The Sony Xperia Compact is smaller than the usual phablet used but comes with a few features and often forgotten advantages, Texting is a big plus, as I’m use to a phablet you can text with 1 hand on the Xperia XZ1 Compact as compared to the to a larger screen. This model is heavier than expected at 143g, but this is a compromise as supplied with a large battery of 2700 mAh battery, this is the same battery as used in a larger model, the small phone size at 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (4.6″ Display) has an excellent battery life.
See side by side images of the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact and unboxing HERE
The charger is the standard newer type C, the battery life rating has 108h endurance rating, as compared to the iphone 8 with 66h endurance rating. When the battery was at 87% this showed battery life of 3 days 5 hours which is not bad for a smart phone.
The physical phone fits snugly into your hand but the corners of the phone are sharp, harsh and straight, the phone is built solid. The material is a plastic type feels solid, resilient to wear and tear. A great feature on new phone is the water resistance (IP68 certified – dust/water proof over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes) which is a great bonus for any one that had to use a bag of rice to fix a water damaged phone. This also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to help if the phone gets a drop or two onto the floor.
The phone setup is easy (not requiring the usual proprietary pin) to insert the Nano sim. (The sim adapter in the photo is not required) There is trendy menus with Visual aids, in terms of Magnification, font size, talkback, screen reader primarily for blindness and low vision. There is help guides to get to know the phone through an introduction considering your old previous phone with the option to transfer your stuff over.
Unfortunately, the Out of box experience is not as good as it should be from Sony as their Legal department need to talk to their Marketing department in that you have to agree to lots and lots T&C e.g. Allow camera / Video & TV/ Music / support to access this device location or some other feature for the setup menus. (which 99% of us never read or reject)
Processor Under the hood: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform This may be just a number but is the same processor as used in the Samsung Galaxy Note8 which has a 6.3 inches screen as compare to the 4.6″ display for the Sony Xperia G8441. The internal memory 4GB is possible the only let down while the Note 8 has 6GB, the iPhone 8 has 2GB Ram.
A concern on the internal memory was the 32GB internal storage as 28% of this was used mainly by the system. A recommendation would be to get a good quality microSD, up to 256 GB, (not from eBay) to ensure the phone does not lag when getting low on memory from the quality of photo / music / programs / video etc.
Specifications: SIM CAPABILITY: Single SIM; Nano SIM
• MEMORY AND STORAGE: 4GB RAM; 32GB UFS internal memory; microSD support (up to 256GB)
WEIGHT: 143g
DIMENSIONS: 129 x 65 x 9.3 mm
DISPLAY: 4.6″ HD Display; TRILUMINOS Display for mobile; X-Reality™ for mobile; Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
MAIN CAMERA: 19MP Motion Eye Camera; 1/2.3” Exmor RS for mobile memory-stacked sensor; 960 fps Super slow-motion video; 25mm wide Sony’s award-winning G Lens F2.0; Predictive Capture (motion/smile); Autofocus burst
FRONT CAMERA: 8MP; 1/4” Exmor R for mobile image sensor; 18mm super wide angle for 120 degrees field of view (adjustable)
SOUND: High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD); DSEE HX; Digital Noise Cancelling; Stereo speaker with S-Force Front Surround
PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform
BATTERY: 2700 mAh; Smart Stamina 3.0; Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0
DURABILITY: Water resistant (IP65/68); Corning Gorilla Glass 5
3D CREATOR
Note: The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact did not come with a set of ear phones in the box which varies as many users prefer to get a unique model for themselves.
Without a doubt Sony are known for the LCD, Cameras & music, this phone incorporates the learnings in this area, with the good display, an excellent camera 19-megapixel camera with face scanning & 8-megapixel wide-selfie. On paper this looks good but even better when used to take pictures, Picture quality was excellent and the zoom quality after the picture was taken was excellent. The pictures taken viewed on a 46” LCD had excellent colour. This won’t compare to an SLR camera in terms of Sensor size, autofocus system and image-stabilization system. As a phone with a camera in terms of photo quality, performance, features and design for everyday photos you can’t go wrong.
Music Quality as expected from Sony has a collection of sophisticated, premium audio technologies to ensure premium sounds weather via the Jack plug or Bluetooth headphones. The signal strength and call quality in comparison to a variety of other phones cannot be faulted.
Sony has built in an array of additional features in terms of Motion Eye camera and its Super slow-motion video. Sony Xperia G8441 gives a super-wide angle when taking selfies with a 120-degree field of view getting more into the picture with a single frame. Predictive Capture principle which has been around for over 10 years in their camera range which detects the unexpected, capturing motion and smiles before you even click. Again, when taking fast action shots, the software helps to prevent the usual blur we come to expect. 3D scanning is another feature of the Sony Xperia G8441 while unsure if this will be a gimmick or a once of Party piece or will revolutionise the future. The fingerprint scanner is nothing amazing just works while good the fingerprint is taken on various sides of the fingers to ensure when you half touch the sensor it picks up the fingerprint.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is smooth to operate, no lag in menus when multitasking. If you want a compact reliable phone with an excellent battery, music and camera that can be taken in to the wars and back with an array of nifty features, certainly the Sony Xperia G8441 (Xperia XZ1 Compact) will fit the task and look good along the way.
https://estore.sonymobile.com/ie/sony-xperia-xz1-compact-black-uk-ie-302593/ €599.00
