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Somewhere along the line manufacturers decided flagship phones should be big and mid-range phones should be small. Frankly, this sucks. Especially if you have small hands or tight pockets. Sony abides by this unwritten rule with their 5.2-inch Xperia Z3, but they buck the trend with the newly announced Z3 compact. It’s the perfect combination of reasonable size and flagship features
There are three major differences between the Z3 and the Compact: 4.6-inch display, 720p resolution, and plastic frame. That’s it. A 720p display at this size is perfectly adequate, and the plastic frame has a very nice translucent effect. Almost everything else about the Compact is pretty much the same as the Z3, which is a really big deal.
Most notably is the same great 20MP camera. Usually when you buy a device of this stature you have to sacrifice a flagship camera. That’s not the case with the Z3 Compact. It also supports Sony’s PS4 Remote Play feature. Other specs include the Snapdragon 801 processor. !P86 waterproofing, and 2600mAh battery. If you’re looking for a phone that doesn’t require two hands to use, this is the one for you.
The Xperia Z3 Compact will be released this Fall. Sony did not mention carriers or pricing. We hope it comes to the U.S. Would you buy one?
Bring it to Verizon Sony. I’ll ditch my GS5 in a flash
Agreed… some variant of the Z3 on VZW and I am all over it like flies on poo.
No! Bring it to T-Mobile!!!!!!
Two hands to use? Which phone would that be? I one hand my Note 3 and I don’t exactly have big hands.
This looks like the almost perfect phone for me but I hear it will be a T – Mobile exclusive. I like how the S pen works with the Note but I can not easily reach the top of the screen one handed. I would love something this size and specs with a Wacom stylus. Note 4 mini?
I’m torn.
I’ve been with HTC since the G1/Dream. I’ve had no issues with them, and I like what they do. But the M8 is too big for my hands, and the Mini versions don’t give me a reason to upgrade my M7.
The Z3 Compact seems nice. I liked my last Sony phone, from back when the division was still Sony/Ericsson, and cameras were optional… But I have boycott-level issues with SCEA and SME.
The only other smaller options were the Moto X and the Nexus, both supposedly joining the >5″ crowd soon.
I think I may just have to sit on my M7 until next year’s batch unless something *really* grabs me.
Seriously, go the bigger screen. You won’t regret it. Within the first week or two you don’t even notice how big it is anymore. I prefer using two hands with a phone 90% of the time anyway. But that’s just me.
That’s what everyone said when I went from the Sensation to the M7.
I am borderline regretting it now. I still don’t use two hands reflexively, and instead try to reach for the upper corner first.
Even if I used two hands 90% of the time that leaves 10% of the time I couldn’t effectively use my phone because the screen was to big. So 10% of the time I can’t use my phone, that doesn’t work for me! I’d rather put up with a slightly smaller screen and know I can use my phone effectively all the time. As an owner of a z1 compact, easily a one handed device for my size hands, I’d say I use my phone this way about 50% of the time. If I really need a bigger device I’ll bring my Nexus 7 (2013) that still fits in my back pocket.
That makes no sense at all to me. I really think that kind of logic is flawed.
Back at ya! Although I originally refrained from implying you were flawed.
Perfect size and specs. Expecting an awesome camera. HTC One M7 was able to have FHD in 4.7, why not the new minis? I still want it.
FHD is a gimmick with a screen this size… a battery wasting one at that. I went from a 1080 5″ screen to a 720 4.7″ screen, and any negligible advantage in sharpness isn’t worth the extra battery power it would consume.
Ip86? Seriously ?
Smaller battery?
I am ready to try a Sony… and this is the one I want to try.
Had an HTC One M7 but missing a more pocket friendly phone (especially since i work out doors) I ended up importing a Z1 Compact (before it was available in the states). The only thing I miss from my One M7 is the speakers. That’s it. The battery life is amazing on the Compact even though it’s not the biggest. Guessing this is mainly due to the 4.3 inch display. I notice no difference between the 1080p and 720 either. Again guessing because of the smaller screen. If I didn’t already happily own the Z1 Compact I would be all over this. It wasn’t until I got the Z1C that I realized how much I missed having a phone with a great form factor.
YES! I want one NOW!!!
anyone else read this report elsewhere?
http://www.phonedog.com/2014/09/03/sony-xperia-z3-headed-to-verizon-wireless-report-claims/
I’m worried that the carriers are not going to pick this up. If not, I hope Sony offers it anyway on their website, unlocked and under $500.