Sony Xperia Z1 Compact review: Mini gone big

28 January 2014
Sony is the first to deliver a smartphone, which wouldn’t let size get in the way of performance or screen quality. It’s no accident that it’s called the Compact version of Xperia Z1 rather than a mini...

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  • K
  • Kai
  • s8e
  • 29 Jan 2014

Zitadelle, 29 Jan 2014"... but not a single Android smartphone manufacturer ... moreYeah but the fact that the arc itself had a smaller screen than the z1 compact and the ray was too tiny, besides all 2011 xperias had almost the same chipset(single core scorpion,512mb ram)when the trend was dual core cortex a9 1gb ram.

    • M
    • Makozak
    • fuJ
    • 29 Jan 2014

    People saying that Sony don't have good camera .. but you do know that the iPhone and even some Samsung phones uses Sony's Lens ?

      • D
      • AnonD-81000
      • XMi
      • 29 Jan 2014

      MdN8, 29 Jan 2014For starters, it would be good if it could outperform their... moreYou shouldn't probably talk about k800i, it is a 7 year old phone and we are in 2013. And Xperia Z1/Z1C image quality is very well above everything except for lumia 1020 of course.

      And even when compared to lumia 1020, Xperia Z1/Z1C do really good considering they have TWICE LESS of lumia 1020's camera resolution and nearly LESS THAN HALF of lumia 1020's sensor size

        • s
        • serien
        • tVw
        • 29 Jan 2014

        Anonymous, 28 Jan 2014Camera is shit, again....what are you doing Sony? Is it tha... moreYou missed the line which says that it outperform your beloved iphone .

          • Z
          • Zitadelle
          • TSM
          • 29 Jan 2014

          "... but not a single Android smartphone manufacturer dared go against the grain and create a mini that's actually worthy of its big brother's name. Not until today."

          Actually Sony (Ericsson) did produce something along the exact same philosophy - the Xperia Arc was shrunk into the Xperia Ray. Also a terrific "compact flagship".

            • s
            • suture
            • pXE
            • 29 Jan 2014

            Cheers to sony for making a step forward against the resolution nonsense.
            The screen size is ok, i would ilke 5', but its a compact therefore understandable.
            With 720p, more importantly, WITH A HIGH END SOC.
            enough with this 1080p and 1440p, absurd resolutions nonsense.
            insane resolutions that drain the battery faster and cripple gpu performance in high end socs!

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • w0P
              • 29 Jan 2014

              Sony is a great phone , the problem is their update support, but my brothets xperia u still runs fast and its 1.5 years old. with xperias UI skin it always looks good from other phone

                • D
                • AnonD-223644
                • IWb
                • 29 Jan 2014

                A great phone indeed.

                  • d
                  • der
                  • Ycp
                  • 29 Jan 2014

                  Z1 Compact Master race. This is a beautiful phone.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • RvA
                    • 29 Jan 2014

                    Just a reminder about the camera, Sony makes the camera used in Apple's Iphone as well as the camera for higher end Samsung phones.

                      • M
                      • MdN8
                      • B}Q
                      • 29 Jan 2014

                      AnonD-212255, 28 Jan 2014Wow. What a bunch of babies. Complaining about picture ... moreIf it can take a photo, it's a real camera. The one you always have with you.

                        • M
                        • MdN8
                        • B}Q
                        • 29 Jan 2014

                        AnonD-81000, 28 Jan 2014I just can't understand why some people say Z1/Z1 compact's... moreFor starters, it would be good if it could outperform their own, old, Sony Ericsson K800i in detail level, clarity and, you know, Xenon flash?

                          • D
                          • AnonD-99764
                          • H5F
                          • 29 Jan 2014

                          well it's out of the competition, save the iPhone 5s. Though I'd still prefer SZ1C for being waterproof, Android and Micro SD slot.

                          They will probably fix the camera with software update, like they did with SZ1 (I remember it also had initial problems with noise and stuff)

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 2Wk
                            • 29 Jan 2014

                            Sorry I missed out the screen part in review. But I think that section is too short. I need to know how much better is it than Z1's and other flagships' display (not by numbers).

                              • D
                              • AnonD-212255
                              • 4G8
                              • 28 Jan 2014

                              Wow.

                              What a bunch of babies. Complaining about picture quality on, if you remember, a MOBILE PHONE. Stop acting you are some professional photographer, because guess what?...Pros use real cameras.

                              This is a great phone, packed into a compact body. It even competes with many of the larger flagship devices of companies.

                                • s
                                • sigsegv
                                • 3ZJ
                                • 28 Jan 2014

                                Google Play Edition of this, please :P

                                  • S
                                  • Slayer
                                  • nGH
                                  • 28 Jan 2014

                                  Haters are always gonna hate! If you want DSLR quality pics then go buy one given the only phone that takes better pics is the Nokia 41mp shooter! Most rate the pics taken by the iPhone 5/5s and this phone takes better pics. In fact, it punks most phones, if not all out there (matter of taste). get a grip or go get a life!

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-81000
                                    • XMi
                                    • 28 Jan 2014

                                    I just can't understand why some people say Z1/Z1 compact's camera is sh*t. And why the fu*k do you say it is sh*t when it is DEFINITELY BETTER than the best 13MP shooters out there, 16MP Galaxy S4 Zoom, and even 20MP Lumia 1520 which can't even beat 13MP note 3 even in good light, whereas 8MP setting on Xperia Z1 has no problems beating note 3 in daylight

                                    Come on dudes, do you expect Z1/Z1 compact's camera to outperform a DSLR or something? Please..

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • MpU
                                      • 28 Jan 2014

                                      Stereo crosstalk when (headphones attached -43.7, for me that is a total fail, almost no stereo at all!

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 0U4
                                        • 28 Jan 2014

                                        Nexian, 28 Jan 2014Looks great and promising. I just hope it isnt ridiculously... moreIn any case, so long iPhone, and happy market share drop, Apple. I hope othe manufacturers follow suit.