Can anyone live even one day without mobile phone? Of course not! Nowadays, young people do not even allow such a possibility. From year to year, devices are constantly being improved. Manufacturers equip them with innovative technologies. Now the mobile phone is a mini-computer. With it, you can access the Internet from anywhere, type documents and much more. The graphics and sound of modern devices are at a high level, so you can often see people playing games or listening to music.

The phone was introduced two years ago Sony Xperia Z3 compact. It is a smaller version of the Xperia Z3. The device is designed for people who different reasons do not want to buy a "shovel". Such a nickname was given to smartphones with large sizes. Surprisingly, this category of buyers, because of the dimensions, sacrificed software equipment and technical characteristics, since they had to buy the simplest models. Consumer demand for them, though small, but still there. For this reason, some manufacturers have released phones in compact sizes. The Sony brand is no exception.

Xperia Z3 Compact (specs, reviews and description will be presented in the article) is a full-fledged smartphone. hardware platform and software fully comply with modern requirements. At least that's what the manufacturer claims. And is it really so, let's figure it out.

Equipment

Sony has recently moved away from flashy packaging materials. was no exception and Xperia model Z3 compact. The box is very simple, made of unvarnished cardboard, without any frills. On it, the buyer will see the image of the phone, the name of the model, and a brief description. Inside it is divided into three compartments. The partitions between them are quite thin. The manufacturer put in them Charger, the device itself, simple headphones and a USB cable. If the index D5803 is on the packing box, then the headset is not included in the kit. It must be purchased additionally. You can reassure the buyer only by the fact that the price of the headphones is quite acceptable. Documentation is required for any device:

• The instruction manual contains specifications phone Sony Xperia Z3 Compact and other useful information.
• The warranty card is filled in by the seller on the day of purchase.
• List of service centers.

Complete set, at once to tell, rather modest. However, it is fully justified by the cost, which starts at 20,000 rubles. Phones intended for sale in Ukraine are not supplied with a headset.

Appearance

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone has big screen, which is absolute advantage. It was possible to increase it by reducing the frame. Now it is very narrow (3 mm), almost invisible. Manufacturers chose to abandon clear, straight shapes with rough corners. Now the side faces are rounded, but the rectangle is still visible. The curve of the arc is small, but this is what softens the usual traditional design. There are two speakers. They are arranged symmetrically (top and bottom). The holes are the same shape. The name of the company flaunts under the top speaker. Also in this part on the right side there is a camera. There is no standard arrangement of control buttons, they are on the screen. You can see them only by unlocking the phone. The side frame is made of polycarbonate. Thanks to the change in material (previously metal was used), it became possible to give the device originality due to transparency. Such a design decision significantly increased the status perception of the model and transferred it to the category of youth equipment.

The side edges are somewhat rough to the touch. This makes it possible to eliminate slipping, so the phone can be confidently held and simultaneously operated with one hand. The manufacturer claims that the polycarbonate material has excellent cushioning properties, which act as a serious protection when the smartphone falls from a height.

Type of a design of this model - a monoblock. The case of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (the characteristics of the phone are in the article) consists of two plates and a frame. Slots for memory cards and SIM are located on the sides. Slots are closed with special caps. In order to get the cards, you just need to open them. Next to these slots is a connector for a USB cable. Back panel made from glass. It only has a flash and a camera lens. Currently, you can purchase the device in four colors: black, white, green, red-orange.

The power and lock button of the phone is located on the side face, on the right side. It is round in shape, the surface is chrome-plated. Next to it is a volume rocker. The hardware camera key flaunts at the bottom of the side face. Shooting can be done even underwater. The manufacturer also equipped the device with a special connector for the docking station. At the bottom there is a microphone and a hole for a cord. Headphones are connected from above, the standard jack is 3.5 mm.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Specifications

Before describing in detail the main components of the smartphone, it is necessary to dwell on the technical characteristics. Let's take a look at what the manufacturer offers in this model:

Screen

Will buyers be surprised by the display that the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact smartphone is equipped with? The characteristics of the screen are quite acceptable, although by modern standards the indicators are not very high. In the manual, you can read the following information provided by the manufacturer:

• Screen type - Triluminos.
• Resolution - 1280×720.
• Matrix - IPS, touch.
• Diagonal - 4.6".
• The pixel density is 319 ppi.

To improve the image, a special X-Reality technology is used. There is no usual screen protector in this model. The manufacturer decided to use glass. Brightness settings are adjusted in two ways: automatically and manually. Multitouch is designed for 10 simultaneous touches. You can work with the display both with wet hands and with gloves. There is a proximity sensor on the front surface. If you close it while talking on the phone, it automatically locks the screen.

The colors are quite saturated. The display can reproduce up to 16 million colors. Viewing angles are good. When the machine is tilted 45°, the contrast decreases. Changes occur due to the highlighted black areas.

sound

What sound should you expect from the Sony D5803 Xperia Z3 Compact (black)? The characteristics of the speakers are not high performance. Unfortunately, there is no expressiveness. The sound is muffled, noises are observed. When you turn on the maximum volume, wheezing appears. Given that there are two speakers in this model, buyers were hoping for a better result.

The owners will not be happy during the conversation either. The voice of the interlocutor, though recognizable, but there is no clarity. However, timbre and intonation are well recognized.

The Walkman player is used to play music files on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (phone specifications are shown above). It is equipped with standard settings and, according to audiophiles, has nothing remarkable. The only thing that deserves attention is surround sound and innovative xLoud and Clear Phase technologies. You can use the ClearAudio+ option to improve performance. For connoisseurs of music tracks, the manufacturer recommends using the MDR-NC31EM headset, which guarantees a noise reduction of 98%.

Camera

This model is equipped with two cameras. This no longer surprises anyone. All modern smartphones are equipped in a similar way. The only difference is the resolution. Will the connoisseurs of photography like the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (D5803)? The characteristics of the main camera are impressive - 20.7 megapixels. It is equipped with a G lens, autofocus with a distance of 27mm. If necessary, the settings can be changed manually, choosing the best result. It is worth noting that in automatic mode pictures are taken at a size of 3840 × 2160 pix, which corresponds to a resolution of 8 megapixels. In the settings, you can select the highest value that will allow you to take photos of 5248 × 3936.

The owners, having tested the main camera, came to the following conclusions. The pictures are of good enough quality. At close range, sharpness decreases only in the corners, and then only slightly. In the photographs, the shadows are transmitted well, the noise is practically absent. The main advantage of this model is the ability to take pictures underwater.

On the front camera (2.2 MP) it makes no sense to stop for a long time. Its resolution suggests that selfie lovers will not be able to get high-quality pictures.

Video filming

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (camera feature above) opens up great opportunities for shooting videos. For example, you can record the same scene from different viewing angles or use background sound (rain noise, birdsong, etc.). Video resolution: 4K (UHD) and 1080 p. There is a high frame rate mode. Also, if desired, you can use the effects of slowing down.

A wide range of video recording features appealed to many owners. The greatest number of positive reviews was received by the shooting mode at a speed of 60 fps (resolution - 1080 p).

Software

The characteristics of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone directly depend on the processor power and operating system. They affect the speed of the device. This model is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor with a Krait 400 core type. The frequency is 2.5 GHz. In terms of platform, the phone runs on updated version Google Android 4.4.4. The interface is branded, is a proprietary development of Sony. Icons and settings items are large and clear. Surprisingly, only this model has a reboot option. Previously, you just had to turn the phone off and on again. The new devices were able to integrate with a game console, and not only a smartphone, but also a Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact tablet can act as a screen. The specifications of these units are compatible with the Sony PlayStation 4 model. Mobile devices able to display everything that happens on the TV screen. The manufacturer has provided a special stand-fastener as an additional accessory. With its help, the phone or tablet joins the joystick.

Battery

AT modern smartphones enough important parameter is the duration battery life. It is, of course, the responsibility of the battery. But not everything depends on its capacity. Also quite important are such parameters as screen resolution, brightness level, etc. How did the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (black) perform?

Battery specifications:

• Type - lithium-ion.
• Volume - 2600 mAh.
• Charging time - 3 hours.
• Standby - about 900 hours.
• Music playback through the headset - 110 h.
• When talking - 14 hours.

During testing of the apparatus, the following results were obtained. It is worth considering that Wi-Fi was turned on on the phone.

• Reading mode with low brightness level - 22 hours.
• Watch videos in high format - 10 hours.
• 3D game option - 5 hours

Thus, these results indicate quite worthy characteristics. Not every smartphone has such indicators. How did the manufacturer achieve them? For battery life, the screen is the main draw. He is not very big size and is not equipped with FullHD-resolution. It is thanks to him that the indicators of the duration of work without recharging are so high.

Connection

This model supports network formats: 2G, 3G, 4G. You can use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to receive and transmit data. With the Internet turned on, the owners did not notice any system freezes or braking of the device. Data transfer can be performed at speeds up to 150 Mb/s. As for the signal mobile operator, then the owners had no comments, the phone catches the network perfectly.

Conclusion

Describing Sony model Xperia Z3 Compact (you now know the full specification), you can highlight a large list of advantages. Owner reviews confirm them in 100% of cases.

Of course, there were some remarks. Some owners are unhappy with the screen. You will have to agree with them, as there are some flaws. Replacing the material of the side faces is also hardly an advantage, since the phone has lost the status of expensive equipment. Now he is more positioned as a teenager. By the way, it’s not for nothing that the manufacturer added green and orange options. They are great for young energetic people. And buyers with conservative views can choose the classic design - white and black.

Sony at a press conference in Berlin introduced the sequel to the mini-flagship Xperia Z3 Compact. The smartphone is made in the best traditions of Sony - no cuts in hardware and functionality, the same design as the older model. In terms of dimensions, the device corresponds to the predecessor Xperia Z1 Compact, but has become a little thinner (8.64 versus 9.5 mm) and lighter (129 to 137 g), and the screen has become larger. The compact gadget also received an updated design and a new color palette - black, white, red and green, which replaced pink and lime, respectively.

Sony Xperia Z3 received technical specifications similar to the flagship of the line: 4.6 ”IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with Live Color LED technology, Snapdragon 801 quad-core chipset with a frequency of 2.5 GHz, 2 GB random access memory, 16GB microSD expandable internal storage, 20.7MP camera with 25mm G Lens, BIONZ image processor, SteadyShot image stabilizer, 2600mAh battery, and Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Xperia skin home. The company did not deprive the company of Xperia Z3 Compact and audio capabilities, providing the device with a full range of technologies - Hi-Res Audio, DSEE HX and S-Force Front Surround. In place and an increased level of protection against moisture and dust (IP65 / 68).

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact can "make friends" with most of the Japanese brand's technology thanks to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC wireless interfaces, as well as PS4 Remote Play support. The latter will help gamers turn their smartphone into a second display (requires the PlayStation App) or completely replace the PS Vita (using a special cradle and DUALSHOCK 4 joystick, you can play on the console remotely). The device will be available for sale this fall. We will inform you about the price later.

Technical Sony specifications Xperia Z3 Compact:

• Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz), WCDMA/HSPA (850/900/1700/1900/2100MHz), LTE (800/900/1800/2100/2600MHz)
• Platform (at the time of announcement): Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• Display: capacitive, 4.6", 1280 x 720 pixels, IPS TRILUMINOS, X-Reality for mobile, Live Color
• Camera: 20.7MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.1µm, LED flash, autofocus, recording Full video HD, Sony Exmor RS sensor, G Lens, SteadyShot, 4K@30fps video recording, 720p@120fps video recording
• Front camera: 2.2 MP
• Processor: 4 cores, 2.5 GHz, Snapdragon 801
• Graphics chip: Adreno 330
• RAM: 2 GB
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory card: microSD
• A-GPS and GLONASS
• Bluetooth 4.0
• WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
• micro USB 2.0
• 3.5mm jack
• IP65/IP68 protection
• Battery: non-removable, 2600 mAh
• Operating time in audio player mode: up to 110 hours
• Dimensions: 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.64 mm
• Weight: 129g
• Form factor: monoblock with touchscreen
• Type: smartphone
• Announcement date: September 03, 2014
• Sales Start Date: Fall 2014

The amount of RAM on board is 2 GB, which is more than enough to work without delay. Even devices with Full HD resolution feel great with 2 GB of RAM. 16 GB is provided for content storage, some of which is reserved for the OS and factory applications. The situation can be changed thanks to the microSD slot, which can charge cards up to 128 GB.

The communication capabilities of the Xperia Z3 Compact are completely identical to those of the current flagship of the line. On board there is support for all current Wi-Fi standards, as well as Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA, LTE, NFC, GPS and GLONASS, there is only an infrared port.

Capacity battery increased compared to its predecessor and is 2600 mAh. Thanks to energy saving technologies Sony managed to increase the claimed battery life to two days, but in reality this value is lower. The charge lasts for a day of active use (with music, maps, social networks and SMS), or for a day and a half of work at a more relaxed pace.

Soft

The smartphone runs on Android OS version 4.4.4 KitKat. By default it has Google browser Chrome instead of the standard for Android OS. The list of branded pre-installed software includes Sony Smart Connect applications. The standard application for working with NFC allows you to connect only with branded Sony SmartTag tags.

Not so long ago, Sony introduced at IFA 2014 a new generation of its flagship smartphones - Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. If the first model turned out to be a "shovel" with a 5.2-inch display, then the compact version has a 4.6-inch screen - that is, you can comfortably work with it with one hand. At the same time, the Z3 Compact has the same powerful filling. Vesti.Hitech tested the mini-flagship and came to the conclusion that this is one of the best smartphones on the market.

Recently, the market has been firmly captured by smartphones-shovels. New items with a display of less than 5 inches are already perceived by users as curiosities. Even Apple, which was almost the last stronghold of miniature smartphone lovers, succumbed to the trend and significantly increased the displays in the sixth iPhones. The Xperia Z3 Compact aims to close this gap, satisfying the needs of those who still believe that the phone is best used with one hand and, it must be said, does it perfectly.

The first version of the Xperia Z Compact was a rather controversial device - many users did not like the faded screen and too large bezels. A lot of work has been done on the bugs in the new model, in which the concept of a powerful and compact smartphone has finally been brought, if not to the ideal, then at least to an extremely attractive state. The dimensions of the phone remain the same, but the display has become larger, simply due to the reduced frames. But first things first.

Characteristics

Screen: IPS, 4.6-inch, HD (1280 x 720 pixels)

Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 2.5 GHz

Graphics accelerator: Adreno 330

RAM: 2 gigabytes

Built-in memory: 16 gigabytes (11.57 gigabytes available to the user). Expandable via microSD up to 128 GB

Connectivity: One nano-SIM, 3G, LTE

Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.0, NFC

Navigation: A-GPS, GLONASS

Cameras: Primary: 20.7 megapixels, autofocus, LED flash. Front: 2.2 megapixels

Battery: 2600 mAh non-removable

Dimensions: 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.64 mm

Weight: 129 grams

Appearance

The phone is a classic candy bar, made in the corporate design of Sony. Compact is available in 4 colors: black, white, turquoise and red. We got a turquoise model for review. I must say that she looks great in real life - even better than in promo photos. The color is very deep, as if shining from the inside. The back cover of the smartphone is completely hidden under tempered mineral glass. The ends of the device are made of a very specific polycarbonate - it seems to be translucent and slightly soft. Looks great, I must say. On the back cover is a large camera connector and a large LED flash. Below we see the Sony, Xperia logos and the NFC icon. There are no speakers on the back cover.

On the front of the smartphone we see a 4.6-inch display with thin bezels. Above it is the Sony logo, and a little higher - the earpiece (which, in fact, is not only the earpiece), to the left - light / proximity sensors and an LED for displaying notifications. On the right, in the very corner, a barely noticeable front camera perched. Directly below the display is the main speaker, we will write more about its work below.

At the top end we see a large, slightly protruding 3.5 mm jack. It is not closed with a plug, but this does not make the smartphone waterproof - it is not afraid of water. To the right - a small hole for an additional microphone that filters noise.

At the bottom we find a conversational microphone and a hole for the strap.

On the right side there is a round metal key for turning on the lock - large, with a large power reserve. Below is a polycarbonate volume rocker and a dedicated camera key.

On the left side there are two dense and inconspicuous plugs. Under the top is a microUSB port and a microSD slot. Under the bottom, it finds a slot for nano-SIM (yes, you will have to cut your long-suffering SIM card to the bitter end). Between the plugs is a magnetic platform for the docking station.

In general, the design of the smartphone is classic, but worked out to the smallest detail. The eye really rejoices - they can show off in front of others and do not want to hide in a case at all.

Separately, I will mention the build quality. The phone is light, but it feels solid - all the keys have an excellent power reserve, without backlash. Plugs are strong and reliable. However, if you bend the phone, you can hear slight creaks on the verge of audibility.

Ergonomics

Perhaps the most important advantage of the Z3 Compact over the Z3 is its ergonomics. It's been a long time since I've seen an Android smartphone that fits so well in my hands. If the Z1 Compact was too pot-bellied and therefore somehow uncomfortable in the hands, then in the Z3 this problem is eliminated. I really liked the case materials, the polycarbonate edging seems to be a little viscous, thanks to which the phone sits securely in the palm of your hand and does not think of slipping out.

It is really convenient to work with Z3 Compact with one hand - just like, for example, with the fourth "iPhone". You can reach any area of ​​the display with your thumb, which is its main advantage. Waterproof smartphones often have inconvenient end caps, but the Z3 Compact avoided this problem - the end caps are easy to pry off and easily snap back on. Perhaps the only drawback noted in terms of ergonomics can be called the location of the lower speaker - from time to time I accidentally covered it with my palm.

Screen

The Z1 Compact screen was a 4.3-inch display with large bezels. Sony designers have strained and managed to increase the screen to 4.6 inches, while maintaining the same body dimensions. At the same time, if the Z1 picture was noticeably faded, then the Z3 Compact is really one of the brightest displays on the market.

The screen has an HD resolution (1280 x 720 pixels), however, given the size of the display, the ppi is high - 319 dpi (about the same for the iPhone 5S). Thus, pixelation can only be seen if you bring the display close to your eyes and take a closer look. Sony also claims that X-Reality for Mobile software technology, activated by default, provides additional clarity. However, to be honest, no matter how much I turned it on and off, I didn’t notice much difference.

But the "Ultimate brightness mode" really works well. It can be activated when working with a smartphone outdoors on sunny days and the display will become very, very bright. The color reproduction of the Z3 Compact is saturated, the colors are natural. The sensor supports multi-touch up to 10 simultaneous touches, while it is very responsive - accidental clicks are perfectly filtered, the light sensor instantly and correctly works. There is also a mode of operation with gloves, with which the device can be used quite conveniently. The main thing is not to forget to turn it off, otherwise the display remains too sensitive - a lot of random operations.

The viewing angles are very wide - you can fully use the device from any point. Glare is also not annoying, although, to be honest, I have seen displays with a better anti-glare coating. There is also an oleophobic layer of good quality. Fingerprints, of course, slightly remain, but are easily erased.

In general, the impressions of the display are very positive - it is pleasant to read even small texts, watch images or videos and use the browser. Photographers and designers can be sure of the correct color reproduction.

Interface

The device runs on the latest version of Android 4.4.4 at the moment (it will definitely be updated to Android L when it comes out). Installed on top of the OS sony firmware. In terms of functionality, it has changed little, but it has become much more beautiful, more similar to stock Android.

Sony has increased icons and icons, redesigned its own software in accordance with the concept of Android 4.4.

The Z3 Compact is also fully compatible with the Sony Playstation game console. Firstly, it is possible to control Android games using the Dualshock 3 or Dualshock 4 controller.

But, moreover, you can broadcast games from Playstation 4 to the screen of your smartphone - this way you can play full-fledged nextgen titles on the screen (of course, for this you need WiFi connection at normal speed). Thus, for PS4 owners, the smartphone will be an ideal addition to the console. The phone itself can be attached to the controller - it turns out a kind of analogue of the PSP.

Sony also preinstalled a lot of its own software on the phone - a convenient Lifelog service compatible with wearable electronics, a convenient Walkman player, its own Movies player (quite convenient, but not too omnivorous), Deezer streaming service. By default, the home screen has recommendation widgets that showcase selected Sony movies, albums, and apps. They can be easily removed.

I've always liked the way Sony smartphones implemented the application screen - a swipe to the left opens a menu where you can quickly go to the search for applications, add favorite programs there, change the sorting method, and so on. This greatly simplifies life if you like to install many programs at once.

Notification shade not overloaded extra information, from here you can also access quick settings that allow you to turn on / off the sound, Wi-Fi, set up auto-rotate, and so on.

Traditionally for Sony there are various software "chips". For example, you can activate the "Smart Processing" function, which allows you to control your smartphone without touching the screen. For example, to receive a call, it is enough to bring the phone to your ear, mute the call - turn the phone upside down and so on. If you wish, you can change the themes to one of the built-in ones or download additional ones from the built-in store.

It's nice that when the user enters full-screen applications (videos, games, and so on), the keys android controls"hide". Access to them can be obtained by making a special swipe.

From the settings, you can activate the Stamina item, which significantly extends the battery life of the device. In this mode, when the screen is off, the phone is disconnected from Wi-Fi and mobile Internet. When the screen is activated, the connection is established again.

There is also an Ultra Stamina mode - it cuts off all wireless modules, except for the voice antenna and reduces the speed of the processor. In this mode, the phone can work without charging for a very long time. The user still has access to photos, calendar, camera, radio, calculator, clock, as well as calls and SMS. It's only frustrating that you have to reboot the phone to enter / exit UltraStamina, because, in fact, this is the second firmware.

In work

Z3 Compact is powerful smartphone that can handle any task with ease. The interface of the device works very smoothly, it literally flies - even if you scroll through the screens very quickly, there is no noticeable slowdown. Applications also launch almost instantly.

The browser on the phone flies, even on "heavy" pages, even when many tabs are open at once. But the Z3 Compact performs especially well in games. Asphalt 8 at maximum settings works without the slightest lag. At the same time, even after half an hour of playing the phone almost did not heat up.

In the same way, Real Racing 3 worked perfectly on the phone.

Not too optimized toy Minion Rush (Despicable Me) was also played without slowdowns in some century. There were no problems with Dead Trigger 2 either. In general, the Z3 Compact proved to be a top five as a gaming device.

FullHD video can also be watched without slowdowns - both loaded into memory and in streaming playback mode, for example, from Vkontakte.

Especially it should be noted the sound quality in the headphones - it is really excellent. Maybe it's not "warm lamp", but for a mobile phone it will do. But the situation with listening through the speakers is ambiguous. The manufacturer did not place the speaker on the back cover of the device, as in most other Android smartphones, and the bottom end did not attract it (like in iPhones). Instead, the main speaker is located directly below the display. In normal use, this is convenient, however, for example, during the game, when the phone is held in landscape mode, the speaker can be accidentally covered with your hand.

At the same time, both the lower and ear speaker work simultaneously on sound reproduction. Stereo sound, of course, does not work, since they are located in the same plane one above the other. If you turn the phone on its side, the result is also quite unusual. In principle, the sound reproduction of the Z3 Compact is quite clear, without cracking and unnecessary noise, so that the quality of the built-in speakers is enough for most users, but the impressions remain ambiguous.

It's also frustrating that the speakers aren't too loud. It is enough not to miss a call signal, but listening to music in a medium-sized room is no longer very pleasant. However, fortunately, there are not too many people who listen to music on their phones without headphones.

The results of the Z3 Compact in benchmarks really look impressive. Apparently, during synthetic testing, he "does" his big-screen brother Z3. Apparently, this is again due to the fact that the HD-screen consumes less resources.

In the Antutu performance test, the device scored 43,552 points, surpassing even the fresh flagship HTC One M8.

In the Ice Storm Unlimited performance test (the most powerful of the three 3D Mark tests), the device scored 19,543 points.

In the Geekbench benchmark, the device scored 2744 points, second only to the Galaxy S5. But in single-core mode, the device managed 975 points, overtaking the flagship Samsung.

Camera

Sony is a company that has been making digital cameras for over a decade, so the Japanese have a lot of good things up their sleeves. 20.7 megapixel camera with 25mm optics.

The camera is very photosensitive, you can get quite high-quality and bright pictures even in low light conditions - the camera supports ISO 12800. The LED flash is very powerful, although it spoils the picture a little - the double flash in the iPhone 5S and 6 is, of course, softer.

The physical shooting key will be especially useful, for example, for underwater shooting, where the touch display will not work. It can be configured in such a way that by pressing the phone is unlocked and the camera quickly starts. Thanks to the mount on the left side, the phone can be mounted on a tripod to make it more convenient to shoot video. In auto mode, the sensor shoots photos at 8 megapixels (because 24 megapixel photos usually take up too much space), but in manual mode you can set the resolution to 5248 x 3936 (20.7 megapixels).

The camera app has a lot of different settings. By default, "Super Auto" is activated - it works perfectly, automatically switching shooting modes, activating the flash, and so on. The only thing is that from time to time the algorithms "stupid" when shooting at night - it's better to switch to manual mode. But in general, "Super Auto" is good - users who are not versed in manual settings will be able to take great photos.

In manual mode, you can adjust almost all parameters: white balance, exposure, select resolution, focus mode, activate HDR, stabilization, various light modes, and so on.

There are many fun modes to "play around" - for example, sound photos, a picture with a face (at the same time take a picture on the rear and front cameras). There are many augmented reality effects - for example, you can draw in the air, let three-dimensional dinosaurs walk on objects, and so on.

There is a "Multi-camera" mode for simultaneous shooting from different angles on two or more phones. True, only Xperia-smartphones are supported.

Also, you can make 360-degree panoramas, add different frames and filters to pictures, "stream" directly from the camera application to YouTube.

Especially when it comes to video, the Xperia Z3 Compact does an excellent job with the functions of a compact camera. It can even record pretty good 4K video (don't forget to insert a capacious memory card first), 1080p videos can be done in Timeshift mode (very interesting and sophisticated slow motion).

The front camera is bright and takes clear photos, but slightly distorts the proportions (yes, this is still not a wide-angle front camera from Lumia). However, talking on Skype and taking a good selfie for Instagram is enough for her.

Offline work

Having written a review on another smartphone, I often read indignation in the spirit of “everything would be fine, but again a weak battery” in the comments. So, Xperia Z3 Compact will work without charging for a long time - you can safely leave the house without a recharging cord. What's there - you can unlearn every night to put the phone on charge. In the mode of not too active use (an hour of talks, plus an hour of browsing, plus an hour of video), the phone will last four days without charging even without using the Stamina or UltraStamina mode. If you use them, a full charge of the battery will probably last for two weeks (for obvious reasons, I did not have the opportunity to test this). Even active gamers can count on the device to last until the end of the day.

Differences Z3 and Z3 Compact - what to choose?

Despite the fact that the Z3 Compact is positioned as a smaller copy of the Z3, smartphones still have some differences, in addition to the form factor. Firstly, if the full-size flagship received FullHD resolution, then the smaller version has an HD screen. It is understandable - there are too many dots on a small display. Since the HD display requires much less resources, the manufacturer cut the amount of RAM in the Z3 Compact to 2 gigabytes (the Z3 has 3 gigabytes).

Regardless, the Z3 Compact appears to be even faster than the full-size version. Western journalists who tested the Z3 note that the device has performance sags due to overheating, and lags are not uncommon in heavy applications. But the Z3 Compact that came to our editorial office behaves almost perfectly in this regard - it does not slow down and practically does not heat up.

Also in Z3 Compact Sony reduced the battery capacity (2600 mAh versus 3100 for Z3). However, judging by the Z3 test results, the smaller flagship seems to last even longer than the full-sized one.

The Z3 Compact turned out to be thicker than the Z3 - 8.64 versus 7.3 millimeters (apparently, this is due to Sony's desire to place a powerful stuffing in a small case). However, according to the subjective opinion of the author, this only benefits the phone - if the "blades" really only benefit from a decrease in thickness, then too thin phones of small sizes usually do not sit very well in the hand and feel somehow undignified.

Choosing between Z3 and Z3 Compact should be guided almost exclusively by how you use the phone. If a large display matters to you (for example, you like to watch videos on your phone or read books), then the Z3 may be good choice. However, if you already have a tablet, for example, then I would recommend the Z3 Compact. In addition, the Z3 has a lot of competitors among the flagships - the world has not converged on Sony and among the products of Samsung, LG, Huawei or Lenovo you can easily find large smartphones with excellent characteristics. Everything is more complicated with the Z3 Compact - only the iPhone 6 plays in a similar segment (which has a larger screen, but not much). However, it is, of course, pointless to directly compare iOS and Android products.

conclusions

Z3 Compact is definitely one of the best flagships presented at IFA. Thought out to the smallest detail, comfortable, beautiful, without unnecessary bells and whistles. The novelty can be bought from Friday, September 19, for about 24 thousand rubles.

So let's sum it up:

pros:

Ergonomics

Power

Quality camera

Long battery life

Waterproof

Minuses:

Mixed speaker sound quality

For those who do not want to take a large phone with large diagonal. At the same time, it does not completely copy the body of the older version; instead of metal frames, a less “serious”, but more youthful and stylish polymer is used here. Sony has not followed the path of most companies that equip mini-flagships with processors from the middle price range, in this case The Z3 Compact has the same feature set and the same ultra-performing processor as the older Sony Xperia Z3. This will allow you to use your smartphone as gaming platform. You don't have to be afraid that a more compact, more handy phone will turn out to be a pale copy of the "big brother".

As befits a smartphone in this range, the Xperia Z3 Compact is IP68 water-resistant and passed river water and sandy silt in our tests. The battery life of the model turned out to be on top, especially in the audio player mode: the smartphone lasted about four and a half days before it was completely discharged. If earlier displays Xperia smartphones Z could be blamed for low brightness, but now this flaw has been fixed - the brightness is enough for any situation. The smartphone's camera impresses with the number of megapixels - 20.7, takes clear pictures and can easily replace your "soap box" when traveling.

It is difficult to name any serious shortcomings: the same design is an amateur matter, except that you have to tinker with plugs, inserting a SIM card into it is not so easy; and the smartphone can slip out of your hands or roll off an uneven surface; a non-removable battery can also be considered a disadvantage. In our opinion, it was possible to increase the resolution of the display, then the density of pixels per inch would catch up, and even surpass, the older versions of the flagships. Overall, the Z3 Compact proved to be the best in many ways among the smartphones we tested. It is certainly a worthy alternative to all smartphones up to 5 inches, including the iPhone 6 and Samsung's new Galaxy Alpha.

Where could I buy

Dimensions and weight - 5.0

Sony is accelerating and apparently decided to update its line of smartphones every six months, so it probably "missed" the mini version of the Xperia Z2. The last time the “younger” version came out only for the Sony Xperia Z1, and it was only 9 months before the release of the Xperia Z3 Compact. What changes have occurred in Xperia Z? Compared to the Xperia Z1 Compact, the Z3 has grown from 4.3 inches to 4.6 inches. At the same time, the length and width of the smartphone is the same - 127 × 65 mm, but the thickness has become less than 8.7 mm versus 9.5 mm. Smartphone Sony Xperia Z3 Compact dropped a few grams of weight (128 g vs. 137 g). The increase in the diagonal was mainly due to the frames at the top and bottom, but the phone still visually seems tall and "elongated". In general, these are good indicators. Smartphone Sony Xperia Z3 Compact lies well in one hand, although it is not so convenient to operate with one hand.

The front and back of the Xperia Z3 Compact is covered with glass, which picks up fingerprints more easily, but they are easy to clean off. We also note that in the older version of the Xperia Z, metal side frames are used, in this case, instead of a “noble” material, a translucent polymer is used.

Among the minuses, we note that due to the glass coating, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact smartphone easily “moves out” from inclined surfaces. In addition, glass, although protected, can become cracked if accidentally dropped on asphalt. If a smartphone should be afraid of asphalt, then there should be no problems with water, since it is protected from water and dust according to the highest standards - IP 68. By the way, the same Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is protected according to a less demanding standard - IP 67. Of course, it is unlikely that anyone will seriously swim with phones under water, rather, it is just protection against accidental drops into water or liquid spilled on the body of the device. True, it is worth noting that in the name of protection from water, it is often necessary to open and close protective plugs in order to use the connectors. We also found the location of the volume key inconvenient - in the middle of the case and you have to reach for it.

The model looks stylish, the build quality is good. We also note that the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact easily passed our moisture resistance tests, even after swimming in the river and testing with a fountain jet, the case almost does not crunch under pressure.

You can buy the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact in four colors at once: white, black, green and orange.

Screen - 4.5

The diagonal of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact display is 4.6 inches. With HD resolution (1280×720 pixels) you get a good pixel density (319 per inch) and a sharp image. The type of matrix is ​​IPS, and in fact, until recently, Sony used TN matrices for this series of smartphones. If the previous Xperia Z2 could be reproached for a dull display, then the current one no longer has problems with brightness - up to 491 cd / m2, this is a high figure. As you know, Sony uses X-Reality image enhancement technology, which should increase the clarity and brightness of the image. However, our tests showed that the maximum brightness mode did not significantly increase the maximum brightness of the image - only up to 497 cd / m2. And in the image sharpening mode, we were not able to discern any major changes. Viewing angles are good, the display does not fade in the sun, images and texts remain readable. There is an auto brightness function, but it does not work as quickly as we would like. Like most premium devices, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is compatible with gloves. The display glass is resistant to scratches, gets dirty when touched by fingers, but the traces are easily erased.

Cameras - 4.1

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact has a 20.7 MP camera. LED flash, autofocus, face detection, image stabilization, HDR mode, panorama shooting and a large selection of settings and modes for a pleasant pastime are available for you. The maximum photo resolution is 5248×3936 pixels if you configure all the settings yourself. True, it’s easier and “no worse” to shoot in Super Auto, which takes good 8-megapixel photos, the quality of which drops noticeably only in poor lighting conditions. In addition to the main camera, there is also a 2.2 megapixel front camera with the ability to shoot full HD video at 30 fps.

As for video shooting, the main camera of the smartphone can shoot 4K video – 3840 × 2160 pixels at 30 fps. Want slow motion and more frames per second? Please - shooting Full HD video at 60 fps and HD video at 120 fps. By the way, Apple iPhone 6 can do the same, plus 240 fps with HD resolution. In addition, there are a large number of effects, defocusing the background, a multi-camera with shooting a scene from different angles, the ability to add virtual scenes to videos, and much more.

Photos from the camera Sony Xperia Z3 Compact - 4.1

Working with text - 5.0

The standard keyboard in the Sony Xperia Z3 is convenient in that it has the function of entering text using strokes (Swype), extensive options for setting up dictionaries, and you can also add additional characters to the keys in the same settings. Switching between languages ​​is easy - there is a separate key for this. In addition, there is a one-handed keyboard mode: you can move it to the right or left as you like. The keyboard of the Sony Xperia Z3 can be called comfortable, but in landscape mode it takes up almost the entire screen space.

Internet - 3.0

The situation with browsers on the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is standard: preinstalled Google Chrome, with support for syncing tabs with desktop version. Multiple page scaling and separate reading mode are not supported. You can only manually set the font size of the text for a single scaling and then, by double clicking on the page, fit all the text to the selected size.

Communications - 5.0

The company, as usual, has equipped the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact with almost all possible interfaces. The device is available: dual-band Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi modem mode and support for the high-speed standard 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 low energy consumption and A2DP support, A-GPS with GLONASS support and an NFC chip. There is also support for Russian LTE frequencies. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact smartphone now works with Nano-SIM cards and micro-SD cards up to 128 GB. It also features a micro-USB 2.0 port with USB OTG and MHL support, which means you can stream high-definition video through it and connect various peripherals to the phone. In a word, only an infrared port is missing for a complete set.

Multimedia - 4.6

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact audio player supports many formats and plays MP3, FLAC, WAV files and a number of less popular formats. It's a bit of a pity, but the Xperia Z2 came with good headphones with noise-canceling technology, in this case they are not. The built-in video player supports most popular video formats. The video player also supports subtitles.

Battery - 4.0

The model has a non-removable lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 2600 mAh (recall, the Xperia Z1 Compact had 2300 mAh). In our two standard tests, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact delivered excellent battery life. The device played HD video at maximum brightness for 8.5 hours. In the mode of listening to music with the screen off, the device was discharged in 110 hours (more than 4.5 days), it already seemed to us that it would simply never be discharged. Only the Philips W6610 lasted longer in our tests - as much as 134 hours.

Performance - 4.0

Many will be pleased that the manufacturer did not save on the compact version of the flagship and did not install in it, as is usually the case, some average processor. The consumer will not have to choose between Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact, as between devices with different performance, the choice will be only in the display diagonal. So, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, like the Sony Xperia Z3, uses the Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 platform with a quad-core processor with a frequency of 2.5 GHz, an Adreno 330 graphics subsystem and 2 GB of RAM (the older model with 3 GB in this regard is all- slightly stronger). For normal operation in everyday use, in our opinion, two cores in a processor with 1 GB of RAM would be enough. It is worth noting that the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact does not experience any serious performance problems: the smartphone is fast, does not slow down and allows you to play demanding games. But, of course, if we compare the speed of work, including desktops, with the speed of the iPhone 6, then the Z3 Compact will be inferior to the apple phone.

The device is perfect for any games and applications. According to the results of our synthetic tests, the smartphone occupies one of the leading positions. For example, in the AnTuTu benchmark, the smartphone received 44834 points, and in 3D Mark Ice Storm Unlimited it got 20421 points, an incredibly huge result. The chipset used in the Sony Xperia Z3 is one of the most powerful on the market today.

Memory - 4.0

The total amount of built-in memory in the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is limited to 16 GB, about 11.5 GB is available to the user. There is a slot for a micro-SD memory card, cards up to 128 GB are supported. By the way, a “hot swap” of a memory card is also possible, you only have to open and close the waterproof plugs every time, turn off or reboot the phone.

Peculiarities

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is IP68 certified, which means it is water and dust resistant. You can drop it into the water, and if all its plugs are securely covered, then nothing will come of it to the phone. We tested the protection against water on the river and even buried it in river silt - everything works. In addition, we note the glass case, advanced smartphone interfaces and a 20 MP camera.

Smartphone works under Android system 4.4.4 with a proprietary shell from Sony: all standard applications have been redesigned and have an original look. The dialer contains Russian letters, music player can search for album covers, there is also support for third-party themes. Of the pre-installed applications, you can mark Lifelog for recording the events of your life, radio (you need a headset), office suite OfficeSuite with document viewer, Smart Connect to connect devices, a file manager, AntiVirus Pro, and for some reason, Predators was preinstalled on our sample. For the lovers of Play Station games, there is an application to launch Play Station games on the smartphone screen, it will start working from November 2014. There's also a simple Sketch app where you can play around with photos of your friends, like drawing mustaches, hats, or noses on them.

The price of the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact for the spring of 2015 averages 27,590 rubles.

Permission Apple display The iPhone 6 is a bit taller, so the image is too. Smartphone cameras, in our opinion, are quite comparable with each other in terms of image quality. The body of the iPhone 6 is metal, more compact, while the Sony Z3 Compact is made of glass, with polymer frames and water and dust protection. In terms of battery life, the iPhone 6 is noticeably inferior to the Sony smartphone, but the iPhone 6 boasts a high speed. With everything else, the amount of memory on the Xperia Z3 Compact can be increased using a memory card, which the iPhone does not have, and the price of an “apple” smartphone is much higher.

samsung galaxy Alpha is almost a champion in the compactness of the case. It has a metal frame on the sides, but no water protection. The camera of the Sony smartphone, in our opinion, is better, the USB connector supports MHL and the battery life is noticeably longer, there is support for memory cards, which the Galaxy Alpha was deprived of. In terms of performance, both devices are about the same, but in daily use, the Samsung Galaxy Alpha is slightly faster. Prices for smartphones are almost at the same level, Compact Z3 for autumn 2014 is a thousand rubles cheaper. In our opinion, the choice is not for everyone: smartphones have their own character, their strengths and weaknesses.

Samsung Galaxy S5 mini SM-G800H/DS is a simpler competitor, but also a mini-flagship. The price for it is significantly lower, it does not work with LTE and is not equipped with an NFC chip, but it is also protected from water and dust. The displays can be called similar, but the S5 mini has a fingerprint scanner. The processor of the Galaxy S5 mini is weaker, but in everyday use you will hardly notice the difference. The Xperia Z3 Compact battery proved to be more tenacious. But the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini SM-G800H/DS is perfect for those who need dual SIM support, but having a budget phone is not enough.