The smartphone market is dominated by large devices, but compact phones still hold a special place. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the classic Sony Xperia Z3 Compact and the more modern Samsung Galaxy A41. Let's see which one offers the best experience for those who prefer a smaller form factor.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A41 edges out the Z3 Compact with its brighter display, more modern chipset, and slightly better overall software experience. However, the Z3 Compact's exceptional sunlight readability and impressive endurance rating make it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users seeking a durable device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D5803 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 - D5803 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - D5833 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, May 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm (5.01 x 2.56 x 0.34 in) | 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.90 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 129 g (4.55 oz) | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps,1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.2 MP, f/2.8 | 25 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | ANT+ | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 15W wired |
| Music play | Up to 110 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 880 h (2G) / Up to 920 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 14 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green, Orange | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Silver, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red |
| Models | D5803, D5833, SO-02G | SM-A415F/DSN, SM-A415F/DSM, SM-A415F, SM-A415F/DS, SCV48, SC-41A |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.2dB / Crosstalk -85.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
|
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 942:1 (nominal), 2.616 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 73dB
|
-30.5 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
Basemark X: 12080 |
AnTuTu: 170044 (v8)
GeekBench: 1175 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
- Exceptional battery life
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Durable build quality
- Compact size
- Water resistance (IP67)
- Outdated chipset
- Older software
- Lower screen brightness
- Camera quality is dated
Samsung Galaxy A41
- Brighter display
- More modern chipset
- More recent software
- Good battery life
- Sleek design
- Less durable than Z3 Compact
- Charging speed slower (15W vs 18W)
- Contrast ratio marketing claim ('infinite')
- Less compact than Z3 Compact
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A41 boasts a significantly brighter display at 624 nits, making it easier to see outdoors in most conditions. While the Z3 Compact's contrast ratio is impressive (942:1 nominal, 2.616 in sunlight), the A41's 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely marketing) and higher brightness give it a noticeable advantage. The Z3 Compact's sunlight readability is still exceptional, though.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Z3 Compact's camera was generally considered decent for its time, but the A41 likely has a more modern sensor and image processing, resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are missing for both, making a definitive comparison difficult.
Performance
The Z3 Compact's Snapdragon 801 was a flagship chipset in its time, but it's showing its age. The Galaxy A41's Helio P65, while not a powerhouse, offers a more modern architecture and improved efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A41. The A41's octa-core CPU also provides a slight edge in raw processing power.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of around 101-102 hours. This suggests excellent battery life for both devices. However, the A41's more efficient chipset might translate to slightly better real-world usage, despite the Z3 Compact's reputation for exceptional battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is ideal for users prioritizing extreme battery life, excellent sunlight visibility, and a rugged, compact design. The Samsung Galaxy A41 is better suited for those who want a brighter screen, a more recent processor, and a more modern software experience, even if it means sacrificing some of the Z3 Compact's durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z3 Compact still worth buying in 2024?
It can be a good value if you prioritize battery life and durability and can find it at a low price. However, be aware of its outdated hardware and software.
❓ Which phone has the better camera?
The Samsung Galaxy A41 likely has the better camera due to its more modern sensor and image processing, although specific camera specs are missing for both.
