Sony's compact phone legacy is undeniable, but which of these two contenders – the Xperia Z4 Compact and the Xperia Z3+ Dual – truly delivers the best experience? Both pack powerful specs into a pocket-friendly form factor, but subtle differences can make a big impact. Let's dive in and see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z4 Compact edges out the Z3+ Dual thanks to its slightly improved battery life and marginally better performance. However, the Z3+ Dual remains a compelling option, especially if you prioritize a slightly more refined design and dual SIM functionality. Both offer a premium compact experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 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) |
| | 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 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~469 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% 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) | 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) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 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, 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 |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 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 | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 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 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 510 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | - | E6533 |
| Price | - | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 0.36 W/kg (body) |
Sony Xperia Z4 Compact
- Better battery life
- Slightly improved performance
- More modern software
- Compact and lightweight
- Design can feel a bit plain
- Thermal throttling can occur
- QC2 charging (slower than later standards)
Sony Xperia Z3+ dual
- Dual SIM functionality
- Slightly more premium design
- Good camera performance
- Compact size
- Shorter battery life
- Older software
- Potential for screen aging
- Thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5-inch 1080p display, offering sharp visuals. The Z4 Compact has a slightly brighter screen, potentially offering better outdoor visibility. Color accuracy is generally good on both, typical of Sony's displays. The Z3+ Dual's screen might show slight signs of aging depending on its condition.
Camera Comparison
The Z4 Compact boasts a 20MP rear camera with improved image processing compared to the Z3+ Dual's 20.7MP camera. While both capture decent photos in good lighting, the Z4 Compact generally produces more natural-looking images with better dynamic range. Low-light performance is comparable, but the Z4 Compact's processing tends to be less aggressive.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 810 chipset, so performance is broadly similar. However, Sony's software optimization on the Z4 Compact is slightly better, resulting in marginally smoother performance in everyday tasks and gaming. Thermal throttling can still be an issue on both, especially during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Z4 Compact has a larger 2,700mAh battery compared to the Z3+ Dual's 2,600mAh. This translates to noticeably better battery life on the Z4 Compact, often lasting a full day with moderate usage, while the Z3+ Dual might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z4 Compact is ideal for users who prioritize battery life and a streamlined Android experience in a small package. The Xperia Z3+ Dual is a better choice for those needing dual SIM capabilities and appreciate a slightly more premium feel, despite its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 chipset still good?
While not the latest, the Snapdragon 810 is still capable of handling most tasks and games. However, expect some thermal throttling under heavy load.
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
The Xperia Z4 Compact generally produces better-looking photos thanks to improved image processing, especially in dynamic range.
❓ Does the Z3+ Dual support dual SIM?
Yes, the Z3+ Dual specifically supports dual SIM functionality, a feature absent in the Z4 Compact.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Spare parts availability is decreasing for both models, but still possible. The Z3+ Dual, being slightly older, might have fewer options.
