The successor of the Xperia Z3 -- the Xperia Z3+ -- has finally been announced by Sony. While the next-gen Xperia Z4 has already released in Japan, its global variant will be called Z3+.
Without much fanfare, Sony took the wraps off the Xperia Z3+ which is headed for the global market. The only thing separating it from the Xperia Z4 is the name tag, the features remain the same.
The Xperia Z4 or the Xperia Z3+ like most next-gen iterations sees some hardware improvements over the Xperia Z3.
The Xperia Z3+ like the previous iteration sports a 5.2-inch Full HD TRILUMINOUS 1080p display. Measuring 146 mm x 72 mm x 6.9 mm, the Xperia Z3+ is thinner than the Xperia Z3 (7.3mm) by a fraction.
The svelte form factor, however, has led to a compromise in battery size as the Xperia Z3+ boasts a 2,930mAh non-removable battery vis-à-vis the Xperia Z3's 3,100mAh one. While the battery size may have received a downgrade, Sony claims that the Xperia Z3 Plus is still a powerhouse and will offer support two days.
The Xperia Z3+ also packs in rapid charging capabilities, which means that you can charge the battery from 0 percent to nearly 60 percent in just half an hour.
Under the hood, the Xperia Z3+'s processor gets an upgrade with the octa-core Snapdragon 810 chipset replacing the Z3's Snapdragon 801. The memory capacity remains at par with that of Xperia Z3 - at 3GB.
The Xperia Z3+ also boasts 32GB and ditches the 16GB storage option. Camera-wise the Xperia Z3+ retains its predecessor's 20.7MP primary camera. However, with selfies and video-based apps such as Dubsmash becoming the new craze, Sony has ditched the 2MP front-facing snapper for a 5MP one.
While physically, the Xperia Z3+ may not look much different from the Xperia Z3 - there is a subtle change that Sony has made. The microUSB port has been shifted to the bottom of the Xperia Z3+ instead of the top left spot which it occupied in the Xperia Z3. Yup so it is no longer hidden by the cap! This flapless port will not hamper the smartphone's dust and water resistance capabilities, which remain at IP65/68.
Moreover, in a bid to offer "an overall more seamless and minimalist design," Sony has removed the magnetic charging pin located below the charging port. Sony has also shifted the front speakers to the edges near the front panel of the Xperia Z3+, which is reminiscent of the Xperia Z2.
The Xperia Z3+ will come with Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box.
Sony has not divulged the pricing details for the Xperia Z3+ only revealing that the smartphone will hit global shelves in June this year. The smartphone will be available in Single and Dual Sim variants.
