The Sony Xperia Z3+ represents a bygone era of flagship compacts, while the HTC A103 is a modern ultra-budget device. This comparison isn't about direct competition, but rather understanding the trade-offs between a powerful, older device and a new, entry-level option. We'll dissect the key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and features, the Sony Xperia Z3+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 810 chipset delivers significantly more processing power, and its 18W Quick Charge 2.0 support offers faster charging. However, the HTC A103 is a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget who only need basic smartphone functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 244 x 162.6 x 8.5 mm (9.61 x 6.40 x 0.33 in) | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 440 g (15.52 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761B Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 91 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 580 h (2G) / Up to 590 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | - | E6553, SO-03G, 402SO |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.41 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -94.3dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 65h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1158 (nominal), 2.824 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 67dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1479Basemark X: 23334 |
HTC A103
- Extremely affordable price
- Modern chipset (12nm process)
- Lightweight and portable
- Weak performance for demanding tasks
- Basic camera capabilities
- Slow charging speed
Sony Xperia Z3+
- Powerful Snapdragon 810 processor
- Faster 18W Quick Charge 2.0
- Potentially superior camera quality
- Older device with potential battery degradation
- Snapdragon 810 prone to throttling
- Larger and heavier than the A103
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1158 (nominal) and 2.824 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the Z3+ likely benefits from Sony’s image processing expertise, potentially offering more accurate colors. The A103’s display specifications are minimal, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The Z3+'s display, while older, likely offers a superior viewing experience due to its higher-end origins.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Z3+ likely boasts a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging Sony’s imaging technology. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown, the Z3+’s flagship status suggests a higher-quality sensor and image processing pipeline. The A103’s camera is likely a basic module suitable for casual snapshots. Without specific details, it's safe to assume the Z3+ will deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Sony Xperia Z3+’s Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, with its octa-core configuration (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57), dwarfs the HTC A103’s Mediatek MT6761B Helio A22 (Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Snapdragon 810, built on a 20nm process, was a flagship chip in its time, capable of handling demanding games and applications. The Helio A22, on a more efficient 12nm node, is designed for basic tasks. The Z3+ will offer a far smoother and more responsive experience, especially with multitasking and graphically intensive applications. However, the Snapdragon 810 is known for potential thermal throttling under sustained load, a concern the A103 won't face due to its lower performance ceiling.
Battery Life
Both devices have an endurance rating of 65h, which is a surprisingly similar figure. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Z3+’s 18W wired charging with QC2 support is significantly faster than the A103’s 10W charging. While both may last a similar amount of time on a single charge, the Z3+ can be topped up much more quickly. The Z3+'s battery, being older, will likely have degraded capacity, potentially negating some of the charging advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC A103 if you need a functional, extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It's ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a backup device. Buy the Sony Xperia Z3+ if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, or want a more feature-rich experience, and are willing to accept an older device with potentially degraded battery health.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in the Xperia Z3+ still a viable processor in 2024?
While not the latest and greatest, the Snapdragon 810 remains capable of handling most everyday tasks and even some modern games at medium settings. However, it's prone to thermal throttling under sustained load, which may impact performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much does battery degradation affect the Xperia Z3+'s real-world battery life?
Given the Z3+'s age, battery degradation is a significant concern. Expect the actual battery life to be lower than the advertised 65 hours. The extent of degradation will vary depending on usage and storage conditions. Replacing the battery is an option, but adds to the overall cost.
❓ Can the HTC A103 handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram?
Yes, the HTC A103 can run TikTok and Instagram, but expect a less fluid experience compared to more powerful devices. Loading times may be longer, and multitasking with these apps may result in noticeable lag.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia Z3+ support modern Android updates?
No, the Sony Xperia Z3+ is no longer receiving official Android updates. It's likely running an older version of Android, which may lack the latest security patches and features. Custom ROMs are an option for advanced users, but come with risks.
