I try not to editorialize TOO much while covering press releases, but I am bothered by the “bigger is better” trend in smartphones. Flagships are starting to blur the boundaries between “regular” sized and “phablet”. Mini phones are almost always hamstrung versions of their larger stablemates. In Android land, there is exactly one mini phone which still retains higher-end specs, and Sony just gave it a refresh.
The Z3 Compact steps down to a 4.6″ display with a 720p resolution, it loses 1GB of RAM (down to 2GB), and it packs a smaller battery at 2600 mAh versus its big brother’s 3100 mAh. Besides those, it retains almost all of the hardware from the larger Z3. You’ll find the same Qualcomm 801 Quad-Core processor. Both have stereo speakers, and water submerge-able builds.
The Compact has the same 1/2.3″ camera sensor packing 20MP, 4K video, and optical image stabilization. Plus Sony will be bringing PS4 remote play to both the Z3 and the Compact for you console gamers out there.
It’s a largely premier specs sheet. At a time when even Apple will be moving up in screen size, and with the mid-range market getting hammered, Sony is providing a shot in the arm to a segment of the smartphone market which is often ignored. Pricing and availability will follow soon, and you can read Sony’s full PR below.
Unrivalled battery stamina, the best camera and camcorder1 and PS4™ Remote Play2 for the first time, all with the highest waterproofing rating3 available in a choice of two sizes
3rd September 2014, IFA, Berlin – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”)today introduces its new Xperia™ Z series flagship smartphones – Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact. Whether it’s with a brilliant 5.2” flagship smartphone or the compact 4.6” form factor, both premium smartphones combine all of the details that make Xperia smartphones great – including the highest level of waterproofing3, enhanced camera experiences and applications, up to two-day battery life4, our best audio quality and PS4™ Remote Play2.
“At Sony Mobile, ‘flagship’ now means offering a choice to consumers of enjoying a large screen Xperia Z3 for immersive entertainment or a more compact, lighter Xperia Z3 Compact that doesn’t ask you to compromise on features,” says Kunimasa Suzuki, President & CEO, Sony Mobile Communications. “Consumers demand and deserve greatness from their smartphone – in design, camera and battery life. That’s precisely what we aim to deliver with Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact, at the same time as delivering leading innovations such as unique Sony camera experiences and, for the first time, PS4 Remote Play in two beautifully designed, fully waterproof smartphones.”
A fusion of engineering and design
Xperia Z3 blends design and engineering craftsmanship to deliver beauty that will stand the test of time. Its 7.3mm super-slim rounded aluminium frame and durable tempered glass panels showcases superior craftsmanship that is available in your choice of a new range of colours including white, black, copper or silver green[i]. At just 152 grams with an easy-to-use interface and symmetrical design, it feels right at home in your hand.
For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z3 Compact’s rounded liquid reflection frame with tempered glass panels gives it and elegant, premium finish. The only smartphone to deliver uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design that is just 8.6mm thick and 129 grams, Xperia Z3 Compact’s design is perfect for one-handed use. Enjoy bold style with Xperia Z3 Compact’s unique colour range including orange and green, in addition to the classic white and black.
Delivering the highest waterproof rating, both are fully waterproof3 (IP 65/68), so you can take your Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact with you wherever you go – whether you’re answering a call in the rain or taking pictures in the pool.
Beautiful design is matched with powerful performance thanks to the fully integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 processor[ii] with 2.5 GHz quad-core CPU with 4G LTE modem for lightning fast browsing, immersive multimedia experiences and stunning visuals.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about your smartphone being ready when you are – with optimal battery performance, Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact push the capabilities of power to give you a long-lasting battery life of up to two days4. Or, get even more from your battery with Sony’s Battery STAMINA Mode, which turns off background functions when you’re not using them to help extend your battery life.
The world’s best camera and camcorder in a smartphone1
Capture the moments that matter in the highest quality with stunning detail – anytime, anywhere. Drawing on years of expertise from Sony’s award-winning Cyber-shot™ and Handycam™ technologies, Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact deliver superior image quality whether it’s in low-light, on the move or even underwater.
The 1/2.3” ExmorRS™ for mobile sensor and BIONZ™ for mobile processing engine work together to give you photos and videos in sharp and vivid detail. Plus, you can fit more into every shot with the new 25mm wide-angle Sony G Lens. If you’re capturing a photo of a stunning sunset, take advantage of the world’s first ISO 12800 sensitivity in a smartphone5 for better detail, even in low light.
Shooting a video? Sony’s new and improved SteadyShot™ technology with Intelligent Active Mode compensates for your movements, analysing dozens of backwards and forward frames, to predict your next steps and make panning smoother and images more stable.
For those most important memories, record clips in super-clear 4K resolution at four times Full HD. Plus, the advanced video mode on Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact means you can pause and resume filming, so you can be sure to capture the perfect moment in one file.
New social camera apps and editing features will take your camera experience to the next level. Capture an event and your reaction to it at the same time with Face in. Add scribbles and animations to pictures with AR fun. Create a movie from your photos and videos with Movie creator. Record from multiple angles with up to three compatible Xperia devices filming at the same time with Multi-camera. Or add sound to a photo with Sound Photo.
All of these new camera apps are added to a wide range of popular Xperia camera apps accessible directly from your camera’s viewfinder, including Background defocus, Live on YouTube – by Xperia™ and Timeshift video.
Tune in with an audio powerhouse
The mobile music experience just got re-invented. Sony’s rich audio expertise comes through in every beat with incredible High-Resolution Audio, so you can hear every track just as the artist intended when using Hi-Res Audio headphones such as Sony’s new MDR-1A range. For those tracks that aren’t in Hi-Res quality, Sony’s ground-breaking DSEE HX technology – available now for the first time in our Z3 series – ‘upscales’ the fidelity of your MP3 or AAC music collection as well as your playlists on Sony’s cloud-based digital music service,Music Unlimited8, to near High-Resolution quality.
To enjoy your favourite music without interruption, the Xperia Z3 series brings Sony’s Digital Noise Cancelling technology to the smartphone. Ambient noise is reduced by up to 98% when paired with the MDR-NC31EM Digital Noise Cancelling headset – perfect for that busy commute or tuning out the background in a noisy office.
The front-facing stereo speakers with S-Force Front Surround™ play everything loud and crystal clear for those moments when you want to set your sounds free.
Unrivalled entertainment with the only smartphones with PS4™ Remote Play2
Sony has engineered a revolution in gaming technology with the addition of PS4™ Remote Play on the Xperia Z3 series. The only smartphones with PS4 Remote Play, you can now use your Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact as a remote screen to connect to and control your games on PS4. For those times when the TV is being used, simply connect your Xperia smartphone to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller with the GCM10 Game Control Mount to continue playing games anywhere at home on Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact.
Additionally, the PlayStation®App lets you use your Xperia Z3 or Xperia Z3 Compact as a second screen to remotely watch the game play of your friends, communicate with PSN™ friends, or purchase PS4 games and download to PS4.
The world’s brightest display of leading premium smartphones9
Whether you’re playing a game or watching a movie, your entertainment is enhanced with Sony’s latest TV technologies. With an ultra-bright display, both smartphones deliver a visual brilliance for a truly great entertainment experience. Combined with Sony’s TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile with Live Colour LED, X-Reality for mobile and intuitive contrast enhancement, both Xperia Z3’s 5.2” Full HD display and the 4.6” 720p HD display on Xperia Z3 Compact are sharp and vivid even in bright sunlight.
Convenient connectivity and security
Switching to Sony has never been easier. Just open up the Xperia Transfer Mobile app and a few simple actions later, all of your existing music, photos, contacts and more from your old Android, iOS or Windows smartphone will be ready and waiting for you on your new Xperia.
With NFC compatibility it’s even easier to connect devices and share with more than 160 Sony One-touch enabled products – such as headphones, TVs and SmartWear including the new SmartBand Talk SWR30.
Bringing Your Own Device to work? It couldn’t be easier. Work from anywhere with the advanced Xperia Email, Calendar and Contacts apps, which can be synced using Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® (EAS) and use your favourite business apps from the Android community. And for those switching between work and play, Xperia Z3 is also available in a Dual SIM variant in select markets so you keep both accounts running in one sleek smartphone.
For the full specifications of Xperia Z3, please visit: http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-z3/specifications/
For the full specifications of Xperia Z3 Compact, please visit: http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-z3-compact/specifications/