Xperia Z1 Compact

[ozaz]

Looks like it's for sale for $528 from tmobile, seems to say 32g base.

Bootloader is not unlockable which is weird for sony

Looks like it's fully compatible with att too

Beautiful phone.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...a-z1s-does-not-have-an-unlockable-bootloader/

If I was in the market I'd be thinking hard about this one.

Z1 Compact and Z1S are different phones, aren't they?

 

[tbayrgs]

Z1 Compact and Z1S are different phones, aren't they?

Yes. The Z1s is just the full-size Z1 branded specifically for T-Mobile.

 

[gotluck]

Yes. The Z1s is just the full-size Z1 branded specifically for T-Mobile.

Really, wow I'm blind. Derp

 

[Lloydbm41]

The Nexus 5 is 4.99 in. Might as well categorise it as a 5 in phone.

??? Isn't that what I said?

Nexus 5, HTC One, Galaxy S4, Moto X, Razr HD Maxx, Nexus 4 are all 5" or under.

 

[Fernandez21]

I was looking forward to this phone, until I saw this:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1o25yk-k8

Using the iPhone 5S for reference, it looks like its the same size as my Moto X, while having a 4.3" screen rather than a 4.7". I don't get why Sony continues to have those large bezels.

 

[ozaz]

I was looking forward to this phone, until I saw this:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1o25yk-k8

Using the iPhone 5S for reference, it looks like its the same size as my Moto X, while having a 4.3" screen rather than a 4.7". I don't get why Sony continues to have those large bezels.

But at this point in time, isn't Moto X the exception here rather than the norm? It seems significantly smaller than other 4.7" phones (e.g. S3, HTC One) and even some 4.5" phones (e.g. Lumia 925).

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/si...xy-S-III/phones/7678,7885,8283,7710,7850,6330

 

[adder7712]

Still not available here in Malaysia, as per Sony's website.

Might check at their store however.

 

[samven582]

This phones needs to come the USA asap!

 

[JaySoul]

Really really impressive, gotta say.

If they can keep this kind of form up, I'd be tempted to go Sony with the Z2!

 

[Fernandez21]

But at this point in time, isn't Moto X the exception here rather than the norm? It seems significantly smaller than other 4.7" phones (e.g. S3, HTC One) and even some 4.5" phones (e.g. Lumia 925).

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/si...xy-S-III/phones/7678,7885,8283,7710,7850,6330

Sort of. Other manufacturers used the smaller bezels to fit larger displays while keeping the size of the phone the same (LG G2, Galaxy S4, Note 3), while Moto made the actual phone smaller while keeping the screen the same size.

Regardless, you look at Sony's line up and you will see that every one of their phones have large bezel with the exception of an Xperia they launched alongside the original Xperia Z last year, I forget the name, I think it was ZR? Its a shame they haven't continued the small bezel design of that phone.

Don't get me wrong, this phone is still a little beast and anyone who is tired of the oversized phones that have been released the last couple of years should definitely look into this phone (and the Moto X), its just for me it would be very hard to go from my X to this when the sizes are virtually the same and I would lose .4" of screen real estate.

 

[ozaz]

its just for me it would be very hard to go from my X to this when the sizes are virtually the same and I would lose .4" of screen real estate.

I think I'm choosing between this phone and Moto X for me next phone. As you say, they are basically the same size in spite of different screens. The things that are causing me to lean toward the the Sony are SD expansion and (I assume) better photos and better battery life.

 

[gotluck]

I think I'm choosing between this phone and Moto X for me next phone. As you say, they are basically the same size in spite of different screens. The things that are causing me to lean toward the the Sony are SD expansion and (I assume) better photos and better battery life.

Moto x will have a better price, but this is a tough one. Sony looks like they have done well here.

 

[Fernandez21]

I think I'm choosing between this phone and Moto X for me next phone. As you say, they are basically the same size in spite of different screens. The things that are causing me to lean toward the the Sony are SD expansion and (I assume) better photos and better battery life.

Haven't used the compact, but I would assume the advantages would be the faster CPU/GPU combo, the higher PPI screen, and better camera. While the advantages for the X would be bigger screen, software, price, and customizations. The battery life will probably be about the same, the Xperia has a 2300mah battery while the X has a 2200mah battery, but the Xperia has a more power hungry CPU.

 

[tbayrgs]

<snip>

Don't get me wrong, this phone is still a little beast and anyone who is tired of the oversized phones that have been released the last couple of years should definitely look into this phone (and the Moto X), its just for me it would be very hard to go from my X to this when the sizes are virtually the same and I would lose .4" of screen real estate.

Agreed but for me, I'd prefer the smaller screen of the Compact with significantly less bezel--would be my personal ideal sweet spot.

 

[ozaz]

Major GSMArena review just published
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z1_compact-review-1037.php

I'm pretty interested in the battery life. Still waiting full detailed write up of the battery tests but there are pretty impressive summary stats on page 3 of main review in comparison with other smallish (width <= 65mm) high end phones (3G talk time / web browsing / video playback / endurance score)

Xperia Z1 Compact: 20:42 / 12:37 / 10:01 / 65h
iPhone 5S: 10:46 / 09:58 / 10:31 / 54h,
Moto X: 14:06 / 08:17 / 10:10 / 39h (44h when active notifications and touchless controls are off)


For me, the only minor disappointment is the non-stellar low light performance of the camera and lack of optical image stabilisation.


iPhone 5S battery test, http://blog.gsmarena.com/apple-iphone-5s-battery-test/
Moto X battery test, http://blog.gsmarena.com/here-goes-the-full-breakdown-of-the-moto-x-battery-performance/

 

[dba415]

Reviews are coming in and it looks to be a good phone. Definitely the best small screen Android phone on the market right now.

 

[IFRIT]

Seriously considering this as my next phone.

 

[mattopotamus]

nm

 

[gotluck]

I see it released in parts of Europe

This phone should be a beast only having to push a 720p screen.

Anyone buy it yet?

Hope other oems learn from this and stop gimping sub 5" phones.

 

[ozaz]

Anyone buy it yet?

Waiting for UK price to drop to £350 then I think I'll pounce. Some places already down to £390 from £450 so probably not too long.

As an aside, now there's been Nexus 5 & Moto X, £350 is about the max I'm willing to pay for a Smartphone.

 

[sentinelsx]

Android 4.3..

Even LG announced their small handsets with 4.4. C'mon sony abandon your skin if it is causing this.

 

[Tsuchiya]

Really nice phone in the flesh. Feels great in your hand and the coloured ones are cool.

This might be only Sony phone worth getting. Their flagships seem to get replaced every few months (Z2 rumours are true, but it won't be a significant upgrade)

 

[iosuser]

This is a bit OT. I recently bought the Xperia Tablet Z and am very impressed with it, so I thought I might one day buy the Z1 Compact. That is until I found out the entire range of Xperia does not support streaming HD video playback

I found this out when playing Netflix. It was immediately apparent to me that it's nowhere near as sharp as other devices I have, including another 8" 720p tablet, never mind the rMini and another full HD tablet I have. I thought it was just a Netflix thing, and then I find that even Google Play Videos will not stream HD playback, more shockingly even Sony's own video services will not stream HD contents to Xperia devices

Is this an example of Android fragmentation, or just the stupidity of Sony, I don't know. Fortunately I am still within the return period of the Tablet Z as this is totally a deal breaker for me, though this is most unfortunate as I really like this tablet. And I'm no longer interested in the Z1 compact.

 

[TacticalDesire]

This is a bit OT. I recently bought the Xperia Tablet Z and am very impressed with it, so I thought I might one day buy the Z1 Compact. That is until I found out the entire range of Xperia does not support streaming HD video playback

I found this out when playing Netflix. It was immediately apparent to me that it's nowhere near as sharp as other devices I have, including another 8" 720p tablet, never mind the rMini and another full HD tablet I have. I thought it was just a Netflix thing, and then I find that even Google Play Videos will not stream HD playback, more shockingly even Sony's own video services will not stream HD contents to Xperia devices

Is this an example of Android fragmentation, or just the stupidity of Sony, I don't know. Fortunately I am still within the return period of the Tablet Z as this is totally a deal breaker for me, though this is most unfortunate as I really like this tablet. And I'm no longer interested in the Z1 compact.

Obviously it has nothing to do with Android if you're only experiencing those problems on a Sony tablet. Is there a setting you haven't changed and have you done any further research?

 

[iosuser]

Obviously it has nothing to do with Android if you're only experiencing those problems on a Sony tablet. Is there a setting you haven't changed and have you done any further research?

There is no settings, wouldn't think it'd be that simple. I really really want this tablet, so much so that I actually called Sony Xperia support knowing it'd be a waste of time (it was). They suggested that I put the video files locally on the tablet and it'll play in full HD LOL.

The Sony tablet community is very small so not much help there. There are other complaints about this by owners of the Tablet Z, and other Xperia products including the flagship Z1 phone. This is just a guess on my part, it might be some kind of licensing issue in the Xperia devices preventing streaming HD contents.

Perhaps not a good example of Android's fragmentation, but regardless your experience with an Android device is YMMV even with a big name such as Sony.

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-Tablet-Z/VOD-and-HD-Video-Playback/td-p/362656

http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperi...vice-does-not-support-HD-playback/td-p/417467