Six months on and Sony has updated its flagship smartphone with the Z3. Not enough time has passed for the company to release a brand new device. In fact, it's best to think of the Z3 as a ‘lite' version of the widely praised Xperia Z2.

Great display; Exceptional camera; Long battery; Water- and dust- proof; Glass and aluminium body

Rare flagship without IR transmitter; No finger scanner

I got one of these. Previously had an xperia z c6603. This phone has much nicer screen and faster processor, noticeably better camera also. All big pluses for me. Very clear video playback. Very vibrant colours. Nice look. Only one downside i found so far, phone seems very slippery to hold.

For a phone that, initially at least, looks a lot like the one it's meant to replace the Z3 has a few tricks up its sleeve. Best of all is the standout battery life. Android photographers will love the camera too. It's easy to recommend the Z3, unless you're upgrading from the Z2, of course.

Fantastic battery life; High-quality finish; Great camera

Software feels a little dated

This is a quality handset which oozes style and has a premium feel. The Z3 is a lot lighter and easier to hold that the Z2 but, as Leigh stated when he looked at the HTC One M8, if you already have the Z2 you'd be fine to hang on to it.

Sony's Xperia line of smartphones has gained popularity for its simple, yet striking, aluminum-and-glass construction. Just slightly thicker than the industry-leading iPhone 6, the new Xperia Z3 is a phablet with one chief selling point: water resistance.

Water resistance; dust resistance; a solid processor and a dedicated; dual-stage camera button make the Xperia Z3 a powerful entry in the smartphone market

Its 1080p screen can feel somewhat dim next to flagship competitors

The Xperia Z3 maintains Sony's pedigree of great smartphones and while it does not come with any major changes when compared to the Z2, it is still a worthy flagship smartphone.

Great battery life; Waterproof and dust proof certified; Excellent camera with 4K recording

Glossy design makes it slippery; Not a huge update from its predecessor

Unless you're willing to pay full price for an unlocked model, it is otherwise quite difficult to get your hands on Sony smartphones in the US. A lack of network carrier partners is to be blame, but that is slowly changing, with Verizon Wireless having their latest flagship smartphone on offer,...

Solid build quality; Front-facing speakers; Vivid display; Exceptional battery life; Wireless charging

Old design

Sony produces flagship smartphones at such a blistering pace that there are rarely any significant improvements made between models. However, while its new Xperia Z3 arrives only 6 months after the Z2, the upgrades this time around are easily apparent.

Highly attractive; water-resistant body; One of the best cameras on an Android phone; Excellent battery life

Large and heavy; Underwhelming viewing angles; Tiny camera key

Without a doubt, the Sony Xperia Z3 is a flagship on the level of - and in some ways above - the One (M8), Galaxy S5, or any other its better-known Android competitors. It's attractive and powerful, with top-tier battery life, clever integration with the PS4, and a waterproof build that makes it...

The Z3 might not be a significant change-up of Sony's flagship Xperia formula, but the combination of a bunch of minor tweaks and upgrades has made this handset one of the best on the market. I'll start with the standout feature of this handset: its battery life.

Awesome battery life without sacrificing high-end performance; Refined design is comfortable, stylish and waterproof; Fantastic display that's both crisp and vibrant; Familiar camera hardware is still pretty decent

Frustrating app prevents the camera from reaching its true potential; Software feels bland and outdated compared to the competition