Sony Xperia Z3 review: Hat trick

24 September 2014
To say we are eager to get the Xperia Z3 out for a spin would be a massive understatement – with the race track still warm from the Compact. After all, if the Robin in Sony’s IFA lineup can do that well, we can only imagine...

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  • D
  • AnonD-209094
  • Kg{
  • 25 Sep 2014

Camera is good enough, thats for sure, but the low contrast becomes too obvious in some of the sample photos, even in daylight. And, the high ISO doesnt add anything particularly useful.

By the way, in the compare tool keep in mind that the Z2 samples are cropped 8mp 16:9 photos and therefore only 6mp resolution, enough to make a difference. Overall though, the Z3 does improve on the Z2 camera but as many will point out there was a lot of room for improvement.

    • D
    • AnonD-209094
    • Kg{
    • 25 Sep 2014

    AnonD-63308, 25 Sep 2014Just because it happens to a small number of people, doesn'... moreJust disregard that fanboy, he have no clue and admitted that he have no experience with high end phones. I bet he wouldnt deny that Nexus 4 had a problem with cracking glass (back), that kinda people does not care about what happened but only who it happened to.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • Ibx
      • 25 Sep 2014

      Anonymous, 25 Sep 2014Hi GSMARena guys ! Did you notice some heating issues whil... moreGet a Grip Mate.... When you indicate issues type in websites your talking about fo!

        • J
        • Josh
        • 0YC
        • 25 Sep 2014

        I'm so happy they went with a 1080 screen! I just wish they included an ir blaster then this would be my perfect smartphone.

          • D
          • AnonD-271452
          • B}r
          • 25 Sep 2014

          The best smartphone

            • D
            • AnonD-63308
            • uC3
            • 25 Sep 2014

            darkraver, 25 Sep 2014You just be sceptical and enjoy your m8 On the topic of se... moreJust because it happens to a small number of people, doesn't mean the problem doesn't exist. You wouldn't like it if it happens to you and then people say you're a liar and it's a myth because 99% people don't have that problem. It could happen only in a certain environment / usage scenario. Have some empathy.

            I know you love Sony but don't be a blind worshipper. I like Sony too, but no brand is perfect and if we turn a blind eye on their shortcomings, they'll never improve.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • MTp
              • 25 Sep 2014

              Hi GSMARena guys !
              Did you notice some heating issues while testing the cam apps ?
              Some other web sites said the back was dam...hot with picture app on and sometimes lead to close the app.

                • i
                • islanders
                • rXR
                • 25 Sep 2014

                the z3 looks good but i will never buy sony's products i had z1 and z2 and i had tooooooo many software and hardware issues

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • ksY
                  • 25 Sep 2014

                  This guys (apparent sony) middle button seems to be just in the right spot, youtube search these 3 words; audi huad hud

                    • M
                    • MrGray
                    • Q5x
                    • 25 Sep 2014

                    Wow. No praise for the image quality the camera produced whatsoever?
                    Its really good and the amount of details looked very sharp.

                    Oh well, its typical. Maybe those comments are only reserved for iPhones, and Galaxies.

                      • B
                      • Bla
                      • m1%
                      • 25 Sep 2014

                      Anonymous, 25 Sep 2014The same problems i have, just buy another carholder no nee... moreAren't all car holders the same? I mean with two edges with rubber on the inside to grip the phone from both sides? In this case i would have to find one with a hole in the middle for Sony's "intelligent" power button placement. :)

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 3KX
                        • 25 Sep 2014

                        Bla, 25 Sep 2014I am liking the Sony offerings but really hate the power bu... moreThe same problems i have, just buy another carholder no need to complain about, it make no sense at al.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-71896
                          • 6Qf
                          • 25 Sep 2014

                          Anonymous, 25 Sep 2014i stopped reading the review at "Non user-replaceable ... moreYou and hundreds of other 'LG/Samsung fanboys' are always there in Xperia phones comment section with this absurd comment of yours :D

                          Been a Nokia user till iPhone 3G, Nokia E7, Xperia P, Xperia Z... Non-removable batteries never gave any problem whatsoever.. :) Why is that a problem for you? Ever used a phone with non-removable battery?

                            • D
                            • AnonD-71896
                            • 6Qf
                            • 25 Sep 2014

                            Bla, 25 Sep 2014I am liking the Sony offerings but really hate the power bu... moreYou can place phone on the other side which doesn't have any buttons.. :\
                            Sony phones have button on one side only and it helps a lot when placing in a holder..

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • ksY
                              • 25 Sep 2014

                              Bla, 25 Sep 2014I am liking the Sony offerings but really hate the power bu... moreSounds like the car holder is the problem, not the phones power button placement,just an observation not an opinion

                                with bigger screen and front-facing stereo speakers, it has same height and is thinner and lighter from HTC ONE (M8) but you don't write "Slightly larger than most direct rivals" for HTC. I sense that GSMA is fan of HTC while many people and I don't like that at all!

                                  • B
                                  • Bla
                                  • m1%
                                  • 25 Sep 2014

                                  I am liking the Sony offerings but really hate the power button placement in the middle of their phones. I am using my phone a lot as GPS nav and because of this the car holder will press down on the button when in use. Such a deal breaker for me.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-200220
                                    • KIA
                                    • 25 Sep 2014

                                    Ahmed, 25 Sep 2014This phone is simply better than iphone 6 Thank you GSMarena ...Lol iPhone was never better after 4s. People just like it more.

                                      kartoonz, 25 Sep 2014im very certain that the self screen crack issue will persi... moreYou just be sceptical and enjoy your m8
                                      On the topic of selfbreaking glass...it is a myth
                                      There was a petition to sony to adress the "problem"...signed by no more no less 70 people out of tens of thousands xperia users, and those users too questionable...so it may be so, but is a statistical production fault, just as htcs pink camera fault or what else, and samsungs no working sd slot or usb charging port fallout or what else....

                                        • k
                                        • kartoonz
                                        • XNt
                                        • 25 Sep 2014

                                        im very certain that the self screen crack issue will persist in this phone as well!! i had a hard decision to make between the z3 and the m8, but i just ordered the m8, since im skeptical about the z3's glass durability especially with heavy tasks like gaming, camera, which might heat the phone