Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - Xperia Z3 4G Cell Phone with 16GB Memory (Unlocked)
Average customer rating
3.8
(60 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 60 reviews
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
3
1 Star
12
70%of customers recommend this product.
(
40 out of
57)
Customer Reviews for Sony - Xperia Z3 4G Cell Phone with 16GB Memory (Unlocked)
Posted by: notsosure
Verified Purchase:Yes
I have been very happy with the Xperia Z3. The overall design with this handset is the best in its class. The size is large, but not unwieldy. The screen is beautiful, but not over saturated. The thing that makes this phone excellent is that it hits all the important features a modern smartphone should be good at and then does extra things. Basic functionality like a good camera, adequate storage space, fast processor, and large battery are all there. Sony then adds a well designed waterproofing to go above and beyond what is truly needed. Other nice to haves are the SD card slot and the magnetic charging port.
On the software side of things, this device has a simple take on the Android OS. I've experienced a couple takes on Android, first the Galaxy S II, then the Nexus 4, and the Moto X. This device is much closer to the Google designed Android than the Samsung Touchwiz styling. I like the Google approach best, but Sony's work here is good. Sony's changes aren't obtrusive to the point that it turns me off like Samsung's. Though I would prefer less changes to Android like Motorola has done with it's recent handsets, the changes Sony has made would not deter me at all. I would not even feel it necessary to install a custom ROM like I did with the Galaxy S II.
Bottomline: If this handset is in your budget range, then it should be a top contender for purchase. No gimmicks, just a solid device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: Gokul
Verified Purchase:Yes
I recently purchased Xperia Z3 D6603. I was using Xperia Z before. Migration was very easy and fast. Battery life is far better than any other android phone. Awesome rear camera. Overall worth it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: MrsTurner
Verified Purchase:Yes
I was debating on switching to the Z3 or the Galaxy S5 after my Sony Acro S phone stopped working after 2 years.(By the way that was an awesome phone!) But I ended up going with the Z3 mainly because of the awesome camera. I take a lot of pictures both personally and commercially, so the 20.7MP camera is absolutely breathtaking! The screen is also a little bigger than the S5 as I compared it to my Hubby's and was actually shocked that mine was bigger. The only thing I miss is the HDMI port that was on my Acro S, that I would use to hook up my phone to so I could show my pictures slideshows and presentations on the TV to family, friends and associates. I don't have a smart TV so, the screen mirroring is pointless. I was informed that Sony carries a cable to convert USB to HDMI, so this may be a solution for me. Otherwise, a very sleek and beautifully designed phone. KUDOS Sony!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: MariJoe
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is the best phone I've ever had. It has everything I was looking for. Great camera, great screen and, best of all, excellent battery life. I love my Z3.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Posted by: PlutoG
Verified Purchase:Yes
Its a great phone and I absolutely love it. But what's the point? Sony announced they are selling off the Mobile Phone business just like they did after I bought an expensive (and awesome) Sony VAIO laptop, which I still use. I would love to give 5 stars but knowing they are not committed to this product line, I can't consciously give higher rating.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
One of the best Android phones out there
on June 18, 2015
Posted by: tedr
I bought this through my carrier 5 days ago only because my former phone (cracked screen with missing glass) finally gave out. I had researched this model before and three things stood out:
1) 1 button connectivity to my Sony TV
2) the camera
3) the screen (Trimulous display)
1) 1 button connectivity to my Sony TV
2) the camera
3) the screen (Trimulous display)
I was very skeptical since it is a quad core but only 32 bit. I expected to notice the difference (my two year old Nexus 5 was 64 bit) and have been waiting for months(!!!!) for the Z4 release.
I am glad I chose this over other options despite being locked from my carrier (was able to get the SIM unlocked and found a way to unlock the bootloader too),
Good:
Android update to 5.0.2 immediately available
Amazing screen colors
Excellent photo applications (thanks Sony!)
Nice size internal storage (25 GB available)
SD card slot that can handle 128 GB SD cards!
Quick boot time
Very nice sound (speaker) when playing music without earbuds
One touch to mirror screen to a compatible TV
(Did not pair with the TV at all until the Andoriid update!)
Sony versions of music player etc are NICE without being
bloated spam-ware found on devices from other makers
Very nice app switching speed
Nicer app closing interface than stock Android
Many scene presets for picture/video
Battery life seems very good, although I have not fully tested that
by using bluetooth gadgets
Android update to 5.0.2 immediately available
Amazing screen colors
Excellent photo applications (thanks Sony!)
Nice size internal storage (25 GB available)
SD card slot that can handle 128 GB SD cards!
Quick boot time
Very nice sound (speaker) when playing music without earbuds
One touch to mirror screen to a compatible TV
(Did not pair with the TV at all until the Andoriid update!)
Sony versions of music player etc are NICE without being
bloated spam-ware found on devices from other makers
Very nice app switching speed
Nicer app closing interface than stock Android
Many scene presets for picture/video
Battery life seems very good, although I have not fully tested that
by using bluetooth gadgets
Cons
Size (bigger than my Nexus 5 or an iPhone 5)
A bit heavy .. the newer Z4 will be much lighter!
Talking on the phone while plugged in adds noise / static
When plugged into a PC via USB it constantly "refinds" that is
connected, so constantly alerts and asks what type of
connections to allow. Other phones on the same usb cable
do not do the same thing.
Backside scratches FAR too easily!!!
All buttons being on one side takes getting used to and is
a little awkward for screenshots at first
The tab covering where USB chargers fit seems flimsy and the
chargers do not "just fit" easily
The provided charger has a very short cord (an extra few inches
or even a foot would be a great help without being expensive!)
Size (bigger than my Nexus 5 or an iPhone 5)
A bit heavy .. the newer Z4 will be much lighter!
Talking on the phone while plugged in adds noise / static
When plugged into a PC via USB it constantly "refinds" that is
connected, so constantly alerts and asks what type of
connections to allow. Other phones on the same usb cable
do not do the same thing.
Backside scratches FAR too easily!!!
All buttons being on one side takes getting used to and is
a little awkward for screenshots at first
The tab covering where USB chargers fit seems flimsy and the
chargers do not "just fit" easily
The provided charger has a very short cord (an extra few inches
or even a foot would be a great help without being expensive!)
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
THE BEST
on July 30, 2015
Posted by: loladi
the best smartphone . but there was a problem with water proof . other than that perfect
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
Great phone but issues with OS/Apps
on July 3, 2015
Posted by: TechXpert
This phone will be compared and reviewed based on an iPhone 4. My first smartphone was 32 GB iPhone 4 and the latest OS 7 was used before they stop upgrading it. Had it almost for 5 years before I got the screen broken. It was like a tank that phone. Let me tell you, that phone was amazing and worth every penny. Obviously and unfortunately iPhone lost its value and quality since Steve Jobs left. The phone as become more expensive than ever and not worth the price they are asking. So I decided to try an Android Phone, timing is perfect and a bit cheaper too. At first, I got the Xperia Z3 but the screen was too big for my needs so I decided to switch it for the Xperia Z3 compact. It has been already 1 month that I have it.
At First, the phone looks amazing. Just to mention, Bell store don't have the real deal in demo. Their demo is a fake cheap none functional phone that doesn't feel or look like the real thing at all. So you'll have to ask them to bring one from the back so you can touch it and feel it. The security key or the anti-theft lock is so big and heavy that it does discourage you to get any phone at their stores just to let you know.
So yes amazing, nice looking phone, sharp, thin and a classy look was my first impression.
Back camera is amazing and takes astonish pictures and videos. Very slick phone, rounded edges and more light weight than my old iPhone 4. Front camera in day light or in an area with lots of lights will impress you but that's it. Battery life is good if you don't have too many apps running in the background. The battery will last you about 2 days if normal use (That is if you work 8 hours a day and sleep 8 hours a day, so you get to play with it for about 6 hours a day, movies, games and social media). Comes with AVG Antivirus free for 6 months but you really don't need it if you plan to download apps from the Google play Store. Tones of features from Sony and etc. So you are probably asking why giving it a 5 starts.
Back camera is amazing and takes astonish pictures and videos. Very slick phone, rounded edges and more light weight than my old iPhone 4. Front camera in day light or in an area with lots of lights will impress you but that's it. Battery life is good if you don't have too many apps running in the background. The battery will last you about 2 days if normal use (That is if you work 8 hours a day and sleep 8 hours a day, so you get to play with it for about 6 hours a day, movies, games and social media). Comes with AVG Antivirus free for 6 months but you really don't need it if you plan to download apps from the Google play Store. Tones of features from Sony and etc. So you are probably asking why giving it a 5 starts.
The material that phone is used, makes great and takes lots of weight for sure. The problem with the material is that it makes it very slippery. Yes that right, if you are not holding it firmly, you will drop it. The contour or the edge should I say, it's made of a material that's very hard to hold it when your hands are dry or very dry. This is something you will not know right away at the store. It does come with a vibration mode but it's useless completely. My iPhone was better and I could actually feel it. I guess the material used is absorbing the vibrations. I think it's a total waste. The sound is great but yet again, I think it is absorbed by the material so it's ok. Better than the iPhone 4 but I was expecting more since they advertise it as wow. If you are or was a iPhone user, you will realize the screen response time is a fraction of a second slower than the iPhone 4. Yes, you will get use to it but just saying.
The email app sucks totally. You can't view your email horizontally without the banners at the top or bottom. For sure there are tones of great email clients but the one integrated with the phone cannot be uninstalled. The phone does come with Sony in-apps by default witch can't be uninstalled witch is annoying. You can stop using them in the settings or disable them though. But be aware, Sony's apps are very dangerous to use or upgrade. I simple app like the photo editor, was telling me that a upgrade is available. One thing that's cool with Android, every time you download an app or upgrade one, it always tells you what part of your phone it will access. Sony on the other hand, Will want to access everything, like your mic, phone camera, all accounts in your phone including applications that asks you an account, phone calls, logs... etc and without letting you know it's accessing it. It is part of the deal before you hit I accept and download the apps. I do have a concern about that. I understand I can take pictures and add sound to my pictures, but why would it access my microphone when I don't use it and not letting me know it's accessing it. That means, someone at Sony can access your mic, camera... of your phone at any time they want without letting you know. Yeah it's strange though... Give your freedom to Sony so they can provide you with their services or so you can enjoy their inside app.
So I stopped using any apps that Sony offers, even if they are cool some of them because of privacy invasion. Yes, they do ask for you consent but if you say no, you can't download or upgrade the Sony apps only. Didn't have anything like that with all the other apps that are not from Sony. Be aware, you will not find accessories for the Xperia Z3 compact. Accessories are limited all over the internet. Hard to get a case or screen protector. You will find some but let say the choices are very limited. Sony store basically don't offer you anything for that model even though they sell it on their website. The charger is on the top edge of the phone witch is annoying if you are charging your phone in your car and need to use it as a passenger obviously. So that's why I am not giving this phone 5 star.
Ohh yeah, the Android OS is very hard to use at first. I remember when I got my iPhone, took me a week to know all it is. It's been 1 month for this phone and still searching for functions. Just a quick example, let say you want to change your ring tone for your text messages. Well if you go to settings and sounds you will not find it in there. You do get to change your phone ring tone and some others but that's it. You actually need to open your text message app, then click on menu, go to settings and only than you will find the option to change it. Yeah I know what you are thinking. So there are glitches like that where you will be looking for ever to get to some settings. The search option is really useless beside to look for apps and contacts. Yeah there's a search bar in settings but I don't thing it's built for the settings since you cans search through that. You do have the option to have a less complicated interface more like the Apple OS but I just don't get it. You loose some functionality because the interface is different.
Keep in mind that Sony is about to launch the Xperia Z4 as they call it in Japan and it is already available for their market. It will be launched as the Z3+ in North America by the end of summer. But an exact date is not yet revealed by Sony, I guess they are hoping to sell the old Z3 and Z3 compact.
Hope this review will help you make a decision whether to get or not to get the Sony Xperia Z3 or an Android phone.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com