Review-comparison of Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2. Old flagship VS new budget phone: comparison of cameras Xperia XA and Xperia Z3 Differences between Sony Xperia z3 and

The Japanese company Sony has been releasing several solutions per year since the days of the first Android phones.

Basically, the manufacturer replaced old lines with new ones, but the main reason for this was the release of intermediate models to maintain interest in the product.

Comparison of Sony flagships

With the release of the Z line, the situation changed dramatically.

Let's try to compare Sony Xperia Z2 and Sony Xperia Z3, are they so different from each other, or is Z3 just another intermediate model?

Exterior design

There are no significant differences between the models in this regard. The old one is a good waterproof case with a 5.2-inch screen diagonal, covered with glass on both sides.

The design concept is still minimalistic and neat.

The side edges have been somewhat smoothed, and the position of the speakers has also changed: now they occupy an area directly on the glass.

While the Z2 offers neat, clean lines, the Z3 enhances its usability. Thanks to the smoothed side edges, it is pleasant to hold in the hand.

Due to the simplification of the design of the smartphone and the displacement of the speakers, the dimensions of the Z3 were slightly reduced in comparison with its older brother, but this in no way affected the screen diagonal.

Alternative namesXperia Z3 Plus
E6553E6653
E6603

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

GSM	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz
UMTS	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz
LTE	LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE 700 MHz (B28)	LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz (B12) LTE 700 MHz (B28)

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

Operating system (OS)

Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 7.0 Nougat Android 7.1.1 Nougat

Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Android 6.0 Marshmallow Android 7.0 Nougat Android 7.1.1 Nougat

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

SoC (System on Chip)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 v2.1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994
Technological process	20 nm	20 nm
Processor (CPU)		4x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A57, 4x 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53
Processor size	64 bit	64 bit
Instruction Set Architecture	ARMv8-A	ARMv8-A
Level 0 cache (L0)	4 kB + 4 kB	4 kB + 4 kB
Level 1 cache (L1)	16 kB + 16 kB	16 kB + 16 kB
Level 2 cache (L2)	2048 kB 2 MB	2048 kB 2 MB
Number of processor cores	8	8
CPU clock speed	2000 MHz	2000 MHz
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	Qualcomm Adreno 430	Qualcomm Adreno 430
GPU clock speed	650 MHz	600 MHz
Amount of random access memory (RAM)	3 GB	3 GB
Type of random access memory (RAM)	LPDDR4	LPDDR4
Number of RAM channels	Dual channel	Dual channel
RAM frequency	1600 MHz	1600 MHz

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type/technology	IPS	IPS
Diagonal	5.2in 132.08 mm 13.21 cm	5.2in 132.08 mm 13.21 cm
Width	2.55in 64.75 mm 6.48 cm	2.55in 64.75 mm 6.48 cm
Height	4.53in 115.12 mm 11.51 cm	4.53in 115.12 mm 11.51 cm
Aspect Ratio	1.778:1 16:9	1.778:1 16:9
Permission	1080 x 1920 pixels	1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density	424 ppi 166 ppcm	424 ppi 166 ppcm
Color depth	24 bit 16777216 flowers	24 bit 16777216 flowers
Screen area	71.09 %	71.14 %
Other characteristics	Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance	Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance
	Triluminos display for mobile X-Reality display sRGB 130% 700 cd/m²	Triluminos display for mobile X-Reality display Chemical tempered glass Anti-fingerprint coating

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Main camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.

Sensor model	Sony IMX220 Exmor RS	Sony Exmor RS
Sensor type	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor size	6.17 x 4.55 mm 0.3in	6.17 x 4.55 mm 0.3in
Pixel size	1.176 µm 0.001176 mm	1.118 µm 0.001118 mm
Crop factor	5.64	5.64
ISO (light sensitivity)	50 - 12800	100 - 12800
Diaphragm	f/2	f/2
Focal length	-	4.26 mm 24.01 mm *(35 mm / full frame)
Flash type	LED	LED
Image Resolution	5248 x 3936 pixels 20.66 MP	5520 x 4140 pixels 22.85 MP
Video resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP	3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP
Video - frame rate/frames per second.	30fps	30fps
Characteristics	Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode Macro mode	Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode Macro mode
	1080p @ 60 fps 720p@120fps	1080p@60fps 720p@120fps Pulse LED flash Wide angel G-lens

Additional camera

Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

HDMI

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital audio/video interface that replaces older analog audio/video standards.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Capacity	2930 mAh	2900 mAh
Type		Li-polymer
2G talk time	12 h 720 min 0.5 days	13 h 10 min 13.2 hours 790 min 0.5 days
2G latency	580 h 34800 min 24.2 days	520 h 31200 min 21.7 days
3G talk time	17:00 1020 min 0.7 days	17:00 1020 min 0.7 days
3G latency	590 h 35400 min 24.6 days	540 h 32400 min 22.5 days
4G latency	540 h 32400 min 22.5 days	500 h 30000 min 20.8 days
Fast charging technology	-	Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0
Characteristics	Fixed	Fast charging Fixed

Less than six months have passed, and we have in our hands another flagship from Sony - the Xperia Z3. The previous Z2 model was and remains a relevant device in 2014, but Sony decided to improve an already very balanced smartphone. I’ll say right away that the new flagship has many small changes and all of them are positive. In this article we will look at what has been added, what has undergone changes, and what remains in the past. And, of course, we’ll answer the most important question - should I change my already old Z2 to a new smartphone?

In the review, I will focus on the key, important details of the new smartphone, which in one way or another differ from those in its predecessor. Therefore, if I never touch upon the Sony Xperia Z2 in the topic, then nothing significant has changed. The main character of today's article is, of course, the Sony Xperia Z3. And Z2, in cinematic language, has a supporting role. Let's return to the new product.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with a charger (EP880) and a microUSB cable for connecting to a computer or charger. I haven't forgotten anything.

The package actually lacked at least some branded headset.

If in the box from the previous model you could find a pleasant surprise - a very decent MDR NC31EM headset with noise suppression function, now, as they say, don’t blame me. Japanese generosity obviously has its limits.

Design and appearance

The first change that immediately catches your eye is the metal rounded frames. Now there are no square or flat inserts on the sides. The aluminum frame along the entire perimeter is interrupted only by plastic plugs at the corners, which in theory should take the impact when dropped and, thereby, protect the case from serious damage. I didn’t risk doing a crash test with the smartphone provided for review, so I’ll have to take the manufacturer’s word for it.

There are tempered glass panels on the front and back. Of course, there is no factory film. The front glass has an oleophobic coating and does a good job of protecting against fingerprints on the screen. Of course, they still remain on the surface, but in noticeably smaller quantities, and are also easily removed with a soft cloth.

Above the screen there is a proximity sensor, a light sensor and a front camera eye. Everything is unchanged here. But the speaker windows narrowed and crawled from the corners of the case onto the glass plane. We will return to sound later, because there is something to talk about here.

Smartphones are available in several colors: copper, black, white and silver-green.

The company did not come up with any loud names for its color versions, ala heavenly angelic, etc., but limited itself to simple and understandable names. And it is right. The main thing is how it all looks in life. Here I must note that photographs do not convey half of how the smartphone actually looks. I highly recommend going to the store and looking at all the new devices with your own eyes, including the Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact, holding them in your hands and, as they say, squeezing the devices. Most likely, practical experience of communicating with devices will make a positive impression.

If everything is approximately clear with the black and white variations, then the copper and silver-green models look very stylish and noble. In my opinion, copper looks best in the sun and, in principle, suits any style of clothing.

Recently, both operating systems and various hardware have been developing towards visual simplification. Sony Z3 is no exception. Numerous edges and corners are a thing of the past, the caps have become rounded, and even the screen power button has acquired a more stylish design. This approach can only be welcomed.

I think the Z3's design is one of the best in the entire mobile device market right now.

It’s great that Sony left the physical button responsible for activating the camera and releasing the shutter in the same place. Taking photos using haptic feedback is very convenient.

Under the covers are all the connectors and card slots. Getting the latter out, as before, is inconvenient. You need to have uncut nails (girls don't count), a pick, a pin or something similar so that you can pick up the plastic backing on which the SIM card is placed. You can, of course, try to pry off this tray with the card itself. The latter, by the way, is now Nano SIM.

The backing for the cards is very fragile and can easily be lost. Don't underestimate this detail.

The slot for installing a SIM card has moved to the right side of the smartphone, and on the left, that is, the microUSB port remains in the same place. Just below, in their original place, there are contacts for connecting the Z3 to a special docking station. Let me remind you that it is not included in the kit and is sold separately.

At the top there is a 3.5 mm audio output, next to which there is a microphone hole.

There is nothing on the bottom edge.

And the lanyard loop has moved slightly from the corner of the smartphone to the left side.

The dimensions of the Z3 have decreased compared to its predecessor, but this can only be felt by placing the two devices next to each other. Of course, you can still estimate the sizes using the comparative table:

	Length	Width	Thickness	Weight
Sony Xperia Z3	146,5
Sony Xperia Z2	147,8	73,3
Samsung Galaxy S5		72,5
Apple iPhone 6	138,1
LG G3	146,3	74,6
HTC One (M8)	146,4	70,6

The smartphone fits perfectly in the hand. It is moderately large and moderately heavy, but the risk of dropping the device from your hands has increased. Z2, due to its chopped edges, held in the palm very well, but its successor is a little worse. This is not a critical point, but just an observation. The same iPhone 6 is many times more slippery due to the all-metal coating. By the way, the texture of the metal on the frame in the Z3, in my opinion, is almost identical to the apple six.

The body is beautifully put together. There is no play or creaking anywhere. The buttons do not dangle, and the plugs do not fall out. As before, every time you connect a charger or any accessory, the smartphone reminds you to check the tightness of the plugs.

All this is not easy, because the device is capable of being immersed in water to a depth of one and a half meters for no more than 30 minutes (water and dust protection standard IP65/68). Swimming in salt water is not recommended, but just between you and me, you can do it. The main thing is to soak the device in the sea for a short time and then do not forget to rinse the device under running water to wash off the salt, which corrodes the delicate seals of the plugs.

Overall, the device looks interesting and modern, even though only a few months have passed between generations. The colors of the case add a special twist. Some people may not like them, but the solution is interesting from any point of view.

Display

The Z3 has a completely different screen. Yes, it retains a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi) and a diagonal of 5.2 inches, but the brightness and colors are completely different here. If Z2 was a little yellow and slightly dull, then Z3 is already cast in a cool blue color. This is clearly visible against a white background and when directly comparing the devices (Z3 on top).

The maximum brightness threshold burns out the eyes, especially indoors. It is better to leave the brightness adjustment to the ambient light sensor, since it works well.

But in the sun, a bright display is a very useful property of any smartphone. Z3 does not lose the picture in direct sunlight and the display remains readable.

The viewing angles are excellent, just like a smartphone (the new one is on top again).

In the menu there are sliders in their place for independently adjusting the display of colors. I don't know if anyone uses these parameters. Still, adjusting the color of a picture is a very thankless task and you need to have relevant experience in this area.

In addition to the already familiar X-Reality for mobile technology, a maximum brightness item has appeared in the Z3 parameters. If the first feature makes the picture in the video player more saturated and clear, then the extreme brightness mode improves the image even more. It looks interesting and lively, I advise you to try it. If you don't like it, you can always disable the feature.

Specifications and performance

It is best to track the dynamics of changes using a comparative table between old and new smartphones (changes are reflected in red).

	Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503)	Sony Xperia Z3 (D6603)
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3 GHz (4 cores)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5 GHz (4 cores)
Video accelerator	Adreno 330	Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB	3 GB
Built-in memory	16 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	microSD (up to 128 GB)	microSD (up to 128 GB)
Display		5.2’’ IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels (423 ppi)
Main camera	20.7 MP	20.7 MP
Front-camera	2.2 MP	2.2 MP
Battery	3200 mAh	3100 mAh
OS	Android 4.4.2	Android 4.4. 4
cellular	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Interfaces		Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n/ac), NFC, aGPS / GLONASS, DLNA, OTG, USB 2.0
Protection from moisture and dust	IP55 and IP58	IP65 and IP68

In terms of raw numbers, the Z3 isn't much to brag about. The processor clock speed has increased slightly, the battery capacity has decreased to accommodate the thickness of the case, and nothing else interesting.

The flagship still works great in any application, flies through the menu, instantly opens even heavy applications, and so on. Compared to the Z2, the difference in launching heavy toys is approximately 5-10% in favor of the Z3, of course. There's not much to talk about here. We still have one of the most powerful smartphones on the market.

In synthetic tests, the gap between generations is even smaller. Let's look at the screenshots (on the left are the results of the new product, and on the right are the Z2 indicators:

Photo capabilities

The camera in the Z3 deserves a separate analysis.

Compared to its predecessor, the quality of the images has improved, if not by an order of magnitude, then by half an order of magnitude. In addition, the number of preset shooting scenarios and various presets has increased.

First, a little about the numbers. The same proprietary Exmor RS photo module with a resolution of 20.7 MP is installed here. The physical size of the matrix is ​​1/2.3. Sony notes that the maximum sensitivity of the matrix reaches ISO 12,800. Of course, this threshold is only available when shooting in super auto mode. When manually setting the camera, you can select a maximum of ISO 3200. I was unable to take photos in the dark with a sensitivity higher than ISO 3200, even in super-automatic mode, but the manufacturer still claims this possibility.

I propose to compare pictures taken on both devices under the same conditions and with the same settings. The resolution of all frames is 3264 x 2448 (8 MP), HDR mode is enabled by default. On the left are shots taken with the Xperia Z3, and on the right is its predecessor, the Xperia Z2.

Without HDR (left) and with dynamic range enabled (shots below taken with the Z3 only):

Now let's look at pictures taken with both devices (Z3 on the left as before) at a resolution of 5248 x 3936 (20.7 MP) and image stabilization enabled.

Of course, both devices can do panoramic views (panorama with Z3 on the left):

100% crop (Xperia Z3):

100% crop (Xperia Z2):

So, additional modes.

Face in (with face) allows you to take pictures from two cameras at once: front and rear. The frame with its own face can be changed in size and moved across the screen from place to place, but its design cannot be changed.

Remember the AR effect with virtual dinosaurs and all sorts of fairy-tale gnomes? All this was in the Z2 and other models of the Xperia series.

Now, in addition to this mode, the developers have also preinstalled AR entertainment. You can throw bombs directly into the frame, draw a 3D picture, burn the frame with fire, and so on. It looks very funny and can, even if only for a short time, entertain a group of friends.

Even in the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, I really liked the shooting mode, which is well suited for shooting children, pets and other actively moving objects. The camera independently takes 60 different frames, from which, so to speak, without leaving the cash register, you can choose the best one and save it.

The operating principle is the same. Everything is done very clearly. You can select the part of the video you like and save it immediately.

A pre-selected section of the video is produced in slo-mo (slow motion) style, and everything else is of normal duration. The scenario is not new, and it is also present in Z2, however, the feature is interesting and deserves attention.

I would like to note that you should not get too carried away with these two modes. Literally all captured frames that were not saved are carefully stored by the smartphone in a separate folder, which is not visible from the Gallery. Using a file manager, you can detect them and delete them if you need to clean up space.

There is an opportunity to shoot photos with sound. The duration of the audio stream can be changed while shooting. Viewing, of course, is only possible on the device.

Among the new products we also added multicamera mode. The point is this. The viewfinder is divided into two parts. The first is responsible for shooting with the Z3, and the second receives a signal from the connected device. The mode is only compatible with Xperia devices. Unfortunately, I was unable to connect the Z2, despite the fact that it is the most Xperia device. On the latter, at the moment of connection, a window that was clearly not needed at the moment popped up. Maybe it's the Z3 software. The OS version is currently being actively developed, so it is very likely that this defect will be corrected in the future.

Screenshots of the camera interface are shown below. Fundamentally, the appearance of the photo application has not changed.

You can read the description of the remaining modes yourself in our review.

Front-camera

A 2.2 megapixel matrix is ​​used with a wide-angle (25 mm) G Lens lens. The maximum resolution of pictures and videos, including FullHD (1920 x 1080, 16:9). In the settings you can activate the HDR setting and stabilizer. Of course, they don't work together. Apart from the updated lens, there are no innovations here.

Video shooting

The video camera is capable of recording videos in a maximum resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second.

There is a SteadyShot image stabilization function. The peculiarity of her work is as follows. Intelligent Active Mode technology and built-in sensors responsible for recognizing the position of the smartphone in space help the system evaluate the image frame by frame and compensate for hand vibrations. With active stabilization, the resolution drops to 1080p and the frame rate to 30.

Example FullHD video:

Sound

On the front side, top and bottom, there are external speakers, which have been redesigned and begin to reproduce sound an order of magnitude louder and clearer than it was in the Z2. The difference is especially noticeable in dynamic and loud toys. At maximum volume, the entire body of the smartphone begins to resonate, but in this case this is not bad. I didn't notice any extraneous squeaks or rattles.

The S-Force Front Surround setting, which is activated from the player menu, in my opinion, only spoils the picture. The speakers sound very good and clear without it.

In the headphone playback settings, there is a five-band equalizer in its rightful place, a ClearBass setting, as well as interesting sound presets for various branded headphones.

As for the sound through third-party headphones, everything is at the highest level. As in other smartphones from the company, in my opinion, the ClearAudio+ setting makes the sound a little richer and more interesting. Otherwise, additional settings for audio effects have appeared.

The video player has also not changed and supports the following files for playback: 3GPP, MP4, Matroska, AVI, Xvid, WebM.

PS4 Remote Play

Only in the new series of devices (I'm talking about the Z3, Z3 Compact and the Z3 Tablet compact) support for PS4 has been added, the essence of which is as follows. You can stream the game directly from the console to your smartphone and continue playing literally from pause using DUALSHOCK4.

I think it’s clear that you need a fourth version console and the same joystick. The smartphone and console must be connected to the same wireless network. In addition, do not forget about the special mount for the device on the controller.

Battery

Interestingly, the manufacturer installed a smaller battery in the new smartphone: 3100 mAh in the Z3 versus 3200 in the Z2. This is obviously due to a decrease in the thickness of the case and overall dimensions. The battery is, of course, non-removable.

Reducing the battery capacity did not affect battery life in any way. You will be provided with one day at a very high load. With moderate handling of the device (two hours of Internet via 3G, two hours via Wi-Fi, several dozen pictures from the main camera, an hour of listening to music through headphones), you can hope for a day and a half of work. Not more.

If it suddenly becomes clear that the battery charge may not be enough, then from the parameters you should activate the STAMINA mode, which disables all synchronization and communications of the smartphone to the outside world while the smartphone screen is turned off.

In Z3, the developers also added the Ultra STAMINA mode, in which the system cuts off almost all applications and communication with the outside world, with the exception of the phone function, messages, FM radio, camera, alarm clock and several other utilities. In this scenario, the device can survive even at 30 percent charge for an additional 3-4 days.

Bottom line

Over the past years, I have been watching with great interest the development of the flagship line from Sony. From generation to generation, Sony refines its products and with each new release, you want to stop and say: “This is it!” The same can be said about the Z3. However, there is still room for growth. You can install an even better camera, upgrade the processor to Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, remove the blue in the screen, and so on. Do users need this? But where to go, because in January we will most likely see a new flagship.

Is it worth spending your money on the Sony Xperia Z3?

There are two possible scenarios:

1. You are the owner of a Sony Z2. In this case, I think there is no point in changing your smartphone. The second “zedka” remains and will remain a relevant smartphone for at least another year. It has excellent performance, a good camera and an interesting design. All the improvements in the new smartphone are not worth upgrading from the Z2.

2. You are the owner of Sony Z, Z1 or have not yet joined the 2014 flagship users. In this situation, I would advise you to opt for the Z3. At least try holding the smartphone in your hands before making the final purchase. This is not the best camera on the market, but it is a very good camera with a great variety of additional effects. The new Japanese flagship is very powerful and, I think, most importantly, it has the best design on the market. I’ll say something terrible, but the Xperia Z3, in my opinion, looks better than the iPhone 6. And the design for a device costing 29,990–38,990 rubles (as of early February 2015) is important.

It was known that the flagship Sony Xperia Z4 is similar in appearance to the Z3 in a number of characteristics, however, hardly anyone could have imagined how obvious the similarity would be. Visual comparative pictures have already appeared on the Internet, demonstrating the analogy in the design and arrangement of the main elements.

At the front, the Xperia Z4 differs from its predecessor only in the different location of the logo, sensors and front camera, as well as the displacement of the paired speakers. All these changes will be able to be distinguished only by a user familiar with the line, while others will not notice such minor innovations at all.

Xperia Z4 - left, Z3 - right

Things are completely different with the rear panel - there the analogy is close to 100 percent. The new product is distinguished only by the NFC icon and the flash, located slightly lower relative to the camera than that of the Xperia Z3. Well, another important point is the color of the rear panel itself; the Z4 has a copper design option that is slightly darker.

The most obvious difference between the new model and the old one is the design of the ends - Xperia Z4 has a glossy frame and has a characteristic shine, especially noticeable on metal corners. Well, here are the connectors and buttons: in the new model, the USB input has moved to the bottom edge and has lost its protection, the magnetic connector on the left has disappeared, and the microSD card slot on the right side is now located under the same plug as the SIM card on the left.

Xperia Z4 - top, Z3 - bottom

Users with an excellent eye will be able to detect a slightly thinner body on the Xperia Z4, although in reality the difference is not so significant - only 0.4 mm.

Xperia Z4 - left, Z3 - right

In terms of technical characteristics, there are also few significant differences between the devices - the Z4 has a much more powerful chip, a high-quality front camera, support for Bluetooth 4.1 and a less capacious battery. A detailed comparison of specifications is presented in the table below.

Comparison of characteristics of Sony Xperia Z4 and Xperia Z3

	Sony Xperia Z3
CPU:	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 8 cores	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 4 cores
GPU:	Adreno 430	Adreno 330
RAM:	3 GB	3 GB
memory:	32/64 GB + microSD up to 128 GB	16/32 GB + microSD up to 128 GB
display:	5.2" IPS 1920x1080 pixels density 424 ppi Gorilla Glass 4	5.2" IPS 1920x1080 pixels density 424 ppi Gorilla Glass 3
main camera:	20.7 MP single LED flash autofocus digital stabilization	20.7 MP single LED flash autofocus digital stabilization
frontal camera:	5.1 MP, wide-angle 1080p	2.2 MP 1080p
modules:	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC	Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, NFC
battery:	2,930 mAh	3 100 mAh
dimensions:	146x72x6.9 mm	146x72x7.3 mm
weight:	144 grams	153 grams
bonuses:	protection against moisture and dust IP68	protection against moisture and dust IP68

Since the days of Sony Ericsson Android phones, Sony has still spared no effort in creating and releasing several flagship solutions a year. Remember how the Xperia S was “replaced” by the Xperia Ion, Acro S, SL, and then the Xperia T, TX and V? And what about the Xperia Z1, which replaced the Xperia Z during the year? So in 2014, the spring Xperia Z2 was replaced by the autumn Xperia Z3. Moreover, if Z1 differed from Z very significantly in materials and filling, then the difference between Z3 and Z2 is even less perceptible than between Z2 and Z1.

Can the release of two flagships a year be considered justified? No, if you don’t delve into the reasons for this behavior of the Japanese company. And yes, if you think about why Sony does this. The reason is actually mostly forced: S and Z in their implementation and with their hardware could not maintain the interest of the audience throughout the year, and therefore the company released intermediate replacements in the form of TX and Z1. In turn, the TX and Z1 were also full of rough edges, and the competitors presented at the beginning of the year were on a more modern basis. It would seem that with the Xperia Z2 the company was finally on par with its current opponents in terms of display, camera, hardware, but Sony’s engineering thought could not be contained, so in the fall the Xperia Z3 went on sale, which, given the short period of time in releases, also can be considered working on mistakes. True, small. What's wrong with the approach of releasing two flagships per year? The fact that fans of the brand either turn into “waiters” (why buy a Z2 if in six months there will be an improved Z3; why buy a Z2 now if you can wait a couple of months and after the release of some Z3 take it after revaluation?), or they look at other brands that update their flagships once a year (the buyer is sure that a few months after purchasing a hot new product, it will not depreciate in the secondary market and in the eyes of others). What's good about this approach? There are a lot of news stories around Sony and the new products at first look fresher than their competitors, although they offer the same level of hardware. According to rumors, in 2015 the Japanese manufacturer will finally abandon the practice of releasing two top-end devices of the same class per year. And I will support this decision. Well, in this material I want to compare the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3. Are there major improvements or does the whole difference come down to the new number?

Technical characteristics of Sony Xperia Z2:

• Platform (at time of announcement): Android 4.4.2 KitKat
• Front camera: 2.1 MP
• Processor: 4 cores, 2.3 GHz, Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB
• Graphics chip: Adreno 330
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory card: microSD
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
• microUSB 2.0
• 3.5mm jack
• IP55/IP58 protection
• Battery: non-removable, 3200 mAh
• Dimensions: 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 163 g

Technical characteristics of Sony Xperia Z3:

• Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA/HSPA (850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz), LTE (800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz)
• Platform (at time of announcement): Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• Display: 5.2", 1920 x 1080 pixels, IPS, 424 ppi
• Camera: 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3”, 1.1 µm, LED flash, autofocus, Full HD video recording, Sony Exmor RS sensor, G Lens optics, SteadyShot electronic stabilizer, 4K@30fps video recording, video recording 720p@120fps
• Front camera: 2.1 MP
• Processor: 4 cores, 2.5 GHz, Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AC
• Graphics chip: Adreno 330
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory card: microSD
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
• microUSB 2.0
• 3.5mm jack
• IP65/IP68 protection
• Battery: non-removable, 3100 mAh
• Dimensions: 146.5 x 72 x 7.3 mm
• Weight: 152 g

Video review

Design

The Z3 follows the same OmniBalance design concept as the Z2, as well as a huge number of Xperia models. It's cool in itself, but to be honest, I got bored with it. Although if the Z3 is your first phone from Sony, then you will be pleased. Others will not feel any special emotions. Unless, of course, they have their eye on the new colors: copper and silver-green.

The design and construction as a whole remain the same, but it feels and looks neater: a rectangle with glass in front and back (without films). The slots for a SIM card (the Z3 has a nano format, the Z2 has a micro format), a microSD memory card and a microUSB port are covered with plugs, and the audio jack is still water-resistant. The magnetic mount with charging from the docking station or the corresponding connector has not disappeared - an extremely useful thing, I recommend it. The metal power button was enlarged and made more responsive – it’s better. The volume rocker, on the contrary, was made smaller and the stroke was shortened, which is why it is sometimes unclear whether the volume is changing or not. The mechanical camera key just changed its shape. On the Z2, I really liked the stereo speaker slots hidden between the glass and the aluminum frame, and there was also a large and impressive LED strip hidden at the top. In the Z3, the speaker slits were placed on the glass, made smaller, and the indicator was turned into a circle, placed in the upper left corner. There is no particular difference in the sound volume (and ringtones still only come from the lower speaker), but the design is up to anyone.

The body shape is more convenient for the Z3. This is facilitated by the rounded frame, which does not cut the hand, as well as the reduced thickness and slightly narrowed sides. The dimensions of the Z3 are 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm versus 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm for the Z2. The weight was also reduced - from 163 to 152 g. The screen diagonal remained 5.2”. Moisture protection has been preserved, but reliability has been increased - from the IP58 standard to IP68.

Screen

It is worth noting that I have demo samples of both Z2 and Z3 from early batches, so it is better to check everything said personally. The panel characteristics of both devices are identical on paper: 5.2”, Full HD, IPS, 424 ppi. But in fact there is little in common. The Z2 has richer colors and deeper blacks, and has significantly better viewing angles, while the Z3's screen brightens when tilted diagonally. The default white balance of the Z3 is too cold (specifically blue), which, however, can be easily corrected in the settings (by making it warmer, the brightness will be perceived at a lower level). Even in the Z3, under any light sources, it is easy to see the screen grid pattern (in the Z2 it is also visible, but much less). This does not affect the interaction with the display, but it can be annoying for aesthetes. In the screen settings there is an option X-Reality for mobile (affects the color of photos and videos) and the Z3 additionally has a “maximum brightness mode”, with which you can work without problems under the bright sun (although everything is quite readable on the street without it) .

Xperia Z2 (left) and Xperia Z3 (right):

Xperia Z2 (left) and Xperia Z3 (right)

I will also add that there are no two panels that are identical in color rendering. It is very difficult to find twin screens even in the same batch. To prove my words, I provide photographs showing store-bought Z2, Z3, Z3 and Z3 Dual SIM with maximum brightness and default white balance.

As you can see, judging by a specific Z3 sample is quite pointless.

Software

pre-installed software on Z2

pre-installed software on Z3

Currently, the Xperia Z3 is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, while the Z2 uses Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware. The shells and set of functions differ. However, the Z3 does not have any additional modules or sensors in hardware, so you can safely expect that with Android 5.0 Lollipop, the user experience with the Z2 and Z3 will be the same in software (the update will be released in early 2015). Now, I’m sure Sony doesn’t specifically implement new software features in the Z2, which gives the Z3 a head start. If you're still wondering what the Z3 has that the Z2 doesn't yet have, the Z3 currently has support for the DualShock 4 controller and streaming games from the PlayStation 4, an expanded power point with Ultra STAMINA power mode, new audio options, ability to record video from the screen. And you can see the difference in design in the screenshots.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3:

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

Sound

The Qualcomm WCD9320 audio chip built into the Snapdragon SoC is responsible for the sound in the phones. The Walkman music player is full of software enhancements with big names, but if you really want quality sound, invest in good headphones first, and then forget about ClearAudio+, ClearBass, DSEE HX and the rest. In combination with the Denon D600 and a collection of tracks in FLAC, the volume in both cases cannot be called sufficient - even at 100% you want to move the slider a little. The sound is smooth, clean, without emphasis on the bass (there is a good chance that you will still have to adjust the ClearBass to enhance the lower frequencies). The difference in sound between the Z2 and Z3 is minimal, except that the Z2 plays a little dirtier.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

Camera

The Z3 uses a 20.7 megapixel Exmor RS sensor. The Z2 has the same resolution, but the matrix is ​​of the previous generation. The manufacturer added optics with a slightly wider angle to the new product, while maintaining the f/2.0 aperture. With the new firmware, new modes appeared in the Z3 and they will definitely come to the Z2, so it was decided to reduce the comparison of cameras to photos and videos. All images were taken in manual mode at maximum resolution with default parameters.

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3:

Xperia Z2 - Xperia Z3

If the Z2 and Z3 really have different sensors, then they differ only slightly. The difference between the photos from the Z2 and Z3 is mainly in the shades - lighter or darker. Noise in the form of black dots is present in both places. Both models are prone to incorrect auto-selection of white balance and exposure - sometimes one is more mistaken than the other. In general, if you are the proud owner of a Z2, then switching to a Z3 for the sake of a camera is completely pointless. A few more photos from the iPhone 6 Plus and Xperia Z3:

iPhone 6 Plus - Xperia Z3:

iPhone 6 Plus - Xperia Z3

The video was shot in Full HD at 60 frames per second - this is the most interesting mode. The video cameras of both smartphones lack optical image stabilization and rely on electronic SteadyShot. On the Z3 with the new software, you can adjust the microphone sensitivity (auto, high for quiet sound, medium for talking and low for concerts) and select the intelligent active SteadyShot stabilization mode (works from low resolution to Full HD at 30 fps). Parallel shooting revealed faster autofocus on the Z3, as well as oddities in sound recording. It’s not clear why, but the Z3 has priority on the right channel and it seems that the microphone responsible for the left channel is simply covered with a finger (and this is not the case with my sample, our other author has the same thing with another Z3). With stabilization, not everything is clear: on the street the picture of the Z3 is more stable, but at night and indoors the Z2 takes the lead due to the fact that objects in the Z3 are doubled. Both models set the video exposure incorrectly - the Z2 underexposes, and the Z3 overexposes (the first part of the video is especially clear). White balance is a little more accurate on the Z2.

There is hope that the weak points of the Z3 camera will be corrected in one of the upcoming updates.

Iron

The Z2 uses the Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB chip with a frequency of 2.3 GHz, and the Z3 got the Snapdragon 801 in the MSM8974AC version with a frequency of 2.5 GHz. 3 GB of RAM, the same graphics accelerator - Adreno 330. Were you expecting a performance boost? He's gone. Due to the glass design of smartphones, they are both subject to aggressive throttling, that is, the processor speed is reset to prevent overheating, their maximum performance is hampered. As a result, Vivo Xshot (