Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact review

25 September 2017
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is a rare breed - it's small on the outside, but big on the inside. Packed with all the latest hardware and having only a small screen to power, Sony’s latest super-mini may very well be the performance champion to beat. But whenever there is a superhero, there is a villain lurking in the shadows. So yes, the Compact has its own battle to fight that’s not all about size or speed.

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  • S
  • Surficial
  • HCh
  • 27 Sep 2017

AnonD-700950, 27 Sep 2017it scores well just like the oled screens. and 1080p is imp... moreIf sony is listening, they should release a 64gb hybrid dual sim version, shouldn't take too much to develop.

    • d
    • dice
    • ixT
    • 27 Sep 2017

    wonders why the UI hasnt changed since a long time. The current UI looks exactly similar to the UI of my old Xperia L, which had Jelly bean in it.

      • D
      • AnonD-635604
      • KZ8
      • 27 Sep 2017

      The battery life is killing...ouch

        • t
        • taiyo
        • 8ae
        • 27 Sep 2017

        I have had z3c for just over two years bought used and I love the size of it and I looove android. All other phones are tooo big and now I can finally upgrade. Plus, those pink and blue colors are gorgeous.

        Although I am super hyped for this I have to wait to get it. More apps need oreo support before I get it. Hopefully no serious pitfalls are discovered in that time.

          • D
          • AnonD-700950
          • nTU
          • 27 Sep 2017

          Anonymous, 26 Sep 2017If it had a 1080p oled screen and wireless charging I would... moreit scores well just like the oled screens. and 1080p is impossible on 4.6 screen anyways. if you want small compact device you must forget FHD on them , as if it matters aynways ?

          I doubt you will notice the difference between FHD and 720p using 4.6 inch screen.

          However , If sony chooses to go zero bezel design ? They can make a 5 inch phone the same size and then not only FHD is possible , also 4K screen on 5 inch display.

          Lets hope that the next compact phone comes without those bezels ...

          The only thing stopping me from getting this phone is the stupid 32GB or storage. that mistake killed the phone.

          and I dont care about wireless charging. Qualcom fast Charging 3 is more important than slow wireless charging.

            • D
            • AnonD-633729
            • 6p$
            • 27 Sep 2017

            Sony should rename their xperia series to brick series, eg., brick XZ, brick XZP, brick XZ1, etc.

              • M
              • Mike
              • 693
              • 27 Sep 2017

              love this Compact so much, Sony

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • KhD
                • 27 Sep 2017

                Lex79, 26 Sep 2017Your right, Sony have done wonders regards 4K video recordi... moreHere is another phone that makes great video recording:youtube.com/watch?v=nAth8g05tfs

                V30 vs $ 50,000 Red Weapon

                  Lex79, 26 Sep 2017Your right, Sony have done wonders regards 4K video recordi... moreXZ Premium can use AR effects and record 4K literally forever without overheating to the point where it just ran out of storage and had to stop recording in a test. All new Sony phones with SD835 of newer should not suffer from overheating at all.

                    Finally the first phone to truly beat the Z3C.

                      Surficial, 26 Sep 2017Ouch. Maybe a teardown will reveal if it has a graphite he... moreSony confirmed the use of a heat-plate and pipe on the XZ1C during their conference at IFA.

                        • D
                        • AnonD-697839
                        • Kg{
                        • 27 Sep 2017

                        AnonD-703446, 26 Sep 2017So now for the big question: which color to get?I would get the twilight pink :)

                          • S
                          • Surficial
                          • HCh
                          • 26 Sep 2017

                          Lex79, 26 Sep 2017Your right, Sony have done wonders regards 4K video recordi... moreOuch.
                          Maybe a teardown will reveal if it has a graphite heat plate in that's so effective in the xz premium.

                            • a
                            • acristo
                            • pm@
                            • 26 Sep 2017

                            Well, you mentioned P10's advantage "bigger battery" where it behaves much worse than XZ1 Compact. What's the point of mentioning this then?

                              • D
                              • AnonD-703551
                              • iLx
                              • 26 Sep 2017

                              Anonymous, 26 Sep 2017in which region can you get a dual sim XZ1 compact?I still have not seen anywhere official announcement from Sony that there will be a dual sim version of XZ1 Compact. I read from some website that dual sim version was planned but cancelled in the last minute :( So hopefully there will be one sometime in the future but I wouldn't bet on it...

                                If there are no bezel i would have brought one. Till then stuck up with shhit xa ultra.

                                  AnonD-647882, 26 Sep 2017The xz1 compact back is glass not plastic.It's for the best.
                                  I use a Z3 Compact and I've had to change the glass back panel twice in just about a year.

                                  Plastic is more durable than glass so it is a better design choice, if you ask me.

                                  PS: In all the cases where I cracked the back cover, the phone was in a protective case.

                                    • L
                                    • Lex79
                                    • pL%
                                    • 26 Sep 2017

                                    Surficial, 26 Sep 2017Check out gsms 4k video recording test, newer xperias don't... moreYour right, Sony have done wonders regards 4K video recording. I recently owned the XZ, and didn’t have trouble recording brief clips with that.

                                    But if I tried any of the fancy AR effect apps that were connect to the camera (AR mask, AR Effect, Creative Effect within minutes the devices was giving that dreaded warning, then the frame rate in the viewer would drop to around 12fps....then finally the app would close.

                                    This happens all to frequently, now I want to believe Sony have finally nipped these issues in the bud, I am just hesitant to bet £499 of my money on that whether or not they have.....

                                      gan, 26 Sep 2017why people complain too much on bezels... actually bezels a... moreand very expensive as well.


                                      Sony and Apple are doing it right, the practical way, and in everything.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • Js{
                                        • 26 Sep 2017

                                        AnonD-647882, 26 Sep 2017The xz1 compact back is glass not plastic.It is a mix of polycarbonate and glass fiber.