Sony's compact phone legacy is strong, and the Z3 and Z4 Compact are prime examples. Both offer premium features in a pocket-friendly size, but which one delivers the better experience? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Z4 Compact boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 810 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. However, the Z3 Compact's exceptional battery life and slightly better sunlight display contrast give it a strong edge. Ultimately, the Z4 Compact wins for power users, while the Z3 Compact remains a compelling choice for battery-focused users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - D5803 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 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 |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - D5833 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 | 2014, September. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm (5.01 x 2.56 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 129 g (4.55 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~469 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~70.6% 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) | Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2.2 MP, f/2.8 |
| 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 | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector |
| 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 | 18W wired, QC2 |
| 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 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Green, Orange |
| Models | - | D5803, D5833, SO-02G |
| Price | - | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -85.2dB / Crosstalk -85.3dB |
| Battery (old) | - | 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 Z4 Compact
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 810)
- Improved Camera Performance
- Slightly Brighter Display
- More Modern Design
- Shorter Battery Life than Z3 Compact
- Snapdragon 810 thermal throttling potential
- Potentially higher price (depending on availability)
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Excellent Sunlight Readability
- Proven Reliability
- Generally More Affordable
- Slower Processor (Snapdragon 801)
- Older Design
- Less Powerful Camera
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 4.6-inch displays with a 720p resolution and excellent contrast ratios (942:1 nominal, 2.616 in sunlight). The Z4 Compact's display is slightly brighter and offers marginally improved color accuracy, but the difference is subtle. The Z3 Compact's sunlight readability remains impressive.
Camera Comparison
The Z4 Compact features a 20MP rear camera, while the Z3 Compact has a 20.7MP camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Z4 Compact generally produces sharper images with better dynamic range, especially in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is comparable. Both phones record 1080p video.
Performance
This is where the Z4 Compact shines. Its Snapdragon 810 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Z3 Compact's Snapdragon 801. Expect faster app loading times, smoother gaming, and better overall responsiveness on the Z4 Compact. The Z3 Compact, while still capable, will show its age with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Z3 Compact is the undisputed champion here. It consistently delivered exceptional battery life, often exceeding its rated 101 hours of endurance. The Z4 Compact's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Z3 Compact's longevity.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z4 Compact? Users prioritizing performance, smoother multitasking, and a more modern processor. Who should buy the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact? Those seeking incredible battery life, a proven track record of reliability, and a slightly more affordable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in the Z4 Compact prone to overheating?
The Snapdragon 810 can experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, which can temporarily reduce performance. However, Sony implemented cooling solutions to mitigate this issue.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for both phones?
Spare parts for both phones are becoming increasingly scarce as they are older models. However, the Z3 Compact, being slightly older, may have slightly better availability.
