Sony has just opened the gates to allow folks in the US to purchase the very new Xperia Z3 Compact mini flagship. But unlike its new strategy with the bigger Xperia Z3, Sony is using it's older business model of selling the device directly and without carrier support and subsidy. That means you can get the Xperia Z3 Compact and use it on any network of your choice, but of course that also means coughing up more dough upfront compared to spreading it out over two years or so.
We still don't know why Sony decided not to have an Xperia Z2 Compact, but that will no longer matter as the Xperia Z3 Compact is the small-sized smartphone to beat. Unless, of course, you consider price tags, in which case the new Moto G is still the top contender. As with the Xperia Z1 Compact, this smartphone is like a smaller reflection of the Xperia Z3. It may not share the same high-end specs, but it continues Sony's tradition of putting the best that you can find in such a cramped space.
This means a 2.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage expandable up to 128 GB. The screen remains at 720p, a bit of a disappointment, but still quite decent at 4.6 inches. The rear camera is, of course, 20.7 megapixels, now improved and better than ever. The front-facing one totes 2.2 megapixels capable of recording 1080p video. The Xperia Z3 Compact shares many of the special features that its bigger sibling has, including IP65/IP68 dust and water proofing, a 2,600 mAh battery advertised to last for 2 days, and, for the first time, PS4 Remote Play that turns the handy smartphone into a gaming console remote.
With all those features, plus Sony's usual pricing scheme, it shouldn't be surprising that the device carries a $529.99 price tag. There are discount promos available, like 10 percent off for students or $100 off for Sony Mobile Capital One members. The Xperia Z3 Compact comes in the new Sony color scheme of White, Black, Orange, and Green though only the white one gets a white front while the rest are matched with a black face.