Sony Xperia C4 vs Xperia Z3 Compact: A Clash of Generations

Sony has a rich history of smartphones, and the Xperia C4 and Z3 Compact represent different eras. The C4 aimed for affordability and a large display, while the Z3 Compact prioritized premium features and compact design. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone holds up best today.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Z3 Compact is the clear winner. Despite its age, its Snapdragon 801 chipset, superior display, and exceptional battery life significantly outperform the C4's Mediatek processor. The Z3 Compact offers a more premium experience overall.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia C4	Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5303, E5353	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D5803
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5303	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 - D5803
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17 - E5306	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - D5833

Launch
Announced	2015, May. Released 2015, June	2014, September. Released 2014, September
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front, glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions	150.3 x 77.4 x 7.9 mm (5.92 x 3.05 x 0.31 in)	127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm (5.01 x 2.56 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
Weight	147 g (5.19 oz)	129 g (4.55 oz)
	-	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant	Shatter proof glass
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density)
Size	5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio)	4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
	-	Triluminos display X-Reality Engine

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53	Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400
Chipset	Mediatek MT6752 (28 nm)	Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm)
GPU	Mali-T760MP2	Adreno 330
OS	Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow)	Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM	16GB 2GB RAM
	-	eMMC 5.0

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, AF	20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF
Video	1080p, HDR	4K@30fps,1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR

Selfie camera
Features	LED flash	-
Single	5 MP, f/2.2	2.2 MP, f/2.8
Video	720p	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP, aptX	4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	microUSB 2.0	microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	ANT+	ANT+

Battery
Charging	-	18W wired, QC2
Music play	Up to 53 h 22 min	Up to 110 h
Stand-by	Up to 634 h (2G) / Up to 682 h (3G)	Up to 880 h (2G) / Up to 920 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G)	Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G)
Type	Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Mint	Black, White, Green, Orange
Models	E5303, E53063E5353, E5353, E5306	D5803, D5833, SO-02G
Price	About 220 EUR	About 300 EUR
SAR	0.95 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body)	0.95 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body)	0.69 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	-	Noise -85.2dB / Crosstalk -85.3dB
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 101h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 942:1 (nominal), 2.616 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-	Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 73dB
Performance	-	Basemark X: 12080

Sony Xperia C4

Larger display
Affordable price (when new)
Decent for media consumption

Underpowered processor
Mediocre camera
Lower display quality
Feels less premium

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Powerful Snapdragon 801 processor
Excellent display
Outstanding battery life
Compact and premium design
Good camera

Older model (limited software updates)
May be harder to find new

Display Comparison

The Xperia Z3 Compact boasts a significantly better display. Its contrast ratio (942:1 nominal, 2.616 in sunlight) is exceptional, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in bright conditions. The C4's display, while larger, lacks the same level of quality and brightness. The Z3 Compact's smaller size also contributes to a more manageable and pocketable device.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Z3 Compact's camera is generally considered superior. It captures more detailed images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Z3 Compact also benefits from Sony's image processing expertise, resulting in more pleasing photos. The C4's camera is adequate but lacks the refinement of its older sibling.

Performance

Performance is where the Z3 Compact truly shines. The Snapdragon 801 is considerably faster and more efficient than the C4's Mediatek MT6752. Apps launch quicker, multitasking is smoother, and gaming performance is noticeably better on the Z3 Compact. The C4 can feel sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones are advertised with an endurance rating of 101h, but real-world usage shows the Z3 Compact's battery optimization and more efficient chipset give it a noticeable edge. The Z3 Compact consistently delivers longer battery life, making it ideal for users who need a phone that can last through a full day of heavy use.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia C4? Budget-conscious users who prioritize a larger screen and don't need top-tier performance. Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact? Users seeking a compact, powerful, and long-lasting phone with a great camera and a premium feel, even if it's a slightly older model.