Australian PC World | Tony Ibrahim

Few criticisms could be levelled against the Z1 Compact. The smartphone packed flagship guts into a comfortable 4.3in form factor...Sony has since taken a red pen to the original and made subtle refinements...that inches the succeeding Z3 Compact closer to perfection.The bezel-heavy body, for instance, has been shaved down to such an extent that even with a bigger 4.6in screen, the Z3 Compact stands no taller, is thinner and lighter. Metal has been used for the corners in order to improve rigidity, while the plastic bumpers lining its side are rounded for comfort's sake.

AndroidPit | Kris Carlon

Technically the Z3 Compact is fantastic and despite the occasional issue like with the camera – which we have also experienced on the Z2 and Z3 – you'd be hard pressed to find a better Android in 4.6-inch range.

Expert Reviews | Christopher Minasians

Even a few years on, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is still a very capable mid-range smartphone. It was arguably the first 'mini' phone that truly lived up to the idea of delivering a flagship experience inside a smaller chassis. Even today its fast processor and incredible battery life make it a pleasure to use.

Recombu | Chris Barraclough

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact isn't just the best mini phone we've played with this year, it's one of the very best smartphones that money can buy. Packing premium features and specs into a comfortable-to-fondle frame, the Z3 Compact offers an excellent user experience with next to no drawbacks.

S21

Although it doesn't quite have superphone status, the Z3 Compact is a very impressive phone. ....Screen size has been sacrificed, but that's inevitable if you want a smaller phone.

The Gadget Show

Sony's crafted its smallest, but best phone to date that feels solid in the hand and simply pops; using a phone with one hand and one thumb never felt better.

Mobile Choice

The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact blends top-end performance, a brilliant camera and shiny new software with solid build quality, an attractive, comfortable design, and waterproofing. The Z3 Compact misses out on the metal chassis of its larger-screened sibling, there's less RAM and the screen isn't Full HD.

Stuff | Esat Dedezade

The power of a full-size flagship, an excellent camera and an impressive battery life are all crammed into a device that's a pleasure to use no matter the size of your digits.

The Guardian | Samuel Gibbs

The Z3 Compact is the best small Android smartphone available. It is light, easy to hold and use and has all the power of a full-sized flagship phone with fantastic battery life.

Digital Spy | Ben Griffin

By focussing on the areas that really matter, like an impressive camera and superb battery life (for a smartphone), Sony deserves recognition. The Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are very accomplished Android smartphones that can survive most of what life throws at them.

Pocket-lint | Chris Hall

Like the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, the Z3 Compact is a great - and importantly a little - flagship handset. We're yet to see a better Android device at this size.

pocketnow | Taylor Martin

If you want a high-end smartphone without all the extra baggage, Sony has gone the extra distance to make sure this is the phone you buy, and we highly recommend it.

NotebookCheck | Florian Wimmer

Sony does it again: Introduces a new model after a couple of months and actually managed to integrate significant improvements over the predecessor. You can obviously have mixed feelings about the product policy and its usefulness, but it is a fact that the Japanese once again produced a great smartphone.

The Mobile Indian | Anil Satapathy

I have no dilemma in recommending the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact for those who want a small smartphone but with performance like their big brothers.

Know Your Mobile | James Peckham

It is an impressive update to the Xperia Z1 Compact and stands out amongst the miniature crowd. The display needs improving and the UI has some issues but overall the small package manages to pack a punch.

PC Advisor | Chris Martin

The Xperia Z3 compact is great little smartphone offering pretty much everything available on the full-size Z3 (including PS4 Remote Play and High-Res audio) apart from a Full HD screen. The new design is thinner and lighter plus the display is bigger than previously and at its price this is not only the best mini smartphone you can buy, it's one of the best smartphones around.

ITProPortal | Sandra Vogel

The camera is easy to use and has lots of customisability, the screen is great for everything from looking at photos and web pages to watching movies and YouTube, there's lots of power and battery life is excellent. I'd have liked to see the screen resolution taken up a notch, but overall this is a pleasingly powerful hand-friendly phone.

TechRadar | Matt Hanson

However, if you are looking for a feature-packed phone that looks fantastic and performs brilliantly, then you'll be very pleased with the Xperia Z3 Compact. Just don't expect to shoot epic 4K movies with it.

phoneArena | Victor H

The Xperia Z3 Compact takes the successful formula of the Z1 Compact and makes it better in practically every way.

Wired UK | Dave Oliver

The Z3 Compact combines pocket-friendly dimensions with a terrific screen, powerful processor and a very good camera, all in a waterproof case.

Mobile Syrup | Daniel Bader

It's hard not to love many aspects of the Xperias Z3s, despite the fact that it took Sony so many iterations to get here. They're the same great products with the same frustrating flaws. The Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are two of the best choices in a very crowded Android ecosystem.

Android Authority | Joshua Vergara

Sony continues to hit it out of the park with their compact line, giving consumers a fantastic small form factor option, without a trade off in quality or specifications. The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is a small powerhouse with high accessibility and high power, with few compromises.

Engadget | Jamie Rigg

The Z3 Compact is simply the best small Android smartphone on the market at the moment.

The Verge | Vlad Savov

The smaller and cheaper Z3 is just about the perfect size for a phone while retaining the excellent battery life and performance specs of the outsized flagship handset [Xperia Z3]. Its downsides pale into insignificance when set against the assurance of having a superbly durable, long-lasting, and fast phone that's also a joy to handle and use. There's no other phone like it on the market today.

TechSpot | Tim Schiesser

So if you're in the market for a compact Android device that doesn't sacrifice on specs, get the Xperia Z3 Compact. It doesn't just win by default: it's actually a really good device.

PC Pro | Jonathan Bray

Sony's pint-sized smartphone packs in a host of premium features without the high-end price

Gadgets Now | Anupam Saxena

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is, without doubt, the best compact smartphone available at the moment. It comes with top-of-the-line hardware, a brilliant display, fluid user interface, an incredible camera and delivers punchy performance.

Brighthand | Dragan Petric

The Xperia Z3 Compact fits top-notch power, battery life, and camera performance into a smooth glass build that's comfortable to use with one hand. It is the best sub 5-inch Android phone available today.

The Next Web | Nick Summers

If you want a truly pocket-sized Android smartphone that doesn't skimp on performance, the Xperia Z3 Compact is for you. But if you've been waiting for a truly no-compromise device, you'll need to wait just a little longer.

Trusted Reviews | Michael Sawh

The Xperia Z3 Compact is the best of the Android minis and even makes a nice alternative to the iPhone 6. For those looking for a small Android phone that's packed with features, this is still a great option, but Sony fans will want to see more innovation from the next instalment.

NDTV Gadgets | Jamshed Avari

There isn't much difference between the Z1 Compact and Z3 Compact - a little CPU speed, LTE support, a few camera tricks, a marginally smaller screen, and 1mm of width. Despite all its amazing qualities, the Z3 Compact has a deadly competitor in the form of its own predecessor.

CNET UK | Andrew Hoyle

Although it's a disappointment Sony hasn't increased the screen resolution along with its size, and the camera's quirks are rather odd, the Xperia Z3 Compact's improved design, vast amounts of power, decent battery life and waterproof body help it maintain its position as one of the best mini flagships around.