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Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 13 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

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.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.45 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.45 GHz
4.6"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4.6"
19+ MP, f/2.3
Camera
Camera
19+ MP, f/2.3
2700 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


GSM Dome
GSM Dome

The 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.

- Alexandru Stănescu, GSM Dome
V3
V3

The Sony Xperia XZ Compact is a fine smartphone beating beneath a somewhat humdrum exterior.

- Graeme Burton, V3
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

The 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.

- Manuel Masiero, Notebookcheck
Android Authority
Android Authority

While 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...

- Lanh Nguyen, Android Authority
Digital Trends
Digital Trends

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is one of the few, powerful, small Android phones around, but it’s too expensive.

- Simon Hill, Digital Trends


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions



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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Quick view

Screen Size
4.6"

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact's screen size is 4.6 inches with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.45 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.45 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo (Update Available: 9.0 Pie) operating system (OS).

Camera
19+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 19+ MP, f/2.3 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
2700mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2700 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 1423 minutes, 864 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia XZ1 Compact Specs

Overview
Release Date September 25, 2017
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.0 Oreo (Update Available: 9.0 Pie)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.45 GHz
Internal Storage 32 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.97 W/kg
Body: 0.78 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
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
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX HD, LDAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 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
19+ Megapixels, f/2.3
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, Super slow motion recording (960fps), HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, FLV
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
ISO, Self-timer
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density 319 pixels
Size 4.6 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, 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 2700 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 957 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 864 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1423 minutes
Standby Time Up to 21.25 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors White Silver, Black, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink
Dimensions [H x W x D] 13 x 6.4 x 1 cm (5.1 x 2.5 x 0.4 in)
Weight 139 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
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 Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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