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.

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Finally trying to compete, though its years old features you connect with flagships. Well, better now than never. May be enough for them, but if its enough for users... sales will tell.

    • a
    • ash
    • snd
    • 31 Aug 2018

    Wow, Sony just gone full retard. So many gimmicks! No headphone jack, ugly back with stupidly positioned fingerprint scanner, display with rounded corners and glossy edges, so you don't actually see 10% of the content at all. Only thing missing is the notch. I am staying with my Z3 compact for the 5th year. The last good phone from Sony. At least I save a lot of money.

      Qi charging? Finally! Hopefully Sony releases a compact version (with a sub 5" screen) ASAP and I can finally upgrade from my Z3c without losing wireless charging :D

        Anonymous, 30 Aug 2018It sounds like you'd go for the Samsung rather than the Son... moreDude, I'd isn't the same as I'll. After Sony cut the most useful feature (3.5 jack) I sttoped being a fan and got a v30. I was about to get the XZ premium but the bezels are huge. Then, they destroyed the classic design with the xz2. If LG cut the jack too I'll move on again. As you mentioned, xz3 and s9+ are pretty similar but one offers more features at the same price.

          • S
          • Shab
          • 6Ps
          • 31 Aug 2018

          Best phone

            • H
            • Handyfan
            • 0xt
            • 31 Aug 2018

            The phone looks great but resembles Samsung’s S -series with the edged screens a lot. I personally would have wished that Sony would have kept their identity with the flat screens. I love that there is no notch but Sony should have brought back the 3.5 mm headphone . Oled is very good but their lcd screens were also very nice. All in all, it is a lovely phone and will satisfy those Sony fans that have been wishing for a more modern form factor. As for me, I feel that there are too many 18:9 6“ phones out there that they almost all look the same which becomes boring. 16:9 is still good and I hope this form factor will not be abandoned completely.

              dirknelson, 31 Aug 2018It's also nice to see Sony going with the trend just to tes... moreSame as to LG, which is pretty much going well for what I can see.

                Cassy O, 31 Aug 2018Your source is just a speculation, there is no such thing a... moreI'm quite sure that P-OLED isn't similar to Polymer OLED.
                I could agree if it really turns out as a LG panel, but your source doesn't imply that it is LG indeed, not by a chance.

                  xXENDER FREAKXx, 31 Aug 2018U sure that OLED panel is made by LG?It is clearly stated on their commercial...Bravia OLED tech from S8ny. So wherever they get tech for TVs , they get for mobile too...
                  I believe it is LGs oled substrate, enhanced with Sonys own tech, just as on Sony TVs.
                  Now, I dont mind the tech, just the implementation in design, edged and rounded screens.
                  I think its a bad unnecessary copycat implementation thats only there for the sake of trending....
                  Just like the no jack thing...
                  Now its a 3 big negatives for me...and Im just off.

                  Wish Sony the best with these (tho I highly doubt their sales will increase by these design changes), but I certainly wont be supporting their devices with money anymore.
                  Got cheaper options now that suite my taste better...

                    • A
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4S2
                    • 31 Aug 2018

                    There has been speculation from different websites that the oled panel could be Lg or JDI collaboration with Panasonic (aka JOLED).

                      Shanti Dope, 31 Aug 2018At this point, it's already quite difficult to come up with... moreIt's also nice to see Sony going with the trend just to test the water. Who knows, they might increase their sales with these changes. I agree with you, I also stay with Sony because of their consistency of making durable and top performing phones.

                        Cassy O, 31 Aug 2018Lie lie lie. Just accept it dude. Sony uses P-OLED p... moreU sure that OLED panel is made by LG?

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 7tV
                          • 31 Aug 2018

                          Why did Sony cheap out on the RAM ? 4 GB is too less for a quality flagship. Even mid rangers have 4 GB RAM these days.
                          Probably, they are using the best RAM module but quantity matters too.

                            kakouille, 31 Aug 2018That's why Samsung screens are the best. Ask Dysplaymate, ... moreDisplaymate IS a stupid web you see from USB, they charge for publishing advertorials Samsung screens are disgusting to see them, put any Xperia next to a Samsung and you will see sawtooth and the poor quality of their SDR screens

                              • C
                              • Chrsjns
                              • ijm
                              • 31 Aug 2018

                              A very beautiful phone from Sony.... Top bottom bezels still big though...

                                Shanti Dope, 31 Aug 2018Where does your source claim that the panel is from LG?? ... moreYour source is just a speculation, there is no such thing as P-OLED by JDI. JDI would name their OLED panel as JOLED.
                                LG and Sony signed an agreement for "flexibel" P-OLED yes "flexible", that's why the XZ3 has curved edge like the LG V30.

                                https://www.oled-info.com/lg-display-supply-sony-p-oled-displays-future-smartphones

                                https://www.oled-info.com/sony-xperia-xz3
                                And in this source Oled-info already claimed that Sony Xperia XZ3 has P-Oled from LG Display.

                                  Walter C. Dornez, 31 Aug 2018Uh, Samsung does the same with its curved edges, just nobod... moreWith all the amount of marketing they are doing with their phones' features, the customers still don't know about them??

                                  I already said that Samsung also have these curved screen features before, but Sony's implementation is better in this case.

                                    Cassy O, 31 Aug 2018Lie lie lie. Just accept it dude. Sony uses P-OLED p... moreWhere does your source claim that the panel is from LG??

                                    http://www.xperiablog.net/2018/08/29/xperia-xz3-in-full-leak-6-inch-oled-display-touch-sensitive-frame/

                                    Here you go, I corrected your source. And you know that the screen isn't from LG since it's as bright as Samsung's Super AMOLED panels, when even the V35's OLED screen is dimmer than this new Polymer OLED screen of the XZ3.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • Kg{
                                      • 31 Aug 2018

                                      Shanti Dope, 31 Aug 2018At this point, it's already quite difficult to come up with... moretbh, Xperia will stomp everyone in the camera department if they just give us full manual control, I mean, 1s for max shutter speed? ???? -_-

                                        Shanti Dope, 31 Aug 2018Exactly why Sony didn't use a Samsung or LG OLED panel for ... moreLie lie lie.

                                        Just accept it dude.

                                        Sony uses P-OLED pentile matrix from LG.
                                        https://www.oled-info.com/sony-xperia-xz3