Sony Xperia XZ3 hands-on review

30 August 2018
Sony has always had its own, rather unique approach to mobile design. Whether you liked the boxier look of old, favour the curves of the new "Ambient Flow" concept or don't really find either appealing, it is hard to ignore one irrefutable accomplishment of the Japanese design team - continuity.

Sort by:

  • M
  • Malone
  • LHe
  • 01 Sep 2018

Anonymous, 01 Sep 2018Curved screen is 2015, OLED is 2000 odd( from watches) or 2... moreTake 2015 OLED screen and compare to Z5 LCD screen and tell me you would rather have that OLED? Absolutely not.

Ironic accomplishment of XZ3 OLED screen is that Sony has made the great drivers for it so it can act like LCD screen with no frequency shifting when turned to the left or right and minimal PWM flickering when not on optimal brightness adjustment.

Actual "picture quality" is very subjective and there is a reason why manufacturers are boosting super vivid, oversaturaded, mega contrast settings on the screens so still and moving images could pop out like crazy. People fall have been falling for that trick since plasma panel days. In this department OLED has great advantage over LCD and everyone is stunned by that neon toxic ooze green foliage and cyan saturated sky in demo videos, Samsung Galaxy S8/S9 being the worst offender in that department. Remember Pixel 2 XL neutral mode controversy when users were complaining how their OLED screen went bad because it lacked the punch? Google was just trying to give you reference like experience of calibrated display cause it counted that photography people would appreciate it only to find out that people who buy Pixel even for it's camera are not photography people but just hobby enthusiasts.

    • B
    • Bossman
    • LHe
    • 01 Sep 2018

    Bokedla, 31 Aug 2018no issues with the design here, but THAT CAMERA SOFTWARE IS... moreWhat's up with people stuck with Z2 and Z3 commenting how their phone is the best Sony phone ever? That's not true like at all you were just caught up in the Sony's marketing blitz at the time. Every single phone after XZ Premium is better than anything Sony has ever released. I'm not referring to faster CPUs that were developed over time but overall speed, quality and finish is heads above Sony Z heyday phones.

    I'm sorry but you Z2/Z3 can't touch XZ1 Compact in photography and video, truth be told it can't compare to XA2 camera either.

      60E[Z], 31 Aug 2018Yawn :-0 Lets switch position, you become a tr0ll, i becom... moreWow

        • D
        • AnonD-632062
        • 3Ye
        • 01 Sep 2018

        Hmm. So all the people who bashed OLED all those years ago, will now have to eat their words as all major brands have turned to OLED. More bezel-less too.

        Kudos to Sony for accepting change. The QHD+ OLED will definitely pick up the stagnant sales.

        Last year, Sony had the first phone to be released with Oreo. And this year, they continue the streak with Pie. Great!

        The camera is wonderful and has a lot of raw potential. However, in the night, the Note9 shows it's versatility be easily besting the XZ3.

        However, I still don't understand why a traditionalist maker like Sony, which still keeps a dedicated camera shutter button, would drop the 3.5 mm jack. It's a pity, because it looked a great phone otherwise.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • tAT
          • 01 Sep 2018

          60E[Z], 31 Aug 2018That's his decision. I'll start supporting xperia from now... moreYes, it is a good, modern 2018 design. People should buy this phone as opposed to its ugly, useless previous models.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • 7Xu
            • 01 Sep 2018

            Just my observation, photos are generally very good but it sees to me that XZ2 has a better control of the noise. Anyway this is just a preproduction unit they tested and there could still be refinement for the final unit.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • I8m
              • 01 Sep 2018

              Anonymous, 01 Sep 2018Edge feature inspired by smallapps panel in Xperia T (the b... moreLmfao good one

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • I8m
                • 01 Sep 2018

                Anonymous, 01 Sep 2018Apple using Sony design for inspiration See https://www.p... moreFirst of all even though that's false that's for the original design.
                And it's actually looks like a copy of Samsung and lg.

                ..and again that as then. Now is different.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • Kxc
                  • 01 Sep 2018

                  Anonymous, 01 Sep 2018Apple copy Chinese too... Wait for revolutionary new ud fps... moreApple using Sony design for inspiration
                  See https://www.pcworld.com/article/259842/apple_looked_to_sony_for_iphone_design_inspiration_court_documents_show.html

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • Kxc
                    • 01 Sep 2018

                    Anonymous, 01 Sep 2018Curved screen is 2015, OLED is 2000 odd( from watches) or 2... moreEdge feature inspired by smallapps panel in Xperia T (the bond phone)

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • j5y
                      • 01 Sep 2018

                      Malone, 31 Aug 2018I'm not sure what are you implying here? Years old features... moreCurved screen is 2015, OLED is 2000 odd( from watches) or 2010 ( from galaxy s or S2) edge features, same note edge..

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • j5y
                        • 01 Sep 2018

                        Anonymous, 31 Aug 2018Apple copied HTC Xiaomi copied Sharp and Apple Samsung co... moreApple copy Chinese too... Wait for revolutionary new ud fps lifted from OPPO or vivo

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • j5y
                          • 01 Sep 2018

                          Shanti Dope, 01 Sep 2018I'm referring to the features for the edge display of the X... moreSamsung had edge features since launch of note edge in 2015 or something...

                            Shanti Dope, 01 Sep 2018I'm referring to the features for the edge display of the X... moreHuh, your right. The graphics are better. The edge stuff is useful, but between it and Samsung, I'd have to try out both to see which one is better, but this is still pretty promising

                              Walter C. Dornez, 31 Aug 2018I've seen no implementations yet. Can you send a link? I'm referring to the features for the edge display of the XZ3, as stated here in this article.
                              Kindly read it and you'll understand why I'm saying this.
                              Sony's uses of the curved edges are more useful than Samsung's IMO. They even provide better-looking Always-On Display graphics.

                                • 6
                                • 60E[Z]
                                • 60E
                                • 31 Aug 2018

                                Tann Hauser, 31 Aug 2018No it wont. And besides, lets not switch... You can becom... more"Fan"? No. I dont want to be the old kind of you. I never be a fan of any particular brand.
                                I defend xz3 because it looks much better than all of the previous ugly designs.

                                  Shanti Dope, 31 Aug 2018With all the amount of marketing they are doing with their ... moreI've seen no implementations yet. Can you send a link?

                                    60E[Z], 31 Aug 2018Yawn :-0 Lets switch position, you become a tr0ll, i becom... moreNo it wont.
                                    And besides, lets not switch...
                                    You can become a "fan", I care as little and know you wont, but...
                                    ...I couldnt stand to be that kind of lifeform you suggest.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-731363
                                      • SH3
                                      • 31 Aug 2018

                                      Hip hop king, 31 Aug 2018but you get three times of life span of a xiaomi and still ... moreMan pocophone is equal in speeds and it can last 2-3 years very easy. Anyway most peple change their phone every 2-3 years so Pocophone is good enough for that no need to buy 1000 euro Sony and then after 3 years sells it for 150-200 to get another 1000 eur phone.

                                        • 6
                                        • 60E[Z]
                                        • 60E
                                        • 31 Aug 2018

                                        Tann Hauser, 31 Aug 2018No you wont, you ll keep bashing...as always. Sony made thi... moreYawn :-0
                                        Lets switch position, you become a tr0ll, i become the defender. Until sony repeat the previous failure again.
                                        Anyway.. this phone will become a big success, too bad you've decided to switch to "cheap alternative".
                                        Good luck, mr ex-fan. LOL