Secret War Journal[10 December 2014]
It has been a little past one year since I had gotten my phone Xperia V. [See here for my thoughts on Xperia V]
I know it has been a short time but it really felt that a lot of time had passed by. In fact, I just gotten a new phone today. (Wow)
Introducing the latest Sony Flagship phone: Xperia Z3.
Weight
152 grams
Dimensions
146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
Battery
3100 mAh
Talk time: up to 16 hours
Standby time: up to 920 hours
Music listening time: up to 130 hours
Video playback time: up to 10 hours
Display
5.2" Full HD (1920x1080 pixels)
On the inside
Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat)
Snapdragon 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Quad-core
Camera
20.7 MP camera with auto focus
2.2 MP front-facing camera
ISO 12800
Durability
Waterproof and dust tight (IP65 and IP68)
The price tag did make me reconsider if I should get this phone at a later time. However, for some reasons or another, I decided to spend a bit more this time to get it.
The overall monthly mobile subscription is lower, for which I am glad. I may not be getting another phone for the next 2 years if my plan succeeds.
I believe one of the most important features of modern smartphones are its battery life. Initial test with full brightness allowed the phone to last slightly over 24 hours. I am planning to continue to use full brightness throughout though it is unlikely that it will last the whole day if I start to play the more graphically intensive games.
tl;dr: Definitely will last >1 day for casual use
Camera
With a 20.7 MP back camera, few phones can compete with this power house. Using the camera gave very sharp and clear images. The numerous different camera modes available in the Sony arsenal helps to differentiate itself from other smartphones. This allows for a variety of entertainment to you and your friends when taking pictures together or of things.
(One funny thing that happened to me but worth mentioning was the fact that I actually forgot to remove the plastic wrapper covering the back cover, including the rear camera. As a result, the initial images I took were very grainy and poor in quality. I was very shocked then, not aware of my mistake, and I was almost convinced that the phone was defective since the showcase model camera took very clear images. Just as I was about to give up, I realised my mistake. Imagine my relief. Hahas.)
However, the front camera leaves much to be desired. While it is an improvement from previous models, a 2.2 MP front camera is not very useful for taking selfies. Compared to their Samsung Galaxy counterparts, for selfie lovers, it would be better if you consider an Iphone or Samsung Galaxy S5 instead. The pictures taken from the front camera were not as clear, obviously, and are kind of grainy and blurred. It responds poorly in poor lighting as well.
In conclusion, it is a phone that is best for taking pictures of beautiful moments and group pictures. It is not as ideal for taking selfie though it can get by with that reasonably.
tl;dr: Good rear camera, bad for selfie due to front camera's low MP.
Weight
Weight is less of an issue nowadays as all the phones are of similar weight. If you must, this phone is very light, weighing only around 100g. For first time users who are never owned phones of similar weight, it will take some time to accustomise yourself to remember that you are actually holding an phone due to its light weight.
Extras
Unique to Sony Xperia series, though less not with the newer phones from other manufacturers, the phone is waterproof and dustproof. This is useful in the event water seeps into your phone and your prized possession malfunctions as a result.
I had a friend whose phone's motherboard was toast when sweat entered the phone (incredible but it happens). This is why it is better to invest in a phone which is waterproof to prevent such things from happening. (Waterproof does not protect the phone from sweat but the design to allow the phone to be waterproof would prevent sweat from seeping into the phone's inner working. Hence, it is protected.)
With that, I hope I gave you some pointers to consider what phone to get this Christmas. Sony Xperia series may not be the first choice among consumers but it is one of the good phones out there. If you must, I would recommend to only consider between Iphone, Samsung Galaxy series, and Sony Xperia series. See ya!
It has been a little past one year since I had gotten my phone Xperia V. [See here for my thoughts on Xperia V]
I know it has been a short time but it really felt that a lot of time had passed by. In fact, I just gotten a new phone today. (Wow)
Introducing the latest Sony Flagship phone: Xperia Z3.
Specifications
 |
| Copper Bronze Version |
152 grams
Dimensions
146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
Battery
3100 mAh
Talk time: up to 16 hours
Standby time: up to 920 hours
Music listening time: up to 130 hours
Video playback time: up to 10 hours
Display
5.2" Full HD (1920x1080 pixels)
On the inside
Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat)
Snapdragon 2.5 GHz Qualcomm Quad-core
Camera
20.7 MP camera with auto focus
2.2 MP front-facing camera
ISO 12800
Durability
Waterproof and dust tight (IP65 and IP68)
Initial Thoughts
The thought process to getting this phone this holidays was really quite nerve-wrecking. Xperia Z3 was released just last month, November. As such, one would imagine the price to be quite hefty. Of course, it is not as expensive as the new Samsung Galaxy Note (I am a bit surprised by that.)The price tag did make me reconsider if I should get this phone at a later time. However, for some reasons or another, I decided to spend a bit more this time to get it.
The overall monthly mobile subscription is lower, for which I am glad. I may not be getting another phone for the next 2 years if my plan succeeds.
Review
Battery LifeI believe one of the most important features of modern smartphones are its battery life. Initial test with full brightness allowed the phone to last slightly over 24 hours. I am planning to continue to use full brightness throughout though it is unlikely that it will last the whole day if I start to play the more graphically intensive games.
tl;dr: Definitely will last >1 day for casual use
Camera
With a 20.7 MP back camera, few phones can compete with this power house. Using the camera gave very sharp and clear images. The numerous different camera modes available in the Sony arsenal helps to differentiate itself from other smartphones. This allows for a variety of entertainment to you and your friends when taking pictures together or of things.
(One funny thing that happened to me but worth mentioning was the fact that I actually forgot to remove the plastic wrapper covering the back cover, including the rear camera. As a result, the initial images I took were very grainy and poor in quality. I was very shocked then, not aware of my mistake, and I was almost convinced that the phone was defective since the showcase model camera took very clear images. Just as I was about to give up, I realised my mistake. Imagine my relief. Hahas.)
However, the front camera leaves much to be desired. While it is an improvement from previous models, a 2.2 MP front camera is not very useful for taking selfies. Compared to their Samsung Galaxy counterparts, for selfie lovers, it would be better if you consider an Iphone or Samsung Galaxy S5 instead. The pictures taken from the front camera were not as clear, obviously, and are kind of grainy and blurred. It responds poorly in poor lighting as well.
In conclusion, it is a phone that is best for taking pictures of beautiful moments and group pictures. It is not as ideal for taking selfie though it can get by with that reasonably.
tl;dr: Good rear camera, bad for selfie due to front camera's low MP.
Weight
Weight is less of an issue nowadays as all the phones are of similar weight. If you must, this phone is very light, weighing only around 100g. For first time users who are never owned phones of similar weight, it will take some time to accustomise yourself to remember that you are actually holding an phone due to its light weight.
Extras
Unique to Sony Xperia series, though less not with the newer phones from other manufacturers, the phone is waterproof and dustproof. This is useful in the event water seeps into your phone and your prized possession malfunctions as a result.
I had a friend whose phone's motherboard was toast when sweat entered the phone (incredible but it happens). This is why it is better to invest in a phone which is waterproof to prevent such things from happening. (Waterproof does not protect the phone from sweat but the design to allow the phone to be waterproof would prevent sweat from seeping into the phone's inner working. Hence, it is protected.)
With that, I hope I gave you some pointers to consider what phone to get this Christmas. Sony Xperia series may not be the first choice among consumers but it is one of the good phones out there. If you must, I would recommend to only consider between Iphone, Samsung Galaxy series, and Sony Xperia series. See ya!
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