Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact 16GB Black

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Xavier Miguel

Muy buena calidad

Reviewed in Spain on December 26, 2016

Verified Purchase

Muy buena calidad. Antes tenia una Nexus 7 que ha era una tablet buena, y la Sony Xperia es rodalia mejor.

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MazT

A step in the right direction

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is perhaps a mouthful but don't let the name put you off, Sony have gone back to basics with this pro-consumer tablet going against the tide head to head with the Nexus 9 and Ipad mini.

The first thing I noticed upon opening the box was just how gorgeous it looks, ultra slim profile, squarish Sony trademark look but now with rounded edges with a light yet premium feel and a textured back. The size and weight really is excellent for day to day use in and around the house or outdoors, you don't get tired of holding it in either landscape or portrait orientation. The waterproof certification mean it can be used in the bath without fear of an accident.

The screen sensitivity is just perfect, typing is responsive and intuitive just like Apple products. Web browsing is fast and fluid, Sony has really gone to town with this device showing that the android platform can be just as good as IOS devices but without any of its draconian limitations. Up to 128gb of expandable memory at a fraction of the cost. Installation of third party software e.g. XBMC without the need to jailbreak. Drag and drop movies and music files without the need to use the ridiculously cumbersome iTunes and I could go on. Put it this way since getting it I haven't touched the various ipads or Android devices lying around the house.

It has Bluetooth aptx support which is fantastic and a joy to use with compatible devices for high quality wireless audio. Of course you could always use a portable usb dac for all your FLAC files which the tablet now supports natively. The built-in DAC and headphone amp is of very high quality, in fact it's probably one of the best examples I've come across within tablets to date. Via the headphone out the tablet does an excellent job with audio processing of compressed formats such as mp3 and mp4, it appears to smoothen up the edges by significantly reducing digital artifacts of lossy compression to deliver an extremely dynamic, detailed but sweet sound that caress the ears rather than shout at them, perfect for extended music or movie sessions. Note: non of the audio enhancement modes need be engaged, simply leave them off as default. There is also an option to send audio out to an external usb device via the usb mini port for the highest quality playback but I haven't had the need to use this yet.

Had no issues streaming all my music around the home from my Jriver music server using the Walkman app. When outdoors I can just as easily access my media library with the excellent Jriver Gizmo app. The WiFi reception is good and can easily support high speed broadband, speedtest.net shows 70gb download, 20gb upload and a 8ms response time (just for any gamers out there!).

With regards to screen quality, I understand why people obsess over resolution and ppi stats not least because of the importance manufacturers and professional reviewers seem to place on bigger numbers as though it's the standard reference upon which to judge the progress of technology and as such differentiate devices but really the native resolutioh of 1920x1200 for a screen this size is more than enough, besides in double blind test I seriously doubt anyone can tell the difference with any of the typical content these devices are used for. Movies have a lovely cinematic look to them and are simply a pleasure to watch. As for the front and rear cameras couldn't care less about them but it's there for those who wish to use it. The battery stamina is very good and the optional magnetic charger makes life easy rather than faffing about with the watertight usb port.

The device ticks all the right boxes in terms of features, it is intuitive to use and lightning fast in operation. Third party accessories are still a bit rare at the time of writing this review which is understandable considering it has only just been released but I have already found a supplier for a gel case and screen protector over on that famous auction site, unfortunately must wait a couple weeks since its coming from China. Whilst the likes of the Nexus 9, Amazon FireHD and ipad mini continue to use their devices to push their own eco systems onto the consumer I actually feel comfortable with this dare I say consumer friendly 'opensource' Sony product (amazed how this company has changed its tune from the dark ages of its proprietary nonsense). I don't feel as though I'm being pushed to go out and buy a PS4 just to take full advantage of this tablet, rather the choice is there to use this tablet as an extension to their gaming platform. As such it does everything a tablet is meant to do without the arbitrary limitations quite often imposed by some manufacturers and it does this in an extremely desirable package. Only time will tell if the reliability is as good as ios devices but until then I can highly recommend this tablet to friends and family without reservation.

54 people found this helpful

Harlequin

I did the research and bought the best!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2016

Verified Purchase

This tablet is the bee's knees!

I have had Dell, Samsung, Apple, Kindle, Motorola and Sony phones/tablets before and this Sony Z3 Compact tablet 8" is hands down the best. For the last year I have been using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10" tablet and was a little concerned how the transition to an 8" tablet would go...would the tablet feel too small? Would the size be an indicator of performance power? Wouldn't the screen be too small for watching movies? Well, the short answer is: Psh...No.

The screen size just feels right and is comfortable to look at for extended periods. The tablet itself is easily held in one hand while using it which means no hunching over to use the 10" that has to be balanced on your lap. The size means I can take it with me wherever I go; whether it's in my purse, backpack or the diaper bag it makes no difference, the tablet can comfortably fit anywhere. The responsive touchscreen, crisp images and immediate loading of web pages and games makes for an entirely enjoyable and gratifying experience.

I have always been a Sony supporter and as such the PS4 comparability with this tablet was a big plus! I researched every kind of tablet for a week before finally deciding that the 2 best tablets for money were the Sony Z3 Compact 8" tablet (the 9.7" is good but too much money for only 1.7" more screen in my opinion) and the Samsung 8" S2. The Samsung S2 8" has one of the best screen resolutions of any tablet currently out there at 320 PPI, but the Sony Z3 8" has a close 283 PPI and is water resistant when all compartments and covers are closed unlike the Samsung. The camera on the Sony is slightly better on paper than the Samsung too but if you're buying a tablet for taking photos then I suggest you open your web browser and type in "cameras" rather than waste a perfectly good tablet. Voila.

I will conclude this saga by first congratulating you on the fortitude to get this far in my lengthy post and secondly to say that if you do take my advice and go with the Sony Z3 Compact tablet you will not be disappointed. Now, ShowBox awaits...and come September with the release of the PS4.5 I'll take full advantage of the PS4 functions on this fabulous device secure in the knowledge that even if I wet myself with excitement at that point then the tablet will be unharmed just in need of sterilization. Have fun!

5 people found this helpful

Jossi

El equipo es una maravilla, pero....el cargador no es tipo europeo

Reviewed in Spain on December 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

He comprado un producto en amazon.es, y me encuentro con un cargador con enchufe tipo inglaterra. En ningún sitio advertia nada, entiendo que sea de donde sea el producto, debe de venir con el manual en castellano y el enchufe para el pais en el que se venda.

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Lava

Light, fast and compact and also great for any PS4 owner

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

I bought one of the second hand like new display models and it came like brand new, the only real difference being the fact that the box was not sealed. But the device works perfectly and was in pristine condition. So far I've had an iPad gen 1, iPad mini and iPad Air but decided to give Android a shot so I chose the Z3 and am glad I made the switch. The main reason is that I'm a huge gamer and the PS4 remote play was a big incentive in choosing a Sony tablet over any other Android. Although it's not as good as playing on the TV, I find that the remote play function works great and is really handy especially when someone else is using the TV. Also, the added advantage of being able to play in bed instead of having to sit in the living room is a bonus. There is the Playstation app pre-installed as well as a PS video app, but you have to download the remote play app (free).

In terms of size, like it says in the name it is very compact and fits easily into any handbag (and also my white coat pocket). Compared to the iPad mini, the Xperia is very thin and light so it doesn't weigh you down on the go. When I started it up, there were a lot of apps pre-installed and some of which I don't use so I just deleted them. Customising is very easy to do, and there are a number of themes albeit not many available to download from the play store. Also, there are a few animated backgrounds too. It's very easy to use, customise the home screen, add widgets and shortcuts etc. which is something I really like which is not a feature on iOS devices. The memory is only 16GB, but it takes a micro SD up to 128GB, and file transfer is easily done from any computer. The Xperia software automatically downloads once you plug it into your computer. You can also transfer data from an old iOS device as well as Android, so it makes the transition a lot easier.

A couple of reviews mentioned a lot of bloating, but Sony seemed to have released a few updates to reduce this. The device is very fast and fluid, the display is excellent and pretty much on par with Apple. The batter life is also pretty long and can be extended if you put it on batter saving mode. I like the feature of being able to set it so that the it automatically goes into batter saving mode at any % you like, be it 30% or even 70%. Comparing it to the iPad mini, it does not have a finger tip sensor to unlock it, although you can set a passcode. The touch screen is equally as sensitive, which is great. In terms of the power button, it's in an awkward place (about 1/4 of the way down the right side ) and I find that I accidentally press it when holding the tablet. It would have been easier if it were at the top instead. Another issue is that I find it hard to create folders for my apps in that they keep sliding all over the place whenever I try, so I find myself fighting with them to get into a folder without wiggling away.

Overall: Excellent product and a great choice of PS4 owners out there. Also very compact but not too small, fluid and fast with a lot of room for customisation.
Quality: 5/5
Speed and Functionality: 5/5
Ease of use: 4/5
Ergonomics: 4.5/5
Design: 5/5
PS4 Remote play: 4/5

8 people found this helpful

andy sp

Sound quality is fine. Just did not realise the output from the ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2016

Verified Purchase

I chose this tablet mostly based on the sound quality reviews from multiple sources. Not interested in the internal speakers. The sound quality from the headphone jack is quite poor.Just did not realise the output from the headphone jack would be so low. It's too low for my needs. Not good at all for plugging into a sound system really. You have to turn the volume up too high on the sound system to compensate. My old Samsung S3 mini telephone has better sound quality. Waste of money for me. Let down.

Temitope David Olasoko

Yet another Sony product that I am glad to own.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2016

Verified Purchase

I hate brand loyalty, every customer should have a healthy cynicism in their buying to ensure they spend their money wisely.
But there are some companies that seem to comtinually output a stream of quality that leaves you wondering if the grass really is greener anywhere else at all. So here it is.

Screen; it's made by Sony, have you seen their TV'S?! It's excellent, the resolution is great (1920x1200). The max brightness is really high too.
Performance; up to date stuff, not a slouch at all. Spec's on Sony's site, in hand it's as fast as any current tech.
Design; this might be the nicest mobile device I've ever held, it is certainly the thinnest, and as big as the 8" screen is it's relatively easy to use in one hand. It weighs as much as a piece of thick cardboard, and less than the small box it came in.
DUrability, Battery, Other functions; it's got a huge battery that will surely survive several hours of any kinda use, the camera is neat but not as good as their smartphones. And it can play FLAC files!!! The speakers are also better than expected, with good loudness.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with it, you can read other reviews that will refute my points, for this excellently designed and made hardware.

7 people found this helpful

Dan

Great performance in terms of speed and usability but..

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

Update after owning for 10 months:
Sony's bloatware and tinkering with the Android operating system lead to a rather annoying user experience. However, the most annoying thing about this tablet is that it makes an irritating vibrating sound that cannot be switched off. It isn't a polite sound, but rather like a scooter engine being revved. I have switched all notifications to "off" but it still keeps doing it and therefore I've reduced my rating by one more star. Oh, and it seems that someone (possibly Sony's marketing department?) keeps saying this review is unhelpful, which makes me like it even less.This device is just a bit too annoying. The screen is good, and the speed of the device but the software needs to be thrown out and replaced by stock Android for a better user experience. Another important point is that the D-A converter is very poor. This is the component that processes music and feeds it to your headphones. It produces a very cheap and dirty sound. So if you like music and have good headphones, then this device won't do you justice. I'm very disappointed with Sony and regret this purchase.

Original review
Great performance in terms of speed and usability. I upgraded from a mark 1 Google Nexus 7. I also own 2 iPad Minis and a regular iPad.

Pros
1) It is on par with the mark 1 Google Nexus 7, but is that little bit larger and so more useable
2) Performance is fast - faster than any iPad I've used
3) It's literally wafer thin
4) The battery lasts for days with medium usage
5) It's fast! Opening apps and loading web pages are all super quick
6) PS$ connectivity. I don't use it for playing PS4 games, but it's quite a cool feature. Also, if you have Spotify on your tablet, you can play music from your tablet via your PS4 (mine's connected to a home theatre system so is really useful).

Cons
1) It only has 16GB or Storage. that's not enough for a device at in this price range. Yes you can expand storage capacity with a Micro SD card, but a lot of apps must be installed on the device itself, and I've found that after 4 months I've used up 75% of my internal storage. So the Micro SD card only comes in handy for storing photos and other media files.

2) Many apps dont switch from landscape to portrait mode. Meaning you have to keep rotating the device. That doesn't sound like much of a problem but can be annoying if you regularly use the landscape orientation (eg if your stand is designed for landscape but the apps stay in portrait mode). This is to do with Sony's tinkering with the OS, and doesn't happen on my other Anddroid devices.

3) The waterproofing is not useful since i personally don't use it in the bath!

4) Sony have augmented the Android OS, which most manufacturers do, but the result is a worse experience when compared to the mk 1 Google Nexus 7.

This review is only my opinion of a product I purchased and use every day. If you don't like it, just move on to the next one. Thumbs-downing is rather rude.

3 people found this helpful

So so

now its my every day tablet

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2015

Verified Purchase

I have a few tablets ie iPad and Samsung s
But was looking for something small and light.
But also needed the speed and great screen quality
And wow did I find all that in the z3 8 inch .

After a few days of having the z3 8 inch I have found it to be my number 1 tablet for every day.
It is super light weight and super fast.
It is easy to carry and the battery just keep going .
1.5 days to 2 days on a full charge .
It screens my ps4 lovely with no lag and is so very easy to set up I was up and running in a little over 5 mins.
The setup with the ps4 control was also very easy.
I find the z3 8 inch easy to carry around with me and have now made it my every day tablet
Top marks to sony for a great product 10 out of 10 all the way

Also it's waterproof yes a waterproof tablet
I did try this under water and it works fine
You can wash your tablet and keep it looking like new
This truly is the best tablet I have bought.

Compact, easy to use, perfect for work.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2016

Verified Purchase

This tablet is perfect! I have been using it for work for the past few weeks and it is ideal. I have created Word documents and presentations with no problems, and have used it for internet, email, Kindle etc. I have been using it with a keyboard case as typing without one would be a bit difficult.
I prefer a small, compact device so if you want a large screen this isn't the device for you! It is very easy to use with no issues of lag. This tablet is also extremely light and thin - perfect for fitting in a handbag, but I wouldn't feel comfortable using it without a case. It's charge lasted for three days of pretty heavy use 9-5, ideal!
If you want a very lightweight, compact device at a low price to complete tasks for work whilst also having the option of using the device for Kindle, Netflix etc., I can't fault this tablet!

2 people found this helpful

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