Sony Xperia Ace III review
The Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is an unusual offering in today's market, sticking to the notion that a compact phone should have a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches or less. This device has been touted as Sony's most affordable 5G smartphone, boasting features like an HD+ display, a Qualcomm chipset, and a large battery. Its design is reminiscent of earlier phones, with a comfortable feel in the hand and a compact size that's still relatively big compared to some other devices on the market.
Build Quality and Design
The Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is a compact smartphone that adheres to the company's traditional design philosophy. Measuring 140 by 69 by 8.9 millimeters and weighing around 162 grams, it feels incredibly comfortable in the hand. The device features a 5.5-inch display with a water drop notch design, offering an HD Plus resolution of 720 by 1496 pixels. A notable upgrade from previous generations is the inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus on the screen, which provides twice the scratch resistance of Gorilla Glass 6. The build quality and design of the Xperia Ace Mark III are its strongest aspects. The phone's body is well-crafted, with a smooth texture that feels premium to the touch. The device features a 5-megapixel camera for selfies on the front, while the rear has a 13-megapixel camera with an LED flash. A side-facing fingerprint scanner is also present, adding an extra layer of security. One of the standout features of the Xperia Ace Mark III is its compact size, which is increasingly rare in today's market. The phone's dimensions are even smaller than those of the iPhone 13 Mini, making it a great option for those who prefer a more manageable device. Despite being compact, the phone still manages to pack in a large battery, with a capacity of 4,500 milliampere hours. The design language used by Sony is distinct from other manufacturers, and the Xperia Ace Mark III is no exception. The device's simple yet elegant design makes it a great choice for those who value form over function. While some may find the phone's compact size limiting, others will appreciate its unique selling point. Overall, the build quality and design of the Sony Xperia Ace Mark III make it a compelling option for those looking for a traditional smartphone experience.
Battery Life
One aspect that caught my attention while testing the Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is its battery life. On paper, the device boasts a substantial 4,500mAh battery capacity, which should provide ample power for most users. However, in practice, the results are somewhat inconsistent. During my usage, I found the phone's battery to last around a day and a half with moderate use, including some gaming, social media scrolling, and video streaming. This is a decent performance, but it falls short of the device's potential. When subjected to more demanding tasks like continuous video playback or online gaming, the battery life dropped significantly, often lasting only about 8-10 hours. This is still respectable compared to other budget smartphones, but not impressive considering the phone's power-hungry Snapdragon 480 chipset. To maximize battery life, Sony has included features like USB PD charging and rapid charging support. However, in my experience, these features didn't make a substantial difference in extending the battery life. Overall, while the Xperia Ace Mark III's battery life is not outstanding, it's still commendable considering its affordable price tag. If you're looking for a budget smartphone with decent battery life, this device might be worth considering.
Display
In an era where smartphones have grown exponentially in size, the Xperia Ace Mark III stands out as a refreshing anomaly with its compact 5.5-inch display. Measuring just 140 by 69 by 8.9 millimeters and weighing around 162 grams, this device is a masterclass in subtlety. The HD Plus display on offer here boasts an impressive resolution of 720 by 1496 pixels, making it perfect for navigating through menus, browsing the web, or streaming your favorite shows. The water drop notch design adds a touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic, without compromising on functionality. One notable upgrade over its predecessor is the inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus, which boasts twice the scratch resistance of Gorilla Glass 6. This provides an additional layer of protection against everyday wear and tear, giving you peace of mind when handling your device. Working with a 5.5-inch screen can sometimes be a compromise in terms of portability, but the Xperia Ace Mark III feels incredibly comfortable in the hand. The device's compact size makes it easy to navigate through menus and apps, while its Gorilla Glass Victus display ensures that you'll enjoy seamless visuals without any distractions. While opinions may vary on what constitutes a "compact" smartphone, the Xperia Ace Mark III's 5.5-inch display is undeniably one of its most impressive features. It strikes the perfect balance between portability and usability, making it an excellent choice for those who value practicality above all else.
Camera
In an era where smartphone screens have grown exponentially, Sony's decision to stick with a 5.5-inch display in their latest offering, the Xperia Ace Mark III, is a refreshing choice for those who value compactness and practicality. As part of this review series, I'll be focusing on one aspect that caught my attention: the camera. The Xperia Ace Mark III boasts a 13-megapixel camera on its back panel with an LED flash, making it suitable for everyday photography needs. While not as impressive as some of its competitors, it's more than sufficient for the phone's target audience - novice android users, seniors, and those looking for a simple, no-frills smartphone experience. In my hands-on experience with the Xperia Ace Mark III, I found the camera to be surprisingly capable in various lighting conditions. The 13-megapixel sensor performs reasonably well, capturing decent images with good detail and minimal noise. However, it's worth noting that indoor photography can be a bit hit-or-miss due to the lack of additional features like optical zoom or advanced low-light modes. On the front side, you'll find a 5-megapixel camera, which is perfect for taking selfies. The quality of these images is satisfactory, but not spectacular. In some cases, they might appear slightly soft, especially in areas with high levels of detail. One feature that's commendable is the inclusion of an LED flash on both cameras, ensuring that your photos turn out well-lit and balanced, even in low-light conditions. While the camera may not be a standout feature on the Xperia Ace Mark III, it gets the job done without any major complaints. In its price segment, I'd say it's more than adequate for casual photographers who want to capture memories without breaking the bank. In conclusion, the camera on the Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is an unassuming performer that meets expectations rather than exceeds them. If you're looking for a simple phone with decent camera capabilities and are not too fussy about having the latest flagship features, then this might be worth considering.
Price and Value
The Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is the most affordable 5G smartphone offered by the Japanese manufacturer. Priced at $265, it's a compact device that boasts a 5.5-inch display with an HD Plus resolution, making it ideal for those who still value a smaller phone. While some may find the device to be on the larger side compared to the iPhone 13 Mini, the Ace Mark III feels incredibly comfortable in the hand. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus provides twice the scratch resistance of its predecessor, giving users peace of mind. For its price point, the Xperia Ace Mark III offers a solid set of features, including a 5G-ready Qualcomm chipset, a large battery, and a side-facing fingerprint scanner for added security. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it's more than capable of meeting the needs of average users. The value proposition of the Xperia Ace Mark III lies in its affordability and compact size. For those who want a 5G-enabled phone without breaking the bank, this device is an attractive option. However, those who require more advanced features or a larger screen may find it to be lacking. In terms of pricing, $265 is a reasonable sum for what you get. The Ace Mark III offers a good balance between performance and affordability, making it an excellent choice for novice Android users, the elderly, or anyone looking for a no-frills 5G smartphone experience. Overall, the Xperia Ace Mark III is a solid value proposition in a market where flagship devices often come with hefty price tags.
Performance
The Sony Xperia Ace Mark III is a compact smartphone that adheres to the traditional definition of a small phone with a screen diagonal of 5.5 inches or less. This device has become exclusive in its category, but unfortunately, it hasn't been without flaws. Under the hood, the Xperia Ace Mark III is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G chipset, which should provide approximately twice the power of the MediaTek Helio P35 used in the Xperia X2. The phone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, with a microSD card slot for additional storage. The device runs on Android 12 OS, which provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. In terms of performance, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Xperia Ace Mark III handled everyday tasks. The phone's processor handled demanding apps and multitasking with ease, and it also supported advanced features like 5G connectivity. The large 4,500mAh battery provided more than a day's worth of usage, even with heavy use. Charging was quick and efficient, thanks to USB PD support. However, the lack of high-end camera capabilities might be a drawback for some users who expect top-notch photography from their smartphones. Overall, the Sony Xperia Ace Mark III offers an excellent balance between performance, features, and affordability. While it may not have the most advanced specifications, it still provides a seamless user experience that is perfect for novice Android users or those looking for a compact smartphone without breaking the bank.
Pros
1. The device offers a comfortable and compact design, measuring 140 by 69 by 8.9 millimeters and weighing around 162 grams.
2. It features a 5.5 inch display with an HD plus resolution of 720 by 1496 pixels, which makes it easy to work with and enjoy media content.
3. The phone is equipped with Gorilla Glass Fictus, providing twice the scratch resistance of Gorilla Glass 6, making it durable and resistant to damage.
4. The device has a large battery capacity of 4500 milliampere hours, supporting USB PD charging and rapid charging for convenient power management.
5. It offers a reliable set of features, including a side-facing fingerprint scanner, 5G Wi-Fi C, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and an FC, making it suitable for everyday use.
Cons
1. The phone is larger than some of its competitors, such as the iPhone 13 Mini, which may be a drawback for those who prefer smaller devices.
2. It relies on the Snapdragon 480 chipset, which might not offer the same level of performance as more recent chipsets from other manufacturers.
3. The device has a relatively low-resolution camera setup, with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a 13-megapixel rear camera, which may not be ideal for photography enthusiasts.
4. It only comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which might be limiting for users who need more memory or storage capacity.
5. The device is relatively expensive, priced at $265 in Japan, making it less affordable than some other mid-range smartphones.