The Sony Xperia Ace III, released in June 2022, is a compact budget smartphone designed primarily for the Japanese market, succeeding the Xperia Ace II. Priced at around $250, it features a 5.5-inch HD+ display, Snapdragon 480 chipset with 5G support, and a 4500 mAh battery, targeting users who want a small, affordable phone for basic tasks. With its 13MP main camera and IP68 water resistance, it offers decent value for its price, but its low-resolution display and limited performance make it less appealing for power users. In 2025, the Xperia Ace III remains a niche option for those seeking a cheap, compact 5G phone, though its outdated specs and lack of global availability make it less competitive against newer budget phones like the Xperia Ace IV or Samsung Galaxy A15.
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Feature |
Sony Xperia Ace III |
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Release Date |
June 2022 |
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Display |
5.5" IPS LCD, HD+ (1496 x 720), 60Hz |
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Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, 8nm |
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RAM |
4GB |
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Storage |
64GB, microSD support (up to 1TB) |
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Rear Camera |
13MP (main, f/1.8), 2MP (depth) |
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Front Camera |
5MP, f/2.0 |
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Battery |
4500 mAh, 10W charging |
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OS |
Android 12 (upgradable to Android 13) |
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Build |
Plastic back, IP68 water/dust resistant |
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Connectivity |
5G (sub-6), 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
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Price (Launch) |
~$250 (Japan) |
The Sony Xperia Ace III is a compact, budget-friendly 5G phone that caters to users who prioritize size and simplicity over performance. Its 5.5-inch display and lightweight build make it easy to handle, while the 4500 mAh battery ensures reliable endurance for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light browsing. The IP68 rating and 5G support are standout features for a phone in this price range, adding durability and future-proofing for budget buyers. However, its HD+ display, limited performance, and basic camera make it feel outdated in 2025, especially when compared to newer budget phones like the Xperia Ace IV or Samsung Galaxy A15, which offer better displays and performance for a similar price. Its Japan-only availability also limits its appeal. If you’re in Japan and can find the Xperia Ace III at a steep discount—now around $150—it’s a decent pick for basic use. Otherwise, newer models provide a more modern experience for not much more.
The overall rating is based on reviews by our experts
Sony Xperia Ace 3 is not worth even its small money for modern smartphones.
(Review with photos) I used the atrocious Xperia Ace III as a daily driver so you don't have to. Random glitches, overall atrocious user experience. Security patch stuck forever on June 2022 and no custom ROM available.
The display stopped showing the image, only black backlight. The official Sony service refused warranty repairs because... it was not officially delivered to Russia. There are no spare parts in Russia, it is not possible to simply repair it. Sony Xperia Ace 3 is not worth even its small money for modern smartphones.
The Sony Xperia Ace III is as Chinese as these handhelds, as it's not a design by Sony but some Chinese ODM (unlike the first Xperia ACE, hence why the design is so different).
First impressions of Sony's most elusive little chonker: The Xperia Ace III (Mini review in the description). Apparently, Japan has a severe enough issue with perverts taking photos of girls unknowingly, that they had to create a law that enforces manufacturers to enable the shutter sound even on silence mode.
Like we mentioned, the first three Xperia Ace models have been exclusive to Japan. However, recent murmurs in the rumor mill suggest that this could change for the Xperia Ace IV as Sony may be thinking about bringing it to new markets.
The phone is not working with Jio sim. India region not compatible as per Sony.
The Xperia Ace III in modern reality can be called a compact smartphone. It has a 5.5-inch screen with a body height of 140 mm and a width of 69 mm. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The phone does not have India region compatibility. With Jio sim only Internet works. No call & sms. Sony does not support.
The Sony Xperia Ace IV will remain relatively tiny with a 5.5” display, however, it will feature an upgraded OLED panel with 1,080 x 2,520px resolution.
Trash. I tried to daily it for 7 months and ended up wasting almost 200 bucks. Now I have a paperweight with barely any residual value. It fails miserably at being a good Sony or a good budget phone.
Having had multiple Xperias, this is the one that performs worst when it comes to catching the 4G signal. My old XZ1 compact with the same SIM card is way better in many spots where the Ace iii does not get onto the internet. I hope Sony will fix this big issue with a swift update.
The card slot is on the left and we wouldn’t be surprised if it included a spot for a microSD card – previous Ace models had expandable storage and so do recent Sonys.
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