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Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony Xperia XZ3
...


8.2/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia XZ3 currently has an Informr score of 8.2 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 34 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

While it might not provide the best camera on the market, the Sony Xperia XZ3 combines a range of capable features into one stylish bundle.

What's good

  • Beautiful design
  • Amazing display
  • Smooth performance
  • IP 65/68 waterproofing

What's bad

  • Poor fingerprint sensor placement
  • Average battery life
  • Good camera -- but not as good as the competition

Sony might not be a leader in the Android market, but that hasn’t kept the company from churning out high-end phones every six months. The Xperia XZ3 isn’t a huge leap from the XZ2 , but does it offer a solid upgrade to their last release? 

The XZ2 was a huge departure from previous iterations and while the XZ3 doesn’t stray too much, reviewers called it “stunning.” It comes in five different color options, but all include IP65/68 waterproofing as well as glass front and rear. 

The edges are much softer than previous models, making it more comfortable to grip. But the glass means it’s slippery and a fingerprint magnet. While thicker than other smartphones, it’s thinner than the XZ2 and weighs only 193 grams (0.42 lbs). 

While it might look great, the overall layout isn’t perfect. Many found the fingerprint sensor too low, which often led to them accidentally placing their finger on the camera lens instead. 

Perhaps the biggest difference between the XZ3 and its competitors is its lack of a notch. Instead, Sony kept the blackout bars above and below the screen. While it might make the phone a little tall (6.22 inches), it provides a more immersive viewing experience overall.

Speaking of the viewing experience, the 6-inch OLED display provides excellent sharpness thanks to its 2960-by-1440 resolution. 

As expected of OLED, the blacks are dark and inky while the colors are vibrant and punchy. When critics compared it side-by-side to similarly priced flagships, they discovered that it was sharper than the iPhone X with more realistic colors than the Samsung Galaxy S9 . TechRadar called it, “the best smartphone screen ever made.”

There are no issues with performance either. The Xperia XZ3 comes with a Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB of RAM. While less than other smartphones in its price range, experts had no issues with navigating the phone’s menus or opening apps. Games and other processor-intensive apps worked seamlessly with no hiccups.

Battery life was average. Reviewers hit a full day’s worth of use from the 3,330mAh battery during moderate to heavy use. The phone also has fast charging, allowing a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.

While other companies are opting for a dual-lens rear camera, Sony stayed with a 19MP single-lens rear camera -- the same lens used on the XZ1 . Despite this, it surprised reviewers with the improvements on offer compared to earlier models. They noticed much better image quality overall -- especially in regard to low-light performance. 

With that said, when compared to cameras found on flagship phones like the iPhone XS and Google Pixel 2, it lags behind. In good lighting situations, it takes excellent pictures, yet experts noticed it struggles with dynamic range, often blowing out the highlights.

In medium-to-low light, they found grain creeping in sooner when compared to other phones like the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 .

Overall, reviewers were happy with the XZ3 despite its high price tag. Engadget states, “The Xperia XZ3 is a pretty, powerful flagship phone... You’re not going to be disappointed if you do spring for the XZ3…” Pocket-Lint adds, “The Sony Xperia XZ3 is the Xperia flagship we’ve been waiting a very long time to see.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.7 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.7 GHz
6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
6"
19+ MP, f/2.0
Camera
Camera
19+ MP, f/2.0
3330 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Photography Blog
Photography Blog

The Sony Xperia XZ3 is a smartphone which can produce some good images, but it’s not one that is likely to be at the top of most people’s wishlists – aside from those who are particularly fond of the Sony brand.

- Amy Davies, Photography Blog
DxOMark
DxOMark

In good conditions, the Sony Xperia XZ3 is capable of capturing images with good exposure, pleasant color, and high levels of detail. However, the single-lens setup and a lack of sophisticated computational imaging methods means that in more challenging situations, the Sony gets to its limits quicke...

- Lars Rehm, DxOMark
GSMArena
GSMArena

If you look at it as a mid-ranger and don't especially value software snappiness in your phone, it's a good choice. There's just nothing mind-blowing about it, and we can't help but feel that Sony is intent on basically performing a magic trick with this device, drawing your attention away from the...

- GSMArena
Android Authority
Android Authority

While Sony's sensors are praised by the whole industry, it takes more to make an overall good smartphone camera. The Sony Xperia XZ3 can take some nice shots, but nothing stands out over the competition.

- Edgar Cervantes, Android Authority
G Style Magazine
G Style Magazine

Over the time I used the Xperia XZ3, it felt premium, battery life is good and the screen was fantastic. I think it’s better than most screens on a smartphone except for maybe the Galaxy series phones which I would debate you about. Watching content on this phone or even just looking at the screen y...

- Mike Bitter, G Style Magazine


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia XZ3 user manual here.


Sony backs up the Xperia XZ3 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia XZ3 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
6"

The Sony Xperia XZ3's screen size is 6 inches with 1440 x 2880 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.7 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SDM845 Octa core 2.7 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 9.0 Pie operating system (OS).

Camera
19+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 19+ MP, f/2.0 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 13+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 512 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
3330mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 3330 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 1600 minutes, 650 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia XZ3 Specs

Overview
Release Date October 5, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 9.0 Pie

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SDM845 Octa core 2.7 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.868 W/kg
Body: 1.070 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 512 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
19+ Megapixels, f/2.0
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, White balance, HDR, Slow motion recording
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology OLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1440 x 2880 pixels
Pixel Density 537 pixels
Size 6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Triluminos display, X-Reality Engine
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 3330 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging Yes
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 630 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 650 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 461 minutes
Talk Time Up to 1600 minutes
Standby Time Up to 22 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Glass
Colors Black, White Silver, Forest Green, Bordeaux Red
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.8 x 7.3 x 0.99 cm (6.2 x 2.9 x 0.4 in)
Weight 193 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Yes
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack No
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia XZ3 Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia XZ3
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