What's good
- Sturdy case design
- Support for microSD cards
- Affordable pricing
- Snappy performance for mid-range price
What's bad
- Dull display
- Aging hardware
- Limited on-device storage space due to pre-installed applications
Much of the new Xperia line has received rave reviews. This phone is no exception. As Sony’s attempt to enter the budget mid-range market, it features slightly less power than the rest of the series, but a lower price tag as well. George Iosifidus of Digital Life Plus says, “it did really well and impressed me during the days I had it in my hands. If you're looking for a device in this price range then Sony's Xperia L is a keeper.”
The phone features a 4.3-inch TFT display at a resolution of 480-by-854 pixels. Reviews from Digital Life Plus and T3 note great viewing angles and easy viewing in direct sunlight. While the pixel density is not up to par with next generation devices, T3 notes that “clarity levels are still impressive enough though when compared to similar Android offerings like the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini even if it lacks the vibrancy of its bigger more expensive Xperia compatriot.”
Although mostly plastic, reviews of the case design are similarly positive for a mid-range product. Charge Me UK says “with its sleek black and silver design, the Sony Xperia L is actually most of the better looking budget bunch.” Though do not expect the styling of the Xperia Z. Both Digital Life Plus and T3 mention that the device resembles the previous Xperia series than the latest designs.
The Xperia L is powered by a dual-core 1-GHz processor, a dedicated graphics processing unit and 1GB of RAM. T3 notes that “In general use, applications can often take a little longer to launch both native and ones downloaded from Google Play, but operate smoothly once you are putting them to use.”
A removable back cover gives access to the battery and a microSD slot. Unfortunately, the 1700-mAh battery might have problems keeping up. With light-to-moderate usage, both Digital Life Plus and T3 report that the device barely made it through the day on a single charge. Heavy video streaming or gaming will likely leave you looking for a charger.
The camera on the phone is powered by the same Exmor RS chip as the Xperia Z, but at just 8-megapixels. Reviews on the camera are largely neutral with T3 stating “the results do not compete with the top-end handsets, but the L does deliver sharp, detailed stills with small traces of noise that mean you can definitely ditch the compact for basic snaps.”
T3’s summarizes the device well when they said “the Sony Xperia L is no Xperia Z, but then it was never meant to be. What it tries to do is take as many of the great qualities from the flagship Sony phone and blend them into a cheaper, more affordable body and it does a generally decent job of it.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jonathan Bray, PC ProWe rather like the Xperia L. It's a solid performer, the price is reasonable, and it doesn't have any major weaknesses. If you value camera quality and memory expansion over display quality, performance and build, you'll find much to like. The Sony's biggest problem, however, is that the Motorola Mo...
- Chris Finnamore, Expert ReviewsWe were impressed with the Xperia L. It has a good screen and a fast operating system, as well as excellent low-light photo (if not video) performance. It's not especially cheap on contract, but provided you're willing to pay for the phone up-front, there's nothing that can touch it for less than &p...
- Thomas Thorn, TechRadarWe're going to give Sony its due here, it really does seem to know what it is doing when it comes to making a decent camera.
- TT Gadget Editor, TelecomTigerThe Sony Xperia L is a good phone in this price range and offers good exciting features. The 4.3 inch screen display is great, the battery life is good and the features embedded are better and abundant. But there are few options that this phone is missing such as: full HD video resolution and Quad c...
- Luke Johnson, TrustedReviewsShould I buy the Sony Xperia L? No. The Xperia L has a decent screen and performance is adequate, but the camera’s excruciating two-second shutter delay is a major black mark against it, as is the so-so build quality. There are better phones available for the same price. The Sony Xperia...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia L user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia L with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia L has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Sony Xperia L Manual (PDF)
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