The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact offers fast performance, sharp screen, and great battery life in a small package. Despite its price and middling camera, it’s an excellent option for those who want or need one-handed usability. For everyone else, there are better, cheaper options.What's good
- Speedy performance
- Excellent battery life
- Vivid, bright display
- One-handed usability
What's bad
- The camera performs poorly in most lighting situations
- The camera is slow to focus
- Chunky body
Tired of all those large smartphones? Then the Sony Xperia XZ1 compact might be right up your alley.
Measuring in at 5-by-2.5-by-0.37 inches, the XZ1 compact is small enough to slide into your pockets and use one-handed. It’s on the thicker side when compared to other smartphones in the same price range. Still, when compared to many flagships, it lives up to its compact name.
However, it also has thick bezels around the screen. This is due to the overall construction and layout of various components from the power button to the camera sensor.
While many manufacturers are turning to aluminum and glass for the body, Sony has used a glass fiber woven plastic. While some had no issues with it, others thought the body felt and looked a bit cheap.
It comes with an IP65/68 rating for decent water- and dust-sealing. So, it should survive a brief dunk it a puddle or tub.
For those used to QHD, the 4.6-inch 720p display might be disappointing. But for its size, it provides adequate sharpness. In comparison, the iPhone 8 is only a tad sharper.
Even if it might not claim the title of sharpest screen on the market, the XZ1 Compact makes up for it by offering vibrant colors, excellent viewing angles, and good outdoor visibility. Still, its small screen size might be a detriment for games and movies.
Crammed into this small package is 4GB of RAM and an octa-core Snapdragon processor -- the same guts as found in the standard XZ1. As expected, reviewers found the phone incredibly speedy. Apps opened fast and there were no hiccups or slowdowns when multitasking. Even graphics-intensive games played without a hitch.
Armed with the same 2,700mAh battery found on its larger sibling, the compact ekes more life from it due to its smaller screen size. In real life testing, critics could easily get through the day even with heavy usage.
Sadly, the camera proved to be a weak link for the XZ1 Compact. At 19MP, the rear sensor should capture some beautiful detail. Yet, in practice, the pictures ended up a mixed bag.
While experts could get some impressive photos in good lighting situations, mixed- or low-light images often looked grainy.
They also discovered the autofocus system often struggled in anything but sunny conditions. This combined with a lack of optical image stabilization often led to blurry photos.
Overall, reviewers recommend the XZ1 if you specifically want a smaller phone. Digital Trends states, “If you’re a diehard Sony fan, or have your heart set on s small form factor... XZ1 Compact is worth considering. Everyone else can do better.” Android Authority adds, “In this day and age a small sized smartphone with flagship specs is hard to come by and if one-handed usability is your main priority, you won’t find a phone that does it better than the XZ1 Compact.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Alexandru Stănescu, GSM DomeThe best sub 5 inch smartphone that you can buy right now, well till the Xperia XZ2 Compact hits the shops. It beats the iPhone 8 where it matters: camera, battery and brightness, plus the speakers are excellent too.
- Graeme Burton, V3The Sony Xperia XZ Compact is a fine smartphone beating beneath a somewhat humdrum exterior.
- Manuel Masiero, NotebookcheckThe Xperia XZ1 Compact is a premium smartphone with a 4.6-inch display; such a form factor is quite unusual for that class. Those looking for a high-performance smartphone which can still be operated with just one hand, do not have to look any further than at Sony's $599 smartphone.
- Lanh Nguyen, Android AuthorityWhile most small smartphones sacrifice hardware and specifications, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is one of the few smartphones on the market that delivers a flagship experience in a smaller size. The XZ1 Compact takes all of the important components of the standard Xperia XZ1 and puts them in a small...
- Simon Hill, Digital TrendsThe Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is one of the few, powerful, small Android phones around, but it’s too expensive.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia XZ1 Compact with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia XZ1 Compact 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.
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