Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Specifications

Secondary Camera: 8 MPix 1/4" Exmor R, 18 mm super wide angle for 120 degree angle of vision
Price comparison
Average of 37 scores (from 80 reviews)
Reviews for the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
A wolf in sheep's clothing. Housed in its little 4.6-inch case, the Sony Xperia XZ1 embraces an understated style. But underneath that unassuming exterior lurks a full-fledged, high-end smartphone that can compete with the likes of the Apple iPhone 8 and other heavyweights. It is also one of the first smartphones to run Android 8.0. Here you will find everything you need to know about this little Sony powerhouse.
Source: V3.co.uk

All this is a shame because its form factor offers buyers a bit of choice at the high-ish-end where devices are only getting bigger and bigger, and ultimately it's a very sound device with a great screen, good camera and plenty of power.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/11/2017
Source: Android Authority

But ultimately what it boils down to is how much that compact form factor is worth to you. After all that is the main appeal of this phone. In this day and age a small sized smartphone with flagship specs is hard to come by and if one handed usability is your main priority, you won’t find a phone that does it better than the XZ1 Compact.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/25/2017
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 90% display: 78% mobility: 95% workmanship: 80%
Source: Trusted Reviews

If you’re the kind of person who wants a small phone then these days your options are rather limited. Thankfully, then, the Xperia XZ1 Compact is a decent option. While you might be sacrificing screen size, this isn’t at the expense of performance. In addition, you benefit from stellar battery life too.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/03/2017
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: PC Mag

With a 4.6-inch screen, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is the smallest, most powerful premium Android phone.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/24/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: It Pro

With a budget price, superb camera, and a performance on par with some of the industry's best smartphones, the Xperia XZ1 Compact is a mid-range marvel.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/23/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Phone Arena

Simply put, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is a remarkable little phone. While it has its flaws and annoyances, while it is undoubtedly a device targeting a niche audience, having it as a daily driver for a week was a genuinely fun and refreshing experience. Indeed, bigger isn’t necessarily better, especially if practicality and convenience are your top priorities when picking a phone.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/18/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Hardware Zone

Of course, if a 4.6-inch display is too small to your liking, then the XZ1 Compact doesn't stand a chance. If you’re not a size queen, the XZ1 Compact is easily Sony’s most ambitious attempt thus far – after all, it’s not about the size, but how you use it. If you like small flagship phones with modern specs and features, it’s your best bet.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/13/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Stuff TV

Sure, you don't get the same HDR-ready screen as the XZ1, but that just means battery life won't take a beating whenever you stream a bit of Netflix - and the trouser-friendly size means you won’t have to hunt down jeans with giant pockets, either.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/02/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Recombu

Sony has restored the good name of its Compact range with this latest offering. The £499 asking price takes you most of the way to the full flagship experience offered up by standard Xperia XZ1, with the last £100 difference manifesting in the XZ1 Compact's comparatively underwhelming screen tech.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/02/2017
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Techradar

The Xperia XZ1 Compact may look similar to previous phones from Sony, but it packs a punch and is perhaps the best small-form-factor Android phone around right now, making it a great choice if you want a device you can use one-handed.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/27/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: GSM Arena

Now, the XZ1 Compact’s screen is about the size and resolution of an iPhone 7 or 8 – which is to say no worse than some of the best-selling phones around. Yet, from a purely Android perspective the screen size and resolution are some two-three years behind. What’s wrong – the size or the perspective? Can you blame Sony for focusing on the performance? Most midrange phones today come with 5-inch full-HD screens and offer reasonable speed and productivity. An edge in performance is a lot less tangible than a few fractions of an inch of screen diagonal.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/25/2017
Rating: Total score: 86%
Source: Tech Advisor

There might not be any one thing that's overly exciting about the new XZ1 phones. However, the Compact model is particularly attractive and almost unique in the Android market. It provides top-notch specs in a smaller package and includes waterproofing again. It's actually more powerful than its bigger brother thanks to the 720p screen and has the same camera making it a great choice for those wanting a smaller phone.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/22/2017
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Trusted Reviews

The Compact is Sony’s most interesting line of phones, simply because there isn’t anything else quite like it on the market. This is the only Android phone boasting both high-end components and camera, but which isn’t a phablet.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/05/2017
Source: Hardware Zone

The Xperia XZ1 will be made available in Europe at the beginning of next week, while the XZ1 Compact would only be available later in September this year. Sony has yet to announce when they will be bringing in the phones, but we can’t wait to get them for our in-depth review.
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 09/05/2017
Source: Android Headlines

Sony’s Xperia XZ1 Compact is a great “little” smartphone with some flagship specs. The only spec that isn’t really flagship is the screen resolution. Which putting a Quad HD display on a 4.6-inch smartphone is a bit overkill, and Sony doesn’t think it needs to sacrifice performance for a higher resolution display. Which is something Huawei has done too – but recently gave in with the Quad HD fad. The only issue with the Xperia XZ1 Compact is the price tag, and the fact that it is only available unlocked and not at retailers. But it’s tough to say anything bad about this device. It’s a powerful little guy that is great for those looking for something smaller these days.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Tech Advisor

There might not be any one thing that's overly exciting about the new XZ1 phones. However, the Compact model is particularly attractive and almost unique in the Android market. It provides top-notch specs in a smaller package and includes waterproofing again. It's likely to be one of the cheapest phones with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: PC Mag

The Xperia XZ1 Compact is shaping up to be the most powerful phone you can comfortably use with just one hand. Sony's challenge, as always, will be to sell it in a market where very few people buy unlocked phones that aren't from Apple, Google, or Blu.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: GSM Arena

Since this is essentially a first encounter, it is a bit too early to discuss software or performance. We are dealing with an early unit in every sense of the word. However, it might be worth mentioning that the phone at our disposal seems to run a mostly familiar Xperia Launcher, at least visually, that is. This might, very well, be subject to change, but it does seem like Sony is thankfully not trying to mend what is not broken. Not severely, in any case. The company has also promised both the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact will launch, running Oreo.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Pocket Lint

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is a lovely little device that brings the Compact range back to form.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Stuff TV

It sure beats buying jeans with bigger pockets, anyway. We'll be giving the XZ1 Compact a full review a little closer to launch, so be sure to check back for a decisive verdict.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: T3

We're really impressed by the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, it's refreshing to see Sony doing something different to everyone else.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Mobile Syrup

I briefly got a chance to wear a prototype model. The headphones were comfortable and though music was playing in my ear, I was also able to facilitate a conversation without getting distracted. Once again, however, what I tested was just a prototype still in the concept design phase.
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Techradar

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is a promising step forward for the popular one-handed-use series. If Sony can keep the price down, deciding on a capable and pocketable smartphone in the tail end of 2017 is going to get much more difficult.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/30/2017
Source: Unbox

Sony has officially taken the wraps off of two new phones here in IFA, Berlin. Both the XZ1 and the XZ1 Compact feel like toned-down versions of Sony’s newest flagship smartphone, sporting similar hardware and camera tricks sans the 4K display. Unfortunately, the two phones don’t stray away from Sony’s established (read: dated) OmniBalance design technology, and at $700, faces stiff competition from devices launched earlier this year.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/27/2017
Foreign Reviews
Source: Teltarif

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/12/2017
Rating: Total score: 92% price: 91% performance: 90% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Chip.de

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/15/2017
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 94% features: 92% display: 94% mobility: 93%
Source: Android Pit

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/08/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Golem

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/02/2017
Source: Connect - 01/10/17

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/01/2017
Rating: Total score: 100% features: 100% ergonomy: 100%
Source: Computerbase

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/28/2017
Source: Netzwelt

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/28/2017
Source: Inside Handy

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/28/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Android Mag

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/23/2017
Source: n-tv

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/23/2017
Source: Tech Stage

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/22/2017
Source: Computerbase

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/21/2017
Source: Curved

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 95% display: 82% mobility: 93%
Source: Android Pit

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Curved

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Golem

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Tech Stage

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Computerhoy

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/21/2018
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% features: 90% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Computerhoy

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/21/2018
Rating: Total score: 76% price: 70% features: 90% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Movil Zona

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/29/2017
Rating: Total score: 70% price: 70% performance: 80% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 70%
Source: El Androide Libre

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/22/2017
Rating: Total score: 88%
Source: Xataka

Positive: Nice design; solid workmanship; fast system.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/01/2017
Source: Movil Zona

Positive: Decent display; good hardware; nice cameras; long battery life; quick charging; good connectivity.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/27/2017
Source: Tutto Android

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/25/2017
Rating: Total score: 87% price: 85% features: 90% display: 75% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 100%
Source: AndroidPit.it

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/28/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: AndroidWorld.it

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/27/2017
Rating: Total score: 84% price: 70% features: 90% display: 80% mobility: 85% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: HDblog.it

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/23/2017
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Andrea Galeazzi

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/05/2017
Rating: Total score: 82% price: 75% display: 82% mobility: 95% workmanship: 75%
Source: Pianeta Cellulare

Positive: Compact size; good price; light weight; nice design.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/03/2018
Source: Leonardo.it Tech

Positive: Compact size; high autonomy; excellent performance; support waterproof.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 12/21/2017
Source: AndroidPit.it

Positive: Compact size; light weight; nice software.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Cinafoniaci

Positive: Compact size; decent display; good hardware; nice cameras. Negative: Unsupported waterproof; short battery life.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/29/2017
Source: Cinafoniaci

Positive: Excellent display; support waterproof; decent hardware. Negative: Short battery life.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/28/2017
Source: All About Phones

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/08/2018
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Computer Totaal

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/12/2017
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Nieuwe Mobiel.nl

Positive: Nice display; good stamina. Negative: Mediocre design; many bloatwares.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/06/2017
Source: Frandroid

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 11/04/2017
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 90% display: 80% mobility: 100% workmanship: 60%
Source: AndroidPit.fr

Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/20/2017
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Phonandroid

Positive: Compact size; decent hardware; nice cameras. Negative: Mediocre design.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/04/2017
Source: AndroidPit.fr

Positive: Compact size; ligh weight; nice design; decent hardware; good price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Tabletowo

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/24/2018
Rating: Total score: 84% performance: 95% display: 80% mobility: 100% workmanship: 70%
Source: Android.com.pl

Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/02/2017
Rating: Total score: 78% performance: 90% display: 70% mobility: 90%
Source: 90 Sekund

Positive: Compact size; nice performance; good cameras; light weight.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 02/19/2018
Source: Antyweb

Positive: Compact size; decent performance; fast system; good speakers; nice cameras; solid workmanship; memory card slot. Negative: Mediocre design; short battery life; no dual SIM; poor display.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/09/2017
Source: Product Test

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/15/2018
Rating: Total score: 86% performance: 98% display: 90% mobility: 68%
Source: Hitech Vesti

Positive: Compact size; nice design; high performance; decent cameras; good speakers. Negative: Plastic case; thick frame; only one sim slot; short battery life.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/13/2017
Source: Product Test

Positive: Compact size; support waterproof; top performance; nice dual cameras.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/05/2017
Source: CZC

Positive: Compact size; pleasant ergonomy; nice display; high performance; good speakers; long battery life. Negative: Plastic case; no wireless charging.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/18/2017
Source: CNews.cz

Positive: Compact size; excellent speakers; USB-C; nice design; fast fingerprint sensor; high performance. Negative: No dual sim; high price; many bloatwares.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 12/04/2017
Source: Svet Androida

Positive: Compact size; high performance; fast fingerprint sensor; nice cameras; good speakers; support waterproof and dust avoiding. Negative: No quick charger; USB 2.0 only; many bloatwares.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 10/21/2017
Source: The Gioididong

Positive: Compact size; light weight; quick charging; decent cameras; nice performance; good display. Negative: Mediocre design.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/08/2017
Source: Zing

Positive: Top cameras; slim size; light weight; excellent speakers; decent hardware.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: The Gioididong

Positive: Compact size; good hardware; nice cameras; support waterproof and dust avoiding. Negative: Plastic case; poor display.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/31/2017
Source: Tek.no

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/18/2017
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Mere Mobil.dk

Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/12/2017
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Mobil.se

Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/06/2017
Rating: Total score: 82%
Comment
Model: Sony’s Xperia XZ1 Compact tries to prove that a 4.6-inch smartphone has some relevance in 2017. Like the XZ1, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact has received a bit of a shake-up in terms of design over its predecessor. While it is still boxier than the larger flagship, its edges have been slightly rounded off for a more ergonomic feel in the hand. The XZ1 Compact is IP65/68 rated, which means it will even survive a dunk underwater. It has a teeny tiny 4.6-inch, 1,280 x 720 display, slips into any pocket with ease and, best of all, it is considerably cheaper than its larger cousin. It does not scrimp on the specifications, though, including Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 835 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD card by up to 256 GB. The XZ1 Compact returns nearly identical multi-core and single-core CPU scores to 2017’s other Snapdragon 835-equipped handsets. Indeed, thanks to its lower resolution display, it delivers superior graphics test results as well. There is also a 19 MP camera on the back, which supports Sony’s new 3D scanning tech. The XZ1 Compact’s 19 MP f/2.0 rear camera is identical to the regular XZ1’s and benefits from Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for seriously stable video. The excellent “predictive” phase-detect and laser autofocus also makes another appearance, for speedy hassle-free shooting in all sorts of lighting conditions. Given the higher pixel count, pictures looked much crisper than those taken with the OnePlus 5, capturing plenty of detail in intricate brickwork and foliage.
The 3D scanning tech is simple to use: just map a face, head, food or any other object with the rear camera by following the dotted lines that appear onscreen. A user can then re-scan to fill in more intricate details with the camera, and tap to confirm when the user is ready to begin rendering. The 4.6-inch 720p display feels old hat in 2017. However, aside from the sub-Full HD resolution, the XZ1 Compact’s display is superb. Color accuracy is terrific, especially with the phone’s “professional” display mode engaged. It covers 89 % of the sRGB color gamut, the contrast ratio reaches an impressive 1,280:1, while brightness peaks at a glaring 611 cd/m². This is one fabulous smartphone display to have. The Xperia XZ1 Compact launches with Android Oreo onboard, and it is one of the first phones to be available with the new software. Sony’s own UI sits over the top and it is great to have the latest version of Android to use here. There are also dual-firing speakers on the front of the phone, which makes for great audio performance while listening to music or watching videos on the phone. If audio quality is a key feature for a user, this is another reason to buy the Xperia XZ1 Compact.
Hands-on article by Jagadisa Rajarathnam
Qualcomm Adreno 540: Integrated graphics card in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC. Slighly optimized architecture compared to the Adreno 530 but with higher clock speed due to the new 10 nm process. In the beginning of 2017 one of the fastest graphics cards for Android based smartphones.
Non demanding games should be playable with these graphics cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
SD 835: High-End SoC for smartphones that was introduced in early 2017 and manufactured in 10 nm LPE FinFET at Samsung. Integrates 4x Kryo 280 at 2.45 GHz (max) for performance and 4x Kryo 280 at 1.9 GHz (max) for efficiency. Furthermore offers an X16 LTE modem, ac-WiFi and a dual-channel 32-Bit 1866 MHz LPDDR4x memory controller. » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
4.60":
This display is tiny. You will probably see very little on the screen and be able to use mini-resolutions.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Sony: Sony Corporation is one of the largest Japanese electronics companies. The company was founded in 1946 under a different name and initially produced rice stoves. The company launched the first transistor radio. In 1958, the company was renamed Sony. Sony is a combination of the Latin word sonus (sound) and the English word sonny (little boy). Today, its core business is consumer electronics. The company is engaged in the development, design, manufacture and sale of electronic equipment, instruments, devices, game consoles and software. Sony operates in the following segments: Gaming and Network Services, Music, Images, Home Entertainment and Sound, Imaging Products and Solutions, Mobile Communications, Semiconductors, Financial Services and Others.
81.66%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.