Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone

Photo: Juandev via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Sony

Sony Xperia Z3

September 19, 2014 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Xperia Z3 is an Android smartphone released in 2014, known for its premium glass and metal design, IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance, and a capable 20.7 MP camera. It was a flagship device in the Xperia Z series, offering a vibrant display and unique PS4 Remote Play integration.
Display5.2" IPS LCD, 1080x1920 pixels
ChipsetSnapdragon 801
Main Camera20.7 MP, 2160p video
Battery3100 mAh
Starting from $66

💰 Sony Xperia Z3 Price

The Sony Xperia Z3 lowest price is $66, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD, Triluminos display, X-Reality Engine
Size5.2 inches
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating

Platform

OSAndroid 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC)
CPUQuad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400
GPUAdreno 330

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot), up to 128 GB
Internal16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM

Main Camera

Single20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", AF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR

Selfie Camera

Single2.2 MP, f/2.8
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 3100 mAh, non-removable
ChargingFast charging 18W (Quick Charge 2.0)

Body

Dimensions146 x 72 x 7.3 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.28 in)
Weight152 g (5.36 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
SIMNano-SIM
IP RatingIP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, aptX
PositioningGPS, GLONASS
NFCYes
RadioFM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG

Launch

Announced2014, September 04
StatusReleased 2014, September 19

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Premium and durable build quality with IP68 rating
  • Excellent display with good brightness and color reproduction
  • Capable 20.7 MP camera with 4K video recording
  • Good battery life for its time
  • Unique PS4 Remote Play integration

Cons

  • Design was an incremental update from previous models
  • Front camera is only 2.2 MP
  • Software updates eventually ended (up to Android 6.0)
  • Non-removable battery
  • Glass back can be fragile
★ Our Verdict

The Sony Xperia Z3 offered a premium design, strong camera, and good battery life for its era, coupled with unique water resistance and PS4 integration, though its design evolution was incremental.

The Sony Xperia Z3 is a vintage smartphone from 2014. While it boasted impressive features for its time, such as a water-resistant design, a high-resolution camera, and a vibrant display, it is now significantly outdated. It no longer receives software updates, meaning it lacks modern security patches and app compatibility. Performance will be slow compared to current devices, and battery degradation is likely. It is not recommended for daily use but could be a collector's item or a secondary device for very basic tasks if found at an extremely low price. Consider newer, budget-friendly Android phones for a much better experience.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Sony Xperia Z3 Handset
  • USB Cable
  • Wall Charger
  • Documentation
  • SIM Ejector Tool

Sony typically offered a one-year limited warranty for its smartphones at the time of release.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Sony Xperia Z3 released?

The Sony Xperia Z3 was officially unveiled in September 2014 and first released in Taiwan on September 19, 2014.

Is the Sony Xperia Z3 waterproof?

Yes, the Sony Xperia Z3 is IP65/IP68 certified, meaning it is dust and water-resistant, capable of being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes.

What kind of camera does the Sony Xperia Z3 have?

It features a 20.7 MP main camera with an f/2.0 aperture and a 1/2.3" sensor, capable of recording 4K video.

What operating system does the Sony Xperia Z3 run?

The Sony Xperia Z3 launched with Android 4.4.4 KitKat and was upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Does the Sony Xperia Z3 support expandable storage?

Yes, the Sony Xperia Z3 has a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for expandable storage up to 128 GB.

Can the Sony Xperia Z3 be used for gaming?

For its time, it was capable of gaming, and it uniquely featured PS4 Remote Play, allowing users to stream and play PlayStation 4 games on the phone.