While not the latest, Sony Xperia XZ1 is still a solid flagship from one of the top brands around. Apparently, it seemed like a device copy-pasted from the previous models and only had subtle changes here and there. But is it any good today? Does it have the power to offer users a decent smartphone experience almost 5 years out? Let’s find out in our Sony Xperia XZ1 review.
Design
When Sony Xperia XZ1 came out, most smartphone manufacturers had opted to go almost bezel-free with their devices. However, Sony didn’t follow in their tracks and kept the same striking rectangular design with generous bezels both above the display and below it.
The phone has a durable anodized aluminum exterior and boasts an IP68 rating for water resistance. On the front, it is protected by Gorilla Glass 5. There’s a recessed power button on the right side of the device accompanied by a volume rocker and a camera button. Along the top edge, there’s a headphone jack, which you don’t normally see in most flagships today. On its left, you’ll find the microSD and SIM card tray.
Display
You get a 5.2” display with Sony Xperia XZ1, and it offers 1080p resolution. Overall, the display is pretty sharp, and you can easily read text. It also renders images with a high level of detail. The drawback here is that you can buy a flagship with a QHD display at the same price today.
The good news is that the display comes with HDR support, and you can expect bright and clearer visuals from services like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. HDR videos always look impressive on this display, giving you a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera
Sony Xperia XZ1 comes with a 19MP rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, the same that you get with Xperia XZ Premium. It offers five-axis image stabilization and 960 fps super-slow-mo video recording. It also uses predictive phase detection autofocus of Sony to capture burst shots while keeping the moving subject in focus. Now, that’s pretty impressive.
At the front, you get a 13mp selfie-snapper – the 22mm wide-angle camera. It gives you good-quality pictures that are perfect for Snapchat and other social channels. You can also turn the screen into a flash in low-light scenes to brighten up your selfies a little.
Performance
The Sony Xperia XZ1 is powered by the high-performing Snapdragon 835 chip from Qualcomm, and its performance is at par with most competing devices. Supported by 4GB of RAM, the XZ1 doesn’t show any lags and offers seamless performance while browsing the web, streaming videos, and playing video games. The app load times are pretty quick, and the navigation is slick.
Battery Life
The handset packs a 2700mAh battery inside, and while its size was reduced from the previous Xperia XZ, its performance is comparable. That’s because the Snapdragon 835 chipset it uses is known to be more power-efficient compared to its predecessor. You can expect it to last through the day on a single charge. But it will need recharging at night, maybe earlier if you put your device to extensive use.
While not the latest, the Sony Xperia XZ1 is still a reasonable flagship that offers you value for money. Looking to grab a bargain? There is no better place than Bulk Mobiles UK to look for one!