With the noticeable exception of the iPhone, it’s hard to argue against the fact that smartphones are getting much larger. 5 inch screens are considered “normal” these days, and some manufacturers are pushing the limits of one handed use with massive screens of 6 inches and upwards.
This is all great for the tech enthusiast, and while there’s no denying that a large screen phone is definitely easier to use when it comes to gaming and browsing, it’s a bit of an annoyance if you’re not a power user or you have smaller hands.
This leaves you with a conundrum: If you don’t want a massive phone, and you don’t want an iPhone, you’re forced to sacrifice features and power to find something that fits.
Enter The Xperia Z1 Compact
Firstly, don’t be fooled: The Z1 isn’t really all that compact. It’s roughly the size of an iPhone 5s, but perhaps a little chunkier to hold. Even so, it’s a good deal smaller than the other high end smartphones, including Sony’s own Z1.
A Premium Feel
When other manufacturers make smaller versions of their flagship devices, they always make sacrifices in the tech department (Think HTC One and Samsung Galaxy Mini versions). Not so with the Sony.
The Z1 Compact oozes quality. From its curved metallic sides to its glass covered back, the handset looks stunning, and the finish is impeccable. It’s also available in a variety of colours, all of which look great.
Waterproofing
Like its bigger brother, the Z1 Compact has plastic covers that shield the ports from dust and liquid. This is a great feature, and means the phone is waterproof to a depth of 1.5m for up to half an hour! This really is a revelation for a smartphone, and it’s really going to cut down on mobile insurance claims! It’s a very surreal experience being able to wash a phone under a tap when it gets covered in fingerprints! Contacting mobile insurance providers is still a good idea for the possibility of theft or other damage.
Screen Quality
The screen is a triumph. It’s “only” 720p in resolution, but because it’s slightly smaller than its bigger brother (4.3 inches) it manages a pixel density of 342ppi. Colour and contrast look excellent. Perhaps this is a trickle down effect from Sony’s TV department?
Power
The Z1 Compact features a 2.2GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. There’s 16GB of onboard memory available, and an SD card slot for adding more. You can forget those underwhelming “Mini” versions of flagship phones, as the Z1 Compact is more powerful than any other Android phone out there right now. It ploughs through gaming with ease, and day to day tasks like web browsing hardly make a dent in performance. This is a seriously powerful smartphone.
Camera Quality
The Z1 Compact has the exact same camera as its bigger brother, so you’re treated to 20.7 megapixels and settings galore. Pictures are sharp, detailed and full of vibrancy.
Battery Life
The Z1 Compact has a 2,300mAh battery, but for a phone with such a good screen and so much power under the hood, battery life is very decent. Expect to get around two days of charge out of the phone with regular use. There’s also a Sony “Stamina Mode” for saving juice.
Conclusion
There’s no two ways about it. The Z1 Compact is a triumph. It’s everything you could want in an Android phone. It is quite expensive, and you can pick up a Nexus 5 for less, but if you need a more manageable size of smartphone and you don’t want to scrimp on features, this phone is the one to get.
