Sony is busy tonight, presenting their launch plans for their newest Xperia smartphones, wearables and accessories in Australia. We’ve seen the Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and Smartwatch 3, and they’re all coming your way in the next few weeks.
Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact
At the launch of the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact at IFA we were advised that both phones would be heading to Australia, with the Xperia Z3 heading to all four carriers (Telstra, Vodafone, Optus and Virgin Mobile) while the Xperia Z3 Compact would be heading to Optus and Telstra.
The Sony Xperia Z3 will be available in four colours: Black, White, Copper and Silver Green, while the Xperia Z3 Compact will be available in White, Black, Orange and Green. Telstra and Optus will get the Black, White and Copper versions while Virgin Mobile and Vodafone will only have the Black versions. All colours will be available from Sony direct or kiosk sales, and buying outright at retailers.
The plans and pricing for both the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact are as follows :
| Sony Xperia Z3 | Sony Xperia Z3 Compact | |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra | $10 per month on a $70 mobile accelerate plan min cost $1920 ($80/month) excess data 3c/MB. 2 min standard call $2.38 |
$3 per month on a $70 Mobile Accelerate Plan min cost $1728 ($73/month) excess data 3c/MB. 2 min standard call $2.38 |
| Optus | $10 per month on a $60 Plan | $10 per month on a $50 plan |
| Vodafone | $8 per month on a $70 Red Plan | N/A |
| Virgin Mobile Australia | $5 per month on a $60 plan | |
| Sony Online and Kiosks, as well as other Telecommunications retailers |
$849 | $699 |
PS4 Preorder Bonus
Pre-orders begin at 9am tomorrow, and Sony announced that there will be a free PS4 as a bonus for the first 400 customers, but didn’t clarify if this was for outright retail purchases or carrier purchases on-contract.
The Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact are now showing on the Sony Australia website, but with no option to pre-order yet. You can see the Xperia Z3 here, or the Xperia Z3 Compact here.
Update 1 (30 Sep, 10pm) Virgin Mobile is offering the PS4 deal for only the Xperia Z3 to the first 100 people to pre-order. Pre-orders open at 9am, so get in fast, head over to the Virgin Mobile Website to check it out. It appears this deal might be for on-contract purchases from carriers.
Update 2 (1 Oct, 9am): Telstra is giving away 100 PS4s, but it’s not first-come-first-served. According to this blog post, if you preorder the Z3 or Z3 Compact on contract from October 7 then you can go into the draw but you need to use the #TelstraZ3 hashtag on a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter post and tell them your favourite feature to enter.
Update 3 (1 Oct, 9.20am): Sony’s PR has clarified some details – Virgin Mobile preorders start October 3, while Telstra preorders start October 7. Optus preorders start today, but we haven’t been able to find a preorder page on their site for it yet. Vodafone won’t be offering preorders. Retail preorders start today.
Update 4 (1 Oct, 9.25am): Sony’s Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact listingnow has a preorder button! Preorder for a chance to win one of 100 PS4s, offer ends 11:59am on October 3! If you want a Z3 or Z3 Compact and want the PS4 bonus it looks like this is the place to go to buy off-contract while still going into the running.
Update 5 (1 Oct, 9.45am): Optus has now tweeted the link to its preorder page. It lists the Playstation 4 bonus but doesn’t seem to have any conditions attached. (Confirmed, PS4’s are going to the first 100 preorders on Optus).
Let us know if you find any other good deals on these phones!
Accessories
Looks like there’s some Xperia Z3 accessories on the Sony Australia website, too (thanks Duncan Jaffrey for pointing these out). These include the WCR14 Qi compatible wireless charging case. There’s no price yet, but know that there’s options if you’re a fan of Qi charging.
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is at the event, but we haven’t been advised of any pricing or availability information during the presentation, and units on the floor appear to be prototypes. Despite this, the device seems consistent with Sony’s other products – thin and light like the Z2 Tablet, whilst still maintaining Sony’s (in)famous bezels.
The tablet is lovely to hold, and we’re looking forward to checking out Sony’s first small tablet (the Xperia Z Ultra doesn’t count). We hope to get more information in the coming weeks on this.
Update Sony’s PR materials have arrived this morning. It seems the Z3 Tablet Compact is bound for Optus.
The 4G variant of Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will be available from Optus with the 16GB WiFi variant ranged through Sony online and in Sony Kiosks and Sony Centres.
Sony still isn’t ready to let all the details go public yet, though:
More details on pricing and dates of availability for both variants will be announced at a later stage.
Boo.
Smartwatch 3
The Sony Smartwatch 3 will be available in the next 2-3 weeks from Sony and Telstra for an RRP of $299.
You’ll be able to pick it up with either Black or White “classic” bands, or Pink or Lime “sports” bands. The difference is a gap in the band that should get rid of any sweat that builds up while exercising.
If you didn’t realize, you can change the bands on the Smartwatch 3 so if you don’t like the band you get it with, you can buy a new one. Bands are a proprietary design and Sony has advised that they’ll retail at $49. (Note: This article originally said the price would be $40, but Sony has since clarified the pricing for us)
We’ve also heard that there will be a stainless steel band option for the Smartwatch 3, although we won’t see it until 2015. It’s also not clear whether the band will be available separately or only with purchase of a Smartwatch 3.
Sony has long advised that the Smartwatch will measure heart-rate, but we haven’t been clear on how it will do it. We grabbed a picture of the back of the watch and can’t see any PPG heart-rate monitor, but Sony representatives at the event advised it will be there on retail units.
You know what we did see on the back, though? A micro USB port. Yes, the Smartwatch 3 can be charged from a standard charger – Sony deserves a round of applause for this.
Smartbands
Good news for the original Smartband – it gets a price-drop to just $99, making it quite a decent option for the life-logging enthusiast. Sony recently announced that they would be opening the Lifelog API for access via the web, which solves one of the issues we had when we reviewed the original band.
The Smartband Talk will be available in White, Black, Red/Black, Lime/White and Blue/Black (and probably more) colours at an RRP of $199, with stock expected to be in stores for Christmas.
Update Sony has clarified the pricing and colours for us on the Smartband and Smartband Talk. The Smartband’s bands are Purple/Yellow, White/Pink, Black/Navy in Large, and White, Dark Green and Blue/Maroon in Small, each at a price of $49. The Smartband Talk will have Red/Blue, Pink/Lime in Large and Small at $49 each.
We’re still waiting on an official media release to clarify much of the information in this post, and will update when we have more details.
What do you think of the Z3, Z3 Compact, Smartwatch 3 and Smartband Talk? Which product’s for you? Tell us in the comments!
Please DO NOT GET THIS PHONE. I’ve had it for 1 month and used it to snap photos of my son swimming in the pool. The waterproofing is a sham. It worked for 20 minutes in non-continuous water immersion despite ensuring the flaps were firmly flushed with the chassis. I suspect the weak flaps slowly gave way during the course of usage – major design flaw. Sony refused to provide repair warranty. So, BUYERS BEWARE!
Chris has had his Z3 replaced already due to water immersion. He had no issues getting a replacement.
Sony wouldn’t barge. Sadly they insisted the phone damage was due to user incompetence usage, despite ensuring them the flaps were securely placed before immersion. How can consumers defend against such allegation?!
I bought two Z3’s during the pre-order launch, so, it’s really a kick in the nuts when they refused to provide warranty repair. Chris was lucky. I dealt with the Grinch. 🙁
Already bought mine this morning off eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au for $529 + 19 postage. Bargain. Used $10 discount on shipping “”WB10”. SHame I missed out on the PS4 deal, but oh well, only wanted a new phone (and not a phablet like the rumoured Nexus 6).
Poorly worded ad. It says Limited Time, not Limited Quantity. I followed the twitter link, says the offer still available, and took it up in good faith. Optus should have learnt to be more careful with their wording after their “2% less coverage than Telstra” debacle. I will be looking foward to my PS4
all the optus PS4 deals are gone, the sony preorder with ps$ is just a competion really (opportunity to win 1 of 100 PlayStation4 consoles) Virgin will be like Optus, such a small amount it will be impossible to get one.
perhaps I’m not on the right pages. cant see preorders for these at 9am this morning. Virgin says the 3rd oct, telstra/optus has nothing. Telstra does say that to be eligible for one of the PS4 after preorder you need to tweet a comment to be eligible to be judged for cleverest comment or some rubbish.
We were going on the information provided at the event last night. Clarification on preorders came through after 9am this morning, but we’ve updated the section discussing them — Optus is up today, Sony’s own site is up today, Virgin on the 3rd and Telstra on the 7th.
so in other words it is a competition you enter like Sony
The amount of problems we had with cracking from the Z1 and Z2 I’m staying far away from Sony stuff
they do say that if you dont bend, then you break. 😛
Curious if you have any more concrete information yet on the availability and the PS4 deal?
If you want to buy outright, buy from Sony between today and Oct 3 and go into a draw.
If you’re happy to go on an Optus contract, go get it now before they run out (and perhaps check that you’ll still get it if you do it now) as it’s the first 100.
I bought it at 9:12am from Sony directly in hopes that it would be the first 100. I then registered for the drawing but I’m a bit disappointed that they didn’t provide details earlier.
Had anyone heard of the pre order ps4 earlier? Kind of strange to announce it just the night before, doesn’t leave much time to build anticipation and thus maximise the rush…
Good. I want one 😛
They’ve been teasing a deal on social media that goes live tomorrow 9am. It might not be the same as the one mentioned here though, with Telstra/Virgin offering 100 PS4s each for pre-orders, and two more carriers selling the Z3. AFAIK, the carriers don’t open pre-orders tomorrow though.
So is the AU version the D6653, DD6633 or D6603?
Unknown, we’re waiting on the Press Release. Sony hasn’t listed the model # on their website as yet.
D6653. I have confirmed because of.. reasons.
If you add the items to the cart on Sony’s site it exposes the model numbers in the URL.
Z3: D6653 “AU”
Z3 Compact: D5833 “AU”
Also my “reasons” as stated below was because it was always stated in the HTML coding for the webpage, along with a manual override for adding the Buy Now button. I could have purchased it last night but didn’t want to risk my order being cancelled.
already purchased my Z3 compact from eglobaldigitalcameras dot com dot au for $529 + postage. Used discount code of “WB10” for a $10 discount. Bargain!! I’m sad to see the nexus go the way of the phablet, but looking forward to trying a sony. I’ve tried Samsung, HTC and nexus 4. This will be my first Sony. Looking forward to it. Looks like a REALLY good phone.
Have you recieved it yet?
Heck yes. Awesome phone. It came in 3 days. Express and registered. I was stoked
$850, it seems that all the ,manufacturers are bumping up the prices for their flagship phones, Apple, Sony, Samsung.. perceived extra value placing a higher price on the item for extra profit.
They are all the same price now, I assume the Sony is only 16gig, no price advantage.
I got my Z2 in July (3 months after release) for $672 from Telstra (after reading about it on Ausdroid of course). I think it was still advertised as having a RRP of $799 or possibly more at launch from Sony.
Perhaps by pricing it initially at similar prices to other flagships it somehow shows they are ‘just as good’ as other brands, but then drop the prices relatively quickly so it seems like a better deal?
Or maybe it’s more so that they have a bit of a price difference between the the Z3 and the Z3 Compact…
Will the Z3 and Z3 Compact come with the noise cancelling headphones that are included in the box in other countries?
They didn’t mention anything, but did have headphones at the launch. We’ve always received slightly different pre-order and bonus packages to what the rest of the world receives.
hmmm z3 or note edge both phone are very tempting but the z3 is hardly a upgrade from the z2 tho
The Z3 is $400 cheaper than the Note Edge.
Are the free PS4s available to those who pre order on the Sony Online Store? For both Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact?
Waiting on Clarification from Sony on the PS4 pre-order bonus.
virgin mobile have them online – first 100 get a ps4
But you only find out if you qualify for ps4 several days after your preorder phone.
1st 100 on virgin get a ps4 so probably just for carriers
http://virginmobile.com.au/sony-xperia-z3?i_cid=HM_Top_2_1
Does the z3 support Qi Charging ?
Not as standard, but they do have a case coming (Sony WCR14) which will support Qi Charging. Haven’t seen if this case is coming to Australia yet
Dammit , it almost had it all 🙁 what about updates , any talk of “L”
Have read somewhere that the Z3 series are going to get “L” Jan or Feb next year. I think assuming “L” is made available in Nov and Sony actually pushes the major update in Jan, I’ll be happy.
Preordering tomorrow but WHEN DO THEY SHIP?
WE DON’T KNOW 😉 We’re waiting on Sony to deliver the Press Release which is expected at some stage tonight.
Sounds great, I’m expecting 2 to 3 weeks similar to the smartwatch, but earlier would be nice!
Are the watches going on pre order online tomorrow as well?
They’re apparently being quite cagey about the watch. No information beyond Available in 2-3 Weeks from Sony and Telstra (perhaps as a bonus? or like the G Watch available over 24months)
Sony site says preorders ship October 10.
Received mine today. 🙂
Did you get a Z3 or Z3 Compact, Adrian?
Z3 Black arrived yesterday 🙂
Also I just got email saying that I have won a PS4, so I’m having pretty good luck with this launch 🙂
Telstra pricing and pre-order info: Xperia Z3. The Sony Xperia Z3 will be available in Black, White and Copper on the following plans: $10/mth on a 24 month $70 Mobile Accelerate Plan (min cost $1920 ($80/mth) excess data 3c/MB, 2 min standard call $2.38) $14/mth on a 24 month $65 Easy Share Business Plan (min cost $1896 ($79/mth) excess data 3c/MB, 2 min standard call $2) Customers can also purchase the Sony Xperia Z3 outright from 14 October for $816 RRP. Telstra customers who pre-order the Sony Xperia Z3 will receive a Sony SmartBand Talk as a gift with purchase.… Read more »
Telstra Exchange source link
The Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact are coming to Telstra
http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2014/09/30/the-sony-xperia-z3-and-z3-compact-are-coming-to-telstra/