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Sony Xperia XZ1
Sony Xperia XZ1
Sony Xperia XZ1
Sony Xperia XZ1
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7.5/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia XZ1 currently has an Informr score of 7.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 27 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

The Sony Xperia XZ1 is a good phone, but it lacks any eye-popping features and, for the price, only offers a Full HD display and a fairly dated design.

What's good

  • Snappy, smooth performance
  • Colorful, Bright Display
  • Decent battery life
  • IP68 water resistant

What's bad

  • Low contrast 1080p LCD panel
  • Poor low-light photos
  • Huge bezels

Sony has struggled to maintain a foothold in the smartphone market. But the Xperia XZ1 proves they haven’t given up. 

While the XZ1 has a dated look, some might like the boxy design and larger bezels. It’s a matter of personal preference. Still, when compared to similar flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 or iPhone X, it looks a bit behind in terms of styling.

Similar in design to the original, Sony has made some subtle changes for the XZ1. It’s thinner measuring in at 0.3 inches. It also sports an aluminum unibody. This brings more durability and an IP68 water-resistance rating.

Sony has called this new styling the infinite loop design. Despite rounds out the sides a bit compared to earlier models, reviewers noticed a slight jab from its edges when carrying it in their pants pocket.

If you’re looking for the sharpest screen, look elsewhere. The 5.2inch, 1080p LCD panel falls short when compared to phones like the Pixel 2 or Galaxy Note 8. It doesn’t provide the dark blacks or contrast ratio of OLEDs.

Still, the screen is good enough for most people. It has excellent color accuracy, good legibility in bright lighting, and great viewing angles. Still, as Tom’s Guide notes, “... the XZ1’s screen still feels like the best of old technology, rather than where the industry is headed.”

While the screen and design might seem so 2016, performance is top-notch. It comes equipped with an octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM. Real-life testing shows it’s very fast. Critics were pleased with how quickly apps launched and had no issues with lag or stutters even when multitasking or playing graphically demanding games.

A 2,700mAh battery might not seem like a lot, but reviewers could get a full day’s worth of use out of a single charge -- even with heavy usage. For more moderate use, they could get a day and a half.

Despite their innovation in the mirrorless camera world, the camera on the XZ1 didn’t particularly impress experts. Sony skipped out on the dual lens craze in favor of having a 19MP rear sensor with 5-axis image stabilization. 

On paper, this sounds amazing. In practice, it produced solid results but didn’t wow reviewers. In good lighting situations, the camera captured detailed pictures with accurate colors. However, in low light, they could not produce many usable photos despite the image stabilization. 

Some also had issues the finicky standard focus shifting focus between various objects. To combat this, Sony included a feature called “predictive phase detection autofocus”, which keeps focus on a moving object and takes bursts of pictures.

Overall, reviewers enjoyed the XZ1, but have a hard time recommending it. Android Authority states, “Sony hasn’t done enough to make the Xperia XZ1 stand out from the pack… there’s simply better options that offer better values at an equal or lesser cost.” TechRadar adds, “The Sony Xperia XZ1 has a good camera, display, power and software… but apart from the odd flash here and there it doesn’t do anything to really stand out…”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.45 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.45 GHz
5.2"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.2"
19+ MP, f/2
Camera
Camera
19+ MP, f/2
2700 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Gadgets 360
Gadgets 360

There’s a lot to like about the Sony Xperia XZ1 - it has a good display with HDR support, excellent performance, decent battery life, a camera that’s good enough for many people, and Android Oreo backed by what has so far been a decent record of regular updates.

- Kunal Dua, Gadgets 360
Coolsmartphone
Coolsmartphone

If you want a smartphone from a big-name brand but want something different from all the Samsung Galaxy devices out there, Sony do make a good alternative, especially with their camera technology bringing some great features at a cheaper price.

- Dan Carter, Coolsmartphone
Firstpost
Firstpost

With the Sony Xperia XZ1, Sony has done the impossible: They’ve gone backwards in time. What you get is a phone with massive bezels, a great screen, a disappointing camera, sub-par battery life, great build quality, boring design and a premium price tag.

- Anirudh Regidi, Firstpost
Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide

The Xperia XZ1 packs plenty of power and the latest version of Android, but this phone's bulky design, small battery and lack of a fingerprint sensor make it feel decidedly dated.

- Cortney Moore & Adam Ismail, Tom's Guide
GSM Dome
GSM Dome

Aside from the battery, this flagship is basically perfect. On an objective note, nobody can contest the excellent performance, pictures and compact format. And seeing what Apple and Samsung had to offer this year, it’s nice to see Sony mattering more than in the previous years.

- Alexandru Stănescu, GSM Dome


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia XZ1 user manual here.


Sony backs up the Xperia XZ1 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia XZ1 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
5.2"

The Sony Xperia XZ1's screen size is 5.2 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.45 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.45 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo (Update Available: 9.0 Pie) operating system (OS).

Camera
19+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 19+ MP, f/2 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 13+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2700mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2700 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 1222 minutes, 568 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia XZ1 Specs

Overview
Release Date September 19, 2017
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.0 Oreo (Update Available: 9.0 Pie)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 Octa core 2.45 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.85 W/kg
Body: 0.85 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX HD, LDAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 256 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
19+ Megapixels, f/2
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Brightness control, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Panorama, Slow motion recording, Exposure value, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, FLV
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
ISO, F2.0 aperture
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 424 pixels
Size 5.2 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2700 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 698 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 568 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1222 minutes
Standby Time Up to 20.4167 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Moonlit Blue, Black, Warm Silver, Venus Pink
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.5 x 7.6 x 0.8 cm (6.1 x 3 x 0.3 in)
Weight 156 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia XZ1 Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia XZ1
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