Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Review

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Hands-On

Introduction

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the small-sized version of the most impressive flagship of the Japanese manufacturer until today – the Sony Xperia Z1 (read our Hands On Review – HERE). The rumors about the existence of the mini-smartphone began soon after the launching of the original device last year. The company actually released the Sony Xperia Z1 f which is pretty much the same phone as the Xperia Z1 Compact device; however it is purposed exclusively for the Japanese market. Soon after the official launching of the Xperia Z1 f the company revealed that it is planning to release an international variant of the phone. Just few days ago, Sony took the stage of CES 2014 in Las Vegas to announce the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. The mini smartphone begins a new tradition in the digit world for smaller version of the flagship that boasts high-end specs and capabilities similar to the original device. It comes with 4.3-inches display, Snapdragon 800 chip, 20MP camera and LTE connectivity.

Design and Display

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact features the same design as its bigger and older brother Xperia Z1. It is made of metal and glass, with premium look and attractive body. Its dimensions will be appreciated by users that are not fans of the large-sized devices. It measures 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm and weighs only 137 grams. Just like the original flagship the Xperia Z1 Compact is water and dust resistant with IP58 and IP55 certificates. This means that it can work for 30 min in 1 meter of water. There is a dedicated camera button on the panel for easy access.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact features a 4.3-inches TRILUMINOS display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and pixel density of 342ppi. The screen brings superior picture quality, great viewing angles and very fulfilling visual experience. It is smaller than the 5-inches display of Xperia Z1. In terms of pixel density, the mini version of the flagship wins against the Apple iPhone 5.

Hardware

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact works with a quad-core 2.2GHz processor with Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset. It is coupled with 2GB RAM on board and comes with 16GB storage out of the box. The smartphone stands out with brilliant performance that is as impressive as the performance of the Xperia Z1. It supports microSD cards for expansion of the memory up to 64GB. Most of the mini variants of the main models of the manufacturers are equipped with modest capabilities compared to the flagships. Xperia Z1 Compact however “shines with its own light” and definitely has a lot to offer to users who prefer high-end devices.

The battery of the smartphone is with a capacity of 2300mAh. It is non-removable cell that can keep the phone working on full power for up to 10 hours in talk time and 2G.

Camera

On the back of Xperia Z1 Compact is set one of the best features of the smartphone – its camera module. The phone boasts the same camera that works on Xperia Z1, a 20.7MP shooter with G Lens. It has 1/3.3-inches sensor and BIONZ image processing system. The camera module includes a LED flash.

It has loads of capabilities and features, such as panorama mode, HDR, image stabilization and the possibility to capture 1080p video. On the front panel of the smartphone is located the more modest shooter with 2MP. It is appropriate for video calls. The front camera can also record 1080p video.

Software and Connectivity

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact arrives with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean pre-installed. The company has already confirmed that it will soon begin the upgrading of the model with Android 4.4 KitKat. The platform that works on the mini smartphone is the same that we know from the software of Xperia Z1. Sony has slightly customized the Android operating system with its own image and gallery apps.

The modern smartphone is provides with all the connectivity features that users need. It supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G and the most important 4G LTE networks. It is not something you see every day in the digit world a mini version of the main smartphone with 4G support.

Availability and Price

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is expected to be launched some time in February. It will hit the markets throughout Europe and the UK and after that it will make its way to the US. Sony has not confirmed any specific dates yet. It is still unknown when the model will land in the States. One of the carriers that will release the smartphone is T-Mobile. The price also remains a mystery. The experts in this sphere suggest that the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact will be offered at similar price as its bigger sibling. This means – £400 – £450 in the UK, €550 in other countries in Europe and around $750 in the States. It will be launched in four colors – pink, lime green, white and black.

Conclusion

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is one of the most attractive and premium mini smartphones released in the digit world until today. It arrives on the mobile arena to compete against top-end devices rather than against “mini”s. The model brings all the strengths and the advantages of the flagship Xperia Z1 fitted in much more compact body with beautiful design. It has the full potential to become one of the most favorite Android running devices on the market. The combination of blazing fast processor and LTE connectivity, vibrant display with small size compared to the way too large phablets modern today and the user friendly interface make the model one-of-a-kind.

Source: SonyMobile