Mobile phone sony xperia z3 d6603. Mobile phone Sony Xperia Z3 (black)

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Mobile phone Sony Xperia Z3 (black)

A SMARTPHONE THAT IS NOT AFRAID OF TIME

The waterproof Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone embodies the elegance of design and the power of high technology. Sony's new creation proves that beauty lasts. The ultra-thin aluminum frame with rounded edges, durable tempered glass panels and exclusive power button design give the new premium smartphone a prestigious, elegant look. But looks aren't everything, are they? That's why Sony took care of a balanced, symmetrical design so that the device fits perfectly in the hand. And thanks to the simple and user-friendly interface, using this smartphone is surprisingly comfortable.

PROTECTION FROM WATER AND DUST

Sony's thin, sleek Xperia Z3 boasts an impressive IP65/68 rating, meaning dust and water won't interfere with your smartphone's performance or your entertainment. With the water-resistant Xperia Z3, you can take photos for up to 30 minutes while swimming in fresh water. You can even dive to a depth of 1.5 meters with it! Just remember that all connectors must be securely closed.

TAKE GREAT PHOTOS

The Sony Xperia Z3 features an Exmor RS sensor for mobile devices and an incredible ISO 12800 sensitivity unrivaled in a smartphone. This means you can now shoot even in the dimmest light and still get perfect photos.

HANDYCAM VIDEO CAMERA IN YOUR SMARTPHONE

The Xperia Z3 smartphone embodies the digital recording technologies used in Sony's famous Handycam camcorders. Capture the most important moments of your life in stunning 4K resolution (3840x2160) and edit videos directly on your smartphone. And to prevent the image from shaking, as often happens on regular smartphones, exclusive SteadyShot technology has been developed. Together with the new Intelligent Active Mode, it evaluates motion parameters and analyzes dozens of frames, which allows you to compensate for twitching when shooting video and stabilize the image.

2 WHOLE DAYS WITHOUT RECHARGING

The Sony Xperia Z3 is designed with efficiency in mind. Every little detail in it is carefully thought out so as to work for the result. With an incredibly powerful battery that lasts up to 2 days on a single charge, this Android smartphone will last as long as you need it. Work and play all day long: Sony Xperia Z3 won't run out of power even after 24 hours.

UNSEEN POWER AND INCREDIBLE SPEED

Want a smartphone with lightning-fast internet, impressive multitasking, and an interface that listens to your every thought? Then Sony Xperia Z3 is for you. It is equipped with the new, powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor with an impressive clock speed of up to 2.5 GHz. Because all the cores in an asynchronous processor are powered independently of each other, you get exactly the level of power you need at the moment, without wasting a second of battery power.

Detailed testing of the new flagship Sony Mobile

Perhaps it’s worth starting with the fact that Sony, having once again updated its main and most popular line of mobile devices called Xperia Z, this time brought everything “to a common denominator”, giving all devices included in the updated series, without exception, a serial number 3. Thus, even the miniature version of the flagship smartphone Sony Z3 Compact immediately “jumped” one digit in its index, so as not to differ from its comrades in the line. There is no longer and will never be a model called Xperia Z2 Compact; users immediately received a third “mini” version, and now all three main products in the top family have the same index Z3 in their name.

Sony's new line of mobile devices was presented at the very beginning of autumn during the IFA 2014 world exhibition and includes three top devices: the flagship smartphone Sony Xperia Z3, its miniature version Xperia Z3 Compact, and a new eight-inch tablet called Sony Z3 Tablet. This applies to the main devices of the line. In addition to them, the new series of Sony mobile products includes the budget smartphone Xperia E3, a watch, and a new bracelet with an electronic ink screen... But everything has its time. Today we present to your attention a detailed test review of the most important device in the top family - the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone, which very quickly replaced the Xperia Z2 introduced literally in the spring. The Japanese firmly adhere to the once chosen course of updating the flagship line every six months, rightly believing that during this time enough reasons have accumulated to update the model range.

Unlike the Xperia Z2, which progressed relative to its predecessors precisely in terms of technical improvements, the Xperia Z3 added virtually no changes in this regard. But on the other hand, quite significant work was done on the appearance of the product itself and the user graphical interface, that is, most of the changes this time lie precisely in the plane of design and decoration. However, this does not mean that the next update should be treated with disdain. On the contrary, the Sony Xperia Z3 has eliminated all those shortcomings and roughness that irritated the powerful, but in many ways rough Xperia Z2. However, in terms of technical characteristics, some changes have occurred. Let's talk about everything in order.

Video review

First, we suggest watching our video review of the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone:

Key Features of Sony Xperia Z3 (Model D6603)

	Sony Xperia Z3	Vivo Xshot	HTC One M8	Samsung Galaxy S5
Screen	5.2″, IPS	5.2″, IPS	5″, Super LCD 3	5.1″, Super AMOLED
Permission	1920×1080, 423 ppi	1920×1080, 424 ppi	1920×1080, 440 ppi	1920×1080, 432 ppi
SoC			Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (4 Krait 400 cores) @2.3 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (4 Krait 400 cores) @2.5 GHz
GPU	Adreno 330	Adreno 330	Adreno 330	Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB	2/3 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Flash memory	16 GB	16/32 GB	16/32 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	microSD	microSD	microSD	microSD
operating system	Google Android 4.4	Google Android 4.3	Google Android 4.4	Google Android 4.4
Battery	non-removable, 3100 mAh	non-removable, 2600 mAh	non-removable, 2600 mAh	removable, 2800 mAh
Cameras	rear (20.7 MP; 4K video), front (2.2 MP)	rear (13 MP; 4K video), front (8 MP)	rear (4 MP; video 1080p), front (5 MP)	rear (16 MP; 4K video), front (2 MP)
Dimensions and weight	146×72×7.3 mm, 152 g	146×73×8 mm, 148 g	146×71×9.4 mm, 160 g	142×73×8.1 mm, 145 g
average price	T-11028534	T-10970877	T-10761030	T-10725078
Sony Xperia Z3 offers	L-11028534-10

SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC), 2.5 GHz, 4 cores
GPU Adreno 330
Operating system Android 4.4 KitKat
Touch IPS display, 5.2″, 1920×1080
Random access memory (RAM) 3 GB, internal memory 16 GB
MicroSD card slot up to 128 GB (SDXC)
Protection against dust and moisture according to IP 65/68 standard
Communication GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
Communications 3G UMTS HSPA+ 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz
LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 (2600/800 FDD are used in the Russian Federation)
Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
Support DLNA, MHL 3.0, OTG, Media Go, MTP, Miracast
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Wi-Fi hotspot
GPS/Glonass
Exmor RS 20.7 MP camera, autofocus, LED flash, 4K video
Front camera 2.2 MP
Non-removable battery 3100 mAh
Dimensions 146×72×7.3 mm
Weight 152 g

Contents of delivery

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is packaged in a fairly simple-looking, flat and square box made of thin unvarnished cardboard, which has already become classic for the latest products in the Sony mobile line, with a cardboard tray and three different-sized compartments inside, separated by thin partitions.

The Sony Xperia Z3 package is very laconic: a compact charger and a Micro-USB connecting cable. Sony has decided to no longer include headphones in the package with its flagship products; they will be offered separately at a fairly reasonable price, as an additional accessory.

Appearance and ease of use

If most of the main changes in the Sony Xperia Z2 affected the technical part, then in the third incarnation the previous content was dressed in a much fresher shell. Since the very first Xperia Z, the appearance of the body of all flagship smartphones in the line has remained virtually unchanged over generations, remaining the same type. The basis of the design, to which the developers even gave their own name OmniBalance, was a frame with flat edges. Moreover, recently it has taken on the appearance of such a rough, heavy all-metal structure with cut off sharp edges that the Xperia Z2, for example, was really uncomfortable to hold in the hand. The main complaints that immediately poured in from users regarding the Xperia Z2 presented in the spring concerned precisely the roughness and heaviness of the body of the new product. This time, the developers took into account all the negative nuances and changed the feeling of using a smartphone beyond recognition.

Moreover, they didn’t have to do almost anything: they just removed the flat chamfers from the surface of the side frames, which made the rough edges that dug into the palm disappear. The metal frame has become completely streamlined; flat and sharp edges have been replaced by rounded sides, making the device really pleasant to hold in your hand.

The polymer gasket between metal and glass, which disappeared in recent models, has not returned here, but the metal edges of the edge no longer dig into the skin as before. Now in the hands of the user there is a pleasant-to-touch, smooth and streamlined “block”, which has also lost weight. The weight of the Sony Xperia Z3 was brought to a comfortable level, which had the most favorable effect on the overall perception of the device - now there is simply nothing to complain about.

As for the general structure of the case, the smartphone is still a monolithic, non-separable candy bar, consisting of two glass plates and a metal frame that runs along the entire side perimeter of the case. The metal surface is matte and slightly rough, which is why the smartphone is perfectly held in the fingers and does not slip out of the palm.

At the same time, even greater changes have been made to the design of the frame than are immediately noticeable to the eye. The fact is that the corners of the frame this time were made of polycarbonate material, which absorbs shock when the device falls. Now they play the role of shock absorbers, which, in theory, should have a beneficial effect on the “survival” of the product after falls from a height. This plastic is indistinguishable from the metal of the frame itself, so that overall the body retains a uniform appearance.

Another change affected the thickness of the case: the smartphone has become a little thinner, and it looks very cool. True, the decrease in thickness led to a decrease in the volume of the built-in battery, but the changes in this regard are not very significant.

Otherwise, everything remains in place: the front and rear glass no longer have the factory protective film; the characteristics of the glass are similar to the popular Corning Gorilla Glass, but proud Sony does not like to talk about its suppliers. The screen is now made using IPS technology, next to it on the front side there are two stereo speakers facing the user. A special connector with an open pair of contacts for installing a smartphone in a docking station has not been forgotten. The connector is universal: most modern Sony devices, including tablets, can be installed in the same docking station, purchased separately.

The covers on the side frame are still made of metal and equipped with rubberized gaskets. As a result, the smartphone, like its predecessors, is provided with maximum protection against the ingress of water and dust according to the IP 65/68 standard. There are two covers; they hide slots for a memory card and SIM card, as well as a Micro-USB connector. By the way, changes have occurred here too: now top-end Sony mobile devices use Nano-SIM format cards, obviously with an eye to a painless possible transition for some users from the Apple iPhone. The rest will have to go back to the communication store and change their SIM card to a card of the new standard.

The front and rear glass panels now do not have those factory protective films that were so controversial. Maybe this is for the better, since the films naturally wore out faster and became covered with a lot of scratches than glass, and removing them was quite problematic, and besides, the glass then lost its grease-repellent coating.

The sound output grilles are located at the top and bottom of the screen; the role of the grilles is played by two symmetrical slits in the glass. A completely logical solution is to turn the speakers towards the user, and not away from him, and there are two speakers themselves. By the way, the sound of the new flagship has become significantly louder than that of its predecessors, even despite the gaskets that protect it from water. Another change: previously, it was through the top slot of the speaker that the status indicator light made its way, now its role is played by a more traditional, separately located LED point. In the settings menu there is an item where you can disable some of the indicator’s functions, leaving it to notify only about the charging status.

Below the screen, as is customary with Sony, there are no hardware touch buttons; control is carried out using virtual buttons on the screen. So here below you can only find the lower speaker grille, and even then there is not much space left for it. In general, the frames around the screen are very thin on all sides, so that the body of the smartphone, with such a large display area, remains in quite manageable dimensions - both for the average human hand and for a pocket of any size.

The back wall of the case is exactly the same as the front: it is made of glass, there is no protective film on it, there are no gaskets between the glass and the metal of the side faces, and the only functional elements present here are the camera window and the flash eye. The flash here consists of a single LED, while most competing flagships have had dual flashes for a long time, and now they also come in multi-colored ones. It’s good that they didn’t forget to provide the smartphone with pre-installed software that allows you to use this module in flashlight mode.

The power and lock button is located on the right side, next to the volume key. Traditionally for the latest Sony smartphones, it looks like a metal round piece, but in the third series models it is somewhat different in appearance. All the keys are large, easy to feel blindly, and have a distinct spring-loaded action, so there are no complaints about the controls of the Sony Xperia Z3.

At the bottom of the right side there is a dedicated hardware camera control key, thanks to which the smartphone can be used for shooting even underwater, although the screen at this time becomes insensitive to touch. The ability to shoot underwater on Sony mobile devices is a proprietary feature that the company constantly plays out in advertising and on posters.

The headphone audio jack (3.5 mm) is located on top here, and it is not covered by any plugs. However, it is also protected from water getting inside the case. There is nothing on the bottom end - a universal Micro-USB connector, which, by the way, supports connecting external devices in OTG mode, is hidden under a cover on the left side. For daily charging, you will have to flip this cover every time - or use a separately purchased docking station. Sony is in no hurry to build support for wireless charging into its mobile devices.

There is another hole in the lower left corner of the case - this is a traditional strap mount, which is present on all Sony smartphones, and it is a pity that other manufacturers neglect this useful element.

The color scheme of the new flagship's cases has undergone significant changes. Quite unexpectedly, the smartphone was presented not only in traditional black and white, and also, quite expectedly, gold, but also in a completely new one - mint green, which the developers simply call green. In fact, this color has a soft pastel, like a slightly faded greenish tone; The color is discreet and very pleasing to the eye. But the golden color is more reminiscent of highly polished copper, which is why it got its name Copper (copper-red).

Screen

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is equipped with an IPS touch matrix. The screen dimensions are 64x114 mm, diagonal - 5.2 inches, resolution - 1920x1080 pixels. Such a parameter as pixel density is equal to 423 ppi. From the developers themselves, this type of display received the brand name Triluminos.

The outside of the screen is covered with protective glass without a factory protective film - this proprietary distinctive feature has completely disappeared from the screens of Sony mobile devices. The thickness of the side frames from the edge of the screen to the edge of the body is approximately 3 mm - the frames are very narrow.

The display brightness can be adjusted manually, or you can use automatic adjustment. Multi-touch technology here allows you to process up to 10 simultaneous touches. The display can be operated with gloves or wet fingers. When you bring the smartphone to your ear, the screen is locked using a proximity sensor.

A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are no worse than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photograph in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens of both devices (Sony Xperia Z3, as it is not difficult to determine, is on the right; then they can be distinguished by size):

Both screens are dark, but the Sony screen is still darker (its brightness in the photo is 98 versus 103 for the Nexus 7). The tripling of reflected objects in the Sony Xperia Z3 screen is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the outer glass (also known as the touch sensor) and the surface of the matrix (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass-air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better under strong external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (very effective, perhaps better than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than with regular glass.

With manual brightness control, its maximum value was about 680 cd/m², and the minimum was 4.7 cd/m². The maximum value is simply huge and is a record for this type of technology, and, given the good anti-glare properties, in bright daylight and even in direct sun the image on the screen should be clearly visible. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (it is located to the left of the logo on the front panel). In automatic mode, as external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. The operation of this function depends on the brightness adjustment position. If it is at maximum, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 130 cd/m² (too much), in an artificially lit office (about 400 lux) it sets it to 350 cd/m² (very much), in a very bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a clear day outdoors, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or a little more) increases to 580 cd/m² (enough). If the brightness slider is at half the scale (it is very non-linear - after 50% the brightness goes up sharply as the setting value increases), then the screen brightness for the three conditions indicated above is as follows: 68, 240 and 580 cd/m² (suitable values). If the brightness control is set to minimum - 7.4, 120, 580 cd/m². As a result, the auto-brightness function works absolutely adequately. At any brightness level, there is no significant backlight modulation, so there is no screen flickering.

This screen uses an IPS type matrix. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades and without significant color shifts, even with large viewing deviations from perpendicular to the screen. For comparison, here are photographs in which the same images are displayed on the screens of the Nexus 7 and Sony Xperia Z3, while the screen brightness is initially set to approximately 200 cd/m² (over a white field in the entire screen), and the color balance on the camera is forcibly switched to 6500 K .Perpendicular to the plane of the screens is a white field:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field. And a test picture:

The colors on the Sony Xperia Z3's screen are oversaturated, skin tones are heavily red-shifted, and the color balance is very different from the standard. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both screens, but on the Sony Xperia Z3 the contrast has decreased to a greater extent due to the strong brightening of blacks and a greater decrease in brightness. And a white field:

The brightness at an angle for both screens has noticeably decreased (at least 5 times, based on the difference in shutter speed), but in the case of the Sony Xperia Z3 the drop in brightness is greater (brightness according to photographs is 216 versus 230 for the Nexus 7). However, the color tone did not change much. When deviated diagonally, the black field brightens greatly and acquires a violet or red-violet hue. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is the same for the screens!):

And from another angle:

When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is average, since there are areas with slightly increased brightness along the edge:

The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is normal - about 690:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 23 ms (14 ms on + 9 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (based on the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 33 ms. Constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, the gamma curve did not reveal any blockage in either highlights or shadows, and the index of the approximating power function was 2.31, which is higher than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve strongly deviates from the power law:

The smartphone has a dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness depending on the nature of the displayed image. The general tendency is that in dark images the brightness is reduced, but the algorithm is somewhat complex, and as a result, periodically the brightness jumps noticeably, which is annoying, and decreasing the brightness in dark images reduces the visibility of gradations in the shadows under external illumination. That is, there is zero benefit from this function, only harm. As a result, we carried out a number of tests - determining contrast and response time, comparing black illumination at angles - when displaying special templates with a consistently average brightness, and not monochromatic fields in the entire screen. Of course, the resulting dependence of brightness on hue (gamma curve) most likely does not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential display of shades of gray on almost the entire screen.

The color gamut is noticeably wider than sRGB:

Let's look at the spectra:

They are very atypical. As they write on the Sony website, this screen uses LEDs with a blue emitter and green and red phosphors (usually a blue emitter and a yellow phosphor), which, in combination with special matrix filters, allows you to obtain a wide color gamut. Unfortunately, as a result, the colors of images - drawings, photographs and films - oriented to the sRGB space (and these are the vast majority) have an unnatural saturation. This is especially noticeable on recognizable shades, such as skin tones. The result is shown in the photo above. Note that when compared with the Sony Xperia Z2, it is clear that the manufacturer tried to improve the situation with oversaturated colors, and to bring the coverage back to normal, it increased the cross-mixing of components, but something stopped it at the phase of reducing the saturation of the green color. Thanks for trying, but we need to go further, reduce it to sRGB.

The balance of shades on the gray scale is far from ideal, since the color temperature is higher than the standard 6500 K. True, the deviation from the spectrum of an absolutely black body (ΔE) over most of the gray scale is less than 10, which is considered an acceptable indicator for a consumer device. But at the same time, the variation in color temperature and ΔE is large, which negatively affects the visual perception of color balance. (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

This smartphone has the ability to adjust the color balance by adjusting the intensities of the three primary colors. That's what we tried to do, the result is data signed as Corr. in the graphs above. As a result, we slightly reduced ΔE on white and brought the white point a little closer to 6500 K (but also greatly reduced the brightness).

We were prevented from bringing at least the white point back to normal by the limited range of adjustments and high discreteness, which is actually higher than the adjustment step. However, this correction did not reduce the oversaturation of colors.

If someone still finds the image on the screen of this smartphone not bright enough, you can turn on the proprietary mode X-Reality for mobile. The result is shown below:

Saturation and contour sharpness are software enhanced, and there are fewer discernible gradations in the area of saturated colors. But the picture, yes, has become brighter. For color extremists, there is a “maximum brightness” mode, in which the mockery of the image (and common sense) exceeds all reasonable limits. Here's what we got:

Of course, such a picture will find fans. We are all very different.

Let's summarize. The brightness adjustment range of this screen is simply wider than ever, and the anti-glare properties are all right, which allows you to comfortably use the smartphone both on a sunny day on the beach and in complete darkness. It is permissible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works absolutely adequately. The advantages also include a very effective oleophobic coating, no flicker and no air gap in the layers of the screen. The disadvantages are a strong highlighting of black color when the gaze deviates from perpendicular to the surface of the screen and aggressive dynamic brightness adjustment. Color rendering is not the best, colors are oversaturated (skin tones are especially affected), color balance differs from the standard. The presence of appropriate adjustments allows you to slightly correct the balance, but not completely and at the expense of reducing brightness. Nevertheless, taking into account the importance of characteristics for this particular class of devices (and the most important thing is the visibility of information in a wide range of external conditions), the quality of the screen can be considered high.

Sound

For the first time, the sound of Sony's flagship smartphone was truly pleasing. During the behind-the-scenes first acquaintance with the prototypes of the Sony Xperia Z3 at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, the device did not impress with its sound. However, the production sample that was later sent to our editor pleasantly surprised us with the power of its sound and the depth of sound, especially considering that the speakers here are also covered with membranes that protect against water. The new Xperia Z3 began to sound much louder and better than its predecessors, the sound remains clear at the maximum volume level, the low frequencies are not in abundance, but quite enough, the maximum volume is high. Looking ahead, it is worth noting that the mini version of the Xperia Z3 Compact is not so rosy with this; the devices clearly have speakers of different quality installed.

To play music, the device traditionally uses a proprietary Walkman player. The standard audio player is rich in settings and additional software sound improvements, such as a built-in equalizer with a lot of preset values (you can set your own), Clear Phase, xLoud technologies or virtual surround sound. Control of most settings is available if the complex ClearAudio+ function is turned off, otherwise all settings are left to the machine.

FM radio is included as standard with the smartphone. Traditionally, it only works with connected headphones as an antenna; it does not have the ability to record programs. There was no voice recorder in the standard configuration of the flagship, just like the Xperia Z3 Compact, by the way.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z3 is equipped with two digital camera modules with a resolution of 20.7 and 2.2 megapixels. The hardware here is exactly the same as in the Sony Xperia Z2, only software effects are added. The main 20.7-megapixel camera is equipped with a G Lens series lens with a focal length of 27 mm and an aperture of F2.0. The camera uses a 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS for mobile sensor and a Bionz for mobile processor.

By default, the cameras of all Sony devices operate in the so-called super auto mode (iauto) with a wide aspect ratio, but you can switch the shooting to manual settings. It is noteworthy that when you use the hardware button on the side of the device to quickly turn on the camera, it is always activated only in automatic shooting mode, even if manual mode was previously enabled. If you launch the camera application by touching the icon on the display, then everything goes as usual, and the camera leaves the previous settings intact, that is, it starts in manual mode, if one was set earlier. Note that there is a big difference between automatic and manual modes, because the maximum resolution of images can only be set in manual adjustment mode. When shooting in automatic mode, which is set by default, photos are obtained with a size of 3840 × 2160 (8 megapixels), and in manual mode the maximum possible resolution is exactly the same 20.7 megapixels (5248 × 3936).

In addition to automatic and manual, the Sony Xperia Z3 camera software has several interesting additional shooting modes. The Info-eye mode, for example, provides contextual information to an object in the frame using augmented reality technology. In Timeshift burst mode, the camera takes up to 61 shots two seconds before pressing the shutter button, from which you can then choose the best one. The Social live function allows you to upload footage directly to Facebook and view comments on it on your smartphone screen. AR effect makes it possible to combine pictures with animation using proprietary augmented reality technology SmartAR. In addition, the range of additional applications that increase the choice of different shooting modes can be expanded through downloadable applications, the number of which is constantly growing. To do this, simply turn on the camera, press the shooting mode icon and select “+Apps” to view additional options.

The camera can shoot video in 1080p and UHD (4K) resolution, but the main thing is that it also has the ability to shoot in the most interesting of modes - 1080p at 60 frames/second. An example of such a video is presented below.

Video No. 1 (84 MB, 1920×1080, 60 fps)

	Good (but not excellent) sharpness on the left side of the frame, which cannot be said about the right side and edges.

	In mid-shots, sharpness drops noticeably. The camera adjusts the exposure too sensitively.

	There are problems with exposure, as well as noise in the shadows and object boundaries.

	The color of the sky is quite “even”, although for this reason the wires simply “drowned” in it.

	In this case, the exposure was chosen well and the shadows were worked out. But there are still problems with the noise reduction and the right side of the frame.

	Again, an unpleasant choice of exposure and a large area of blur on the right.

	The foliage in the background is beautifully done in some places, and terrible in others. The number plate of the nearest car is visible.

	Some sharpening is noticeable on the wires, which still does not save them from drowning in the blue.

Trying to keep up with inexorable progress, manufacturers do not always present ready-made devices. It has happened more than once that the very first models turned out to be somewhat “damp”. Unfortunately, sometimes famous manufacturers also sin with this.

The smartphone came to us even before its official presentation in Russia, and therefore I remember the case of the Sony Z1 Compact, the camera of which we did not quite deservedly hack. The problem was that due to the “dampness” of the sample, good pictures were obtained after one time, or even three. Most likely, the problem was in the camera firmware, which did not adequately process the signal from the image sensor, which is why there was a characteristic blur in the pictures. A similar effect occurs when the camera rotates around the optical axis at relatively long shutter speeds, with sharpness noticeably deteriorating from the center to the edges of the frame. As a result, it was probably possible to shoot with the camera only from a tripod. But in later copies of the smartphone the camera has become noticeably better.

A similar effect is present here: part of the image is blurred, as with a long exposure. Perhaps the reason is that the camera takes several pictures at too large an interval. In any case, we hope that everything will be fixed soon enough, and Sony, as we have already noticed, brings its products to a decent state.

	Lighting ≈3200 lux. The camera does a good job.

	Lighting ≈1400 lux. The situation remains virtually unchanged.

	Lighting ≈130 lux. The grain from the noise reduction becomes a little larger.

	Lighting ≈130 lux, flash. The outbreak does little to improve the situation.

	Lighting<1 люкс, вспышка. Камера справляется немного хуже, чем в прошлый раз. Вспышка очень слабая.

As for this camera “here and now”, it is somewhat inconsistent with a flagship of this level. The software processing is not the worst, but it is clear that it was done in haste: there are barely noticeable traces of sharpening and “laddering” on straight lines, the exposure metering is overly sensitive, and the noise reduction works erratically and (not always and in places) roughly. The noise reduction doesn't handle shadows very well for a flagship, but it's acceptable. What’s worse is that it spoils mid- and long-range plans, although the sharpness of the optics and the resolution of the sensor are quite capable of working out such details, as confirmed by the graph, which in this case somewhat rehabilitates the camera and gives it the right to life. Ultimately, all the problems (I want to believe) rest on the program, which the manufacturer did not have time to bring to perfection. Another reason to believe this is the feeling that the camera contains a module very similar to the Z2 camera. At the same time, the Superior Auto mode produces pictures of a different size than in the case of the Z2. Therefore, if the assumption is correct, then the module is definitely good, and the program is completely redesigned and, apparently, (yet) unfinished. But Sony is unlikely to abandon its flagship to the mercy of fate, and this problem should be corrected in production samples. Well, in any case, the physical parameters of the camera are very decent, and after improvements it promises to be interesting. And even now, with some skill, it is suitable for various subjects.

Telephone and communications

The smartphone works as standard in modern 2G GSM and 3G WCDMA networks, and also has support for fourth generation networks (LTE) used in Russia. In practice, with a SIM card from the domestic operator MTS, the smartphone confidently recognizes and works with 4G networks. The network capabilities of the smartphone are extensive and correspond to a truly top level: there is support for the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, and as a standard you can organize a wireless access point via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth channels. The mode for connecting external devices (USB Host, USB OTG) is supported, so you can connect flash drives and mice with keyboards to the Micro-USB port. The navigation module works with both GPS and the domestic Glonass system.

There were no spontaneous reboots/shutdowns observed during testing, as well as system slowdowns or freezes. When you bring the smartphone to your ear, the screen is blocked by the proximity sensor. The LED indicator at the top of the front panel provides notification of charging status and incoming events.

There is no dedicated top row with numbers on the standard keyboard by default; you need to switch the layout each time, or connect the number row yourself through the settings menu. The layout itself and the location of the keys are standard: to switch the language layout, just click on the button with the corresponding icon. The phone application supports Smart Dial, that is, while dialing a phone number, a search is immediately carried out by the first letters in contacts. There is a convenient option to move the keyboard closer to one of the sides of the screen to make it easier to reach with the fingers of the hand holding the smartphone. Naturally, continuous writing (by sliding your finger from letter to letter) Swype is also supported.

OS and software

The operating system is the latest version of the Google Android 4.4.4 KitKat software platform, on top of which is traditionally installed its own proprietary graphical user interface. The internal structure of the shell, all menus, settings items and pop-up contextual submenus - everything remains exactly the same. However, the external shell has undergone significant changes. Previously, Sony's graphical interface elements were drawn quite finely. Now, unexpectedly, all the elements on the screen, and most importantly, the application icons themselves, began to look much larger and clearer. The fonts have increased; such sudden transformations have only benefited the smartphone. There are also less obvious, but in some ways more useful, improvements. Finally, for example, a function to reboot the device has appeared in the menu, because before this only Sony smartphones lacked such an option. If it was necessary to reboot the device, it was necessary to first turn off and then turn on the smartphone, which was annoying.

The most important innovation that has occurred in software terms with the new Sony mobile devices is the emergence of close integration with the Sony PlayStation 4 game console. If the house already has one, then the Xperia Z3 smartphone, or the Xperia Z3 Tablet, can serve as a “portable screen” , that is, everything that happens begins to be displayed not on the TV screen, but on the screen of a mobile device. This is, for example, convenient when you need to free up the TV if one of the family members suddenly wants to watch some other program on TV. For such use, Sony will produce a special mount that can connect a smartphone or tablet to the joystick of a game console. This service is called Remote Play.

Performance

Like the previous flagship, the Sony Xperia Z3 hardware platform is based on a single-chip quad-core system (SoC) Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 with four Krait 400 cores. However, the Sony Xperia Z2 had a maximum processor core frequency of only 2.3 GHz, while the Sony Xperia Z3 it is increased to 2.5 GHz. This is explained by the fact that it uses a slightly more advanced version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC).

The processor here is supported in graphics processing by the same Adreno 330 video accelerator. About 11 GB of 16 GB of own memory for the user’s needs is initially available in the device. The smartphone's RAM capacity is 3 GB, and this makes the Sony Xperia Z3 stand out among its direct competitors - all the others received only 2 GB of RAM. MicroSD memory cards in this model are supported up to 128 GB; you can also connect external flash drives, keyboards and mice to the Micro-USB port using a special adapter in OTG mode.

To get an idea of the performance of the platform of the smartphone under test, we will conduct a standard set of tests.

For convenience, we have compiled all the results we obtained when testing the smartphone in the latest versions of popular benchmarks into tables. The table usually adds several other devices from different segments, also tested on similar latest versions of benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry figures). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison it is impossible to present the results from different versions of benchmarks, so many worthy and relevant models remain “behind the scenes” - due to the fact that they once passed the “obstacle course” on previous versions of test programs.

Testing in MobileXPRT, as well as in the latest versions of AnTuTu and GeekBench 3:

Based on benchmark testing results, the device proved to be one of the most powerful and productive modern mobile devices on the market. It is worth noting that all the figures practically coincided with the results of the previous model Sony Xperia Z2, which recently underwent exactly the same tests. As for the results in the AnTuTu test, they have increased significantly, but it is not yet entirely clear how the results of the two versions of the popular benchmark correlate with each other, because now the fourth version has been replaced by the fifth, and all new devices are now tested in it. It is unknown whether the developers have brought everything to a common denominator, so for now we will have to mark on the plates which versions of the benchmark this or that model was tested with. However, the difference is probably not so great; all the top smartphones, the operation of which is based on the Snapdragon 801, are, in any case, the most powerful mobile devices on the market today, the hardware capacity of which will be sufficient for a long time to complete any assigned tasks.

When testing in 3DMark, the most powerful smartphones now have the ability to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).

Results of testing the graphics subsystem in the Epic Citadel gaming test, as well as Basemark X and Bonsai Benchmark:

Browser cross-platform tests:

As for benchmarks for assessing the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowance for the fact that their results significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so the comparison can only be truly correct on the same OS and browsers, and this is possible during testing not always. For Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.

Playing video

To test the omnivorous nature of video playback (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, such as subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Internet. Note that for mobile devices it is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since it is most often impossible to process modern options using processor cores alone. Also, you shouldn’t expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it.

According to testing results, the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone was not equipped with all the decoders necessary for full playback of most of the most common files on the Internet. But the first smartphone in the series, the Xperia Z model, played all these same files without any problems without the need to resort to third-party solutions. Here, to successfully play them, you will have to resort to the help of a third-party player - for example, MX Player. True, even in it you will first have to change the settings, switching from hardware decoding to software or to a new mode called Hardware+(not supported by all smartphones), only then will sound appear. All results are summarized in a table.

Format	Container, video, sound	MX Video Player	Standard video player
DVDRip	AVI, XviD 720×400 2200 Kbps, MP3+AC3	plays normally	plays normally
Web-DL SD	AVI, XviD 720×400 1400 Kbps, MP3+AC3	plays normally	plays normally
Web-DL HD	MKV, H.264 1280×720 3000 Kbps, AC3	Hardware+
BDRip 720p	MKV, H.264 1280×720 4000 Kbps, AC3	plays fine with decoder Hardware+	The video plays fine, but there is no sound¹
BDRip 1080p	MKV, H.264 1920×1080 8000 Kbps, AC3	plays fine with decoder Hardware+	The video plays fine, but there is no sound¹

¹ MX Video Player only played sound after switching to software decoding or a new mode Hardware+; The standard player does not have this setting

Additionally, the MHL interface was tested. To test it, we used the LG IPS237L monitor, which supports direct MHL connection using a passive adapter cable from micro-USB to HDMI. In this case, output via MHL was carried out at a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at a frequency of 30 frames/s. Regardless of the actual orientation of the smartphone, the image is displayed on the smartphone and monitor screens only in landscape orientation with the connector on the smartphone facing down. In this case, the image on the monitor fits exactly within the boundaries of the display area (if you remember to increase the setting Image Size up to 100%) and repeats the image on the smartphone screen one to one.

Sound is output via MHL (in this case, the sounds were heard through headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and is of good quality. In this case, sounds are not output through the loudspeaker of the smartphone itself, and the volume is not adjusted using the buttons on the smartphone body, but is turned off. In our case, the smartphone with the MHL adapter connected was charging, judging by the charge indicator.

Next, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Method for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”), we checked how the video is displayed on the screen of the smartphone itself. Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied: 1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels and frame rates of 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps. In the tests, we used the MX Player video player in the “Hardware+” mode. The results of this (block entitled “Smartphone Screen”) and the next test are summarized in the table:

Fine No

Note: If in both columns Uniformity And Passes Green ratings are given, this means that, most likely, when watching films, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and frame skipping will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. Red marks indicate possible problems with playback of the corresponding files.

According to the frame output criterion, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the smartphone itself is good, since the frames (or groups of frames) can output with a more or less uniform alternation of intervals and without skipping frames. The displayed brightness range is equal to the standard range of 16-235, that is, all gradations of shades are displayed in shadows and highlights. When playing video files with a resolution of 1080p (1920 by 1080 pixels), the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly across the width of the screen, in the original Full HD resolution.

With a monitor connected via MHL, when playing video, the monitor displays an exact copy of the smartphone screen, that is, the output is in true Full HD resolution in the case of 1080p files.

The brightness range displayed on the monitor is equal to the standard range of 16-235 - all gradations of shades are displayed in shadows and highlights. The results of the monitor output tests are shown in the table above in the “MHL (monitor output)” block. The output quality is good. We do not show the results for files with 50 and 60 fps, since this does not make sense due to the output mode of 30 fps. For games where higher frame rates are desired, you can use available external adapters that provide 60 fps output at 720p, or you can try to find monitors/adapters that support MHL output at 1080p at 60 fps.

The conclusion is typical: an MHL connection can be used for gaming, watching movies, surfing the web and other activities that benefit from a larger screen size.

Battery life

The lithium-ion battery installed in the Sony Xperia Z3 turned out to be quite a bit smaller in volume than that of the Xperia Z2, but still has a capacity of 3100 mAh that is quite decent for a modern flagship. Sony's new flagship did not set a record in terms of battery life, but overall it showed itself to be no worse, and maybe a little better than its predecessor. Perhaps the new type of battery has an effect, or the optimization of energy consumption has become better, but in any case, a slight decrease in the battery capacity of the new product did not negatively affect the battery life of the device in test modes.

	Battery capacity	Reading mode	Video mode	3D Game Mode
Sony Xperia Z3	3100 mAh	20:00	10:00 am	4 hours 50 minutes
Sony Xperia Z2	3200 mAh	15:20	11:00 am	3 hours 30 minutes
Oppo Find 7a	2800 mAh	16:40	8 a.m. 20 p.m.	3:00 am
HTC One M8	2600 mAh	22:10	13:20	3 hours 20 minutes
Samsung Galaxy S5	2800 mAh	17:20	12:30 pm	4 hours 30 minutes
TCL Idol X+	2500 mAh	12:30 pm	7:20 am	3:00 am
Lenovo Vibe Z	3050 mAh	11:45 am	8:00 am	3 hours 30 minutes
Acer Liquid S2	3300 mAh	16:40	7:40 a.m.	6:00 am
LG G Flex	3500 mAh	23:15	13:30	6 hours 40 minutes
LG G2	3000 mAh	20:00	12:30 pm	4 hours 45 minutes
Sony Xperia Z1	3000 mAh	11:45 am	8:00 am	4 hours 30 minutes

Continuous reading in the FBReader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) lasted more than 20 hours until the battery was completely discharged, and when continuously watching videos from YouTube in high quality (HQ) with the same brightness level via a home Wi-Fi network, the device lasted 10 hours. In 3D gaming mode, the smartphone worked for almost 5 hours. The device charges quite quickly; a full charge takes less than 3 hours.

Bottom line

Once again, Sony Mobile has released an excellent top-end device of the highest quality and performance class. The Japanese flagship boasts an expensive, catchy and stylish design and, of course, premium materials. Among its strengths are also the presence of a high degree of protection from water and dust, the highest hardware performance and technical equipment to date, as well as a powerful battery and good sound quality. The screen and camera cannot certainly be called excellent, but they generally correspond to the high level of the smartphone. However, at this point I would like to state with a little sadness that we did not see any breakthroughs in the next update. The smartphone's hardware remains virtually the same; the changes are, albeit noticeable, but still mostly cosmetic. However, we did not see any special breakthroughs from other manufacturers in the new season either; the market froze in anticipation of new technical discoveries, and we are looking forward to them too.

The Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603) smartphone is another update to the stylish flagship line. The manufacturer has “accelerated”: less than six months have passed since the release of the Xperia Z2, when the next model enters the market - the Xperia Z3. True, with updates to the model line every six months, one cannot expect any major changes - the Xperia Z2 and Z3 turned out to be very similar to each other. It’s good that at least the trend toward diagonal growth has stopped - it “froze” at 5.2 inches.

The Xperia Z3's body has become slightly thinner and has plastic corners to improve durability. The changes in the display can be assessed positively; it has finally become brighter, perhaps even too bright. The camera is the same as before, 20.7 MP, which can shoot slow-motion video at 120 fps, as well as 4K video. The battery still shows good results in tests, especially in music playback mode, but in the video test the results turned out to be more modest, which is due to the increased brightness of the screen. The set of interfaces is good, but the same as it was. The smartphone is protected from moisture and dust. The phone body is made of glass and metal; the build quality did not cause us any serious complaints.

In terms of performance, the Xperia Z3 is a powerful smartphone and is suitable for gaming and entertainment. The device did not receive any special changes in this regard, only an increase in the maximum processor clock frequency by 200 MHz from 2.3 to 2.5 GHz. However, its younger version, Z3 Compact, is slightly ahead in graphics tests. This is explained by the fact that the hardware of the phones is the same, but the display resolutions are very different: 1920x1080 pixels on the older one and 1280x720 on the compact Z3.

What are the disadvantages of a smartphone? Firstly, the price is high. Secondly, the power key protrudes noticeably, and the location of the volume key is awkward. Thirdly, the model’s body is non-separable and slippery, and inserting and removing a SIM card from the tray is inconvenient, and the plugs may begin to leak water over time. And of course, the device is cumbersome to operate with one hand.

In general, we recommend a smartphone for purchase, but the compact version, in our opinion, is more convenient to operate, has the same functionality and capabilities, and may even be faster in some games. There's also no obvious reason to upgrade from the Z2 to the Z3, unless you're annoyed by dim displays.

Dimensions and weight - 4.1

Sony Xperia Z3 is a typical, large flagship with a diagonal of 5.2 inches. Sony, at least for now, has stopped growing the size of its flagship. Compared to the Xperia Z2, the dimensions of the device have changed, but not very radically. Xperia Z3 lost 12 grams of weight (152 g versus 164 g), became a millimeter thinner - 7.5 versus 8.5 mm. We also note that the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone has become thinner than the current flagships from HTC and Samsung, but they are not updated every six months. However, the new iPhone 6 is slightly, but still thinner. The smartphone feels wide and large in your hand; it will be uncomfortable to use with one hand.

It’s worth saying that when you first unpack, before removing the film, you can’t immediately tell which is the front and which is the back panel of the smartphone. In our case, the reason for this is the black color of both sides of our model and the glossy surfaces of both the front and back panels. For example, if the back were matte, then everything would be immediately distinguishable.

As is usually the case in the Xperia Z line, the phone is covered with glass on the front and back - it looks impressive, and together with the metal frames, the Sony Xperia Z3 phone is pleasant to the touch. Of course, the glass collects fingerprints, but they are easily erased. True, it must be said that the smartphone is very slippery due to the notorious glass; in our tests it slipped off smooth surfaces more than once. In addition, such material may not withstand an accidental fall on a hard surface and become covered with cracks.

As mentioned above, the side frames are made of metal and become convex to make the smartphone more comfortable to hold. In addition, as on the Xperia Z3 Compact, to give strength to the corners of the case, there are plastic inserts made in the same texture and color as the frame.

Also, as in the compact version of the flagship, we found the very close location of the power and volume keys inconvenient. It’s a little strange that on the Xperia Z3 Compact all the trays with the SIM card, memory card, and USB connector were on one side, but here they are spaced on different sides of the case.

Sony Xperia Z3 has a water-resistant body. We decided to test its strength and carried out water tests. Bottom line: Sony Xperia Z3 is not afraid of water; it can be immersed in water if you close the caps first. At first, you may be alarmed by the lack of plugs for the audio jack, but, as our tests showed, nothing bad happened in the water. Overall, the model looks stylish and attractive, the build quality is good, but, like all previous Xperia Zs, after our tests in water, the body began to barely audibly click when pressure was applied to it.

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone can be purchased in four colors: white, black, copper and silver-green.

Screen - 4.8

The display diagonal of the Sony Xperia Z3 is 5.2 inches, resolution 1920x1080 pixels, PPI value is high - 424 pixels per inch. The display is covered with protective glass; fingerprints are collected quickly and easily, but are also easily wiped off. Viewing angles are good, but inferior to the same Super AMOLED displays. The maximum display brightness reached 615 cd/m2, where the Xperia Z2 was a little dim, but here Sony even overdid it. We recommend that you don’t just set the brightness to maximum - the image “hits” your eyes.

In the sun, the information remains readable, in addition, there is automatic brightness adjustment. In the display settings, you can enable X-Reality image enhancement technology and image clarity mode, which should improve the clarity and brightness of the image. However, we were unable to notice any significant changes from the use of these modes.

The smartphone supports glove mode; in any case, we were able to work with the display while wearing gloves.

Cameras - 4.7

The Sony Xperia Z3 phone has a 20.7 MP camera with a wide range of features. For example, there is an LED flash, face and smile detection, autofocus, image stabilization, panorama shooting, HDR mode and a large selection of settings and modes. The maximum photo resolution is 5248x3936 pixels if you configure all the parameters yourself. True, it’s easier and “no worse” to shoot in “Super Auto Mode”, in which the camera takes good 8-megapixel photos; their quality drops noticeably only in poor lighting conditions. At maximum resolution, some of the settings are “cut off”, for example, the maximum ISO value is reached only at a resolution of 8 MP. In addition to the main camera, there is also a front camera of 2.2 megapixels, with the ability to shoot full Full HD video at a speed of 30 fps.

The main camera of the smartphone can shoot 4K video - 3840x2160 pixels at 30 fps. The arsenal also includes slow-motion shooting with Full HD video at 60 fps and HD video at 120 fps. By the way, the Apple iPhone 6 can do the same thing, plus 240 fps with HD resolution. In addition, in the settings you can add a large number of different effects: defocusing the background, multi-camera with shooting the scene from different angles, adding virtual scenes and objects to the video, and much more.

Photo from camera Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603) - 4.7

Working with text - 5.0

The standard keyboard on the Sony Xperia Z3 is comfortable. It has a function for entering text using strokes (Swype), setting up dictionaries, and in the settings you can add markup of additional characters to the keys. Switching between languages is easy - there is a separate key for this. There is also a one-handed keyboard mode: you can move it to the right or left, whichever is more convenient for you. Among the disadvantages of the Sony Xperia Z3 keyboard is that in landscape mode it takes up almost the entire screen space.

Internet - 3.0

The Sony Xperia Z3 has Google Chrome preinstalled as a browser, and as expected, there is support for synchronizing tabs with the desktop version of the browser. It does not have a separate reading mode and multiple page scaling. But there is a traffic saving mode, and you can manually set the text font size for one-time scaling and double-click on the page to adjust all the text to the selected size.

Communications - 5.0

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is equipped with a good set of interfaces. The device has dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi modem mode and support for the high-speed 802.11ac standard, Bluetooth 4.0 with low energy consumption and A2DP, A-GPS with GLONASS support, and an NFC chip. There is also support for Russian LTE frequencies. The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone works with Nano-SIM cards and microSD cards up to 128 GB. It is also equipped with a micro-USB 2.0 port with support for MHL, USB OTG and USB HOST, for transmitting high-definition video and connecting peripherals such as a keyboard, hard drives or even a mouse. Of the common interfaces, only the infrared port is missing.

Multimedia - 5.0

The Sony Xperia Z3 audio player supports many formats and plays MP3, FLAC, WAV files and a number of less popular formats. It’s a bit of a shame, but the Xperia Z2 came with good headphones with noise-canceling technology, but in this case they are not. The built-in video player supports most popular video formats. The video player also supports subtitles.

Battery - 4.0

The body of the Sony Xperia Z3 has become noticeably thinner, while the battery capacity has hardly suffered - a non-removable lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh is installed here (remember, the Xperia Z2 had 3200 mAh). We tested the phone in our two standard tests and the smartphone demonstrates excellent battery life. The device played HD video at maximum brightness for 8 hours; it probably could have been longer, but the maximum brightness is very high. While listening to music with the screen off, the device was discharged in 123 hours - which is about 5 days! In general, charging your smartphone should be enough for one working day, or maybe even two.

Performance - 3.7

The Sony Xperia Z3, like the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, uses the Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 platform with a quad-core processor with a frequency of 2.5 GHz, an Adreno 330 graphics subsystem and 3 GB of RAM (the younger model with 2 GB loses a little in this regard) . For normal operation during everyday use, in our opinion, two cores in a processor with 1 GB of RAM would be enough. It is worth noting that the Sony Xperia Z3 (D6503) does not experience any serious performance problems: the smartphone works quickly, does not slow down and allows you to play demanding games. But, of course, if you compare the speed of work, including desktops, with the speed of the iPhone 6, then the Z3 Compact will be inferior to the Apple phone.

The device is perfect for any games and applications. According to the results of our synthetic tests, the smartphone ranks well. For example, in the AnTuTu benchmark it received 41,840 points, and in 3D Mark Ice Storm Unlimited - 17,664 points, results comparable to flagships from competitors. Interestingly, the results of the “compact” version turned out to be slightly higher, since the hardware of the phones is the same, but the display resolution of the Z3 Compact is much lower, and therefore it outperforms its older brother in graphics tests. The chipset used in the Sony Xperia Z3 is one of the most powerful on the market today.

Memory - 4.5

The total amount of internal memory in the Sony Xperia Z2 is limited to 16 or 32 GB; 32 GB versions, at least as of the fall of 2014, are not found in Russian stores. In the version with 16 GB of memory, about 11.5 GB is available to the user. The phone has a slot for a microSD memory card; cards up to 128 GB are supported. It is also possible to “hot-swap” the memory card without turning off the device, but then you will have to open and close the waterproof plugs every time.

Peculiarities

The Sony Xperia Z3 phone has a water-resistant body that is protected not only from water, but also from dust. The smartphone works underwater, even under running water, except that the touchscreen display stops responding to fingers. In addition, we note glass panels and metal frames, a large display, “advanced” smartphone interfaces and a 20 MP camera.

The device runs Android 4.4.4 and will soon receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. In Sony's proprietary shell, all standard applications have been redesigned and have an original appearance, which, however, practically does not change from model to model. The dialer has Russian letters, which is convenient for finding the desired contact, the music player can search for album covers and much more. Pre-installed applications include Lifelog for recording the events of your life, radio (you will need a headset), the OfficeSuite office suite with the ability to view documents, Smart Connect for connecting devices, a file manager, AntiVirus Pro. For Play Station owners, there is an application for launching Play Station games on the smartphone screen, which will start working in November 2014. Also interesting was the possibility of smoothly adjusting the color rendering of the display, and not just the presence of 3-4 different modes.

Competitors

The technical characteristics of the Sony Xperia Z3 correspond to the level of modern flagships; we can name Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8 and LG G3 as strong competitors. All of them are not new on the market and are cheaper.

HTC One M8 is not protected from water and dust, it loses in cameras and battery life. However, it has its own original design and today it is cheaper than the Xperia Z3.

Made of plastic, Sony Xperia Z3 is made of glass and metal, both are protected from water and dust. The cameras of these two smartphones are approximately the same in quality. Also, both smartphones support operation with gloves. But the Xperia Z3 has the ability to hot-swappable Micro-SD cards; in terms of battery life, smartphones have parity, one shows video longer, the other plays music longer. In general, both devices are approximately the same, but the price of the Samsung Galaxy S5 has dropped - in the fall of 2014 it costs several thousand less.

LG G3 has an original design with control buttons on the back of the device, laser autofocus and an incredibly clear Quad-HD display. But the Xperia Z3 boasts a water-resistant design, longer battery life and a thinner metal body.

The price of Sony Xperia Z3 in the spring of 2015 is about 37,000 rubles. For this price you get a full-fledged flagship smartphone with a good screen, excellent appearance, thin body and water protection.

Specifications

Android 4.4.4
Screen 5.2 inches, 1920x1080 pixels, IPS, automatic brightness adjustment
3 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, memory cards up to 128 GB
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC, 4 cores, 2.5 GHz, GPU Adreno 330
Bluetooth 4.0 LE, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, MHL 3.0, USB on the Go, GPS/Glonass, ANT+;
LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20
Camera 20.7 megapixel Sony Exmor RS, autofocus, LED flash
Front camera 2.2 megapixels
IP68 protection
Battery 3100 mAh Li-Pol
Dimensions – 146x72x7.3 mm, weight – 152 grams

Contents of delivery

Telephone
Charger with USB cable
Instructions
Table stand (not for all countries, not in Russia)
Wired stereo headset (not for all countries, not in Russia)

Positioning

Sony has chosen a six-month pace of updating its flagships, unlike all major manufacturers, which can only afford to release flagships once a year. With such a rate of release of new models, one cannot expect that the number of changes will be large; each subsequent device will be perceived as a slightly improved version of the previous one. If you read reviews of the Sony Xperia Z2, most of them call the device a work on the bugs of the Z1, which is quite logical. A dozen reviews of the Sony Xperia Z3 use the same phrase - work on bugs, a corrected version of the Z2. I am sure that in January 2014, if Sony does not change anything in its approach, we will see feedback that the Z4 is also a work in progress. For Sony, this becomes a serious problem, since such a perception makes sales of the flagships of the Z line difficult, and the release of new models leads to lower prices for old ones, making them more profitable. It’s curious that Sony unwittingly created more than just a headache for itself - the company, with its flagship release schedule, has formed a whole galaxy of those who are waiting for prices for previous models to drop and choose them.

Given the relatively identical characteristics of the models, the promiscuity of buyers and the selection of goods from the shelf, the same design is already becoming a problem. But for Sony Z2 and Z3 we can also talk about comparable characteristics; the buyer in the store does not realize the difference between these devices, he simply does not see them. But he will feel the difference in price of 5,000 rubles and the fact that the Z3 package is noticeably poorer.

Sony is in the grip of its own choice - they need to release a flagship every six months. Sales of the Z line have long been minimal, the device is a competitor to the same Samsung Galaxy S5, but while the first Z was sold in small but noticeable quantities, the same Z2 dropped to minimal volumes (the reasons are described above). In Russia, the sales ratio of Z2 to Galaxy S5 is 1 to 12. And here we come to the conclusion that when releasing a new flagship, Sony cannot position it higher than the market and other models that are present on it, for example, the same Galaxy S5 , which is the leader in the segment.

Compared to Samsung Galaxy S5

It becomes vital for a company to achieve the minimum cost for its product - therefore, a proven solution is used, reducing the scope of delivery. The Sony Z2 came with branded headphones with a noise reduction system along with the phone, which were of high quality and separately cost about 1,700-2,000 rubles. And this was a serious plus, an argument in favor of the Z2.

In the Z3 they were removed from the package for Russia; the savings for the manufacturer are noticeable and quite justified in the struggle for price on the shelf. It is interesting that a similar approach was used in later deliveries of Z2 - in Svyaznoy at a price of 24,990 rubles you can find Z2 sets both with and without headphones. The black device is sold without headphones, which is perceived by many as an initiative of the retail chain; there are often comments from those who purchased such a phone that, apparently, the sellers stole the headset. But this is just a kit that was created in the struggle for efficiency.

Sony discussed the possibility of putting the Z3 on the shelf for 32,990 rubles, but retail chains dissuaded the company from this step and did so quite sensibly. Few people will be interested in the package, the initial price will scare them away, as was the case with HTC with the flagship HTC One M8, which is excellent in terms of performance, but is not popular, its sales are similar to the Z2.

In 2014, Sony consistently misses the mark in terms of time to market. For example, Sony Z2 was supposed to be released earlier than the flagships of other companies, but it turned out the other way around. With the Z3, everything is going according to plan, but the model is not perceived as something new, and hence there are many different problems; the volume of its purchases by distributors is minimal. But the most important thing is that such products are perceived only by those who remain loyal to the Sony brand; this is a small audience that continues to buy Sony devices in different segments, adherents of Sony Style. It is impossible to say that Sony plays in the mass market, comparable to other manufacturers. Of the successful products of 2014, I’ll highlight the Compact series, which had an impact on the market, but everything else passed by and did not attract the attention of the general public. In this aspect, the Z3 becomes exactly the same device, and a number of fans of the brand who previously purchased Z/Z1/Z2 say that they see no reason to change their devices to a new product. This trend is observed not only for Sony, new products from all companies are perceived critically by customers, they do not see much difference with their current devices, but for Sony this is much more pronounced.

The bottom line is that we have the Z3 model, which is positioned as a flagship and is such for a small audience of Sony fans. It is impossible to say that this is a device for the mass market. Moreover, with the release of this model, the attractiveness of previous devices is growing, and Sony is partly to blame for this, which has worsened a number of characteristics in its flagship. Let's figure out in order what has changed.

Design, dimensions, control elements

Externally, the device has hardly changed, you look at it and see the same Sony Xperia Z2.

Sony Xperia Z2 and Z3

Phone dimensions – 146x72x7.3 mm, weight – 152 grams (Z2 – 146.8x73.3x8.2 mm, 158 grams). The side edges have been made rounded, the metal frame is no longer rectangular, and the device fits very well in the hand. But this also brings another problem: it is much more difficult to lift it from a flat surface; your fingers slide along the side edge, you have to spread them out in the shape of a crab and grab the phone.

Compared to Samsung Galaxy Note 3

In addition to changing the outer frame, Sony has almost completely redesigned the body design, which may not be noticeable and which an inattentive person will definitely not notice. Let me start with the fact that in the Z2 review I said that the device has a rather fragile inside due to its design - when dropped, the shock is transferred to the internal board, and the electronics quickly die. It happens that the glass does not crack, but the electronics fail. The Z3 has plastic inserts on the corners and is painted to match the color of the body. This does not mean that the phone has become shockproof; rather, it has received additional protection from falls. This approach can only be welcomed; similar inserts will be used on many models with a frame body design from Sony.

The model is available in four colors - white, copper, black and emerald.

Let's return to the changes in the design - one of the weak points in the Sony Z1/Z2 was sea water - the salt corroded the plugs, and despite supporting the IP58 protection standard, it was definitely not worth swimming with these phones in the sea. Protection was from fresh water. The Z3 tried to correct this shortcoming; to do this, they changed the characteristics of the rubber inserts that are on all connectors. This even made it possible for the Z3 to receive an IP65/IP68 protection standard - that is, dust protection has increased, all connectors are covered more tightly, and at the same time the location of the microphones has been changed. There are no holes at the bottom end; the microphone is hidden behind the grille of the bottom speaker; both the speaker and the microphone are covered by one membrane. The second microphone is located at the top end, it is located next to the 3.5 connector.

You can swim with this device in fresh water without worry, especially if you close the caps before diving. In real life, the device is quite slippery, on par with the iPhone 6, but better due to its larger size. In water it stops being slippery, I noticed this even during tests of the Z2, when I swam with it in the pool.

The front panel, as well as the back, is made of DragonTrail glass, it is no different from the second generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, but less promoted, in fact it is an analogue. The oleophobic coating is rated C, which is typical - hand marks remain with ease. This is not always visible in the sun or light, especially if your device is not black.

On the left side there is a microUSB connector, it is covered with a cap. On the right side, behind a wide flap, there is a slot for nanoSIM, it is in a plastic tray, and there is also a slot for a microSD memory card.

Above the screen, where the speaker grill is, there is a light indicator - it is wide and can blink in red, blue and green. You can turn it off in the settings, but I really like it, as it gives the device a certain charm. This is a typical Sony Style element. On the front surface you can see the front camera, the proximity sensor is hidden behind the glass and cannot be seen.

This model has no complaints about the build quality - there are no noticeable gaps, the glass does not fit tightly to the metal frame everywhere, this is not a defect, but a feature of the device so that it does not break when dropped. But the gaps are minimal, it’s almost impossible to see them without looking closely. In the same Z2 they were noticeably larger.

Display

The technical characteristics of the screen in the Z3 are the same as in the Z2: 5.2 inches, resolution – 1920x1080 pixels (423 dpi versus 440 in the Z1). The screen uses the famously named Triluminos technology, which suggests that the picture has better RGB coverage than conventional LCD screens. In theory, this is true, in practice there are certain flaws. An explanation of the technology can be seen in a promotional video from Sony.

Also in connection with this device, Live Color Led technology is often mentioned, which, in fact, is responsible for the color gamut, which is somewhat misleading to the user - these names make your head spin. From a marketing point of view, it is noted that the red and green subpixels are made using phosphor, which improves the quality of the color gamut; colors look saturated.

One of the main problems with the Z2 for the screen was that it distorted the colors - it made them bright, but they were not reliable. The built-in tool for adjusting color profiles turned the picture completely indigestible; it was not worth using. It turned out that a good screen, due to shortcomings in technology, did not give out the maximum of what it was capable of. The Z3 tried to overcome this problem, but it didn’t work out very well - the colors are still distorted, fine-tuning in the menu does not work. Separately, I want to emphasize that for most people this does not play any role - they will find the screen good.

Check out the screen comparison between the Galaxy S5 (top) and Note 4 (bottom).

Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Comparison of Sony Xperia Z3 and Samsung Galaxy S5

You can find a comparison of the Z2 screen with other devices at this link.

The Z3 has changed the way the picture is analyzed; each point can change the brightness of the backlight, which creates a more reliable picture in different lighting conditions. It was not possible to notice an improvement in the picture; in the sun the previous device behaved well, although there was clearly not enough brightness here, it had to be turned up to maximum, there was no reserve.

The Z3 decided to solve this problem and increased the screen brightness by 20 percent (650 cd/m2 maximum value with manual adjustment). Now the device is quite comparable with other flagships of 2014, there are no complaints about this characteristic. This improves the viewing experience of the screen both indoors and outdoors, and information is easy to read.

The settings include a mode for working with gloves; you can set a mode for working with wet hands.

In the Z2 review, I called the device's screen not ideal, but for Sony it was an obvious breakthrough - the abandonment of unnecessary film, improved quality, but the presence of such drawbacks as insufficient brightness and poor color rendition. The Z3 got rid of one of the shortcomings, now the screen is bright, they tried to play with color reproduction, but the result was not too different from the previous model. We are waiting for the Z4, in which the company will try to correct this defect again. As mentioned, this is a continuous work on bugs.

Battery

The phone has a lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 3100 mAh (Z2 has 3200 mAh). For a flagship, this battery capacity is excellent, it is quite comparable to Note 3/4, however, these devices are similar in operating time.

In the description of this device, Sony says that it is capable of providing two days of full-time work, with up to 5 hours a day of active work. Unfortunately, the methodology is not given, but here is a screenshot from the company’s website.

My first impression of the battery was fantastic - it lasted a very long time in standby mode, I inserted a card and barely used the phone, and it barely drained.

When I began to actively use the device, it showed slightly better results than the Z2, but nothing fantastic happened. The reason is that Qualcomm has worked on the energy saving of the processor, and in standby mode the device consumes almost nothing. That is, in fact, one processor core operates at a very low frequency. They conjured a wonderful spell; in standby mode the device works just fine.

But in normal modes the miracle did not happen; it is not so much the processor that affects the brightness of the screen backlight and your settings. Considering that the brightness of the screen has increased, the consumption has also become slightly higher, which neutralizes all the chipset settings.

So, the video viewing time is the standard 10 hours (without sound or with headphones). The declared operating time in talk mode is up to 16 hours, in standby mode – up to 920 hours (for the previous model – 740 hours). Music playback time is up to 130 hours.

In practice, the phone showed excellent results, it performs at the level of Galaxy Note 3/4, depending on the load. You can easily count on one day of work with active use or two days of work with moderate use. If you don't use your phone, it will last much longer.

Full charging time (2A charger) is about 3 hours to one hundred percent. Up to 90 percent will be enough in just over 2 hours. From my observations, the device is very sensitive to the quality of the network and its coverage; if you have data transmission and the network is not of very high quality, then the discharge will go faster than on other phones. But if the network is good, then the operating time, on the contrary, will increase. In any case, this device differs in operating time compared to its classmates (Galaxy S5, HTC One M8), beats them and is comparable only to Note 3.

In my opinion, this phone can be recommended to anyone who wants to quietly live until the evening without charging during the day; this is a huge plus of the model. Among the proprietary features, I would like to note the ability to see approximately how long the device will work in the selected mode; there is also a Stamina function, which increases operating time by disabling data transfer in the background, unloading applications from memory, and so on. This is a lifesaver if you need to hold out until the outlet appears. In principle, the function works, although there are some rough edges in the implementation. Most people don’t use it, especially since this device will rarely need it.

There is an intelligent mode when charging, then you can change profile settings and the like.

Memory, memory cards

The phone has 3 GB of RAM (933 MHz, dual channel), which is unusual for models of this level; until recently, only Note 3 could boast of this, and the Galaxy S5 had only 2 GB. Simply increasing the amount of RAM does not solve anything; it all depends on how it works with the processor and what the overall system performance is. Below in the tests it will be clear that the memory increase did not provide a breakthrough in performance. After startup, about 1 GB of RAM is free.

The built-in memory is 16 GB, of which 11.57 GB is free for you, this can be considered a sufficient amount and typical for Android smartphones. You can connect memory cards of any capacity (up to 128 GB), which is also not bad.

Hardware platform, performance

The model is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC) chipset; it is a quad-core processor with a frequency of up to 2.5 GHz per core. This is a different version of the processor, a slightly upgraded version than the Sony Z2, but there is not much difference. In synthetic tests, the performance of this solution is higher than that of its predecessor, as well as its competitors, but the difference is very insignificant.

In real life, when working in the interface, the difference is almost unnoticeable; if it exists, it is minimal. Some say Sony is faster, others say Galaxy S5, and others praise HTC ONE M8. As for me, they are all approximately comparable and the difference can only be felt in individual applications, and then it will be measured in fractions of a second.

In resource-intensive applications (games, 4K video recording), the device heats up, due to the glass of the case this is more noticeable than in the same HTC M8 or Galaxy S5, where the heat is not so strongly felt on the surface of the case. Sony has already responded to this complaint and suggested not shooting 4K video for more than a few minutes, since then overheating can cause applications to spontaneously close, plus the camera will turn off automatically.

Unlike the Z2, the reduced processor frequency in most cases makes warming up almost impossible; the device heats up, but not as much as its predecessor. This can only be noticed when the camera is working; in other modes and even in games it is not so noticeable.

Communication capabilities

The device has NFC, which has already become a good tradition, Bluetooth version 4.0 with ANT+ support. The microUSB connector supports the MHL v3.0 standard, which allows you to output video to external sources. USB 2.0 version, USB Host supported. LTE Cat 4 support, download speed up to 150 Mbit/s. Wi-Fi version – a/b/n/ac.

Camera

Despite the fact that it is written on the body that this is a 20.7-megapixel module and a 1/2.3-inch matrix, the EXMOR RS module itself has been redesigned, plus the optical group has changed, it has been simplified and made wide-angle. It is clear that Sony tried to achieve the same image quality as on previous devices, while reducing the cost of the matrix and simplifying its production. I haven’t made a direct comparison with the Z2/Z1, but according to subjective impressions, the only advantage is rather noisy shooting in night mode (ISO 12800 versus ISO 6400 in the Z2 - achievable only in automatic shooting mode, manual selection is not available).

There is a camera button on the body of the device; when pressed, the automatic shooting mode is always selected, in which the resolution is set to 8 megapixels. If you want to take a picture in manual mode and maximum resolution, then you need to select the appropriate item in the menu. This is terribly inconvenient, but exactly the same approach was in previous models. Look at the difference in pictures when shooting in automatic and manual modes.

Auto	Manual

The camera interface has not undergone major changes, everything is quite simple and clear.

Check out the camera shots, as well as comparisons with the Galaxy S5.

Among the new modes, it is worth noting the simultaneous shooting from the cameras of two devices (“Multi-Camera” mode), in which you can connect another device to the phone and receive pictures simultaneously from two cameras.

Just like in previous models, there is an AR Effects option, these are drawings that are superimposed on a photo in real time, you can create a background of flowers or something similar - a great option for entertainment, however, the same can be done in any graphic editor .

TimeShift video – high frame rate and slow motion effects may be of interest to some, especially when filming sports events.

Defocusing the background is implemented quite controversially - you adjust the focus with the slider, then there is blur, you can choose the geometry of this blur.

Artistic effects are a whole range of different effects, each of which can be applied to a photograph. It also replaces a graphic editor, but usually they don’t use effects, since they spoil the original photo; it’s easier to edit it than to get a modified photo.

Info-eye - the ability to point the camera at a famous building or something similar and get a quick hint about what it is. Explicit borrowing from the Googgles program.

For those who want to upload photos and videos to the network, there is a proprietary PlayMemories service, also familiar from cameras. You can set downloading only via Wi-Fi, but I prefer to use DropBox for these purposes, it is more convenient.

Videos can be recorded in FullHD, the quality of video recording is not bad, there are no complaints here.

I can’t say that the camera in the Z3 has become noticeably worse than in the Z2 - they are slightly different, but this, in principle, is normal for cameras and the perception of images from them. In automatic mode, the Z3 produces very good 8-megapixel images, which, like its predecessor, are liked by many people - this is above average quality among many devices, close to the best cameras on the market. No comparison with the Chinese, just head and shoulders above, regardless of the fact that they use Sony Exmor with similar or similar characteristics. For normal everyday use, this is an excellent camera; few people need to stretch pictures from mobile cameras to some standard of quality. This may seem like heresy, but the current generation of flagships is very close in its characteristics; the convenience of shooting and the quality of images in different conditions come to the fore. On a sunny day the Z3 is excellent, in the dark it is noisy, but this is an expected result. The bottom line is a good camera, which is quite at the level of its price segment.

Multimedia capabilities – sound, PS4 games

If the Z2 came with noise-cancelling headphones and a 5-pin connector, then the Z3 needs to be purchased separately. To fully experience the quality of music on this model, I tried the MDR-NC31EM noise-canceling headphones, as well as the regular Monster DNA.

Technically, previous models in the line could support Hi-Res Audio and Sony DSEE HX technology, which is used in Walkman players and can “finish” MP3 songs to high-quality sound, that is, it tries to restore lost frequencies. It doesn’t always work error-free, but for those who listen to MP3s of unknown quality and have not yet switched to lossless formats, this is a real opportunity to get high-quality sound on your phone.

Unfortunately, on third-party headphones the sound is not fully revealed, even if you take quite expensive models from Sony - it feels like the sound was optimized specifically for the 31st model, the phone sounds great in them. Having tried different headphones, I can say that they sound from good to very good on this model, but the 31s always win due to noise reduction, the sound is cleaner.

Sony was at the forefront of the music revolution in the phone market, and it was then that the Walkman brand was returned to the market and made sound quality important to millions of people. But if you pay attention, no one has been talking about this for the last few years. Cause? The sound of phones has reached its theoretical limit for large companies, and now either it is necessary to change DSP processors and move to another level, or be content with expanding the number of supported codecs. Sony took the second route, also adding a perfect pairing with headphones, and this is a winning strategy. The only pity is that now you have to buy headphones separately, they are not included.

For example, comparing the sound of the Z2 with Note 4, Galaxy S5 with third-party headphones, one cannot say that the Z2 has an advantage - the sound is quite comparable. But with branded headphones from Sony, everything changes dramatically. Therefore, it is worth remembering this when choosing the Z3 as a player - you should buy original headphones, which, however, will not suit everyone. And one more important point - if you purchase headphones of a higher class ($200 or more), you will not get a qualitative leap in the sound of the Z3, it will play about the same.

The Walkman player has a large number of settings and is familiar to all models from Sony.

Another feature that until recently was not found in phones from Sony is support for PS4 Remote Play. You can install the program on your phone, connect it to the DualShock4 joystick via Bluetooth and, by inserting the device into it, play the game on PS4 - a kind of additional screen. That is, the picture, instead of your TV, will be broadcast to your phone - what is the point of this approach is absolutely unclear to me, this is a very far-fetched function. Why? Yes, because it’s more pleasant to play PS4 on a big screen at home, and it’s not clear to me why a small smartphone screen is needed. Of course, there are very limited use cases where this might be useful. But these are such rare cases that it’s not even worth remembering about them. Sony tried to create a feature, but it was not very successful.

Software

The device runs Android 4.4.4; a full description of standard functions and the Xperia UI shell can be found in a separate article.

Among the new and unusual features, I would like to note the ability to make screencasts, that is, record videos of all actions on the screen - this function has been found on a number of phones from other manufacturers, but for Sony it appears here for the first time. Press the power key and select “screen recording” from the menu. You can also record a picture from the front camera, plus your voice is recorded.

Impression

The stereo speakers sound noticeably louder and better in this device than in the Z2. In terms of sound quality, the device is not bad, it is loud, conveys speech well during a conversation, and cuts out unnecessary noise. The vibration alert is average and can be skipped.

The Z3 model turned out to be interesting - the case has been greatly redesigned, the standard of protection against water has been increased, and the protection against falls has been strengthened (the device is still fragile, so this is relative). The camera was changed, but there was no significant or catastrophic deterioration in shooting quality. The screen has been noticeably improved in terms of backlight brightness, the colors still have the same problem, they are not very natural. And they also removed the sensor grid on the screen, it is now not visible - this could irritate someone in the Z2. They did a good job on the power saving mode and standby time.

In my opinion, the Z3 wins over the Z2 in almost everything, but both devices are not popular on the market; in the “Positioning” section I gave the sales ratio with the same Galaxy S5. This is a systemic problem for Sony, which concerns not only the quality of products in previous periods, the erosion of the customer base, but also the inability to highlight its strengths. These devices have Sony Style, they have their own characteristic and different face. But the irony is that traditional buyers of Sony smartphones are already fed up with them; the question is in appearance. And that’s why many people fall in love with the Z3 Compact, but don’t pay attention to the “simple” Z3.

With a price of 29,990 rubles and a very limited supply package, this device is five thousand rubles more expensive than the Z2. Despite the obvious advantages, it’s still worth buying the Z2, especially since it can be found cheaper, and if you buy the Asian version, you’ll also get a desktop charging stand. The real difference is 6,700 rubles, since it is worth taking into account the cost of the headset, which is included in the Z2 kit.

It is necessary and possible to compare this device with other flagships of the season, taking the same iPhone out of the equation; it exists in a different universe. I can hardly imagine a person who can choose between Sony or iPhone (in fact, I know only one - Sergei Kuzmin, by the way, many Sony Mobile employees carry an iPhone, and not only in Russia). You can see the comparison with the Galaxy S5 below.

Here everyone chooses their own, I would consider the Sony Z3 as an alternative not only to the S5, but also to the HTC One M8, these are products of the same level. Another thing is that the late release with a six-month cycle makes the Z3 more expensive than its competitors - the same S5 costs 28,000 rubles. In my opinion, in this price segment this difference is not so critical.

The review turned out to be detailed, with all the “little things” that are important for this device. The choice, as always, is yours; our task was to talk about all the pitfalls, show the pros and cons of this decision.

This model has a version for two SIM cards (one radio module), while maintaining support for memory cards, perhaps someone will be interested in such a device.

Let me start by saying that it took me a long time to choose my phone. And I chose the Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603). There is also a version for 2 SIM cards. Ordered for a birthday as a gift. The phone has been in use for more than a year and now I will try to tell you all the pros and cons. The battery is simply cosmic, in idle mode (all means of communication are turned off) it lasts a very long time (5 days). With normal use (player, conversations) two days are free. With active use (games, music) it doesn’t let us down either. If the IPHONE6 dies before your eyes in simple games, Sonya doesn’t even make you think about the battery in games like WOT BLITZ, Real Racing 3. Let’s move on to performance) WOT BLITZ - 60 FPS is the norm. During all this time, no glitches were noticed. I updated to Lolipop and then I don’t remember - it downloads and upgrades from me there. The fact is that EVERYTHING WORKS AND DOES NOT BRAKE. My phone has seen so many applications and it doesn’t care at all! By the way, after updating to Lolipop, it became possible to install applications on an SD card. I have 64 GB, I regret that I didn’t install more. I recommend everyone to install 128. The camera is like a camera. It takes photos and makes videos. I can’t say anything bad. The camera gadgets also download themselves and when you take pictures you can choose which one is needed at the moment, there are so many of them describing them is a separate topic. And all these conveniences are taken care of by the proprietary Sony shell. It is possible to shoot 4K video. If you want to shoot well, you need to do it in normal daylight - this also applies to SLR cameras. At work, I often had to use the camera in very dark and hard-to-reach places - the flash and zoom really helped, everything you need is visible in the frames for further detailed analysis. SONY positions this phone as a source of HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO (this is one of the reasons for choosing) I have SONY mdr nc31m headphones with active noise reduction which is built into the phone itself. Due to the nature of my work, I have to be in rooms with a noise level that is dangerous for hearing and it is necessary to use special protective equipment. So in SONY this noise reduction function does an excellent job of this. Quite by accident I managed to listen to my phone with B&W P7 headphones. After that, I really thought about buying new ears and in the future an external DAC/amplifier, there is potential for development! The phone plays DSD and everything else. It also transfers this DSD to an external device. I have a Marantz SA8005 CD player with the external DAC function without any problems recognizes DSD from this phone. Protection from moisture and dust (IP65 and IP68) - unfortunately I haven’t tried this function, but it’s still nice to have such a feature! I’ve heard many people took pictures with a camera underwater! Among the shortcomings, we can note the back panel made of glass, but this problem can be easily solved with a case of your choice :) But still, the glass looks very chic. Another small drawback is that the package does not include a special magnetic cable for charging; you have to constantly open the cover on the phone. P.S. After I purchased this phone, two more of my work colleagues took the same one, and my older brother took the SONY XPERIA Z3+.

Mobile phone sony xperia z3 d6603. Mobile phone Sony Xperia Z3 (black)

Video review

Key Features of Sony Xperia Z3 (Model D6603)

Contents of delivery

Appearance and ease of use

Screen

Sound

Camera

Telephone and communications

OS and software

Performance

Playing video

Battery life

Bottom line

Dimensions and weight - 4.1

Screen - 4.8

Cameras - 4.7

Photo from camera Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603) - 4.7

Working with text - 5.0

Internet - 3.0

Communications - 5.0

Multimedia - 5.0

Battery - 4.0

Performance - 3.7

Memory - 4.5

Peculiarities

Competitors

Specifications

Contents of delivery

Positioning

Design, dimensions, control elements

Display

Battery

Memory, memory cards

Hardware platform, performance

Communication capabilities

Camera

Multimedia capabilities – sound, PS4 games

Software

Impression

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