My Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact review

[krazyatom]

I got a compact xz1 and xz premium. Xz1 definitely wins in battery life! Xz premium just received Oreo 8.0 so I may compare them.

 

[krazyatom]

I went ahead and purchased from a company called Eglobal central. The phone already came with the finger print sensor activated. Software is custom Hong Kong. I may flash with the custom US and see what happens.

Is that US version flashed with HK firmware?

 

[libra89]

I got a compact xz1 and xz premium. Xz1 definitely wins in battery life! Xz premium just received Oreo 8.0 so I may compare them.

Hmm I'm curious, that could be really interesting.

 

[Alex_Hong]

Thanks!!! haha. The iPhone Se was my previous goto compact phone too before I switched to an X Compact. Which is why the XZ1 Compact is so appealing to me. To me i just find the front camera quality a little underwhelming though. Other than that, easily one of my favourite phones of the year. It's solid all round, not too crazily priced (where i live), and Sony is the only Android OEM still making flagship devices this small.

 

[libra89]

Thanks!!! haha. The iPhone Se was my previous goto compact phone too before I switched to an X Compact. Which is why the XZ1 Compact is so appealing to me. To me i just find the front camera quality a little underwhelming though. Other than that, easily one of my favourite phones of the year. It's solid all round, not too crazily priced (where i live), and Sony is the only Android OEM still making flagship devices this small.

You're welcome. I just really enjoy your reviews, you do a great job on them so seeing your post in this thread had me excited.

I agree with you on all that you said here. It's awesome that you have it for such a great deal there. It's 600 USD stateside for the US version, which can be a hard sell without the sensor. I feel that I can make do with the front camera, everything else is just too great for me to give up lol.

 

[Bl00dRunzC0ld]

I'm so glad I don't take selfies so I don't need to worry about front camera quality.

 

[libra89]

I'm so glad I don't take selfies so I don't need to worry about front camera quality.

In that case, you'll be good.

The front camera is fine to me. Low light is where the struggle is real. I think Sony still struggles with colors a bit though.

 

[krazyatom]

My compact still on August security patch and my xy premium is October security. I wonder if xy premium is more priority over compact model.

 

[libra89]

My compact still on August security patch and my xy premium is October security. I wonder if xy premium is more priority over compact model.

That's a fair question. I read on GsmArena that the XZ1 Compact and regular ZX1 both got the October patch and I am still checking daily for it.

https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz1_and_xz1_compact_getting_their_first_update-news-27737.php

 

[krazyatom]

That's a fair question. I read on GsmArena that the XZ1 Compact and regular ZX1 both got the October patch and I am still checking daily for it.

https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_xz1_and_xz1_compact_getting_their_first_update-news-27737.php

Thanks. Sony is usually pretty good with their updates so I wouldn't worry. Btw, my pixel 2 is still on September security patch!

 

[libra89]

Thanks. Sony is usually pretty good with their updates so I wouldn't worry. Btw, my pixel 2 is still on September security patch!

You're right about that, I'll just try to be patient.

That's interesting about the Pixel 2, I would think that an update for that would have rolled out by now. Speaking of, any luck with deciding what to keep?

A part of me wants to be all into the XZ1C but the other part feels like I'll miss having my original Pixel.

 

[krazyatom]

You're right about that, I'll just try to be patient.

That's interesting about the Pixel 2, I would think that an update for that would have rolled out by now. Speaking of, any luck with deciding what to keep?

A part of me wants to be all into the XZ1C but the other part feels like I'll miss having my original Pixel.

I have not decided yet pixel 2 wins in camera but compact has better battery life with best small form factor. Everyone is using Sony camera sensor but Sony can't make better camera software?

 

[libra89]

I have not decided yet pixel 2 wins in camera but compact has better battery life with best small form factor. Everyone is using Sony camera sensor but Sony can't make better camera software?

Right?! I don't understand. I can relate to your struggle.

 

[libra89]

Got the October security patch today! Yess go Sony!

 

[krazyatom]

Got the October security patch today! Yess go Sony!

Great. I may end up returning my compact due to pixel 2 and iPhone X I can only keep one phone for financial reason

 

[libra89]

Great. I may end up returning my compact due to pixel 2 and iPhone X I can only keep one phone for financial reason

I totally understand. You have to do what works for you. I figured that based on what you do and your interests, you'll probably choose the Pixel 2 over it. The Pixel 2 has really good cameras and the iPhone X will be an interesting phone for sure...

Come to think of it, it's even shorter than the Pixel 2 so it might feel closer to a smaller phone over the Pixel 2 you have.

 

[krazyatom]

I totally understand. You have to do what works for you. I figured that based on what you do and your interests, you'll probably choose the Pixel 2 over it. The Pixel 2 has really good cameras and the iPhone X will be an interesting phone for sure...

Come to think of it, it's even shorter than the Pixel 2 so it might feel closer to a smaller phone over the Pixel 2 you have.

I wish I can keep all 3 haha

 

[krazyatom]

I totally understand. You have to do what works for you. I figured that based on what you do and your interests, you'll probably choose the Pixel 2 over it. The Pixel 2 has really good cameras and the iPhone X will be an interesting phone for sure...

Come to think of it, it's even shorter than the Pixel 2 so it might feel closer to a smaller phone over the Pixel 2 you have.

I sold my Sony xz premium instead to keep the compact. I have iPhone 7 plus, pixel 2, Sony xz1 compact so I am all set! Sony compact will be my daily driver once I get a good working case.

 

[libra89]

I sold my Sony xz premium instead to keep the compact. I have iPhone 7 plus, pixel 2, Sony xz1 compact so I am all set! Sony compact will be my daily driver once I get a good working case.

Congrats! Sounds like you'll be just fine on the camera front then.

If you don't mind clear cases, check out a thread about the Ringke case by Andrew_404 in this forum. I decided to go back to the Pixel (first generation one).

 

[krazyatom]

Congrats! Sounds like you'll be just fine on the camera front then.

If you don't mind clear cases, check out a thread about the Ringke case by Andrew_404 in this forum. I decided to go back to the Pixel (first generation one).

Did you returned your compact? Pixel 1st Gen is still excellent device. I traded in my Pixel XL for my pixel 2. I still ended up paying like $310 but I think it was worth it. Pixel 2 battery last longer than my pixel XL lol.