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Sony Xperia XA1
Sony Xperia XA1
Sony Xperia XA1
Sony Xperia XA1
...


7.4/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia XA1 currently has an Informr score of 7.4 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 14 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Good picture quality
  • Bright display
  • Plenty of storage
  • Great design
  • Android 7.0 Nougat

What's bad

  • Slow camera interface
  • So-so battery life
  • Lower screen resolution than competition
  • Lots of pre-installed apps

As the latest entry in Sony’s budget-friendly lineup, the Xperia XA1 features the same minimalist premium styling Sony is known for with dialed back specs. Touting a powerful 23MP camera, the phone hopes to capture the attention of mobile photographers.

But does the phone still offer good value regarding daily use?

Reviews are rolling in! Let’s see what they’re saying!

Reviewers were quick to point out that the XA1 looks like many of Sony’s much pricier phone models. While it’s mostly plastic, reviews agreed that the phone felt sturdy and well made. Mobile Syrup said, “The comfort of this thin form factor can’t be emphasized enough. It makes it incredibly easy to navigate the device with one hand without [compromising] the overall size of the display.”

If you’re looking to take advantage of the phone’s beefy camera, there’s also a dedicated camera button. Depending on your region, you might find a fingerprint scanner in the power button. While Sony keeps with its typical minimalist design, the XA1 does not offer water or dust proofing.

Head around front and you’re greeted by a 5-inch 720p IPS display. At first glance, reviewers questioned the large top and bottom bezels on the screen but eventually found they liked the arrangement. While the screen didn’t blow reviewers away, there were few complaints either. Trusted Reviews noted, “Yes, text isn’t as sharp as it could be and hi-res images might not look great, but your Facebook and Instagram feeds will look just fine.”

Powering those pixels, you’ll find a 2.3Ghz octa-core Helio P20 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. Performance reviews were positive for basic usage and light gaming. Phone Arena summarized opinions well, saying, “Don't expect any wonders in heavy 3D visualizations, but it does the job for most any other task you'd throw at it.”

The phone ships with Android 7.0 Nougat skinned with Sony’s interface. Reviewers were not fans of the pre-installed apps but were happy to find they could uninstall them.

With 32GB of storage, you shouldn’t run into problems keeping your favorite media or apps on-hand. However, support for microSD cards lets you expand storage up to 256GB.

The star of the phone is the 23MP rear facing camera. While reviewers found the camera interface lacking, they had no complaints about picture quality once they dialed in settings. Mobile Syrup called the camera “one of the most impressive I’ve seen in a budget phone.” TechRadar was equally impressed, calling the camera “among the very best at this price.”

Battery life was a major concern for most reviewers. The phone includes a 2,300mAh non-removable battery. Fortunately, reviewers made it through the day on a single charge in most cases. Trusted Reviews said, “If you know you have a long day (or night) ahead of you, flick on Stamina Mode and you’ll be fine.”

But, if you’re a heavy phone user, look into an external power pack or travel charger.

Overall, the biggest question reviewers raised was pricing. While you won’t find a similar camera in the XA1’s price bracket, there are better screens and higher specs otherwise. Ultimately, the value is there if you’re looking for a solid design or strong photography.

TechRadar summed up overall opinions well, saying, “If you want a slim, diminutive phone that won’t make your wallet weep, but has a good camera, the Sony Xperia XA1 is one of your best options. You can get sharper screens at the price, but the photo hardware is hard to beat.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.3 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
23+ MP, f/2
Camera
Camera
23+ MP, f/2
2300 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


LaptopMedia
LaptopMedia

It’s no lie that Android OS underwent a complete metamorphosis compared to what it was a few years ago. With the mobile chip development allowing budget 8-core configurations we see extremely stable smartphones at a relatively low price. Mobile photography has also undergone development and So...

- LaptopMedia Team, LaptopMedia
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

We rate its clean, simple look and the way it feels in the hand, while the array of Smart Lock features and the raw specs and performance of that blockbuster rear-facing camera are impressive.

- David Price, Tech Advisor
WhatsYourTech
WhatsYourTech

A pretty predictable usability performance, at least from my perspective. The Xperia XA1 isn’t a phone that will impress in every facet, but it does shoot better than other mid-range phones and can be customized more than it appears.

- Ted Kritsonis, WhatsYourTech
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

Sony has reworked its Xperia XA1 mid-range smartphone and manages to outrun the competition in terms of camera, power consumption and gaming performance.

- Florian Wimmer, Notebookcheck
Pickr
Pickr

Smartphone buyers look for different things in buying a new phone. For some it’s about cost, while others care mostly about camera quality or battery life. In Sony’s Xperia XA1, you get all of those in a design that aims to be edgeless, allowing you to almost get the feeling of a curved screen by gr...

- Leigh :) Stark, Pickr


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia XA1 user manual here.


Sony backs up the Xperia XA1 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia XA1 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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Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The Sony Xperia XA1's screen size is 5 inches with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.3 GHz

There is a MediaTek MT6757 Octa core 2.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat (Update Available: 8.0 Oreo) operating system (OS).

Camera
23+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 23+ MP, f/2 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
32 GB

Internal memory is 32 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2300mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2300 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 678 minutes.

Xperia XA1 Specs

Overview
Release Date April 24, 2017
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 7.0 Nougat (Update Available: 8.0 Oreo)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor MediaTek MT6757 Octa core 2.3 GHz
Internal Storage 32 GB
RAM 3 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.57 W/kg
Body: 1.79 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.2
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
23+ Megapixels, f/2
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Brightness control, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, DivX, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Auto focus, ISO
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density 294 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2300 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 441 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 678 minutes
Standby Time Up to 25.1 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White, Pink, Gold
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.5 x 6.7 x 0.8 cm (5.7 x 2.6 x 0.3 in)
Weight 143 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Sony G3121, G3123, G3125

Also available in dual-SIM variant.

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia XA1 Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia XA1
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