. There are many pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the pros. In my opinion, this is one of the best smartphones at the end of 2015, you can safely buy.
P.S. Many people ask about whether it is worth changing the first generation Compact for the considered model. It seems to me that this is not worth doing, the old one is also cool, and if the thing works and pleases, then there is nothing to look for good from good.
Unknown
pros
Full of necessary and not very functions, very advanced in terms of functionality, easy intuitive menu, the device is 5+, if not for the build quality and, as it turned out, the complete lack of dealer supportMinuses
According to the reviews of the servicemen, not only the workshop where the device was repaired - frequent calls due to factory defects or when purchased under the guise of a new repair device, even in large "grids"Impression
"Compact Z-3" - a complete "hat" - was purchased on 12/01/14, and already on 01/18/15 the screen began to peel off from the corner and a strip appeared along the entire length of the screen on the side, the sensor did not work at first, but after the phone completely sat down , tormented by the fact that he lived his life for almost two days (played the video, made sounds, as if taking pictures of something, turned on the alarm clock, while the screen was "off" and due to problems with the sensor it was impossible to cut it out) and again charged / rebooted the touch screen worked, albeit with a strip and a screen extending from one corner from the case. And all this taking into account the fact that the device was purchased new in Svyaznoy. Naturally, under warranty, it was handed over to the Sony branded dealer center in Moscow, in the hope that Sony is the name, support for the "terminator", etc., such as quality control, etc., but in the end after 30 days that he spent there, instead of repair, a conclusion was received, not even from the manufacturer, but from some third-party LLC, in which "like an independent examination was carried out" (for such a "mastodon" as "Sony" it turns out in Russia does not have its own expert institution): refusal to repair, allegedly due to water getting inside, allegedly scratches and careless operation, although it was pasted over with films on both sides for more than 2 tr. even the guarantee is separate from the device from Svyaznoy and was constantly in a case, they didn’t drop the device into the water and didn’t go with it in the rain (winter, gentle operation, by a girl) - they gave it to an independent workshop with a good reputation, it was opened with us - verdict: it was not even opened at the dealership, there are no signs of water getting inside the device, manufacturing defects. As a result, repairs for 14.5 tr. and the loss of the waterproof function as a negative "bonus" since changed the touch screen assembly. As explained in the workshop, there are many calls with this kind of breakdown, frequent cases of sales even in branded network centers (M-video, Svyaznoy, Euroset) of repair devices under the guise of new or defective devices, as in our case. After that, I found out from friends - two who bought the same devices had similar problems, although from experience with the Z-1 there were no such problems, they even filmed under water at sea, and everything is ok and not only with me. Since then, this long-suffering "Z-3 compact" seems to be working and not buggy. The verdict-dealer service, despite the high price of the gadget, is simply absent, the manufacturer does not bear any responsibility for its marriage to the buyer. Although in terms of its qualities, the device suits completely, advanced, full of functions. "Stubs" that I also use, that the 4th, that the 5th dropped several times - only the broken glass panels changed, dropped into the bath - after drying, it was resurrected, once even poured hot coffee 4-ku-dried, but approximately A week later, the "home" button began to fail - I had to change it for 1.5t.r.Is the review helpful?
Salmin Ivan
pros
Build quality.
Speed.
The possibility of increasing memory.
Glass on both sides.
Waterproof.
Minuses
The above mentioned problem with spontaneous discharge.
Impression
After Lumia 925, impressions are entirely positive. I will not return to the wretched crutch WP, with which I spent 2 years. But Sony also gave me a surprise with a minus sign.
After a month of use, the phone began to discharge very quickly (in 7 hours) in all modes, in active, in "sleep" and even (attention) in the off (!!!) state and was constantly warm. In search of the cause of this accident, he searched all the Internet, tried to turn off everything that was possible, several times completely reset the bodies. to the factory settings, a couple of times I flashed it over the cable, through the Sony utility. In general, I took it to the service, I received a fully working device in 2 weeks. To the question: "What did you do?" - received the answer: "reflash". In general, I was glad that they didn’t understand, but I didn’t understand the answer a little, because. I stitched it myself 2 times.
It doesn't matter, now the phone holds a charge for 2 days in the average use mode (talks 3 hours / day, some Internet) and about 20-30% remains. Happy as an elephant. Yes, I also bought protective glasses for the front and back, I really like the tactile sensations from the glass and a couple of wires for magnetic charging so as not to mess around with plugs.
Is the review helpful?
Sony isn't the only manufacturer to regularly release compact versions of its flagship smartphones. Samsung, LG, HTC and others have such solutions. But in most cases, companies offer truncated functionality in such models.
The Sony Z3 Compact is a welcome exception. Almost nothing, except for the size of the display and the amount of RAM, this smartphone is not inferior to its older brother Z3. As a result, lovers of compact devices get a smaller copy of the flagship model without any functional compromises.
Characteristics:
Standard: GSM/UMTS/LTE
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 2.5 GHz
GPU: Adreno 330
Display: 4.6 inches, IPS, 1280x720
RAM: 2 GB
User Memory: 16 GB, microSD slot
Camera: 20.7 MP, front - 2.2 MP
Communications: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, FM radio
Connectors: microUSB, 3.5mm audio
OS: Android 4.4 KitKat
Battery: 2600 mAh
Dimensions: 127×64.9×8.6 cm
Weight: 129g
Price: 14 000 UAH
The body of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is based on two glass surfaces and plastic edges. The design is monolithic, nothing creaks, and the plugs of the connectors do not hang out. Moreover, they are not so easy to detect if you have not dealt with Sony smartphones before.
We tested the device in a discreet black color scheme. Orange or light green options look much brighter and youthful. But for those who do not get out of a business suit five days a week, black will still be preferable. In general, the case is practical, but personally I would immediately stick protective films on the front and back surfaces. Fortunately, they will be completely invisible here. But to hide this beauty in a case, as for me, would be blasphemy.
The plastic of the side face is translucent, which adds some zest. Even fashionable aluminum side frames would hardly look cooler. On the contrary, due to the matte texture and translucent plastic, the smartphone looks original, without cutting under the iPhone 5s or Galaxy Alpha. Well, for connoisseurs of cold metal, I can recommend a compact version of the flagship HTC - One mini 2 in an all-metal case.
Dimensions Xperia Z3 Compact - 127 × 64.9 × 8.6 cm with a weight of 129 g. But only when you take it in your hand, you understand how well the device lies in the palm of your hand. If you have been using flagship models with a diagonal of 5 inches and above for a long time, the long-forgotten pleasant sensations are guaranteed - as if you are putting on your favorite well-worn shoes.
Of course, pictures and websites on a 4.6-inch display are not as convenient to look at as on the screen of some phablet. But when it comes to day-to-day use, the Xperia Z3 Compact is head and shoulders above. After all, absolutely all actions can be performed with one hand. The other at this time can squeeze the steering wheel of the car, hold on to the handrail in public transport or warm cognac in a glass. In general, when using compact smartphones, you don’t feel like you are in handcuffs, and it’s damn convenient.
The device is protected according to IP65 and IP68 standards. We did not dare to bathe it in the bathroom, however, all connectors, except for the audio output, are carefully covered with plugs, so the Xperia Z3 Compact should withstand a short dive under water with dignity. It can also be washed under the tap without harming the internal components.
The display pleased. It uses a perfectly calibrated IPS-matrix, which displays natural deep shades. Black color is perceived as black, and not dirty grayish, as is the case even in some top-end solutions.
HD resolution (1280 x 720) with a 4.6-inch diagonal is enough to make the picture smooth. You probably won't be able to see individual pixels without a magnifying glass. The pixel density is 319 ppi. With the display settings, you can “conjure”. For example, the color temperature is adjusted, there is a separate mode for enhancing clarity and contrast, as well as an extreme brightness mode, which is useful in sunny weather.
The sensor responds flawlessly to touch, in addition, a glove mode is available.
The heart of the mini-flagship was a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with a frequency of 2.5 GHz and an Adreno 330 graphics chip. The amount of RAM is 2 GB. Perhaps due to the fact that the display here is not Full HD, the system performance is close to ideal. Perhaps, any game from Google Play will be quite tough for a smartphone. Desktops and menu lists scroll smoothly, without delay. Built-in memory is 16 GB, but thanks to the expansion slot, this will not be a problem. Supports microSD cards up to 128 GB.
Below are the results of synthetic tests in the AnTuTu application:
The front camera received far from a record resolution - 2.2 megapixels. Selfies are relatively good, but a little blurry. From the front camera of a modern flagship, albeit in a mini version, you expect more detail.
The resolution of the main camera is 20.7 megapixels. We were pleased with the manual settings and modes, as well as the good work of the auto mode. Xperia Z3 Compact correctly determines the white balance and exposure even in difficult conditions. In some aspects, the camera is superior to other flagship solutions, in others it is inferior to them. Personally, I would like more pronounced detail.
Below are some test shots:
Full size photos in a separate album on Google Drive.
The non-removable 2600 mAh battery provided about a day of battery life in my use case. During this time, I managed to download a dozen must-have applications to my smartphone, take several dozen photos, sit in social networks, talk for about 20-30 minutes, listen to music online for an hour and a little more on trifles. The result is very good, and if you use the Xperia Z3 Compact less intensively, you can squeeze out more.
conclusions
Compact smartphones with top-end stuffing are a separate cohort of devices for connoisseurs of just such a format. However, the competition for the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is very serious. These are HTC One Mini 2, Samsung Galaxy S5 mini and, of course, iPhone 5s. Against their background, the model looks quite decent, offering good performance, original design, a protected case, as well as a high-quality main camera.
For fans of the brand, the choice is obvious - the smartphone is made in the best traditions of Sony, has the characteristic external charisma of the flagships of this brand. As for the hardware stuffing and performance, we can safely expect that the parameters will not become outdated for at least another year and a half.
The Z3 Compact is very similar to its predecessor (Z1 Compact) in terms of design. But there are some similarities with the Z3. Like Z3, our smartphone is sold in four colors: black, white, light green and red-orange. The Z3 Compact is slightly thicker than the Z3 (8.64mm vs. 7.3mm) and weighs 129 g, which is 23g less than the Z3 and 8g less than the Z1 Compact. The rear panel is covered in slippery glass like the Z3 and requires the same precautions (ideally: a quality soft case).
The main difference lies in the basis of the body - involved plastic instead of aluminium. The workmanship is just as good as other Xperias, something that Sony doesn't let itself lose its face in. No uneven or overly wide slots, all details fit tightly and the smartphone is pleasant to hold in hand. The rigidity of the design, however, leaves much to be desired - some corners lend themselves to bending, and some areas of the back panel - to pressure. In both cases, the deformation causes distortion on the display. Nothing terrible, but still unworthy of a flagship - even if it is a smaller version.
The battery cannot be replaced by yourself, but like the full-size model, the Z3 Compact is certified for dust and moisture protection according to standard IP65/68. Recall that this means complete dust tightness of the apparatus (the first digit is 6 - in both numbers), protection against pressurized water jets (the second digit, 5, in the first number) and the ability to work for an unlimited time when immersed in fresh water to a shallow depth. (second digit, 8, in the second number).
Unfortunately, providing the device for testing by the manufacturer imposes certain restrictions: we are not allowed to subject the device to potentially dangerous tests, since it will have to be returned, so there is no question of testing water resistance. Judging by the experience of buyers, it is impossible to draw a confident conclusion about the quality of its implementation: if some owners take their smartphone with them to the pool and take photos under water, then for others the smartphone “sinks” in a glass of water and completely fails. Either there are some manufacturing defects and not all devices are sealed, or the flaw is present in the sealing itself and appears randomly. Anyway, we do not recommend relying on the water resistance of the Z3, Z3 Compact or any other modern smartphone, regardless of the level of IP certification. This is a powerful argument when choosing between two otherwise identical smartphones, but we do not recommend buying an expensive and allegedly waterproof smartphone specifically for shooting underwater.
Sony says it has the ability to take data from a smartphone's numerous sensors and reliably determine the cause of the failure: if it falls under the definition of "misuse", then the warranty is considered violated. At the same time, the list also includes easily violated restrictions: for example, you should not dive with a smartphone deeper than the declared depth or keep it in chlorinated water for too long (for example, in a pool). We strongly recommend that you take a look at the given Sony on their website
Easy cron setup on linux Cron setup every 5 minutes
What extension should the file have?
How to change the letter using standard Windows tools
Free programs for Windows free download
Proven ways to remove protection from the drive
How to save a message from classmates and photos to your phone and PC
Universal utility for data recovery