The Sony Xperia Z3+ Dual and Samsung Galaxy S7 Active were both flagship contenders in their time, offering premium features and performance. But with time, how do they stack up against each other? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, features, and overall value to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy S7 Active edges out the Z3+ Dual thanks to its superior Snapdragon 820 chipset, improved camera, and robust build. While the Z3+ Dual boasts a sleek design and water resistance, the S7 Active's performance and durability make it the stronger choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, June | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 in) | 148.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (5.86 x 2.95 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 184.8 g (6.53 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | ANT+ | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | Up to 81 h | Up to 110 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 510 h (3G) | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, black, copper, aqua green | Camo Green, Titanium Gray, Sandy Gold |
| Models | E6533 | SM-G891A |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 96h |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2487Basemark X: 32362 |
Sony Xperia Z3+ dual
- Sleek and stylish design
- Excellent water and dust resistance (IP68)
- Vibrant Triluminos display
- Good audio quality
- Snapdragon 810 chipset can throttle under load
- Camera not as good as S7 Active
- Design can feel a bit dated
Samsung Galaxy S7 active
- Rugged and durable design
- Excellent battery life
- Powerful Snapdragon 820 chipset
- Good camera with OIS
- Quick Charge 2.0 support
- Less stylish design
- Larger and heavier than Z3+ Dual
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent displays. The Z3+ Dual has a 5.2-inch Triluminos display with vibrant colors, while the S7 Active has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display known for its deep blacks and excellent outdoor visibility. The S7 Active's display is slightly brighter and more color-accurate, giving it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The S7 Active's camera is noticeably better. It features a 12MP sensor with a wider aperture (f/1.7) and optical image stabilization (OIS), resulting in sharper, brighter photos, especially in low light. The Z3+ Dual's 20.7MP camera produces decent images, but lacks the same level of detail and low-light performance.
Performance
The Snapdragon 820 in the S7 Active is significantly faster and more efficient than the Snapdragon 810 in the Z3+ Dual. The S7 Active handles demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the Z3+ Dual can sometimes exhibit throttling under sustained load. The S7 Active's Kryo CPU architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with endurance ratings of 96 hours. However, the S7 Active's more efficient Snapdragon 820 chipset allows it to stretch its battery further, especially under heavy usage. The S7 Active also supports Quick Charge 2.0 for faster charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z3+ Dual is ideal for users prioritizing a slim, stylish design and excellent water resistance. It's a good option if you find it at a significantly reduced price. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is perfect for those needing a rugged, durable phone with excellent battery life and a capable camera, especially if you work or play in demanding environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z3+ Dual still worth buying?
If you find it at a very low price and prioritize water resistance and a slim design, it can be a decent option. However, be aware of the potential for throttling with the Snapdragon 810.
❓ How durable is the Galaxy S7 Active?
The S7 Active is built to military standards (MIL-STD-810G) and is shockproof, dustproof, and water-resistant. It's a very rugged phone designed to withstand harsh conditions.
