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Where to buy Sony's Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact
It's a pretty interesting time to be in the market for a new mobile. Over the past month, we've seen Samsung's Galaxy Alpha and Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch, not to mention Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 will join that list in a few weeks. And as if you didn't have a hard enough choice already, Sony's latest handsets are now available in the UK, too. With a design that's almost identical to the company's previous flagship, the Xperia Z3 crams future-proof specs into a thinner and lighter package. The Xperia Z3 Compact is for those who prefer a smaller device, and while some specs like screen resolution have taken a hit in the shrinking process, the Z3's powerful chipset and camera have made a full transition to the miniature model. But how much are they, and where can I get 'em?! Woah, calm down with the questions there buddy -- we got you covered.
A closer look at Sony's Xperia Z3 flagship
The Xperia Z2 is just over six months old, but Sony's intent on staying ahead of the curve with the new Xperia Z3, announced today. With a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, a whopping three gigs of RAM and various other high-end components, like a 20.7-megapixel camera, we're talking about serious future-proofing, even if it's still a relatively incremental upgrade over its predecessor. Sporting more or less the same omnibalance design with aluminum detailing round the perimeter, you're going to need to be a fan Sony's previous work to appreciate the Z3. Anyone who may've found the Z2 unwieldy, however, might see the more refined, newer flagship as a viable option.
Sony announces its latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z3
We hope you weren't getting too comfy with the months-old Xperia Z2 -- Sony has just unveiled another range-topping Android smartphone, the Xperia Z3. It's really a subtle evolution of its predecessor. You'll still find a 5.2-inch, 1080p display, a 20.7-megapixel camera and waterproofing, but there's now a more rounded aluminum frame. Sony has also added a new, wide-angle 25mm lens (to fit more into a shot) and extra-high ISO 12,800 light sensitivity. It's a little bit faster as well, with a speed-bumped 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor instead of the 2.3GHz chip you saw in the Z2.
The Xperia Z3 Compact is a cut-down version of Sony's latest flagship
Sony may've decided against making a pint-sized variant of its previous leading device, but not this generation. The company's announced at its IFA press conference the Xperia Z3 Compact, a smaller version of the new flagship also revealed today. Here's the thing to remember about the smaller variant -- it packs the same quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 chipset under the hood, 20.7-megapixel rear camera (complete with Sony's Exmor RS sensor) and the same sort of rounded waterproof chassis as its big brother. It's the screen that differs most dramatically -- we're looking at a 4.6-inch Triluminos display running at 720p, a pretty significant step down from the 5.2-inch 1080p panel that graces the full-size Z3. Yeah, we know, a 720p screen seems downright passé these days, but it might be a small price to pay for someone tired of all these pocket-busting phablets floating around out there. Of course, you can also expect that slightly less impressive screen to drive the Z3 Compact's price tag down, though at this point we're not entirely sure how much cheaper it'll be than the Z3 when it launches this fall. Update: Check out our hands-on for a deeper look.
