Meet the Sony Xperia T3 - The "World's Slimmest 5.3-inch Smartphone"

Sony just unleashed the Xperia T3, a 7mm, 5.3-inch HD device with 8MP main camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage all wrapped in a stainless steel frame. Sony tells us that it is intended for global release from the end of July. The specs suggest an upper mid-range placement. So what’s different with this one? They teamed up with German photographer Benjamin Kaufmann for the design of this smartphone, taking inspiration from “landscapes and art.” So we can add this to the OmniBalance design langauge that they’ve been using. Xperia just took a new direction.

The unique stainless steel ‘mirror’ that frames the device is represented in the reflective waves of the sea, while the device’s white, black and purple variations are also characterised in the landscapes breath-taking palette.

Come check out the specs and gallery.

What’s in the device? What can it do?

5.3″ HD (1280 x 720) IPS screen with Triluminos Display, Bravia Engine 2
Snapdragon 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Quad-core
1 GB RAM, 8GB internal storage
8-megapixel rear camera, 1.1 front
150.7 x 77 x 7 mm
148 grams
2500 mAh battery
LTE (4G, up to 150 Mbit/s download and 50 Mbit/s upload speeds)
Android 4.4 Kitkat

Fully Featured

The Sony Xperia T3 has all the usual features you expect and appreciate on a Sony smartphone. Superb connectivity options from NFC to DLNA, a fully supported camera with Timeshift burst, Portrait retouch and more additions. Something to watch out for is the Exmor RS sensor and Bravia Engine. Admittedly, there can be gimmicks in the smartphone world, glossy images and cool brands, but as a connoisseur of all kinds of tech devices, I can vouch for these two features. The Exmor RS sensor simply results in more accurate, realistic and properly balanced camera snaps. It’s that glorious ‘that’s a great shot’ that you want and not having to retake a shot 10 times. The Bravia Engine illuminates colours perfectly in a very sexy way. Sony smartphones with Bravia Engine make me want to watch – anything on the gorgeous screen. Like HD TV and 4K, it has to be seen to believed.

Sony’s Mid-Range Offerings and a New Design Language

Check out the 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage. Is a premium device going to have that? Nope. A budget device? Nope. This is a mid-range device, but in the upper tier. So this suggests where Sony Mobile is going with their new standards for each tier. Bigger screens doesn’t have to mean premium segment – Sony released the Xperia C in June 2013 with clear mid-range specs but a 5-inch screen. We recently seen more hints of what Sony’s new mid-range will be like. A smartphone with the model D2403 from Sony appeared in benchmarks with specs apparently designed to tear through the competition in the mid-range. It’s great to see that this one has an IPS screen. Many Sony smartphones including flagships have been let down by issues with the screen. The competition went with IPS screen tech earlier on and the difference was very noticable. Hopefully this is a new standard in Sony’s mid-range too.

The Xperia T3 has been created with attention to detail for those how know how to appreciate distinctive design in their everyday life which is exactly the inspiration behind Benjamin’s photography.

Ying Shao, Senior Product Designer at Sony Mobile

You can see this new Xperia over at Sony Mobile. We’re told to expect a global release from the end of July. The gallery follows below.