SONY XPERIA Z1 COMPACT

 

A mini handset has, inexplicably, come to mean a smaller, lower-spec version of a popular big screen device, which does nothing for those that want a slightly smaller display. You could have very well noticed that Sony hasn’t named the baby brother of Z1 as “mini” but “compact”. This tells a lot about the make of it.

DESIGN

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact follows in the same design language that was started with the Xperia Z1.A full frontal glass assault is joined by an all glass rear that gives the Xperia Z1 Compact a really clean feel. The choice of four colours (black, white, pink and lime) means that the business feel can be a little offset if you wish.The chassis, measuring at 127 x 64.9 x 9.55mm, curves slightly at the edges allowing the screen to be protected from side impacts, as well as allowing it to sit comfortably in the hand.

It is found that the metal and glass feel often left the Xperia Z1 Compact feeling cold when left out, but the material combination also leaves it feeling premium.It's this combination of materials that leaves the Z1 Compact sitting on the scales at 137g. Pure stats show that the Xperia Z1 Compact has enough to compete, as its 340ppi outstrips that of the four-inch iPhone 5S. Behind all that glass sits the first clue that the Xperia Z1 Compact isn't quite a fully-fledged flagship; a 720p 4.3-inch screen.

THE HEART

One of the biggest things that stands out on the spec sheet is the Z1 Compact comes with flagship-sized insides. Sony has kept the same Snapdragon 800 SoC that packs a 2.2GHz quad-core CPU and Adreno 330 GP, as well as the 2GB RAM that keeps it all running smoothly.

CAMERA

Sony has given the Xperia Z1 Compact the same camera technology from the original Xperia Z1; namely the goliath 20.7MP sensor and the G Lens. While it may not match up to the same 41MP that is found within the Windows Phone-toting Nokia Lumia 1020, it is one of the most advanced sensors found in Android handsets.

BATTERY

With the amazing specs that sit inside the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, it would be a more than reasonable assumption to believe the battery pack would have to be enormous. Instead, it sits at a rather meagre-sounding 2300mAh.During general day to day use, it is found that the battery behind the Xperia Z1 Compact was a lot more than sufficient.The Xperia Z1 Compact also performed well against the HTC One (which also packs in a 2300mAh battery) in day to day use.

RESULT

The Xperia Z1 Compact is a phone that could prove vitally important to Sony if it is to help take on the dominance of Samsung and Apple in the mobile market. Pitched with a smaller screen, it aims to challenge the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini in the stakes to be king of the baby flagship while being a great option for those who just won't compromise on specs.Design wise, the smaller Z1 also ticks all the right boxes. Sony has crafted a supremely gorgeous device that sits perfectly in one hand and forgoes all the issues that were found with the five-inch Xperia Z1.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.

FOR

·         Flagship specs
·         Waterproof
·         Decent battery life

AGAINST

·         Poor bundled service
·         Awful low light photography
·         Glass back prone to smudges

-Vandhiyadevan