Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305) vs Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)

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Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Sony Xperia Z5 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

10/8/2015 7:43 AM, updated: 6/19/2025 6:19 PM

Compare Sony Xperia Z5 X Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305) 04Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

4.8"
AMOLED

720x1280

8
MP

2mp

2GB
RAM

Quad-core

2100
mAh

(Removable)

26Points Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603) Compare Samsung Galaxy S3 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

5.2"
IPS

1080x1920

23
MP

5mp

3GB
RAM

Octa-core

2900
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)

The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!

4 Advantages Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	vs	26 Advantages Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
+131 grams (4.59 ounces)18% Lighter	vs	154 grams (5.39 ounces)
+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid	vs	TFT IPS LCD
+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness	vs	Not supported
+Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable)Advantage Removable battery can be replaced easily	vs	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
1.4GHz 32bit Quad-core (32nm)	vs	+2GHz 64bit Octa-core143% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
2GB LPDDR2	vs	+3GB LPDDR450% More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
16GB (11GB available)	vs	+32GB (22GB available)100% More internal storage for applications and files
eMMC 4.41	vs	+eMMC 5.0Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
Until 64GB microSD, microSDXC	vs	+Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC3 times More external storage for files using memory cards
8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)	vs	+7.3 millimeters (0.29 inches)18% Thinner
Plastic body, glass front	vs	+Aluminum frame, glass front/backAdvantage More resistant material
720x1280 pixels	vs	+1080x1920 pixels125% Higher resolution screen
306 PPI	vs	+424 PPI39% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)
4.8"	vs	+5.2"8% Larger screen
(back) 8MP	vs	+(back) 23MP186% Higher resolution main camera
HDR photo only main camera	vs	+HDR photo/video on both camerasAdvantage The HDR technology produced photos with more detail in dark areas
1/3" inches	vs	+1/2.3" inches30% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
f/2.6 (aperture)	vs	+f/2.0 (aperture)30% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.
(front) 2MP	vs	+(front) 5MP162% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
Full HD (1920x1080)	vs	+4K UHD (3840x2160)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
(front) HD (1280x720)	vs	+(front) Full HD (1920x1080)125% More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
Android 4.4 KitKat	vs	+Android 7.1.1 NougatAdvantage Android 7.1.1 Nougat is newer and safer
(4G LTE) 100 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE) 150 Mbps50% Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+ANT+Advantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
2100 mAh	vs	+2900 mAh38% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Not supported	vs	+FM (RDS)Advantage The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general
802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4]	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] is newer and faster
4.0 + A2DP	vs	+4.1 + A2DPAdvantage Bluetooth 4.1 + A2DP is newer and faster
Not supported	vs	+IP68 certifiedAdvantage Protection against water allows you talk to your friends in the rain, for example

25 Common items in both devices

16 million

LED flash

Only digital zoom

Autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus

EIS: Digital stabilization

4G LTE

Capacitive

+18 specs and more in the table below

Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.

Highlight differences

📱 Model features
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Other model names	Samsung Galaxy S3 i9305 (4G LTE)	Sony Xperia Z5 E6603 (LTE), Sony Sumire SS
Country or region available	(Latin America), (Europe), (Global, International), Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore	feature not registered
Brand	Samsung	Sony
Release date	10/1/2012	10/2/2015
Depth	8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)	7.3 millimeters (0.29 inches)
Size (width x height)	70.6 x 136.6 millimeters (2.78 x 5.38 in)	72 x 146 millimeters (2.83 x 5.75 in)
Weight	131 grams (4.59 ounces)	154 grams (5.39 ounces)
Build, materials	Plastic body, glass front	Aluminum frame, glass front/back
Protection against water and others	Not supported	IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant
📲 Display
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Display type	Super AMOLED	TFT IPS LCD
Screen size	4.8" inches	5.2" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~65.9% (screen-to-body ratio)	~70.9% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	720x1280 pixels	1080x1920 pixels
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	306 PPI	424 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 2	Scratch-resistant glass
Refresh rate	60Hz	feature not registered
Display features	Not supported	feature not registered
🤖 Operating System
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
System version	Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Firmware update	Android 4.4 KitKat	Android 7.1.1 Nougat
User Interface	TouchWiz UI	feature not registered
⚙️ Processor
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Chipset	32bit: Samsung Exynos 4412 (32nm)	64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 (20nm)
CPU	Quad-core, 1 processor: 4x 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A9 (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A57 (Quad-core) 4x 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-400 MP4 (440MHz)	Qualcomm Adreno 430
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
RAM memory	2GB LPDDR2	3GB LPDDR4
Internal storage	16GB (11GB available) eMMC 4.41	32GB (22GB available) eMMC 5.0
External storage	Until 64GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)	Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Not supported
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	100/50 Mbps	150/50 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G, 4G	2G, 3G, 4G
Frequency, bands	Expand band details Collapse details
GSM MHz band	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900	Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 2G network	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/900/2100	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	LTE 800/1800/2600	LTE Cat4 (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28) TD-LTE (Bands 38, 40)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	Not supported
Secondary data network	Not supported	Not supported
📷 Camera
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Back camera (main camera)	8 megapixels	23 megapixels
Main camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	5520x4140 pixels
Video recording (primary)	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps	4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps
Flash	LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/2.6 (aperture)	f/2.0 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	24mm (lens)
Sensor size	1/3" inches	1/2.3" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Autofocus	Autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Supported	Not supported
HDR	HDR photo only main camera	HDR photo/video on both cameras
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Front camera (secondary)	2 megapixels	5 megapixels
Front camera resolution	1600x1200 pixels	2592x1944 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	HD (1280x720)	Full HD (1920x1080)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.6 (aperture)	f/2.4 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	feature not registered
Pixel size	feature not registered	feature not registered
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound (not stereo)	Supported
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones	2 microphones or more
Radio	Not supported	FM (RDS)
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV	MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263
Audio formats	MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC	MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC
🔌 Connectivity
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Micro-B USB MHL	Micro-B USB MHL-3
Bluetooth	4.0 + A2DP	4.1 + A2DP
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot
DLNA	Supported	Supported
GPS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS
NFC	Supported	Supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Gyroscope Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) EB-L1G6LLU	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable)
Battery capacity	2100 mAh	2900 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	18W Wired fast charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	feature not registered
Talk time autonomy	11 hours	17 hours
Standby	510 hours (21.3 days)	540 hours (22.5 days)
➕ Other features
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (Swype), MMS, E-mail, Push mail	SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail
Hands-free calling	Supported	Supported
Video calling	Supported	Supported
Ringtones	Polyphonic and customized	Polyphonic and customized
Web browser	HTML, XHTML, HTML5, Flash player	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Pebble blue, Marble white • Smart Stay eye tracking • S-Voice • Java framework	• Colors: White, Graphite Black, Gold, Green • Sony TRILUMINOS™ display • Sony X-Reality • Quick Charge 2.0: 60% battery in 30min • Anti-fingerprint coating • Sony Exmor RS sensor camera • 3D Surround Sound • ClearAudio+ • IP68 certified: dust proof and water resistant over 1.5m and 30min
☢️ Radiation rate
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9305)	Sony Xperia Z5 (E6603)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	0.45W/kg (head), 0.87W/kg (body)	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	0.244W/kg (head), 0.237W/kg (body)	feature not registered