Sony announces Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and E3 at IFA 2014

[Proudpakistaniguy]

The anticipated Sony Xperia Z3 is official, just 6 months after its latest Xperia Z2 flagship. Also revealed is the sequel to the very capable Xperia Z1 Compact, the Xperia Z3 Compact. Also, Sony has announced the latest addition to its entry-level lineup, the Sony Xperia E3.

The Sony Xperia Z3 runs on a quad-core 2.5GHz MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 chip, alongside 3GB of RAM and Adreno 330 graphics. There's no 2K screen to be found, as all the new members of the Xperia family feature 1080p displays. The Z3 comes in at 5.2 inches, just like its predecessor.

Sony was able to trim off about 1mm from all of its dimensions as well as 11g off its weight, making it lighter and thinner than the Xperia Z2. The Omnibalance design has been furthered by the inclusion of a high quality metal frame to complement the glass front and rear panels.

Color options include the standard black and white, as well as the impressive silver-green and copper variants.

The Xperia Z3 Compact is the sequel to the highly capable Xperia Z1 Compact flagship. As before, the Z3 Compact is simply a smaller version of the Xperia Z3, with the same robust processor and graphics chip.

It obviously comes with a smaller screen diagonal than the Z3, but it does come in at 4.6" - larger than the 4.3" of the Xperia Z1 Compact. The screen resolution remains at 720p, however, and the RAM has been downgraded to 2GB. The 2,600mAh battery is another step down from the 3,100mAh unit on the Xperia Z3, but greater than the 2,300mAh unit found on the Xperia Z1 Compact.

The dual glass panel design also makes its way onto to Z3 Compact, with the panels slightly sticking out the front and back of the device, giving it a unique feel all to itself.

The Z3 Compact is set to come in more "youthful" colors than the Xperia Z3, offering green and orange besides the standard black and white.

Finally, the Xperia E3 is touted by Sony as being their cheapest LTE phone, offering a 4.5-inch 480 x 854px display, quad-core 1.2GHz processor, and Adreno 305 graphics. There's a 5MP/1.3MP camera combo, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage. It's all powered by a 2,330mAh battery.

It will have an exclusive yellow color variant.

The new Xperia Z3 series will be released later this month alongside the Xperia E3. Also announced today, be sure to take a look at the latest Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and the new line of Sony wearables.

[video]

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

The Note family added a second new phablet today, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. The name isn't random, the right edge of the screen folds to cover the side of the device and enable unique interactions. So, not the three-sided screen of the rumors but two sides are unique enough.


Samsung Galaxy Note Edge official images

The Galaxy Note Edge is based on the Galaxy Note 4 internally, but it's the screen that makes all the difference. The folded side adds an extra 160 pixels so the resolution grows to 1,600 x 2,560 (the highest on a pocketable device yet if you keep note on those things) but it also makes the Galaxy Note Edge a bit wider than its straight-screened sibling.

Samsung has added enough smarts to the curved side that accidental touches to it are not a problem.

With the phone locked, the curved side can display the Quick Glance info (time and notifications). When you wake the screen, the side displays notifications for various features, including timer and flashlight shortcuts and even a ruler (which works surprisingly well on the curved side).


The curved side of the screen has many uses

With the phone finally unlocked, the number of options grows threefold. You can keep shortcuts on the side for easy access or use the curved side for at-a-glance info (say a Twitter feed or a stock ticker). Or you can use it to enhance multitasking by switching between several screens (think virtual desktops). Event switching between the pages of the homescreen or the app drawer is also handled by the curved side.

Individual apps can put the curved side to use too, usually to keep the main screen free from clutter. Both the camera and the video player put their controls on the side so the screen is left to the viewfinder/video. Samsung will release an API to enable third-party devs to utilize the potential of the curved side as well.

As you can imagine, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge experience revolves mostly around the curved side of the screen. Beyond that it's a Galaxy Note 4 with Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 5433 chipset, Android 4.4, 16MP OIS camera and S Pen stylus.

The Note Edge has a slightly smaller battery (3,000mAh vs. 3,220mAh) and the USB port moves back to version 2.0.


Samsung Galaxy Note Edge next to the Galaxy Note 4

The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is expected to launch by the end of this year.

 

[Falcon29]

Darn it.

Now I have another device to add to the list. I have a note right now but don't want it for my next phone.

Three phones in order of which I'm considering:

3. Iphone 6
2. Sony Z3
1. Htc One m8

..........

And then the new moto x is coming soon.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

Darn it.

Now I have another device to add to the list. I have a note right now but don't want it for my next phone.

Three phones in order of which I'm considering:

3. Iphone 6
2. Sony Z3
1. Htc One m8

..........

And then the new moto x is coming soon.

I am tempting for Z3 compact . Perfect size for me with perfect specification ..

I like the boom speaker of htc one m8

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with 5.7-inch QHD screen unveiled

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is a worthy successor to the legendary phablet family with every feature put into overdrive. It's the first Note not to grow the screen size, which remains at 5.7", but it now has nearly 80% more pixels thanks to its new QHD resolution pushing the pixel density from 386ppi to 515ppi.

It's a Super AMOLED, of course, but it's covered by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3. For those who don't remember the Nokia N9, 2.5D glass has curved sides to make swiping from the edge smoother, and edge gestures are everywhere in Android now.


Samsung Galaxy Note 4 official images

The Galaxy Note 4 will bring a redesigned S Pen stylus that offers better grip. The accompanying software (S Note, Multi-window) has also been enhanced. A new Snap Note app will turn photos of printed documents into editable text.

The phablet will be available in two versions – one with Snapdragon 805 chipset and LTE Cat. 6 connectivity and one with Exynos 5433 chipset and LTE Cat. 4 connectivity. The phablet will run Android 4.4 KitKat at launch with all the new TouchWiz features Samsung has come up since the Galaxy S5 launch.

The camera department has been upgraded and the main camera now features a 16MP sensor with optical image stabilization. The front-facing camera has a 3.7MP sensor (matching the pixel count of the screen) and a fast f/1.9 aperture.


The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 color range

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 features three microphones for noise suppression that is so advanced that a special app can silence selected sources of noise from an audio recording.

The phablet has a metal frame like the Galaxy Alpha and a faux leather back, which will come in Frosted white, Charcoal black, Bronze Gold and Blossom Pink. There's no water resistance though (again, like the Alpha).

There's a 3,220mAh battery powering the phablet and you can add the optional Qi wireless charging panel if you like.

The Galaxy Note 4 will be available in October, the pricing isn't announced just yet.

 

[Falcon29]

@Proudpakistaniguy

Same here. I like the boomsound but also premium feel. An amazing camera doesn't concern me that much. Although Sony is packing a punch with the Z3 flagship.

I doubt I will go to Apple. My family uses that and the phone/os doesn't appeal to me. But, the Note 4, Htc one, z3 and new moto x even the lg g3 are all nice.

I have to wait for reviews on the z3/moto x before I consider buying htc one. I don't think I will lean for note 4 or iphone 6.

 

[Kompromat]

I'd probably get a Z-3. I think it would retail for about $800.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

@Proudpakistaniguy

Same here. I like the boomsound but also premium feel. An amazing camera doesn't concern me that much. Although Sony is packing a punch with the Z3 flagship.

I doubt I will go to Apple. My family uses that and the phone/os doesn't appeal to me. But, the Note 4, Htc one, z3 and new moto x even the lg g3 are all nice.

I have to wait for reviews on the z3/moto x before I consider buying htc one. I don't think I will lean for note 4 or iphone 6.

Note 4 is great phone if we talk about processor because its the only phone in market which run fastest Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 . Camera is also best after nokia lumia 1020. Note/3/4 and z2/z3 also has advantage of 3GB RAM and great battery life of more than 3000mAh. The only issue with note 3/4 is its too big for a phone i.e 5.7 inch should be in tablet category . Lg g2/g3 are perfect size to screen ratio phones. Anything more than that is not easy to hold in hands or put in pockets

I only wish HTC ONE M8 had better camera, 3 GB Ram and waterproof ratings then i would not even think twice before buying because speaker are so loud and clear and build quality is premium. I dont like iphones and iphone 6 is coming in sep as well with 4.70 inches / 5.5 inches , 2 GB RAM and almost same camera as in 5s and still Dual-core 2 GHz processor but apple is for those who prefer simplicity. I dont . I am guy who root phones and do plenty of customization and modding the software so ios is not for me

I'd probably get a Z-3. I think it would retail for about $800.

Its always best to buy phones after few months because it get cheaper

[video]

 

[Bratva]

Darn it.

Now I have another device to add to the list. I have a note right now but don't want it for my next phone.

Three phones in order of which I'm considering:

3. Iphone 6
2. Sony Z3
1. Htc One m8

..........

And then the new moto x is coming soon.

Hazzy if you want your,,, ahem,, "personal photos " to be hacked and leaked online you are most welcome to buy Iphone

Sony is way to go.

 

[Kompromat]

I have a vow never to buy an apple product, mainly because its built by slave labor. Steve jobs was a moron who died with $13 Billion dollars unable to save himself from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. I look at it as divine justice.

 

[Falcon29]

Hazzy if you want your,,, ahem,, "personal photos " to be hacked and leaked online you are most welcome to buy Iphone

Sony is way to go.

I need to see it in person. Problem with Sony is it makes the states way longer after EU/Asia and it only makes one carrier usually.

I have two weeks left to decide and I'm switching to a new carrier.

PS: Don't worry no personal photos here.

..............

@Proudpakistaniguy

Everyone is upset over M8 camera. But, I never had a great camera on my phone. I checked the camera in the store. It seemed pretty decent and front facing camera is really neat. I just prefer boomsound/htc sense/build quality/single email app for all emails/the dot case that you can buy for it:

..............

I got tired of Samsung UI. I wouldn't use the pen on the note 4 if I got it. And sony ui also seems similiar to samsung.

 

[Proudpakistaniguy]

Everyone is upset over M8 camera. But, I never had a great camera on my phone. I checked the camera in the store. It seemed pretty decent and front facing camera is really neat. I just prefer boomsound/htc sense/build quality/single email app for all emails/the dot case that you can buy for it:

..............

I got tired of Samsung UI. I wouldn't use the pen on the note 4 if I got it. And sony ui also seems similiar to samsung.

They are right about HTC one M8 camera because its average compare to top camera phones i.e nokia lumia 1020, galaxy S5, note 3/4 and even sony z2/z3 and lg g2/g3 which got optimal image stabilization..

I have used htc one m7 and I would rate its camera as average. It take good photos inside and in low lights conditions but in day light its photo appear as average lack details. Its more than enough for normal users though but i think even z1 compact beat htc one camera in day light ... I am least concern about look or launcher of phones because even when i had note 2 i rooted it and made it look like pure stock and you can modify software in android

photo taken from z1 compact

 

[Falcon29]

They are right about HTC one M8 camera because its average compare to top camera phones i.e nokia lumia 1020, galaxy S5, note 3/4 and even sony z2/z3 and lg g2/g3 which got optimal image stabilization..

I have used htc one m7 and I would rate its camera as average. It take good photos inside and in low lights conditions but in day light its photo appear as average lack details. Its more than enough for normal users though but i think even z1 compact beat htc one camera in day light ... I am least concern about look or launcher of phones because even when i had note 2 i rooted it and made it look like pure stock and you can modify software in android

photo taken from z1 compact

The note 4 looks appealing in silver. I bet that color is only for EU. And in EU your guy's processors are better. I think I will pass for Sony.

I am interested in new moto-x/htc one/maybe note 4.

Although HTC is best to me so far. I need to decide on the camera that's it.

Good luck with whatever you're getting.

If you do get z3 flagship(not compact) let us know about it here.