SINGAPORE, Nov 10 — It was surprising when Sony unveiled the Xperia Z3 only six months after its predecessor was launched, especially when it looked mostly the same and had similar specs. The question was, what else does it offer?
When it comes to appearance, it is clear Sony saw no need to deviate from the distinctive look of the Z2, with its glossy feel and sleek, angular, glass-covered front and rear. The hardware is largely maintained, although there is a slight refinement for a fresher look and a more ergonomic feel with its curved edges.
The 13.2cm-screen smartphone is slightly smaller and slimmer, measuring 146mm x 72mm x 7.3 mm. Weighing 152g, it is 11g lighter than the Z2, as well as other smartphones such as the iPhone 6 Plus, which weighs 172g.
With matte-finish metal edges, however, the Z3 does have a slightly more premium feel to it.
There are a few upgrades in the Z3: While both models share the same 1080 x 1920 pixel capacitive touchscreen, 20.7 megapixel camera and Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, the Z3 has a slightly higher Quad-core 2.5GHz CPU, compared with the Z2’s 2.3GHz. Sony also says that the waterproof rating is a notch greater than in the previous iteration.
Gamers will be thrilled to know that the Z3 supports Remote Play with Sony’s Game Control Mount attachment. This means PlayStation 4 games can be played on the phone as long as it is connected via Bluetooth to the DualShock 4 controller.
On the camera front, a slight tweak to the hardware has resulted in a wider 25mm lens to provide a little more in each shot. Beyond that, the significant changes come with camera software. There is a new multi-camera mode that allows users to combine two shots into one, and a new AR fun mode, which uses augmented reality to draw whimsical effects on images.
The display of the Z3 was bright and colours were vivid even when outdoors. However, it is slightly disappointing that Sony has not managed to find a winning combination between screen size and resolution. Compared with the iPhone 6, which has a lower resolution, the Z3’s display still does not appear as sharp.
The review unit I received came installed with the Android v4.4 or KitKat operating system (OS), and it felt like it needed a next generation OS to complement the greater specs and look of the Z3.
Thankfully, Sony has already confirmed that the Z3 will be among its phones getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, probably at the beginning of next year. The new OS will have features including new ways to control notifications and a more responsive user interface.
Ultimately, what won over was the battery life. While battery capacity, at 3,100mAh, is smaller than the Z2’s 3,200mAh, I managed to get almost two full days of surfing websites on the phone, using social media applications and constant use of WhatsApp.
For a phone that looks a lot like its predecessor, the Z3 has a few tricks up its sleeve. If you own a Z2, it would probably take a lot of convincing to upgrade to this model, considering the short gap in between releases and almost similar specs. But really, the best feature is the standout battery life. Photographers will enjoy the enhanced camera too.
If you do not already have the Z2 and are on the look-out for an Android device, this is one definitely worth considering. The Xperia Z3 is available for S$998 (RM) at all local telco operators and Sony Centres. — TODAY
