Review: Superb build, but why is the Sony Xperia Z3+ heating up?

Sony smartphones are known to have great cameras and robust build quality. The company’s latest offering, Sony Xperia Z3+, too doesn’t disappoint in these departments.

Even with a stunning, waterproof and dust-tight body, the Sony Xperia Z3+ loses its edge due to overheating.

Sony smartphones are known to have great cameras and robust build quality. The company's latest offering, Sony Xperia Z3+, too doesn't disappoint in these departments. At first glance, the handset is striking — sleek, thin and light. However, it isn't until 10 minutes of using the phone, that it starts heating up, and this is one of its biggest drawbacks.

The phone offers many features. Yet, it may not get your nod when it comes to choosing it over its competitors such as Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and HTC One M9.

The Good: Its biggest plus, especially for Indian weather conditions, is that the device is waterproof and dust-tight. So, you don't have to worry about spending money on expensive protective covers for the monsoons. The phone's display is triluminos (like in a Bravia LED TV) so be assured of bright and vivid picture quality. The cameras — main (20.7 MP) and front (5 MP) — are top notch and give great results even in low light conditions. The combination of a 810 octa-core processor, 64-bit capability and 3GB RAM offers an enthralling gaming experience. Being a Sony device, it is PlayStation-compatible and gives you enough options to seamlessly mirror the display on a host of compatible devices.

The Bad: Sony phones have an inherent problem of excessive bloatware. This phone, too, comes pre-loaded with a suite of applications like Socialife, Sony Live TV and Xperia Lounge, among others, most of which you will probably never use. Another annoying feature is that the phone automatically restarts every time a SIM card is inserted or removed. Its biggest snag is the overheating problem caused by the super-fast processor, which avid gamers may find problematic. While the inconvenience of holding a heated handset can be solved by using a cover, it will definitely ruin the sleek design of the phone.

Verdict: If Sony manages to iron out the problem of overheating and cut down on the bloatware with its next launch (the Z4), it would be a worthwhile buy. However, if you have the luxury of spending half a lakh on a phone and want a stunning looking one, then Sony Xperia Z3+ is a decent buy.

QUICK SPECS
What: Sony Xperia Z3+
At a glance: 5.2" triluminous display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, 20.7MP front camera
USP: Stylish design with a waterproof and dust-tight body
Best b uy: ₹52,990 on Flipkart
Rating: ***

(The writer tweets as @CultureCola )