Sony Xperia Z3 Compact Pro Reviews

So if you’re in the market for a compact Android device that doesn’t sacrifice on specs, get the Xperia Z3 Compact. It doesn’t just win by default: it’s actually a really good device.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is the only high-end, smaller Android phone available in the U.S., but it's not without its flaws.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact and the Apple iPhone 6 are two of the best smartphones for people looking for a reasonably sized mobile sidekick.The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact has little competition in the Android market where most flagships are larger, but when comparing it to the iPhone 6, it goes short of breath in a couple of areas. The iPhone 6 for instance is the more powerful device, as the Apple A8 outperforms the Snapdragon 801. The Apple smartphone also captures the better images, and still feels a bit more premium. The Z3 Compact, on its part, has its forte in the remarkably long-lasting battery that can go for a full 2 days even with more intense use. That's quite the achievement, and the contrast with the rather mediocre iPhone 6 battery is definitely noticeable. Those differences seem to even out when you consider price - the Z3 Compact is the more affordable one, selling at an off-contract price of around $500, while the iPhone 6 starts at $650. Now that you know about the pros and cons of each, just make the choice that would better fit your usage.

Geez, it was a tough battle between those two, seeing that they sport very similar specs and performance. The Galaxy Alpha has a thinner body than the Z3 Compact, but the latter is thicker for a reason, flaunting a water-tight chassis, and a large battery that delivers record endurance. The Alpha is the winner when it comes to screen quality – it can offer these oversaturated colors that the AMOLEDs are known for, but can also be pretty accurate in its basic mode. The Z3 Compact, on the other hand, has one of the coldest screens we've seen. When it comes to camera quality, the Galaxy Alpha has faster focus, as well as a more versatile 4K video recording with better audio, yet the picture quality is on par with the Z3 Compact outdoors, and slightly worse in low-light. The Z3 Compact's extra design feature – its stereo speakers at the front – are arguably a more useful addition than Samsung's stand-out fingerprint scanner, too. The Galaxy Alpha also loses the battery life and call quality match, as well as the price battle – the Sony Z3 Compact is currently $150 cheaper than the Alpha, so you will be voting with your wallet as well.

The Xperia Z3 compact is great little smartphone offering pretty much everything available on the full-size Z3 (including PS4 Remote Play and High-Res audio) apart from a Full HD screen. The new design is thinner and lighter plus the display is bigger than previously. At £349, this is not only the best mini smartphone you can buy, it's one of the best smartphones around.

Sony’s pint-sized smartphone packs in a host of premium features without the high-end price

There's a lot to really like about the Xperia Z3 Compact. Though Sony seems to be putting out new Xperia Z models every six months, you get the feeling that with each iteration it is steadily improving the formula. Sony has also avoided offering a severely cut down version of its flagship device. Where other manufacturers will cut the specifications of the mini variants, the Xperia Z3 Compact keeps a lot of the features of the bigger Z3, making the compact an excellent choice if you fancy the Z3, but are not too sure about the large size of the handset. The integration of Sony's services and their appeal will depend on how invested you are in the Sony ecosystem. The PlayStation 4 remote play feature probably has the biggest mainstream appeal, and I'm looking forward to testing the feature when it goes live. However, with other Android devices being able to use this feature (though after being rooted), this may dull the impact of this 'exclusive' feature. Heat issues are my biggest disappointment with the Xperia Z3. I don't mind a handset getting warm when being used from time to time, but when it starts to affect the performance of certain apps and features it spoils what usually is a very impressive experience. However, if you are looking for a feature-packed phone that looks fantastic and performs brilliantly, then you'll be very pleased with the Xperia Z3 Compact. Just don't expect to shoot epic 4K movies with it.

The Xperia Z3 Compact takes the successful formula of the Z1 Compact and makes it better in practically every way: the glass panel contributes to a more premium feel, colors are livelier, and the handset is thinner, lighter and water-proof; it keeps the same petite dimensions, but gets a larger, 4.6” screen; the processor is the newer and faster Snapdragon 801; the camera is a good performer; and the battery is a class above most. The topping on the cake is price: the Z3 Compact launches with a full retail price of Euro 499, nearly 25% cheaper than a flagship. It’s also much cheaper than its main Android rival - the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, which starts at €599. The Galaxy Alpha is similar in terms of features and premium design, but its price swings the scales in Z3 Compact’s favor. In the land of ‘minis’, the HTC One mini 2 looks like the most viable alternative: it’s got great design as an advantage, and a decent camera, but it’s underpowered in comparison with the Z3 Compact. The Galaxy S5 mini lacks the premium design, but is also a well-rounded ‘mini’. Both alternatives have a much lower price that plays to their advantage, though.