The Sony Xperia Z3+ and Z3+ Dual were flagship devices from Sony, offering premium features and a sleek design. But what are the key differences between these two very similar phones? This comprehensive comparison will break down the specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z3+ Dual's primary advantage is its dual-SIM capability, offering greater flexibility for travelers or those needing separate work/personal lines. Otherwise, they are remarkably similar in performance and features, making the choice largely dependent on your SIM needs. Both offer a solid, albeit aging, Android experience.
| 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 / 900 / 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, 17, 20, 28, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, May. Released 2015, June | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 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 | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% 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 | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | Up to 81 h | Up to 91 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 510 h (3G) | Up to 580 h (2G) / Up to 590 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, black, copper, aqua green | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | E6533 | E6553, SO-03G, 402SO |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (body) | 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 |
Sony Xperia Z3+ dual
- Dual-SIM functionality
- Excellent display quality
- Good camera performance
- Water and dust resistant (IP65/IP68)
- Solid battery life
- Snapdragon 810 can throttle under load
- Aging hardware
- Software updates may be limited
Sony Xperia Z3+
- Excellent display quality
- Good camera performance
- Water and dust resistant (IP65/IP68)
- Solid battery life
- Slightly more affordable
- Snapdragon 810 can throttle under load
- Aging hardware
- Software updates may be limited
- No dual-SIM support
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia Z3+ and Z3+ Dual feature a 5.2-inch Triluminos IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The contrast ratios are impressive, boasting 1158 (nominal) and 2.824 (sunlight), ensuring excellent visibility even in bright conditions. There's little to differentiate them here; both offer vibrant colors and sharp visuals.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 20.7MP rear camera and a 5.1MP front camera. Image quality is generally good, with accurate colors and decent low-light performance. Video recording capabilities are also similar, supporting up to 4K resolution. The differences in camera performance are negligible.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset and Octa-core CPU (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57), both phones deliver comparable performance. While the Snapdragon 810 was known for thermal throttling, both devices manage it reasonably well. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading, though demanding games might push them to their limits.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z3+ Dual boasts an endurance rating of 65 hours, matching the original Z3+. Both phones benefit from Sony's power-saving features and efficient hardware, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging is handled via 18W wired charging (QC2) for both models.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z3+ Dual? Users who frequently travel internationally or require the convenience of using two SIM cards simultaneously. Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z3+? Those seeking a slightly more affordable option with identical core performance and features, and don't need dual-SIM functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the main difference between the Xperia Z3+ and Z3+ Dual?
The primary difference is the dual-SIM capability of the Z3+ Dual, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. The standard Z3+ only supports a single SIM.
❓ Are the cameras on both phones the same?
Yes, both phones feature the same 20.7MP rear camera and 5.1MP front camera, offering similar image quality and features.
