Sony Xperia XZ3 hands-on review

Design

To reiterate our original point, the Xperia XZ3 clearly represents a new and trendy design for Sony. Definitely a bold step, if nothing else. We stand by the lack of instant apparent familiarity as well. But, we wouldn't go as far as to claim there is no continuity in design.

On the contrary. Even with the massive changes, implemented in the XZ3, Sony's design team managed to preserve some staples of the design, to the best of their abilities. Starting with the overall look and footprint - the "Ambient Flow" curves are still very much present all throughout the phone. Going off the lines, set by the curved display, the lines appear to be bent even further, making the XZ3 one of the "curviest" Xperias to date. This is especially noticeable near the top and bottom ends of the front panel, which almost have a Google Pixel-like appearance, in the way they flow into the side curves.

Left: Google Pixel 2 XL, Right: Sony Xperia XZ3

Bolder curves on the front also mean a thinner frame on the XZ3. Compared to the XZ2, that is. The bill of materials has also changed a bit. The middle frame might be thinner but is now made of 7000 series aluminum. There is no flex in the chassis of the handset, whatsoever.

Top: Sony Xperia XZ3, Bottom: Sony Xperia XZ2

Since we're already on the subject of the frame, we can take a look an the controls. Their number and layout is practically unchanged from the XZ2. Nothing on the left and a volume rocker, power button and dedicated shutter key on the right-hand side. However, a narrower frame has necessitated significantly slimmer buttons.

Thankfully, Sony did a good job making these smaller controls pretty much identical in terms of responsiveness, tactile feel, travel and "clickyness" to the ones on the XZ2. That is to say, they are not perfect, but definitely not worse in any way.

Top: Sony Xperia XZ3, Bottom: Sony Xperia XZ2

Just to round the controls tour up, the hybrid SIM tray is still found on the top of the XZ3. It can either house two nano-SIM cards, both with LTE and VoLTE. Or, you can swap one out for up to 512GB of microSD storage. Just like with the XZ2 family, we appreciate the toolless entry to the tray, but we still can't get over the fact that every time you pull the part out, the phone has to restart. Come on Sony, fix that already!

Top: Sony Xperia XZ3, Bottom: Sony Xperia XZ2

On the bottom - the main microphone and a Type-C port. The latter looks unchanged in any way and, indeed, it still supports a USB 3.1 connection. However, according to Sony's specs, charging is now done per the Power Delivery standard. We are yet to get any clarification on what this means, exactly, but our best guess is that Sony simply enabled the Quick Charge 4+ standard, which, in itself, is capable of talking to USB-PD power sources. We will investigate further once we get a unit in the office for a full review and can check out the charger it ships with, as well.

If there is one thing Sony's design theme definitely preserved almost entirely intact in the XZ3, it is definitely the back. Besides being a bit taller, for obvious reasons, it looks almost identical in its glossy finish and curvature to the one on the XZ2, when compared side by side.

One thing we do have to wonder about is a small portion of the metal frame, near the bottom of the XZ3 that extends into the Gorilla Glass 5 back. The reasoning behind it eludes us, but we can't help to refer to it as a "back notch", chuckle and move on with the hands-on review.

We do have to commend Sony on making the infamous bulge or hump on the XZ3 that little bit smaller. The absence of the dual camera setup from the XZ2 premium definitely helped and so did the taller body of the unit. Still, at 9.9mm, at its thickest point, the XZ3 does feel a bit thinner. A feeling further enhanced by the thin frame.

Top: Sony Xperia XZ3, Middle: Sony Xperia XZ2, Bottom: Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium

We do, however, wish that Sony would reconsider the fingerprint placement. Don't get us wrong; we have no issue with the reader being on the back. Nor with its performance, as it is just as snappy and accurate as ever. We do, however, sorely want it to be quite a bit higher. Ideally, right where the camera is positioned, since your finger seems to be so naturally drone exactly to that area, while reaching for the scanner. Seeing how the XZ3 is quite a bit taller, why couldn't all the module be shifted up, vertically, at least a little bit? But, we digress.

Left: Sony Xperia XZ3, Right: Sony Xperia XZ2

Just to finish the hardware tour off, another quick swing to the front of the phone. Compared to something like Samsung's Galaxy S9 and S9+, the curvature on Sony's OLED seems a bit more pronounced - sloping at a higher angle. This could be the reason why we say a bit more color shift in those tapered-off areas. Definitely not as bad as on the Nokia 8 Sirocco, though. We'll reserve final judgment for the full review.

Sizing-wise, the side bezels, on the left and right of the screen are a bit wider than those on the aforementioned Samsung. However, the difference is hardly worth mentioning due to the nature of the design. As in, you probably won't notice those either way.

Left: Sony Xperia XZ3, Right: Sony Xperia XZ2

The bottom chin of the XZ3 is noticeable thinner than the one on the XZ2. Still wide enough to house one of the two front-facing speakers. Our initial impressions of these are that they sound just as loud an crisp. The on-paper specs confirm the units are unchanged, as well. Even Sony's rather unique Dynamic Vibration System is present and accounted for. The fake bass still feels a bit weird to us, but your mileage may vary.

The top chin, on the other hand, is quite a bit wider on the XZ3. The extra space appears to be put to good use, though, considering the upgraded 13MP, f/1.9 selfie snapper. Plus, there is the other speaker in Sony's stereo setup.