Difference between z3 and z2. Comparing superphones Sony Xperia Z2 and Sony Xperia Z1 – why is the new flagship better? Multimedia capabilities – sound, PS4 games

At the moment (mid-summer 2015), Sony's flagship arsenal actually consists of two smartphone models - Sony Xperia Z3 and its updated version Sony Xperia Z3+ (Z3 Plus), which in turn is an international version of the Sony Xperia Z4, which was presented exclusively for the Japanese market. Apparently Sony has not completely moved on from the six-month flagship release cycle - now we will receive a flagship every year, and in the middle of the year an updated version of it. Looking at all this, especially for an inexperienced user, the question may involuntarily arise, so, what is the difference between the Sony Xperia Z3+ and the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z4, how they differ, and indeed what they are.

First, let's dot the i's and see what the difference is between the Xperia Z3 Plus and Xperia Z4. There really aren’t that many differences: the Xperia Z4 has FeliCa, the Japanese equivalent of NFC, as well as a built-in local TV tuner digital television. Otherwise, the smartphones are completely identical both externally and in terms of design.

But the differences between the Xperia Z3+ (Z4) and the Xperia Z3 are more obvious. The first difference is in dimensions: Xperia Z3 – 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and 152 grams, and Ixperia Z3 Plus – 146.3 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm and 144 grams. You can feel the difference as much as possible by comparing the two phones head-to-head. The new product is lighter and actually fits more comfortably in the hand.

The design itself has not changed as much as the masses might want. The new smartphone received stereo speakers located along the top and bottom side edges like the Xperia Z2 - this option appealed to most users.

The side corners are also made of polymer, which protects from impacts, but metal carcass received a new type of processing, which made it more shiny.

As for the main technological innovations of the Xperia Z3+, it is worth noting the presence of a waterproof microUSB connector, which made it possible to get rid of one of the plugs. Both smartphones have IP68 protection. The new product is also equipped with the new Snapdragon 810 chipset, which is more productive, but it’s hard to say whether this will be very noticeable in real-life conditions of use. We were also pleased with the expansion of the internal storage – now the smartphone has a 32 GB module installed by default. By the way, one cannot fail to note the display, which in terms of size and resolution remains the same, but already has increased brightness, more accurate and clear color reproduction. But with the battery, the opposite happened: if in the Xperia Z3 its capacity was 3100 mAh, then in the Xperia Z3 Plus it was 2930 mAh. It is quite possible that the new filling is more economical, which made it possible to slightly reduce the battery capacity without compromising the overall autonomy.

I suggest you compare the parameters of smartphones in the table below:

Comparison of characteristics of Sony Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z3

	Sony Xperia Z3+	Sony Xperia Z3
Dimensions	146.3 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm	146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
Weight	144 grams	152 grams
Display		5.2-inch, IPS LCD Triluminos (424 pixels per inch)
Permission	1920 x 1080 pixels	1920 x 1080 pixels
Processor and video	64-bit 8-core Snapdragon 810 (4 cores 2.0 GHz + 4 cores 1.5 GHz), Adreno 430	Quad-core Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz, Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB RAM	3 GB RAM
Inner memory	32 GB, expandable	16 GB, expandable
Camera	20.7 MP main, 1/2.3” Exmor RS, 4K video recording 2160p video recording 30 fps, 5 MP front	20.7 MP main, 1/2.3” Exmor RS, 4K video recording 2160p video recording 30 fps, 2.2 MP front
Battery	2930 mAh	3100 mAh
Peculiarities		IP65/68 certification - dustproof and waterproof over 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, stereo sound
Wireless connections	Wi-Fi 802.11 A/B/G/N/, Bluetooth v4.1	Wi-Fi 802.11 A/B/G/N/, Bluetooth v4.0
System (at time of writing)	Android 5.0.1 Lollipop	Android 5.0.1 Lollipop

In a number of parameters, it is ahead, albeit slightly, of its predecessor Xperia Z2. Many users tend to believe that the difference between these models is almost unnoticeable, and Sony’s tendency to release a new flagship every six months is unfounded. But if you look at this move from the other side, you can understand that in this way the manufacturer is carefully working through the shortcomings of previous models, and also making a number of updates. It’s just surprising that some advanced technologies that have long been present in smartphones from the manufacturer have not appeared.

This article will not describe in detail those aspects that could be implemented in the device, but will consider the most striking and significant differences between the Sony Xperia Z3 and for the better.

1. The color scheme and design have become more stylish. Although the case is still made in accordance with the OmniBalance concept, there are also new features - rounded side edges without an edge. The corners here are made of polymer, which can protect the phone and reduce the possibility of damage. When the device falls, the weight will be distributed, and the impact will be at the angle. Xperia Z3 is 7.3 millimeters thick, has smaller bezels around the display, and is more compact and lighter appearance compared to its predecessor.

2. Xperia Z3 never received the Snapdragon 805 chipset, which was most likely left for the next generation. However, the processor power has been increased - an overclocked version of the Snapdragon MSM8974 801-AC, where the maximum core clock speed is 2.5 GHz. Thus, the already high productivity was slightly increased.

3. Similar to its predecessor, the Xperia Z3 has a camera with a resolution of 20.7 MP. But there’s also a wide-angle 25mm Sony G Lens, which allows you to fit more into the frame. large quantity objects. The new creation from Sony boasts that its camera has the highest light sensitivity - a maximum of ISO 12800. This means that the owner of the device will receive high-quality images with virtually no noise, even if they are taken in poor lighting.

4. Improved water resistance parameters thanks to the highest degree of IP65\68 certification. While the immersion indicators remained unchanged - 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

5. Those who value high-quality sound will appreciate the new DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) technologies, as well as Hi-ResAudio, thanks to which the sound has become even cleaner and clearer.

6. The new UltraSTAMINA mode will increase the operating time of the smartphone, but at the same time limit some functions.

Sony has been around since the days of Android phones. Sony Ericsson still spares no effort in creating and releasing several flagship solutions a year. Remember how the Xperia S was “replaced” by 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 during the year? So in 2014, the spring Xperia Z2 was replaced by the autumn Xperia Z3. Moreover, 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 a year be considered justified? No, if you don’t delve into the reasons for this behavior of the Japanese company. And yes, if you think about why Sony does this. The reason is actually mostly forced: S and Z in their implementation and with their hardware could not maintain the interest of the audience throughout the year, and therefore the company released intermediate replacements in the form of TX and Z1. In turn, the TX and Z1 were also full 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 was finally on par with its current opponents in terms of display, camera, hardware, but Sony’s engineering thought could not be contained, so in the fall the Xperia Z3 went on sale, which, given the short period of time in releases, also can be considered working on mistakes. True, small. What's wrong with the approach of releasing two flagships per year? The fact that fans of the brand either turn into “waiters” (why buy a Z2 if in six months there will be an improved Z3; why buy a Z2 now if you can wait a couple of months and after the release of some Z3 take it after revaluation?), or they look at other brands that update their flagships once a year (the buyer is sure that a few months after purchasing a hot new product, it will not depreciate in the secondary market and in the eyes of others). What's good about this approach? There are a lot of news stories around Sony and the new products at first look fresher than their 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 material I want to compare the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3. Are there major improvements or does the whole difference come down to the new number?

Technical Sony specifications Xperia Z2:

• Platform (at time of announcement): Android 4.4.2 KitKat
• Front camera: 2.1 MP
• Processor: 4 cores, 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 8.2 mm
• Weight: 163 g

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 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 µm, LED flash, autofocus, Full HD video recording, Sony Exmor RS sensor, G Lens optics, SteadyShot electronic stabilizer, 4K@30fps video recording, video recording 720p@120fps
• Front camera: 2.1 MP
• 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 7.3 mm
• Weight: 152 g

Video review

Design

The Z3 follows the same OmniBalance design concept as the Z2, as well as a huge number of Xperia models. It's cool in itself, but to be honest, I got bored with it. Although if the Z3 is your first phone from Sony, then you will be pleased. Others will not feel any special emotions. Unless, of course, they have their eye on the new colors: copper and silver-green.

The design and construction as a whole remain the same, but it feels and looks neater: a rectangle with glass in front and back (without films). The slots for a SIM card (the Z3 has a nano format, the Z2 has a micro format), a microSD memory card and a microUSB port are covered with plugs, and the audio jack is still water-resistant. The magnetic mount with charging from the docking station or the corresponding connector has not disappeared - an extremely useful thing, I recommend it. The metal power button was enlarged and made more responsive – it’s better. The volume rocker, on the contrary, was made smaller and the stroke was shortened, which is why it is sometimes unclear whether the volume is changing or not. The mechanical camera key just changed its shape. On the Z2, I really liked the stereo speaker slots hidden between the glass and the aluminum frame, and there was also a large and impressive LED strip hidden at the top. In the Z3, the speaker slits were placed on the glass, making them smaller, and the indicator was turned into a circle, placed on the left top corner. There is no particular difference in the sound volume (and ringtones still only come from the lower speaker), but the design is up to anyone.

The body shape is more convenient for the Z3. This is facilitated by the rounded frame, which does not cut the hand, as well as the reduced thickness and slightly narrowed sides. The dimensions of the Z3 are 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 screen diagonal remained 5.2”. Moisture protection has been preserved, but reliability has been increased - from the IP58 standard to IP68.

Screen

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

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

Xperia Z2 (left) and Xperia Z3 (right)

I will also add that there are no two panels that are identical in color rendering. It is very difficult to find twin screens even in the same batch. To prove my words, I provide photographs showing store-bought Z2, Z3, Z3 and Z3 Dual SIM with maximum brightness and default white balance.

As you can see, judging by a specific Z3 sample is quite pointless.

Software

pre-installed software on Z2

pre-installed software on Z3

Currently, the Xperia Z3 is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, while the Z2 uses Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware. The shells and set of functions differ. However, the Z3 does not have any additional modules or sensors in hardware, so you can safely expect that with Android 5.0 Lollipop, the user experience with the Z2 and Z3 will be the same in software (the update will be released in early 2015). Now, I’m sure Sony doesn’t specifically implement new software features in the Z2, which gives the Z3 a head start. If you're still wondering what the Z3 has that the Z2 doesn't yet have, the Z3 currently has support for the DualShock 4 controller and streaming games from the PlayStation 4, an expanded power point with Ultra STAMINA power mode, new audio options, ability to record video from the screen. And 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 software enhancements with big names, but if you really want to achieve high-quality sound, then first invest in good headphones, and then forget about ClearAudio+, ClearBass, DSEE HX and other things. In combination with the Denon D600 and a collection of tracks in FLAC, the volume in both cases cannot be called sufficient - even at 100% you want to move the slider a little. The sound is smooth, clean, without emphasis on the bass (there is a good chance that you will still have to adjust the ClearBass to enhance the lower 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 20.7 megapixel Exmor RS sensor. The Z2 has the same resolution, but the matrix is ​​of the previous generation. The manufacturer added optics with a slightly wider angle to the new product, while maintaining the f/2.0 aperture. With the new firmware, new modes appeared in the Z3 and they will definitely come to the Z2, so it was decided to reduce the comparison of cameras to photos and videos. All images were taken in manual mode in 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 only slightly. The difference between the photos from the Z2 and Z3 is mainly in the shades - lighter or darker. Noise in the form of black dots is present in both places. Both models are prone to incorrect auto-selection of white balance and exposure - sometimes one is more mistaken than the other. In general, if you are the proud owner of a Z2, then switching to a Z3 for the sake of a camera 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 video cameras of both smartphones lack optical image stabilization and rely on electronic SteadyShot. On Z3 with new software, you can adjust the microphone sensitivity (auto, high for quiet sound, medium for conversations and low for concerts) and select the intelligent active SteadyShot stabilization mode (works from low resolution to Full HD at 30 fps). Parallel shooting revealed faster autofocus on the Z3, as well as oddities in sound recording. It’s not clear why, but the Z3 has priority on the right channel and it seems that the microphone responsible for the left channel is simply covered with a finger (and this is not the case with 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 takes the lead due to the fact that objects in the Z3 are doubled. 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 a little more accurate on the Z2.

There is hope that the weak points of the Z3 camera will be corrected in one of the upcoming updates.

Iron

The Z2 uses the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB chip with a frequency of 2.3 GHz, and the Z3 got the Snapdragon 801 in the MSM8974AC version with a frequency of 2.5 GHz. 3 GB of RAM, the same graphics accelerator - Adreno 330. Were you expecting a performance boost? He's gone. Due to the glass design of smartphones, they are both subject to aggressive throttling, that is, the processor frequency is reset to avoid overheating, they maximum performance holding back. As a result, Vivo Xshot (

The much-anticipated new product in the form of Sony's mobile flagship may at the same time become a big disappointment for fans of the brand. The device with the index D6603, which will go on sale under the more familiar name Z3, was discovered in the GFXBench benchmark database.

As expected earlier, new smartphone the characteristics are identical to its predecessor Sony Xperia Z2, with the exception of minor differences in the matrix and body dimensions, judging by the drawings of the phone posted online. So the Z3 model should be equipped with a 5.1-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, and the same Snapdragon 801 processor will be responsible for performance clock frequency 2.3 GHz.

It is necessary to immediately note that this benchmark does not distinguish between 800 and 801 chips, so the database contains even more old version than the Z2. The RAM, whose capacity is designated at 3 GB, may also remain unchanged, and at least 16 GB will be allocated for data storage. The main camera with a resolution of 20 megapixels and the front camera at 2 megapixels will apparently also migrate from the Z2.

All of the listed specifications are almost identical to those of the Sony Z2, except for the loss of 0.1 inches in physical display size and a more compact body.

But if the Sony D6603 smartphone included in the database actually ultimately turns into a Sony Xperia Z3, then we can only hope for a modification of the Z3 Compact, which promises to be an acquisition. The official announcement of both models is expected early next month during the IFA 2014 international exhibition in Berlin.

Specifications

• Android 4.4.4
• Screen 5.2 inches, 1920x1080 pixels, IPS, automatic brightness adjustment
• 3 GB random access memory, 16 GB built-in, 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. Top ten Sony reviews Xperia Z3 uses the same concept - bug fixes, corrected version of 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 acts as 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 package; the initial price will scare them away, as was the case with HTC HTC flagship The One M8, which is different in terms of performance but not popular, has sales 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 right side Behind the wide flap is a connector 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 grille is, there is a light indicator - it is wide and can flash 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 doesn't work in the menu. 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).

Samsung comparison Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Sony comparison 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 charge time (2A Charger) – 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 is different in operating time compared to its classmates (Galaxy S5, HTC One M8), beats them and is comparable only with 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 the operating time by disabling data transfer to 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 version 2.0, 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 didn’t make a direct comparison with the Z2/Z1, but according to subjective impressions, the only advantage is quite noisy shooting in night mode (ISO 12800 versus ISO 6400 in Z2 - achievable only in automatic mode shooting, 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 frequency frames 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. Also replaces graphics 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 photos, which, like its predecessor, are liked by many people - this is an 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 ordinary everyday use, this is a great camera, few people need to pull pictures from mobile cameras to a certain quality standard. 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 telephones reached large companies its theoretical limit, and now you either need 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 - sort 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 front camera, plus the 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 for traditional buyers Sony smartphones They are already fed up, 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.