If you compare the Sony Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3 - which is better? Review and comparison Sony Xperia Z3 vs Z2 Comparison z3.

Sony Xperia Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z5 - how not to get confused listing the modifications of smartphones released in the last 3 years? And this is not counting versions like Compact, Ultra or Premium, which also exist in the line of the Japanese brand.

To make life more interesting and more fun, Sony came up with the X series, which is also not simple and consists of several smartphones: XA is a simpler option, X is a middle class, X Performance is the top, and XA Ultra is a king-size for connoisseurs of everything big ...

Xperia X or Xperia Z3?

A friend recently wrote to me and asked, why buy an Xperia X when you can buy an Xperia Z3 or Z3 +? The idea of ​​taking last year's flagships instead of new "middle school students" is not new. Therefore, I decided to compare both smartphones in order to understand how the new Xperia X will delight in comparison with the old model. The price difference between them is about 10-12 thousand rubles, a weighty argument.

The Xperia X is on the left and the Xperia Z3 is on the right. find 10 differences

Attack of the clones

I love the design of Sony smartphones, but the Japanese haven't changed it in years, so it's easy to get confused about phones. Look at the pictures, the Xperia X looks a lot like the Xperia Z3 +. They are almost identical in size, but the Xperia X is slightly smaller and noticeably lighter. I explain this by the fact that the screen size is more modest here: 5 inches versus 5.2.

The design of the Xperia X will delight Sony fans, but if you are not a fan of the Japanese brand, you will be confused among a bunch of similar phones.

The sides are made of aluminum in both cases, but the Xperia X lacks plastic inserts in the corners, which in theory take a hit when dropped. But I doubt that it saves in those cases when the glass body flies on the asphalt.

Aluminum vs glass, a win-win anyway

After all, the back surface of the Xperia X is made of aluminum, while the Z3 + has glass. What's better? I like the matte finish better, it doesn't get dirty at all compared to the stained glass surface. But the glass reflects beautifully, which the Xperia X cannot boast of. Practicality vs beauty is the eternal torment of choice.

The volume control button of the Xperia X has gone down, you confuse it with the power button and often press the wrong place out of habit. I think that the Z3 + had a more convenient key arrangement, but apparently due to the addition of a scanner, the whole structure was redesigned.

The Xperia Z3 + does not have a fingerprint scanner, it appeared in the Z5, and the Xperia X also inherited this useful feature. True, I had to sacrifice the branded round - the power key became flat. Sony is the only company to build a scanner on the side. It is mostly added to the center button below the screen (Apple, Samsung, HTC, Moto) or to the back (Huawei and thousands of Chinese brands). It's more intuitive for me to press the button below the screen, but in a week I got used to the location of the button on the Xperia X.

The scanner works well, but there were times when it didn't work the first time. I had to enter a password to get to my data. But there were very few such cases, so I will not suffer on this score.

For the scanner to work, you must press the physical button, otherwise it will not work. But if the backlight of the screen is on, then a light touch is enough; you do not need to press the button until it clicks. It is a pity that this function does not work even when the screen is locked.

Juicy, bright, Full HD

The new Xperia X has a curved glass at the edges, 2.5D looks and feels nicer than plain flat glass. It is enough to slide your finger over it to feel all this difference on yourself. The screen has a good oleophobic coating in all cases, the finger glides as it should.

I feel the picture quality is comparable to previous Xperia models, if you don't like the default settings, you can manually set the colors.

It's a shame Sony didn't give the Xperia X a “bezel-less design, the bezels are the same as the Z3. But there is protection from moisture, but the Xperia X does not have it, bathing in the sink is a lethal number for it. Due to the fact that the screen size is not very large, it is convenient to operate the phone with one hand. The Xperia X is comparable to the Galaxy S6, but due to its angular shape, the Japanese phone looks more massive than the Korean one.

Xperia X on the left, Xperia Z3 on the right, don't be confused

Two days without an outlet

I was not expecting anything special from the Xperia X with a 2620 mAh battery. It turned out that I was wrong and the phone was pleasantly surprised by the fact that it worked longer than I expected. On average, I got 2 days of work with 4.5-5 hours of active screen. In a simple phone, it practically does not burst.

But I noticed that if you turn on LTE, the device sits down faster. Perhaps this is due to the non-final Sony firmware, tk. I did not notice a similar situation with other devices. Z3 works less, it took me about one day. A triumph of technology.

I also note that Sony has a convenient Stamina function, which is responsible for energy saving and turns off "unnecessary" processes to save battery power.

Don't twitch when not asked

The compartment for the nano SIM and Xperia X memory card is located on the side under the flap. Moreover, even if you raise it a little, the phone goes into reboot, considering that they invariably want to pull one of the cards out of it. Xperia X will appear in a version with one SIM-card, but there will also be a dual-SIM version, where you can put a microSD instead of the second card.

I have no complaints about the dynamics, people can be heard well, but I would like the bell to be more powerful. Here it is quiet and calls are easy to miss.

Naturally, LTE is present, complete order. NFC helps to pay for purchases from the phone, I tried the service together with a Tinkoff card, everything works. At the same time, I was surprised that the seemingly progressive Alfa-Bank does not know how to perform such an operation.

Fast Smartphone

Here is a plate with test results for everyone. For comparison with the Xperia X, I took the Xperia Z3, last year's Samsung Galaxy S6, which fits within that budget. And the new Alcatel Idol 4s is filled with the Xperia X.

The Xperia X has a mid-range processor, Qualcomm 650, in terms of power comparable to last year's top chips, but inferior to them in terms of graphics. Feelings are exactly the same as after meeting Alcatel: the benchmarks are adequate. But the software is still damp: the gallery slows down, then the browser suddenly dulls.

The Xperia X received 32 GB of internal memory, of which 20 GB remains for personal needs, if this is not enough, then the microSD slot will help increase the space. The smartphone has received an updated shell, it is seriously different from the one in the Xperia Z3, although they have the same version of Android. Both are on the 6th version. I think it would be fair to devote a separate article to the shell, there is something to tell about.

I liked the phone in terms of sound quality, but the headphone headroom is not very large, for the subway you need to choose headphones with good noise isolation.

Jet chamber, but raw software

In theory, the Xperia X is the new star in the world of mobile photography. The phone received a new autofocus system, when we point the camera at an object, and it "guides" it until the shutter button is pressed. In the language of photographers, this is "shooting with a wiring". I tried it on cars on a cloudy day, the camera blurs the background well, leaving the subject sharp. But do we often film vehicles? I - no, where more often children. But with them there is a problem, it can be difficult to remove a nimble child in a room. Also, the camera does not always focus on close objects.

I was impressed by the fast shooting function, which we enable in the settings. Then it takes half a second from the moment you press the shutter button to taking the picture. Dedicated shooting key is a separate plus for Sony, few people add this button to smartphones. But the Japanese have thought of everything to the end, and this key is here for a reason, but helps to take pictures very quickly, not to waste time on unlocking.

The examples show how the camera "lathers" along the left edge, I'll write it off on pre-production software or a defective module, this, unfortunately, happens. In general, I liked the camera, during the day the phone shoots very well, in the evening the quality drops, here the lag behind flagships like LG G4 or Samsung Galaxy S6 is noticeable. But they can be bought for the same money that is asked for the Xperia X.

Compared to the Xperia Z3, the new Xperia X has more accurate color reproduction and better white balance. But there is much more noise in the pictures. I think these are software flaws. I was also surprised that HDR is practically imperceptible in operation, that you enable this option, that there is no difference - there is almost no difference.

Here we have a comparison with the Xperia Z3, you can clearly see the difference with the wide-angle optics of the Xperia X. In the example below, there are problems with the left side of the picture. I also think Sony followed the Samsung path and went for sharper shots. And along with this, we added a portion of noise to the pictures.

A bunch of pictures in different conditions for review.

Z3 Vs Xperia X

Pros of Z3:

• water protection
• more comfortable ergonomics
• upgrade to Android 6.0
• lower price
• 4K video recording
• strap mount

Xperia X pros

• fingerprint scanner
• new shell and Android 6.0
• the camera focuses faster
• works longer
• higher speed of LTE
• aluminum finish is more practical than glass

Opinion

For comparison with the Xperia X, you could take other Sony smartphones: not only the Z3, but also the Z3 +, Z5 can become an alternative to this model. At least they are cheaper, take pictures at a comparable level, and the difference in performance is not very big.

I think that 39,990 rubles for the Sony Xperia X is a lot. Sony wants to compete on an equal footing with Samsung, but last year's Galaxy S6 can be bought for the same money as the Xperia X, and it will be better in all respects. Or consider the Galaxy A5 as an option, which costs about 25 thousand rubles.

The Sony Xperia X is more expensive than its classmates with other comparable qualities, so the brand name alone is no longer impressive. So my friend looked at the Xperia X, touched the Xperia Z3 and ordered an iPhone 6.

Specifications

Alternative namesXperia Z3 Plus
E6553E6653
E6603

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Used materials, offered colors, certificates.

SIM card

A SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

Gsm	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz
UMTS	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz
LTE	LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE 700 MHz (B28)	LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz (B12) LTE 700 MHz (B28)

Mobile technology and data rates

Communication between devices in mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is the system software that controls and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

Operating system (OS)

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 7.0 Nougat Android 7.1.1 Nougat

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 7.0 Nougat Android 7.1.1 Nougat

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) integrates all the major hardware components of a mobile device into a single chip.

SoC (System on Chip)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 v2.1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
Technological process	20 nm	20 nm
Processor (CPU)		4x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A57, 4x 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53
Processor size	64 bit	64 bit
Instruction set architecture	ARMv8-A	ARMv8-A
Level 0 cache (L0)	4KB + 4KB	4KB + 4KB
Level 1 cache (L1)	16 kB + 16 kB	16 kB + 16 kB
L2 cache	2048 kB 2 MB	2048 kB 2 MB
Number of processor cores	8	8
CPU clock speed	2000 MHz	2000 MHz
Graphics processing unit (GPU)	Qualcomm Adreno 430	Qualcomm Adreno 430
GPU clock speed	650 MHz	600 MHz
The amount of random access memory (RAM)	3 GB	3 GB
Memory type (RAM)	LPDDR4	LPDDR4
Number of RAM channels	Two-channel	Two-channel
RAM frequency	1600 MHz	1600 MHz

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) fixed memory.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type / technology	IPS	IPS
Diagonal	5.2 in 132.08 mm 13.21 cm	5.2 in 132.08 mm 13.21 cm
Width	2.55 in 64.75 mm 6.48 cm	2.55 in 64.75 mm 6.48 cm
Height	4.53 in 115.12 mm 11.51 cm	4.53 in 115.12 mm 11.51 cm
Aspect ratio	1.778:1 16:9	1.778:1 16:9
Permission	1080 x 1920 pixels	1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel density	424 ppi 166 ppcm	424 ppi 166 ppcm
Color depth	24 bit 16777216 flowers	24 bit 16777216 flowers
Screen footprint	71.09 %	71.14 %
Other characteristics	Capacitive Multitouch Scratch resistant	Capacitive Multitouch Scratch resistant
	Triluminos display for mobile X-Reality display sRGB 130% 700 cd / m²	Triluminos display for mobile X-Reality display Chemical tempered glass Anti-fingerprint coating

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical metrics into signals that can be recognized by the mobile device.

Rear camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its rear panel and can be combined with one or more additional cameras.

Sensor model	Sony IMX220 Exmor RS	Sony Exmor RS
Sensor type	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor size	6.17 x 4.55 mm 0.3 in	6.17 x 4.55 mm 0.3 in
Pixel size	1.176 μm 0.001176 mm	1.118 μm 0.001118 mm
Crop factor	5.64	5.64
ISO (light sensitivity)	50 - 12800	100 - 12800
Light-strength	f / 2	f / 2
Focal length	-	4.26 mm 24.01 mm * (35 mm / full frame)
Flash type	LED	LED
Image Resolution	5248 x 3936 pixels 20.66 megapixels	5520 x 4140 pixels 22.85 megapixels
Video resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 megapixels	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 megapixels
Video recording rate (frame rate)	30 frames / sec	30 frames / sec
Specifications	Autofocus Burst shooting Digital zoom Geographic tags Panoramic shooting HDR shooting Touch focus Face recognition Adjusting the white balance ISO setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene selection mode Macro mode	Autofocus Burst shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographic tags Panoramic shooting HDR shooting Touch focus Face recognition Adjusting the white balance ISO setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene selection mode Macro mode
	1080p @ 60 fps 720p @ 120 fps	1080p @ 60fps 720p @ 120fps Pulse LED flash Wide angel G-lens

Front-camera

Smartphones have one or more front cameras of different designs - pop-up camera, PTZ camera, notch or hole in the display, camera under the display.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technology supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a technology that enables wireless communication for transferring data over short distances between various devices.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital audio / video interface that replaces older analog audio / video standards.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by the device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Video file formats / codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode / decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge required for their function.

Capacity	2930 mAh	2900 mAh
A type		Li-polymer
Talk time 2G	12 h 720 minutes 0.5 days	13 h 10 min 13.2 h 790 minutes 0.5 days
Standby time 2G	580 h 34800 mins 24.2 days	520 h 31200 minutes 21.7 days
Talk time 3G	17 h 1020 minutes 0.7 days	17 h 1020 minutes 0.7 days
3G standby time	590 h 35400 mins 24.6 days	540 h 32400 mins 22.5 days
4G standby time	540 h 32400 mins 22.5 days	500 h 30,000 minutes 20.8 days
Fast charging technology	-	Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
Specifications	Non-removable	Fast charging Non-removable

To write this comparison, the menus were prompted by such a frequent question about what to choose - Sony Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact? Most often, it is asked by beginners who have a certain amount of funds to purchase a flagship smartphone from a Japanese brand, but I don’t know which model to take. The only significant difference that really affects the comfort and ease of use for each individual is the physical size and all that follows. This would be decisive for me when choosing between these smartphones, since both of them have powerful technical parameters and will bring pleasure to use.

Some people like big phones, some like smaller ones; Someone craves to have a device with a bigger screen, but for someone 4 and a half inches is more than enough - this is exclusively a matter of taste and preference. Nevertheless, it would be better to compare the Xperia Z3 Compact in order to clearly see the difference and possible advantages of one of the models over its sibling.

Visually, both phones look great thanks to the OmniBalance design. Both of them are covered with protective glass on the front and back, however, the side edges of the Xperia Z3 are metal, while the Z3 Compact is covered with translucent plastic, which creates a three-dimensional effect, so the tactile phones differ. The dimensions of smartphones are as follows: 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and 152 grams, versus 127 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm and 129 grams. Both are IP68 certified - protection of the case against water and dust ingress by observing the closed caps.

The second significant difference resulting from the physical dimensions is the size of the display. The Ixperia Z3 has a 5.2-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution (1920 by 1080), and the Ixperia Z3 Compact has a 4.6-inch IPS matrix with HD resolution (1280 by 720). Both screens are of high quality, with maximum viewing angles, bright and rich color reproduction, and the picture looks great on them. The fact that the compact model has a lower resolution does not mean that the screen is worse - with such dimensions, this resolution is more than enough. Of course, watching movies and playing games is more comfortable on the larger display.

The hardware base of both phones is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset: a 4-core processor with an operating frequency of 2.5 GHz and Adreno 330 video. The amount of internal memory is also the same - 16 GB expandable using microSD cards. The difference lies in the amount of RAM: 3 GB in the Xperia Z3 and 2 GB in the Xperia Z3 Comapct, but in practice, the mini-version again lacks this volume for the eyes, and in synthetic tests it even shows superiority (lower screen resolution plays into the hands). The battery capacity is also different: 3100 mAh and 2600 mAh, but here there is no significant difference in autonomy either, both smartphones are leaders in this parameter, outperforming most competitors in terms of battery life, demonstrating almost equal autonomy among themselves. Still, the Z3 Compact is a little more durable.

Believe it or not, when it comes to comparing cameras, the technical parameters are identical here - the main 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS sensor and 2.2-megapixel front sensor. However, in real use, it is noted that photos and videos from the Xperia Z3 come out a little better, which is apparently related to the software part. Overall, though, the end result is pretty much the same and both phones will satisfy you in terms of shooting devices.

Summing up, I would like to emphasize once again that the most important difference is the dimensions, display size and, perhaps, the price - the cost difference in the official Sony Store reaches 9 thousand rubles at the time of this writing.

A couple of video comparisons between Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact:

In contact with

Less than six months later, we have another flagship from Sony - Xperia Z3. The previous model Z2 was and remains a relevant device in 2014, but Sony decided to improve the already very balanced smartphone. I must say right away that there are many small changes in the new flagship, and they are all positive. In this article, we will figure out what has been added, what has changed, and what is left in the past. And, of course, we will answer the most important question - should you change your already old Z2 to a new smartphone?

In the review, I will focus on the key, important details of the new smartphone, which in one way or another differ from those in its predecessor. Therefore, if in the topic I never touch on the Sony Xperia Z2, then nothing significant has changed. The protagonist of today's article is, of course, the Sony Xperia Z3. And Z2, in the language of cinema, has a supporting role. Back to the new product.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with a charger (EP880) and a microUSB cable for connecting to a computer or charging. I haven't forgotten anything.

The package bundle has indeed lost at least some proprietary headset.

If you could find a pleasant surprise in the box from the previous model - a very decent MDR NC31EM headset with noise cancellation function, now, as they say, do not blame me. Japanese generosity obviously has its limits.

Design and appearance

The first change that immediately catches your eye is the metallic rounded frames. Now there are no square and flat side panels. The aluminum frame around the entire perimeter is interrupted only by plastic plugs at the corners, which, in theory, should take a shock in case of a fall and, thus, protect the body from serious damage. I did not dare to conduct a crash test with the smartphone provided for review, so I have to take the manufacturer's word for it.

The front and back are tempered glass panels. Of course, there is no factory film. The front glass has an oleophobic coating and does a good job of protecting against fingerprints on the screen. Of course, they still remain on the surface, but in a significantly smaller amount, and besides, they can be easily removed with a soft cloth.

Above the screen is a proximity sensor, a light sensor and a front camera peephole. Everything is unchanged here. But the windows of the speakers narrowed and crawled from the corners of the body onto the glass plane. We will return to the sound later, for there is something to tell about here.

Smartphones are available in several colors: copper, black, white and silver green.

The company did not come up with any loud names for its color versions, ala heavenly angelic, etc., but limited itself to simple and understandable names. And it is right. The main thing is how it all looks in life. Here I should note that the photos do not convey even half of how the smartphone actually looks. I highly recommend going to the store and looking with your own eyes at all new devices, including the Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, holding them in your hands and, as they say, cuddling the devices. Most likely, the practical experience of communicating with devices will make a positive impression.

While everything is roughly clear with the black and white variations, the copper and silver-green models look very stylish and noble. In my opinion, copper - plays best in the sun and, in principle, suits any style of clothing.

Recently, both operating systems and various glands have been evolving towards visual simplification. The Sony Z3 is no exception. Numerous edges and corners are a thing of the past, the end caps have become rounded and even the power button of the screen has acquired a more stylish design. This approach can only be welcomed.

I think the design of the Z3 is one of the best in the entire mobile market right now.

It's great that Sony left in the same place the physical button responsible for activating the camera and releasing the shutter. Taking photos with tactile feedback is very convenient.

All connectors and card slots are located under the covers. Getting the latter, as before, is inconvenient. You need to have uncut nails (girls don't count), a mediator, a safety pin or something similar so that you can pick up the plastic backing on which the SIM card fits. You can, of course, try to pry this tray with the card itself. The latter, by the way, is now Nano SIM.

The card backing is very fragile and can easily be lost. Don't underestimate this detail.

The SIM card slot has moved to the right side of the smartphone, and the microUSB port remains on the left, that is, in the same place. Slightly lower in their original place are the contacts for connecting the Z3 to a special docking station. Let me remind you that it is not included in the kit and it is sold separately.

Above, there is a 3.5 mm audio output, next to which there is a microphone hole.

There is nothing on the bottom edge.

And the lace loop has shifted slightly from the corner of the smartphone to the left side.

The dimensions of the Z3 have decreased compared to its predecessor, but you can feel it only by putting the two devices together. Of course, you can still estimate the sizes according to the comparative table:

	Length	Width	Thickness	Weight
Sony Xperia Z3	146,5
Sony Xperia Z2	147,8	73,3
Samsung Galaxy S5		72,5
Apple iPhone 6	138,1
Lg g3	146,3	74,6
HTC One (M8)	146,4	70,6

The smartphone fits perfectly in the hand. It is moderately large and moderately heavy, but the risk of dropping the device from your hands has increased. Due to its chopped edges, the Z2 held very well in the palm, and its successor is already a little worse. This is not a critical moment, but just an observation. The iPhone 6 is many times more slippery due to its all-metal coating. By the way, the texture of the metal on the frame in the Z3, in my opinion, is almost identical to the apple six.

The case is perfectly assembled. There is no backlash or creaks anywhere. The buttons do not dangle, and the plugs do not fall out. As before, every time a charger or any accessory is connected, the smartphone reminds you to check the tightness of the plugs.

All this is not easy, because the device is capable of submerging in water to a depth of one and a half meters for no more than 30 minutes (the standard of protection against water and dust is IP65 / 68). It is not recommended to swim in salt water, but, only between us, you can do it. The main thing is to soak the device in the sea for a short time and then do not forget to rinse the device under running water in order to wash off the salt, which corrodes the delicate seals of the plugs.

In general, the device looks interesting and modern, even though only a few months have passed between generations. The colors of the case add a special highlight. Someone may not like them, but the solution is interesting from any point of view.

Display

The Z3 has a completely different screen. Yes, it retains a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi) and a diagonal of 5.2 inches, but the brightness and colors are completely different here. If Z2 was a little yellow and was slightly dull, then Z3 already casts a cold blue color. It is clearly noticeable not against a white background and when comparing devices directly (Z3 on top).

The maximum threshold of brightness burns out the eyes, especially indoors. It is better to leave the brightness control to the mercy of the ambient light sensor, since it works well.

But in the sun, a bright display is a very useful property of any smartphone. The Z3 does not lose picture in direct sunlight and the display remains readable.

The viewing angles are excellent as a smartphone (the novelty is again on top).

In the menu, there are sliders in place for self-adjusting the display of colors. I don't know if anyone uses these parameters. Still, adjusting the color of a picture is a very thankless task and you need to have the appropriate experience in this area.

In addition to the already familiar X-Reality for mobile technology, the Z3 now has an item for maximum brightness. If the first feature makes the picture in the video player more saturated and clear, then the maximum brightness mode further improves the image. It looks interesting and lively, I advise you to try it. If you don't like it, the function can always be turned off.

Specifications and performance

It is best to trace the dynamics of changes in a comparative table between old and new smartphones (changes are shown in red).

	Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503)	Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603)
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3 GHz (4 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz (4 cores)
Video accelerator	Adreno 330	Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Built-in memory	16 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	microSD (up to 128GB)	microSD (up to 128GB)
Display		5.2 '' IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi)
Main camera	20.7 megapixels	20.7 megapixels
Front-camera	2.2 megapixels	2.2 megapixels
Battery	3200 mAh	3100 mAh
OS	Android 4.4.2	Android 4.4. 4
cellular	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Interfaces		Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi (a / b / g / n / ac), NFC, aGPS / GLONASS, DLNA, OTG, USB 2.0
Protection against moisture and dust	IP55 and IP58	IP65 and IP68

In terms of bare numbers, the Z3 isn't much to brag about. The clock speed of the processor has slightly increased, the battery capacity has decreased for the sake of the thickness of the case, and nothing more interesting.

The flagship also works great in any applications, flies through the menu, instantly opens even heavy applications, and so on. Compared to the Z2, the difference in launching heavy toys is about 5-10% in favor of the Z3, of course. There is not much to talk about here. We still have one of the most powerful smartphones on the market.

In synthetic tests, the generation gap is even smaller. We look at the screenshots (on the left are the results of the novelty, and on the right are the Z2 indicators:

Photo opportunities

The camera in the Z3 deserves a separate analysis.

In comparison with its predecessor, the quality of the images has improved, if not by an order of magnitude, then by half an order of magnitude. In addition, the number of preset shooting scenarios and various presets has increased.

In the beginning, a little about numbers. The same proprietary Exmor RS photo module with a resolution of 20.7 MP is installed here. The physical size of the matrix is ​​1 / 2.3. Sony notes that the maximum sensitivity of the matrix reaches ISO 12 800. Of course, this threshold is available only when shooting in super auto mode. When manually adjusting the camera, you can select a maximum of ISO 3200. I was unable to take a photo in the dark with a sensitivity higher than ISO 3200, even in the super-automatic mode, but the manufacturer claims that this is possible.

I propose to compare the pictures taken on both devices in the same conditions and with the same settings. The resolution of all frames is 3264 x 2448 (8 MP), the HDR mode is enabled by default. On the left are footage taken with the Xperia Z3, and on the right is its predecessor, the Xperia Z2.

Without HDR (left) and with dynamic range enabled (below is shots taken with Z3 only):

Now let's take a look at the pictures taken with both devices (Z3 as before on the left) at a resolution of 5248 x 3936 (20.7 MP) with the image stabilization function turned on.

Of course, both devices can do panoramic views (panorama from the Z3 on the left):

100% crop (Xperia Z3):

100% crop (Xperia Z2):

So, additional modes.

Face in (with face) allows you to take pictures from two cameras at once: front and back. The frame with its own face can be resized and moved around the screen from place to place, but its design cannot be changed.

Remember the AR effect with virtual dinosaurs and all sorts of fabulous gnomes? All this was in the Z2 and other models in the Xperia series.

Now, in addition to this mode, the developers have also preinstalled AR entertainment... You can throw bombs right into the frame, draw a 3D drawing, burn the frame with fire, and so on. It looks very funny and can, albeit not for long, but entertain a group of friends.

Back in the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, I really liked the shooting mode, which is well suited for shooting children, pets and other actively moving objects. The camera independently makes 60 different frames, of which, so to speak, without leaving the checkout, you can choose the best one and save it.

The principle of operation is the same. Everything is done very clearly. You can select the segment of the video you like and save it immediately.

The preselected section of the video is obtained in the style of slo-mo (slow motion), and everything else is in normal length. The scenario is not new, and in Z2 it is also present, nevertheless, the feature is interesting and deserves attention.

I want to note that you shouldn't get too carried away with these two modes. Literally all captured frames that have not been saved are carefully stored by the smartphone in a separate folder that is not visible from the Gallery. Using the file manager, they can be detected and removed if necessary to clean up space.

Now you can shoot photos with sound... The duration of the audio stream can be changed while shooting. Viewing is, of course, only possible on the device.

New products also added multi-camera mode... The bottom line is as follows. The viewfinder is split in two. The first is responsible for shooting from the Z3, and the second receives the signal from the connected device. The mode is only friendly with Xperia devices. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect the Z2, despite the fact that it is the most Xperia device. On the latter, at the moment of connection, a window that was clearly unnecessary at the moment popped up. Maybe it's the Z3 software. Now the OS version is being actively developed, so it is very likely that this defect will be corrected in the future.

Screenshots of the camera interface are shown below. Fundamentally, the appearance of the photo application has not changed.

You can familiarize yourself with the description of other modes yourself in our review.

Front-camera

Uses a 2.2 Mpixel sensor with a wide-angle (25mm) G Lens. The maximum resolution of pictures and videos, including - FullHD (1920 x 1080, 16: 9). In the settings you can activate the HDR setting and the stabilizer. Together they certainly don't work. Apart from the updated lens, there are no innovations here.

Filming

The camcorder is capable of recording videos at a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.

There is a function of image stabilization SteadyShot. The peculiarity of her work is as follows. Intelligent Active Mode technology and built-in sensors, which are responsible for recognizing the position of the smartphone in space, help the system evaluate the image frame by frame and compensate for vibrations from the hands. With active stabilization, the resolution drops to 1080p, and the frame rate to 30.

FullHD video example:

Sound

On the front side, above and below, there are external speakers, which have been redesigned and began to reproduce sound an order of magnitude louder and cleaner than it was in the Z2. The difference is especially noticeable in dynamic and loud toys. At maximum volume, the entire body of the smartphone begins to resonate, but in this case it's not bad. I did not notice any extraneous creaks and grinding.

The S-Force Front Surround setting, which is activated from the player's menu, only spoils the picture in my opinion. The speakers sound very good and clean without it.

In the settings for playback through headphones, a five-band equalizer, a ClearBass setting, as well as interesting sound presets for various branded headphones are in their rightful place.

As for the sound through third-party headphones, everything is at the highest level. As in other smartphones of the company, in my opinion, the ClearAudio + setting makes the sound a little richer and more interesting. For the rest, there are additional settings for audio effects.

The video player also hasn't changed and supports the following files for playback: 3GPP, MP4, Matroska, AVI, Xvid, WebM.

PS4 Remote Play

Only in the new series of devices (I'm talking about Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet compact) support for PS4 has been added, the essence of which is as follows. Directly from the console, you can broadcast the game to your smartphone and continue playing literally from pause using DUALSHOCK4.

I think it's clear that you need a fourth version of the console and the same joystick. The smartphone and console must be connected to the same wireless network. In addition, do not forget about the special mount for the device on the controller.

Battery

Interestingly, the manufacturer has installed a smaller battery in the new smartphone: 3100 mAh in the Z3 versus 3200 in the Z2. This is obviously due to a decrease in the thickness of the case and overall dimensions. The battery is, of course, non-removable.

Reducing the battery capacity did not affect the battery life in any way. One day at a very high load will be provided for you. With moderate handling of the device (two hours of Internet via 3G, two hours via Wi-Fi, several dozen pictures from the main camera, an hour of listening to music through headphones), you can hope for a day and a half of work. Not more.

If it suddenly becomes clear that the battery charge may not be enough, then from the parameters you should activate the STAMINA mode, which turns off all synchronization and communication of the smartphone to the outside world while the smartphone screen is turned off.

In the Z3, the developers also added the Ultra STAMINA mode, in which the system cuts off almost all applications and communication with the outside world, with the exception of the phone function, messages, FM radio, camera, alarm clock and several other utilities. In this scenario, the device is able to live even with a 30 percent charge for an additional 3-4 days.

Outcome

Over the past years, I have watched the development of Sony's flagship line with great interest. From generation to generation Sony finishes its products and with each new release, I want to stop and say: "This is it!" The same can be said about the Z3. Nevertheless, there is still room to grow. You can install an even better camera, upgrade the processor to Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, remove the blue in the screen, and more. Do users need it? And where to go, because in January we will most likely see a new flagship.

Should you spend your money on the Sony Xperia Z3?

There are two possible scenarios:

1. You are the owner of a Sony Z2. In this case, I think there is no point in changing your smartphone. The second "zedka" remains and will remain a relevant smartphone for at least another year. It has excellent performance, a good camera and an interesting design. All the improvements to the new smartphone aren't worth the upgrade from the Z2.

2. You are the owner of a Sony Z, Z1, or have not yet joined the 2014 flagship users. In this situation, I would advise you to opt for the Z3. At least try to hold your smartphone in your hands before the final purchase. It is not the highest on the market, but a very good camera with a great variety of additional effects. The new Japanese flagship is very powerful and I think the most important thing is that it has the best design on the market. I'll say scary, but the Xperia Z3 looks, in my opinion, better than the iPhone 6. And the design for a device that costs 29,990 38,990 rubles (as of early February 2015) is important.

Since the days of Sony Ericsson Android phones, Sony has spared no effort to create and release several flagship solutions a year. Remember how the Xperia S "replaced" the Xperia Ion, Acro S, SL, and then the Xperia T, TX and V? And what about the Xperia Z1, which replaced the Xperia Z within a year? So in 2014, the spring Xperia Z2 was replaced by the autumn Xperia Z3. And if Z1 differed from Z very significantly in materials and filling, then the difference between Z3 and Z2 is even less perceptible than between Z2 and Z1.

Can the release of two flagships for a year be considered justified? Not if you do not delve into the reasons for this behavior of the Japanese company. And yes, when you think about why Sony is doing this. The reason is actually mostly forced: S and Z in their implementation and with their hardware could not keep the audience's interest throughout the year, and therefore the company released intermediate replacements in the form of TX and Z1. In turn, the TX and Z1 also had a lot of rough edges, and the competitors presented at the beginning of the year were on a more modern basis. It would seem that with the Xperia Z2, the company has finally stood on a par with its current opponents in terms of display, camera, hardware, but Sony's engineering thought could not be kept, so the Xperia Z3 went on sale in the fall, which, given the short period of time in releases, also can be considered an error correction. True, small. What's wrong with the approach of releasing two flagships a year? The fact that fans of the brand either turn into "waiters" (why take Z2, if in six months there will be an improved Z3; why take Z2 now, if you can wait a couple of months and after the release of some Z3 take it after revaluation?), Or look at other brands that update flagships once a year (the buyer is sure that a few months after buying a hot new item, it will not depreciate in the secondary market and in the eyes of others). Why is the approach good? Around Sony there are a lot of news feeds and new items at first look fresher than competitors, although they offer the same level of hardware. According to rumors, in 2015, the Japanese manufacturer will finally abandon the practice of releasing two top-end devices of the same class per year. And I will support this decision. Well, in this article I want to compare the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3. Are there major improvements, or does it all come down to a new number?

Specifications Sony Xperia Z2:

• Platform (at the time of announcement): Android 4.4.2 KitKat
• Front camera: 2.1MP
• Processor: Quad Core, 2.3 GHz, Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB
• Graphics chip: Adreno 330
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory card: microSD
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n)
• microUSB 2.0
• 3.5mm jack
• IP55 / IP58 protection
• Battery: non-removable, 3200 mAh
• Dimensions: 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm
• Weight: 163g

Specifications Sony Xperia Z3:

• Network: GSM / GPRS / EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA / HSPA (850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz), LTE (800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz)
• Platform (at the time of announcement): Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• Display: 5.2 ", 1920 x 1080 pixels, IPS, 424 ppi
• Camera: 20.7 MP, f / 2.0, 1 / 2.3 ", 1.1 microns, LED flash, autofocus, Full HD video recording, Sony Exmor RS sensor, G Lens optics, SteadyShot electronic stabilizer, 4K video recording @ 30fps, 720p @ 120fps video recording
• Front camera: 2.1MP
• Processor: 4 cores, 2.5 GHz, Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC
• Graphics chip: Adreno 330
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory card: microSD
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Wi-Fi (802.11a / b / g / n)
• microUSB 2.0
• 3.5mm jack
• IP65 / IP68 protection
• Battery: non-removable, 3100 mAh
• Dimensions: 146.5 x 72 x 7.3mm
• Weight: 152g

Video review

Design

The Z3 shares the same OmniBalance design concept as the Z2, as well as a host of other Xperia models. By itself, it is cool, but to be honest, I am tired of it. Although if the Z3 is the first phone from Sony for you, then you will be satisfied. Others will not feel any special emotions. Unless, of course, they do not lay their eyes on the new colors: copper and silver-green.

The design and construction as a whole remained the same, but it feels and looks neater: a rectangle with glass in the front and back (without films). Slots for a SIM card (Z3 has nano format, Z2 has micro), a microSD memory card and a microUSB port are covered with caps, and the audio jack is still not afraid of water. The magnetic mount with charging from the docking station or the corresponding connector has not gone anywhere - an extremely useful thing, I recommend. The metal power button was enlarged and made more responsive - it just got better. The volume rocker, on the contrary, was made smaller and the stroke was reduced, which is why it is sometimes unclear whether the volume changes or not. The mechanical camera key only changed its shape. On the Z2, I really liked the stereo speaker slits hidden between the glass and the aluminum frame, and the top had a large and spectacular LED strip. At Z3, the slits of the speakers were brought out to the glass, reduced, and the indicator was turned into a circle, placed in the upper left corner. There is no particular difference in sound volume (and ringtones still only come from the lower speaker), but the design is already as good as it gets.

The shape of the case is more convenient for the Z3. This is facilitated by a rounded frame that does not cut the hand, as well as a reduced thickness and slightly narrowed sides. The Z3 measures 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm versus 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm for the Z2. The weight was also reduced - from 163 to 152 g. The diagonal of the screen remained at 5.2 ”. Moisture protection is preserved, but reliability has been raised - from IP58 to IP68.

Screen

It is worth noting that I have demo samples from early batches of both Z2 and Z3, so it's better to check everything that has been said personally. The characteristics of the panels of both devices are identical on paper: 5.2 ”, Full HD, IPS, 424 ppi. And in fact there is little in common. The Z2 has richer colors, deeper blacks, and significantly better viewing angles, while the Z3's screen brightens up diagonally. The default white balance of the Z3 is too cold (specifically blue), which, however, can be easily corrected in the settings (by making it warmer, the brightness will be perceived as a lower level). Even on the Z3, under any light sources, it is easy to see the screen grid pattern (on the Z2 it is also visible, but much less). This does not affect the interaction with the display, but aesthetes can be annoying. In the screen settings there is an option X-Reality for mobile (affects the color of photos and videos) and in the Z3 there is additionally a “maximum brightness mode” with which you can easily work under the bright sun (although without it everything is quite readable on the street) ...

Xperia Z2 (left) and Xperia Z3 (right):

Xperia Z2 (left) and Xperia Z3 (right)

I will also add that there are no two panels with the same color rendering. It is very difficult to find twin screens even in one batch. As proof of my words, here are photos showing the store Z2, Z3, Z3 and Z3 Dual SIM with maximum brightness and default white balance.

As you can see, it makes no sense to judge by a specific Z3 sample.

Software

preinstalled software on Z2

preinstalled software on Z3

The Xperia Z3 currently runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat, while the Z2 runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The shells and feature set are different. However, the Z3 did not have any additional modules and sensors in hardware, so you can safely expect that with Android 5.0 Lollipop, the user experience with the Z2 and Z3 in the software part will be the same (the update will be released in early 2015). Now, I'm sure Sony does not specifically implement new software features in the Z2, which gives the Z3 a head start. If you are still wondering what the Z3 has, which is not yet in the Z2, then at the moment the Z3 has support for the DualShock 4 controller and broadcasting games from the PlayStation 4, an expanded power point with Ultra STAMINA power consumption mode, new audio options, the ability to record video from the screen. You can see the difference in design in the screenshots.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3:

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

Sound

The Qualcomm WCD9320 audio chip built into the Snapdragon SoC is responsible for the sound in the phones. The Walkman music player is full of big-name software enhancements, but if you really want to get great sound, invest in good headphones first and then forget about ClearAudio +, ClearBass, DSEE HX and more. In conjunction with the Denon D600 and the collection of FLAC tracks, the volume in both cases cannot be called sufficient - I even want to move the slider a little by 100%. The sound is smooth, clear, without emphasis on bass (chances are good that you still have to adjust ClearBass to boost the low frequencies). The difference in sound between the Z2 and Z3 is minimal, except that the Z2 plays a little dirtier.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

Camera

The Z3 uses a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor. The Z2 has the same resolution, but the matrix of the previous generation. As a novelty, the manufacturer has put optics with a slightly wider angle, while retaining the f / 2.0 aperture. With the new firmware, new modes have appeared in the Z3 and they will definitely come to the Z2, so it was decided to compare the cameras to photos and videos. All images were taken manually at maximum resolution with default settings.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3:

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

If the Z2 and Z3 really have different sensors, then they differ slightly. The difference between the Z2 and the Z3 is mainly in the shades - lighter or darker. Noises in the form of black dots are present here and there. Both models are prone to incorrect auto white balance and exposure - one is more wrong, then the other. In general, if you are the proud owner of a Z2, then for the sake of a camera, switching to a Z3 is completely pointless. A few more photos from the iPhone 6 Plus and Xperia Z3:

iPhone 6 Plus - Xperia Z3:

iPhone 6 Plus - Xperia Z3

The video was shot in Full HD at 60 frames per second - this is the most interesting mode. The camcorders of both smartphones lack optical image stabilization and rely on electronic SteadyShot. The Z3 with the new software can adjust the microphone sensitivity (auto, high for quiet sound, medium for talking, and low for concerts) and select the intelligent active stabilization mode SteadyShot (works from low resolution to Full HD at 30 fps). Side-by-side shooting revealed faster autofocusing on the Z3, as well as oddities in sound recording. It is not clear why, but the Z3 has priority to the right channel and it seems that the microphone responsible for the left channel is simply covered with a finger (and this is not my sample, our other author has the same thing with another Z3). With stabilization, not everything is clear: on the street, the picture of the Z3 is more stable, but at night and indoors the Z2 breaks ahead due to the fact that the objects of the Z3 are double. Both models set the video exposure incorrectly - the Z2 underexposes, and the Z3 overexposes (the first part of the video is especially clear). White balance is slightly more accurate on the Z2.

It is hoped that the weak points of the Z3 camera will be fixed in one of the upcoming updates.

Iron

The Z2 uses a Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB 2.3GHz chip, while the Z3 has a Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC 2.5GHz. 3 GB of RAM, the same graphics accelerator - Adreno 330. Did you expect a performance boost? He's gone. Due to the glass construction of smartphones, both of them are prone to aggressive throttling, that is, resetting the processor frequency to avoid overheating, their maximum performance is constrained. As a result, Vivo Xshot (