Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Specifications
Price comparison
Average of 24 scores (from 33 reviews)
Reviews for the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Turning big into small. Already the name makes its obvious: The Z1 Compact is the handier version of Sony's Xperia Z1 flagship. These "Mini" editions are presently quite common, but the Z1 is an exception because most of the hardware is the same as used in the larger version.
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
Overall, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact is not all that different from the Xperia Z1 Compact. The design is improved, the screen is a bit bigger, the processor is slightly better and the camera has been tweaked, but we'd suggest that none of those improvements are major. However, unless you can find the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact for under £300, we'd recommend buying the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact for £349 for those slight improvements, extra durability and new features.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 09/26/2014
Source: Reg Hardware Archive.org version
Albeit without a full HD display, the Z1 Compact squeezes all the high-end technical goodies usually found in monster Android überphones into a stylish, well made and altogether rather neat little handset, both aesthetically and figuratively. Despite being £100 cheaper than the 16GB iPhone 5S, it’s not exactly inexpensive. Yet in terms of offering the maximum technical bang for the minimum spatial buck, it’s the first Android phone to take the fight to the iPhone 5S’s diminutive door. It’s just a bit of a shame that Sony’s Xperia launcher and app suite is falling behind what’s on offer from other Android OEMs like Samsung and, more particularly, LG.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/28/2014
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
Having won four rounds to the Nexus 5's three, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the clear winner. Featuring a better camera, superior performance and a more rugged design, the Xperia Z1 Compact is one of the best phones currently available. But with the Nexus 5 costing a massive £150 less than the Xperia Z1 Compact and offering more than reasonable performance, the Google phone does offer buyers better value for money.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 03/25/2014
Source: NDTV Gadgets Archive.org version
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is exactly the kind of product we've wanted to see for a long time. The smartphone industry is too eager to follow trends, and a recent features arms race has led to a staggering tilt in favour of phones with 5-inch-plus screens. We're not happy recommending less powerful phones to those who don't want to deal with bulky, heavy devices, and now we finally have a worthy product in that space. Sony is really on to something here, and we hope the rest of the industry takes note and follows suit.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/25/2014
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 90% performance: 90% display: 80% mobility: 90% workmanship: 80%
Source: Techspot Archive.org version
The Xperia Z1 Compact occupies an interesting area of the market with little competition, positioning itself as high-end device in a compact body. Some may see it as nearly a win by default for Sony, but there are genuinely many reasons why you should consider this handset for yourself. Price-wise it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that the Xperia Z1 Compact is priced similarly to its large-screen flagship counterparts. MobiCity, which provided us with the Z1 Compact to review today, sells the Z1 Compact for $570 unlocked and off-contract, which is the same price as the full-size Xperia Z1, so it won’t cost you to opt for the smaller model. It’s also cheaper than the iPhone 5s by a considerable margin, but more expensive than other Android handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and LG G2.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 03/19/2014
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: T Break Archive.org version
Simply put, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the most powerful and full-featured Android phone that can be easily used with one hand. Unlike some of its competitors Sony chose to keep the specs as high as they could providing a smooth and fast user experience. Having said that, I found the Compact to be a bit too small. With the flexibility that Android brings, I prefer a larger screen size and would rather go for the 5-inch Xperia Z1. However, that’s just a personal preference. If you like a smaller phone, there is nothing better than the Xperia Z1 Compact in the Android space.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: Total score: 86% price: 85% performance: 95% features: 90% workmanship: 75%
Source: Tech2.in.com Archive.org version
At Rs 36,990, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is nearly the same price as the Xperia Z1, which makes it a bit too expensive. Other than the smaller form factor, there’s no reason to buy this over the Z1, which has a higher resolution display and a bigger battery. We reckon a street price of around Rs 32,000 would make the Z1 Compact a very good buy. Sony has a little Catch 22 situation on their hands right now and we can see why they’ve priced both phone so closely. If the price gap was any bigger, it just made good common sense to pick the Compact. By leaving just a miniscule gap, Sony won’t be losing out too much on revenue no matter which phone buyers pick.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/10/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Androidbeat Archive.org version
The Z1 Compact is all about the combination of form factor and specification. If I knew for a fact that Sony would be fixing up the camera with a decent firmware upgrade with much better image processing, this might even be my Android smartphone of choice – there’s definitely potential here. But, in the absence of such future knowledge, I can’t quite bring myself to recommend this across the board. The app bloat, the average screen, the average speaker, the underperforming camera, and so on. It’s all a little uninspiring. On the other hand, if you’re desperate for something small and yet powerful then it’s the obvious choice, at least at February 2014 – it’s certainly a cut above the ‘mini’ flagships put out by rival manufacturers.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/14/2014
Source: Expert Reviews Archive.org version
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact's specification is unrivalled at this screen size - on an Android handset at least. If you want a compact, top-end smartphone before then your only other choice is an iPhone 5S. The price certainly reflects that, with the Z1 Compact rivalling other flagship handsets at around £30 a month on contract. It's fast, splashproof, has a great screen and a long battery life. The camera is the weak point here from our perspective, as it was on the Z1, and it's here that the iPhone 5S surpasses it. However, if you're looking for a top-end Android smartphone and don't want a pocket monster, this is the handset to buy.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 02/07/2014
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
With clean lines, an impressive screen and a size that belies its pure grunt, the Z1 Compact is the first smaller-sized Android powerhouse that really does tick of all of our boxes. The One Mini before it had a lovely screen but was let down by poor battery life. The S4 Mini's camera is reliable but the screen is low-res, the build toy-like. Is this the end of supersized smarties? No. We love big screens, we love watching HD movies on them and using creative apps on them. But a smaller smartphone screen is much more manageable for a lot of people.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 02/06/2014
Rating: Total score: 100% performance: 90% display: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the best small Android phone on the market. It’s also one of the best Android phones, full stop. If you find 5-inch phones a bit of a handful, the Compact will be right up your street. It is superbly designed, has an excellent screen, stonking performance and even a memory card slot. It also comes with one of the most impressive party pieces any phone has to offer – it’s waterproof to 1.5m. Add that it costs a reasonable £430 (as much as £120 less than its 5-inch brother) and you have a very compelling proposition indeed.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/05/2014
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 90% features: 90% display: 90% mobility: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
Over the last couple of year smartphone have come on leaps and bounds with faster processors, screen resolutions to match your TV and cameras to take the place of your compact. You may have noticed that they've also got bigger as time has gone on so it's probably frustrating if you want a medium-sized handset without getting downgraded specifications. Well Sony has bucked the trend with its Xperia Z1 Compact.
video review
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 02/04/2014
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
SonyHaving used the Xperia Z1 for a week, we have to say we're very impressed. The Xperia Z1 Compact is leagues above other smartphones in its size bracket. For its premium £450 price, the Compact offers top-end, quad-core performance and a 20.7MP rear camera that blows all other competition in the Android ecosystem out of the water. If it weren't for its good but not great display and use of the previous generation 4.3 Android Jelly Bean software, we'd have no qualms granting the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact a five-star rating.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/31/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: T3 Archive.org version
The Z1 Compact is more than a match for its rivals. On a day to day basis it's a great alternative to an iPhone if you hate big-screen phones but still want Android. If we have one issue it’s Sony’s version of Android. It hasn’t changed much since the first Xperia handsets and it could do with updating. It’s not that it’s ugly, more that it’s beginning to look a little dated. There is then the small issue of cost. At £450 it’s not wallet-friendly, but then this isn’t a budget phone. What’s important to note is that Apple’s smaller iPhone actually costs more, indeed the iPhone 5c 16GB costs £469 while the iPhone 5s starts at £549.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/30/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the perfect device for those who think that some of the leading smartphones are just too big, but still want the best specs on the market. Those top-end innards crammed into a smaller device means high-end power isn't missing for those with smaller hands, or if you want something more akin to the iPhone 5S. Sony has addressed a lot of the problems that were found on the original Xperia Z1, and has created a superb handset in doing so. The screen doesn't suffer from the same poor viewing angles the Z1's did, although it will never be able to live up to the size and resolutions that modern flagships pack in.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 01/30/2014
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 90% performance: 100% features: 90% workmanship: 100%
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
There's no point in beating about the bush: Sony's "mini" flagship is what companies should have been doing all along. If you want a top-spec Android phone, but don't want a finger-stretching screen, this isn't just your best option; it's your only option right now.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 01/30/2014
Rating: Total score: 88%
Source: Gadgets Now Archive.org version
Sony's crafted the best 'mini' Android smartphone you can buy, and it's the first time we've seen a handset maker get a downsized flagship absolutely right - not to mention that it's a brilliant piece of kit on its own right too. If you've been considering the Xperia Z1 and have been put off by its size, it's worth giving the Z1 Compact a look, as it's not just the best mini phone we've seen, it's simply one of the best Android blowers on the market - this pint-sized powerhouse proves that good things do come in small packages, even when they don't run iOS.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/29/2014
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
We love what Sony has done with the Xperia Z1 Compact. Finally consumers have the choice to buy a high-end smartphone without being forced to use a large screen. The fact it's cheaper than most flagship devices makes it one of the best smartphones around.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/28/2014
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 80% performance: 100% features: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
With clean lines, an impressive screen and a size that belies its pure grunt, the Z1 Compact is the first smaller-sized Android powerhouse that really does tick of all of our boxes. The One Mini before it had a lovely screen but was let down by poor battery life. The S4 Mini's camera is reliable but the screen is low-res, the build toy-like. The Z1 Compact doesn't have one stand out feature, it has stand out features to spare: waterproofing, that killer battery life, slick performance. This isn't a mini phone or a compact phone, it's a regular sized smartphone that hasn't trashed borrowed branding by disappointing in use the way smaller phones tend to.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/28/2014
Rating: Total score: 100% performance: 90% display: 90% workmanship: 90%
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
Sony is giving people what they want – a flagship spec Android phone with a hand-friendly size. The range of four-colours is sure to enthuse those who like their phones to be fashion statements and the Z1 Compact retains the Xperia waterproof USP. Sony should have ignored the phablet market and made this phone before the Z Ultra – better late than never, though. The Xperia Z1 Compact may well fill a major niche and sell like hot-cakes. Our initial thoughts are that it deserves to do well.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/10/2014
Foreign Reviews
Source: [link] Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/01/2014
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 100% features: 90% ergonomy: 85%
Source: Smartphone Magazin - Heft 3/2015
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 05/01/2015
Rating: Total score: 94%
Source: Chip Test & Kauf - Heft Nr. 6/2014
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 10/01/2014
Rating: Total score: 98% emissions: 99%
Source: Mobicroco DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/18/2014
Rating: Total score: 96% features: 97% workmanship: 98% emissions: 96%
Source: Notebookinfo DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/17/2014
Rating: Total score: 95% performance: 100% display: 95% mobility: 100% workmanship: 95% emissions: 80%
Source: e-media - Heft 3/2014
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2014
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Telecom Handel - Heft 4/2014
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2014
Rating: Total score: 86%
Source: Pocket Navigation - Heft 3/2014
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2014
Source: Android Magazin - Heft 2/2014
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Chip.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/31/2014
Rating: Total score: 97% price: 66% mobility: 96%
Source: Tom's Hardware DE→EN Archive.org version
Positive: very good performance; small chassis
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/13/2014
Source: Allround-PC.com DE→EN Archive.org version
Positive: compact format; good haptics; very good workmanship and choice of materials; water- and dustproof device
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 02/12/2014
Comment
Qualcomm Adreno 330: Integrated graphics card in some Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs, supports OpenGL ES 3.0
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
800 MSM8974:
High-end ARM SoC with 4 CPU cores up to 2.3 GHz and an Adreno 330 GPU up to 450 MHz. Based on Qualcomm's Krait 400 architecture and is manufactured in a 28nm HPM process.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.4.30":
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.
90.58%: There are not very many models that are rated better. Most of the assessments are in percentage ranges below that. The tested product is not considered perfect, but the sources give a clear purchase recommendation.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.