Sony Xperia XA1 review: Square one

06 May 2017
The Sony Xperia XA was our unlikely favorite of the last season's Xperia X-series. A year later, some things have changed. The XA1 comes with upgraded internals and the once flagship-only 23MP camera...

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  • l
  • limestone walker
  • Bw@
  • 26 Jun 2018

I admit I think sony phones are the best.
Conned into buying this phone by a super salesman at virgin mobile (enjoy the commission!)
Don't like the narrow shape.
Smooth performance
Big disappointment is the camera most of pics,are dark and,constantly adjusting the camera settings
Previously had,a z2 which is better in every way.
Sorry sony but I never thought I would be so disappointed in one of your phones..

    • v
    • vikas
    • rAZ
    • 25 Jun 2018

    I also given this xa1 phone to service station for touch problem once and display shows yellow shade once

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • pYx
      • 14 Jun 2018

      Xperia XA1 = Worst phone I've ever had.

      Seven months and it's on it's third screen, not because of it getting broken, but because it ignores any touch input, and this one's getting to the point where it only works occasionally.

      Battery life? What battery life? I have to charge it halfway through the day, and that's on a light usage day, I've had to start carrying a mobile charger pack with me at all times now.

      23mp camera? So why are all photos taken so poor? That's assuming it bothers to save them... Most of the time it doesn't. I have photos taken on my old K810 and Galaxy Ace that are better quality than whatever these are, honestly, they remind me of an old 1.3mp camera I used to have.

      Bluetooth randomly disconnects and almost instantly reconnects itself, and if you dare to turn bluetooth off for any reason... it forgets all paired devices (as it does when you restart the phone)

      Some usless app called What's New... Constant notifications from it about apps I don't want or need, and no option to uninstall or disable the thing, notifications telling me my usual alarm is off, it's off because I have different alarms on different days... I know because I set it that way, stop telling me about it... Random call rejections, almost always silence when a new text comes in, apps I do want or need keep randomly being removed... The list goes on.

      I can say with certainty that this is the last Sony product I will ever buy.

        • D
        • AnonD-548202
        • KZ8
        • 03 Mar 2018

        Sonyuser85, 05 Nov 2017The problems at this device are because of some kernel issu... moreI'm on 40.0.A.6.162 andddd the battery life is no so impressive..any solutions? When will oreo updates be rolled out?

          • D
          • AnonD-548202
          • KZ8
          • 03 Mar 2018

          AnonD-740569, 28 Feb 2018At now, no... Buy phone with dual camera and fingerprints ... moreImo dual cameras are not a necessity..they're not that useful..better get a proper camera if you're into photography.. :)

            • D
            • AnonD-548202
            • KZ8
            • 03 Mar 2018

            Idk why but I can't help noticing that all the negative comments are from Anonymous accounts..do you even own this phone? Mehhh.. 🙃

              • D
              • AnonD-740569
              • U@n
              • 28 Feb 2018

              Vicky, 09 Sep 2017I am Planing to buy xperia xa1 but when i see its user revi... moreAt now, no...
              Buy phone with dual camera and fingerprints with more than 2 ghz cpu

                • r
                • renegade
                • KZK
                • 14 Nov 2017

                Boro, 03 Aug 2017What do u hope for this phone..mediatek was not good.. I wi... moreIt's helio p20..the processors almost good as snapdragon

                  kcvg, 05 Oct 2017Mehhhh, "we" obviously are not the only ones having touch p... moreThe problems at this device are because of some kernel issues made by its latest system updates. So if you stay with 40.0.A.3.7 version of Android, battery, camera, and screen you will not be at risk. Because of the issues of kernel, some devices will be disturbed. So wait until Sony will fix this situation by better updates or even Oreo update. Latest updates like 40.0.A.6.135 version seems to be problematic.
                  I am saying once again: take care about rooting or flashing, Mediatek is not made for that kind of tuning.

                    XA1 has without any doubt best camera in its class. Much better than S7 or any Samsung at date! I have a collection of pictures took by many devices so I know what I am talking about... And its around 260$. This model is a HOT CAKE!

                      • k
                      • kcvg
                      • 7Xa
                      • 05 Oct 2017

                      AnonD-680237, 27 Jun 2017actualy I really like to use experia xa1 because fit with m... moreWhat?? The front camera is good. Not as good as new flagships but definitely better than the S7 my nephew had. Probably it's just the video call itself that isn't good.

                        • k
                        • kcvg
                        • 7Xa
                        • 05 Oct 2017

                        dd, 09 Jul 2017 There could be defective units . You must test the devic... moreMehhhh, "we" obviously are not the only ones having touch problems. And what I'm using right now is actually a replacement unit which also has the same problem from the one it replaced.

                          • k
                          • kcvg
                          • 7Xa
                          • 05 Oct 2017

                          oh god why, 14 Aug 2017bought it and it broke down twice in 3 months i have alread... moreYeah, me too. I actually am taking mine again tomorrow, I'm hoping they just replace it with an XZ1, who knows? ;-)

                            • k
                            • kcvg
                            • 7Xa
                            • 05 Oct 2017

                            Vicky, 09 Sep 2017I am Planing to buy xperia xa1 but when i see its user revi... moreYou still should buy it. I already brought mine with touch problems to a Sony Center and they accepted it, then they later replaced it with a new one.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • GXp
                              • 05 Oct 2017

                              Vicky, 09 Sep 2017I am Planing to buy xperia xa1 but when i see its user revi... moreYes it have horrible issues with touch

                                • m
                                • mirza
                                • t1{
                                • 29 Sep 2017

                                i want to buy this phone .............but after seeing user comments i am little bit hesitated....should i buy this phhone or not...please help

                                  • V
                                  • Vicky
                                  • KAr
                                  • 09 Sep 2017

                                  I am Planing to buy xperia xa1 but when i see its user review there are many user with the same touch problem. Can anyone please Tell is this right that it has touch problem. Should i buy it or not?

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-695025
                                    • YTd
                                    • 26 Aug 2017

                                    Loki, 28 Jun 2017Please do not buy this phone. It has very serious touch pro... moreI am going through the same pain! :(

                                      • G
                                      • GSM ARENA
                                      • 7Xe
                                      • 22 Aug 2017

                                      hey GSM AREANA! can you investigate the touch screen issue with the xa1? how come it looses touch capabilities after a while?

                                        • o
                                        • oh god why
                                        • 7Xe
                                        • 14 Aug 2017

                                        bought it and it broke down twice in 3 months i have already had the screen replaced. it still was defective.