Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
HSPA+, LTE
D5833: TD-LTE | |
First released | 4 October 2014[1]
13 October 2014[2] 12 November 2014 (United States) (Japan, SO-02G variant exclusively forTouchscreen smartphone | (Singapore)
---|---|
Form factor | Slate, Omni-Balance |
Dimensions | 127.3 mm (5.01 in) H 64.9 mm (2.56 in) W 8.6 mm (0.34 in) D |
Mass | 129 g (4.6 oz) |
Operating system | Android 4.4.4 KitKat (launch) Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow (current) LED flash |
Front camera | 2.2 MP |
Connectivity | List
|
Data inputs | IP65/IP68 (Dust protected, Water jet protected & Waterproof) Remote Play Magnetic charging port Osaifu-Keitai (SO-02G variant only) NOTTV (SO-02G variant only) POBox Plus (SO-02G variant only) |
SAR | Head 0.95 W/kg Body 1.00 W/kg |
Website | Official website |
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is an
Design
The Z3 Compact is designed with what Sony describes as "omni-balance", which is focused on balance and symmetry. Instead of a metal frame, the phone has curved edges and translucent plastic with tempered glass on the front and back.[3] Measuring 8.6 mm thick, the device is thicker than the Z3, but is lighter, weighing at 129 g, due to its smaller size.[4]
Specifications
Hardware
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact features a 4.6 inch
It comes with a 20.7 megapixel camera, the same as the Z3, with an Exmor RS sensor and an ISO rating of 12800, designed to improve image quality in low light conditions. The camera features Sony G Lens, which is aimed at giving a wider frame for taking photos, and is also capable of filming in 4K.[6]
On the inside, the Xperia Z3 Compact features a quad-core
Software
The Z3 Compact initially ran Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Sony's custom launcher and some additional applications, such as Sony's media applications (Walkman, Album and Movies). The Z3 Compact can play PlayStation 4 games via Remote Play.[7]
Sony began an upgrade for both the Z3 Compact and the Z3 to Android 5.0 "Lollipop" and announced upgrades for other Xperia Z devices in March 2015. Starting in July 2015, Sony released an Android 5.1.1 update for the Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact, with the other Xperia Z devices following shortly after. On 6 October 2015, Sony confirmed that the Xperia Z3 Compact will be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.[8] Sony released the official Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update in April 2016.[9]
The bootloader can be unlocked on both Z3 Compact and Z3 in order to install a custom ROM, but will void the warranty and delete the DRM keys, disabling the camera noise reduction feature and access to Sony Entertainment Network.[10]
Reception
Critical reception
The Z3 Compact received generally positive reviews, with
Issues
The Z3 Compact has been widely reported to develop two serious issues:
- The touchscreen starts to fail at the top and bottom edges; this becomes critical when the virtual back/home/menu navigation buttons stop working. A workaround from the Sony support forum Archived 2020-01-23 at the Wayback Machine uses Minimal ADB to reduce the usable screen height (adb shell wm overscan 0,30,0,30); another workaround is to use third party virtual button software. As an emergency measure, a mouse can be connected using an on-the-go USB cable.
- With Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), Bluetooth blocks deep sleep mode and the battery drains quickly. Turning off Bluetooth is a work-around.
References
- ^ "Sony to launch Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact in Singapore". TwentyFirstTech. 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Unlocked Xperia Z3 Compact available to order in the US". Xperia Blog. 13 Oct 2014.
- ^ a b "Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review: Not your usual suspect". GSM Arena. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
- ^ "Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review". PC Pro. 15 Oct 2014. Retrieved 17 Dec 2014.
- Sony Mobile Communications
- ^ "Time to step out of big brother's shadow?". TechRadar. December 10, 2014.
- ^ a b "Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review: A better deal than the Z3 and most smartphones". PC Advisor. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "Sony Xperia and Android 6.0, Marshmallow". Xperia Blog. 6 October 2015. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
- ^ "Android Marshmallow officially arrives on the Xperia Z2, Z3 and Z3 Compact". Xperia Blog. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ "Unlockbootloader - Developer World". Sony Mobile.
- ^ "Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact review". The Verge. Oct 3, 2014. Retrieved Dec 17, 2014.
- ^ "Little big phone: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, a toothsome hand-fulla Android". The Register. 17 Dec 2014. Retrieved 18 Dec 2014.