iPhone 6 Runs the Gauntlet: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

We’re fans of new technology. Apple’s iPhone 6 is no exception. We’ve recently featured the iPhone 6 in our magazine and in two online articles. And trust us, it won’t be the last time you’ll see this fantastic device gracing our pages. But let’s face it: our number one priority is you, our dear readers. As much as we love featuring the newest and the latest gadgets, we don’t want to leave you hanging with just one device. Previously, we reviewed the iPhone 6 and found its price to be too steep for its value. That got us thinking.

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Smartphones are pretty flexible now with hundreds sporting a variety of spec combinations. We’re bound to find a phone that’s cheaper but still features most of what the iPhone 6 has. Now, we’re on the hunt for that smartphone that will blow the iPhone away. We’re going to make the iPhone 6 run the gauntlet. We’re going to be pitting mid- and top-tier smartphone from different brands against the brand new iPhone 6 over the course of several weeks. Comparisons will be done according to specification and their difference. Any minor difference will not be included in the comparison, but will be mentioned. The main point of comparison will be the price.

First up, we’ve got the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, which was also recently announced shortly before the iPhone 6. Let’s see how it stacks up against the iPhone 6 powerhouse.

Size

Before going for what’s inside, we decided to look at what’s on the outside. Just from first glance, you can tell that the iPhone 6 is taller than the Xperia. Apple’s bezel towers over the Sony by a full 11 millimeters. The iPhone 6 is also wider by 2.1 millimeters. Meanwhile, the Xperia is thicker than the iPhone 6 by almost 2 millimeters. Apple wanted to veer ever so close to phablet territory, while Sony was living up to its Compact name. While you may think that being shorter, smaller, and thicker makes the Xperia less sleek than its Apple counterpart, Sony has a reason for doing so. And it may make up for being bulkier overall. But more on that later.

Performance

The Sony Xperia falls short but this is due to Apple’s revolutionary A8 engine. The Xperia is equipped with the Adreno 330, which stands out on its own level. But Apple definitely wins with its new processor. It’s unfair to discount the Xperia based on Apple’s pioneering technology.

Battery life

The Sony Xperia excels in battery life. It has a 2,600mAh battery, while the iPhone 6 has a respectable but smaller 1,860mAh battery, which is a 40% difference. It boasts two full days of battery life, while the iPhone 6 only has one full day. For smartphone users like us, not needing to charge everyday is a major benefit. This is the reason for its bulkier hardware.

User interface

This is a classic Android vs. iOS battle. Definitely, this is the most glaring difference between the two devices. By default, users might consider Android because of its customizability. However, this iteration brings a different result. The Sony Xperia offers the vanilla Android package. It offers nothing new from the Kitkat version of Android. Given that Apple has just released iOS 8.1, the difference is overwhelmingly in favor of Apple. But we have to hold our judgment for this one since Android Lollipop is forthcoming in the coming months.

Image quality

The Sony Xperia’s rear camera has 20.7 megapixels, a far cry from the iPhone’s 8 megapixel camera. You’re going to have a lot more detail with the Sony Xperia. But reports say that despite the difference, the iPhone 6 still delivers a better overall picture quality. Meanwhile, the Sony Xperia delivers better photos in low-light conditions.

Durability

The Sony Xperia is IP68-certified. This makes it resistant to dust and able to dive beyond one meter of water. Of course, this means that the device is covered with flaps all over to protect all I/O ports. This might be obtrusive and tiring for some, but having an added protection against the elements is always worth it.

Price

The Sony Xperia costs a hefty P30,990. But it’s definitely more affordable than the price tag on the iPhone 6. The Apple device STARTS at P 35,990. It goes all the way up to almost P 50,000. Plans with telcos can chop off a few thousand but not much for it to come close to Xperia’s price tag.

Verdict

The iPhone 6 is truly a powerful device with the new Apple A8 engine. Additionally, iOS 8.1 trumps the vanilla package in the Xperia. But Sony picks up the slack by offering a bigger battery and better durability. While the iPhone 6 may be phenomenal, it doesn’t warrant the gigantic price tag, looking at the specs it has. It may not be the fastest, but the Xperia has enough ammo to go against the giant. It isn’t the “iPhone killer,” but it’s definitely in the big leagues.