The XZ3 has an almost borderless design and comes in a choice of Black, White Silver, Forest Green or Bordeaux Red. The device still has top and bottom bezels, but the XZ3 looks more elegant overall than its predecessor. The front and back of the device are made from glass, and both sides have curved edges that taper into the frame. The XZ3 feels good in the hand and we noticed no edges or uneven gaps when holding the device. Moreover, the touchscreen works even at the edges of the curved glass like the Galaxy S8 or S9.

Sony has kept the fingerprint sensor in the centre of the back glass, which we still find awkward to locate with our fingers when using the device. We often found ourselves accidentally placing our finger on the rear-facing camera instead as it is in the same place as where many other manufacturers put fingerprint sensors.

The XZ3 has no notch though, which bucks the market trend of the last 18 months. Overall, our test device is well-built, and its design is noticeably different to those of other current premium smartphones. The shiny back glass looks pretty but is not practical as our test device tends to slip off tables and other surfaces if it is not lying perfectly flat. The XZ3 is IP68-certified against dust and water though, so it should survive a few drops in a sink or a spot of underwater photography.