Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact Hands-On First Impressions - 5 Days Later

[@myproject13ttt]

That design will never grow old to me 👍 my hope is that OEMs will not forget about this style of Smartphone going forward..👊✌️

[@GrantLikesTech]

I've been forgiving of it for awhile now since I like 16:9 displays, but the XZ Premium is a bit too chunky to me. It's basically the iPhone 7 Plus of Android right now, which isn't a bad thing, just getting dated.

[@rakibul1765]

few days ago I bought one my friend said me every one now use 18:9 ratio mobile why you bought this old design but sony is a feeling to me

[@smartphoneconversations]

This phone is very nice...wow

[@eshrakkader5996]

the last compact phone with the original omnibalance design......

[@GrantLikesTech]

Yeah, I'm liking this design except the sharp corners.

[@maulanawasihaiderrizvi5222]

Nokia 4.2 that Iam using is compact too but nice

[@sskrah]

Wow. That's the best looking phone on earth to me. Bad that compact phones were never released in India

[@GrantLikesTech]

That is too bad. Flagship in a small body is refreshing to use. Thanks for stopping by.

[@martin8253]

Still rocking this xz1 compact, infact I just bought a good condition second unit. I tried pixel 2 and iphone 7 but the battery life on the xz1 compact is just insane and it still has a headphone jack!

[@GrantLikesTech]

Glad you like it so much. I really liked using it and may have to break it out again.

[@mortinocano169]

How much did you pay for it?

[@smartphoneconversations]

So temped to get another Sony, as they have GREAT batteries and cameras.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Yeah, I have a soft spot for Sony even though it's frustrating to know they won't do what's needed to take the top spot.

[@imranhussein55]

Grant S what's needed?

[@GrantLikesTech]

Little things to me like including OIS in the camera, make a leap in image processing as they're constantly playing catch up there, improve audio perhaps by licensing and properly implementing the Qualcomm DAC+amp. Other things exclusive to the US like better marketing, lower pricing and carrier deals where they don't make concessions that make their phones suck like they did with Verizon a few years back.

[@anthonywilliams9415]

I bought this phone, used it for a week and took it back because I didn't like the way it felt in the hand, also wasn't a big fan of the audio quality especially coming from a rooted Nexus 6P with Viper4Android. Like what was said in the review the sharp edges pierce into your hand. The pros about it was one handed use (primary reason I bought it) and it was extremely fast, almost stock Android, and micro SD expansion. Seeing this review makes me want to buy it again, since the XZ2 Compact ditched the headphone jack.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Cool, let me know if you pick one up again.

[@tubeMonger]

I chose XZ1 over XZ2.

[@Nahtano7]

Because the design? Me too!

[@dradvyrk6162]

i'll still buy this, given a chance. the headphone jack is still a necessity for me.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks for stopping by! I also still like having a headphone jack.

[@ex0stasis72]

I can't believe I missed this when it first came out. Fortunately, I was able to find a new international version on eBay. I'm on the phone now and loving it! If it weren't for this phone, I think I would have switched back to iOS for the rumored upcoming iPhone SE 2.

[@CarlMooretheshadow]

i'm from the future! The iphone se 2 doesnt exist so I'm getting this instead

[@reecebeck971]

@@CarlMooretheshadow I'm even farther from the future! The iPhone se 2 does exist and is coming out soon

[@luistini]

@@reecebeck971 even more in the future, the iPhone SE 2 is already old.

[@johannesasfaw]

I’m even more from the future the iPhone SE has a 6 inch screen because all phones are now tablets

[@ex0stasis72]

@@johannesasfaw ya, my time with this Sony phone in the video had shown me that 3rd party developers often assume a certain screen width, and UIs start to break on such small phones with wrapping text or cut off text. I'm happy now with my old OnePlus 7t, and I no longer am bothered by the larger screen because I can use the back gesture by swiping inward from either the left or the right edge of the screen, and every app is forced to recognize this as a "back button" even if they app has its own gesture system, which most don't because they'd probably get a lot of complaints about not conforming to Android standards. It's ironic because Apple is normally the one with the high standards, yet their approach with 3rd party developers is that every dev can do their own thing. They can have a swipe inward from the left (not the right) to go back...but if the dev wasn't feeling generous that day or straight up were not competent with UX, it just doesn't get put into the app. Not only that, but iOS apps often have several ways to go back. Sometimes, it's a window that slides up from the bottom that you have to slide back down. Sometimes it forces you to tap the X in the corner of the screen that is farthest from your thumb.

[@darwinsetiady]

Its love-hate for me with this Compact phone. Single sim and 32GB internal. And this is the last compact phone design that I really like from Sony :(

[@GrantLikesTech]

I cam understand that. I can make 32GB work and SE card for media, but if you need the internal storage for big apps, etc, then I get that.

[@anas7412]

It's true, i hope sony make a remake of this phone but with 64gb internal storage Or maybe i wait for new compact, Xz2c was a big disappointment

[@chrisdwayne2860]

Snapdragon 835 ft. 720p Resolution is guarantee of battery life

[@electron7659]

I wish they could make this phone in an all shiny chrome finish. That would look very elegant.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Maybe but what a nightmare to keep clean. 😁 I like the matte silver for that reason.

[@electron7659]

@@GrantLikesTech Yes, oh how elegant and classy it will look though. It would also make a great mirror. Just carry a small smudge wipe cloth with you at all times.

[@Ben-vu4jn]

Quality assessment. Thank you

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks for checking it out

[@wangzifan3067]

i love this sony boy

[@GrantLikesTech]

Me too!

[@DrGogu-yd6jc]

Previous Xperia phones e.g. Z5 compact had a feature called oversampling in the camera, where the 23mp sensor info would be squeezed into an 8mp image, giving better results. You didn't mention if this feature is available in this model?

[@DrGogu-yd6jc]

I got the phone and looks like the same oversampling process is here too. The lower res (12mp) images are less noisy and they also look better in low light. I'm surprised no reviewer mentioned that.

[@8bitnitwit]

Just ordered one of these through Carphone Warehouse here in the UK, they're down to £200 at the moment. Hoping it'll be faster and much better at taking photos than my 2017 Galaxy A3.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Nice deal, hope you enjoy it

[@gogigp]

I don't know why, but I always have feeling like there is something missing with Sony phones....Sony is somehow always under delivering. They're capable of making really the best smartphone. But they're not delivering it. Sony is weird. Great jobe and I appreciate you take your time for audio. One feild where Sony should be the best but it isn't.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Agreed. They're so close, but so far. Very frustrating since it would seem they could make the necessary improvements, but refuse to give in.

[@gogigp]

Grant S island people are a bit weird. Htc is from another island and shares same strange stubbornness:) I like Japanese and Taiwanese, don't get me wrong, but there's something. Include Britain and round the equation:)

[@GrantLikesTech]

Hey, I'm from Hawaii so what does that make me? 😁

[@gogigp]

Grant S weird. American having good online relationship with Serb..... definitely weird:)

[@GrantLikesTech]

Lol, thanks

[@robpesantezza5285]

I got this phone and only one thing that I don't like is the volume, is not so loud as the z5 compact.

[@ohhiyoh5793]

Hey, Grant. I really like your icons. Could you tell me what they are? Thank you. I am using xz1 compact as my daily phone now. It's still pretty good. Found a way to hide the navigation and status bars. So cool.

[@markdrooney1299]

Love the Phone. Have IT now 1 month. And is great. Like for sony

[@grantdowhaniuk6024]

im seriously considering the xz1 compact. but the double tap to wake feature is gone right? Anyone know whether the 4G LTE network will work in Canada or China? im buying the phone in China but moving to Canada in the future

[@GNU_Linux_for_good]

01:13 I like this design much more than the curved back of XZ2.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Definitely a blow to those who liked the classic Sony design.

[@ericthomas2388]

My impressions of this phone are that the one handed usability and battery life are the main reasons of buying this phone. Ui is pretty quick too. I have a few problems though, I suffer from this disconnecting wifi glitch. The output on the head out is also very weak. Phone is nice to hold but has sharp edges with are bothersome. I have tried a case but it affects one handed use a bit and the finger print scanner has an even harder time recognizing my finger which already has a difficult time reading it even without a case. Some things I wish they did was made the phone all metal because the plastic feeling "glass woven" thing doesn't feel cheap but it doesn't feel premium for how much this costs. And I wish they made the output better on the head out and has better sounding speakers , and made the edges more curved a bit. Everything else is perfect to me. I don't need a high resolution display and I don't want glass on the back. Metal please!

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I personally don't have issues with WiFi performance, so sorry to hear that. I mentioned similar thoughts on the audio performance. I'm alright with the build quality, especially since this silver color doesn't pickup fingerprints and looks great to me.

[@ToniML200]

I'm planning on buying this phone, but I want to know how hot does it get. Can someone here give me some temps at high usage?

[@MrValthier]

how do you like the phone until now? I am thinking on getting one, the price here in EU is aroun 290€. I´d love to know your opinion.

[@АндрейТудоран]

like for photo with niners unies))) have the same model of xz1compact (silver). But, I`m sad that in complectation for our country wasn`t included some headphones. In my previous phone, Sony Xperia SP all was OK(

[@GeordiLaForgery]

Great review. I wonder if it's possible to use these phones as a sat-nav on a rainy day on a moped/bike since it's ip68 cert'd?

[@GeordiLaForgery]

@RS1 Cool, I'm using a cover so I'm trying to find a phone that don't need one so it's easier.

[@dbocsan]

Since you have this phone since apr. 2018, did you had problems with the screen...I have a z3 compact for almost 4 years now and since I got it the front and back glass just unglued 4 times already...3 times the display. In the first 2 years it was ok, everything was replaced/glued back on warranty. I want to upgrade to xz1 compact but not sure yet...

[@Afura33]

Hello, i had the z3 compact too, it served me well 3 years. I didnt have the problem you have and never heard of someone having it, that really sucks, sounds like something is wrong with the whole phone. what did sony say to the problem?

[@stormer6364]

Hi Grant, thanks for the videos, ive watched both.. Just have 1 question . The end call with the button on the headphones , i don't know how to enable that? Can u help please .. Best Regards stormer.

[@GrantLikesTech]

If you mean using the button controls on wired headphone/earphones, then I believe that just depends on headphones themselves if they work or not.

[@stormer6364]

@@GrantLikesTech Hi Grant, thanks for the reply, yes it should work its the headphones set that came with it, but the button on the cord does nothing.. Its very strange

[@cisko3000]

The LCD on the xz1 compact that I got really sucks ass. Red colors look like orange. Very disappointed in Sony. I believe the speakers are inferior too. I have the compact X to compare it to. I held them side by side and the xz1 sucks. Now I'm trying to return it or sell it at a loss. Vendor asked me to try a factory reset. Will try that today.

[@cisko3000]

Never buying a sony phone again.

[@GrantLikesTech]

That's too bad, sounds like you got a bad unit. I didn't have those issues with mine.

[@onkeon]

Plan to buy this next year. Will it be outdated?

[@MrWalker1000]

Is it worth buying now? Or is the xz2 compact better

[@juhanpoeka]

Have had both. Definitely go for xz1c. Much better battery life, headphone jack, lighter weight, better screen (imo, still love 16:9 aspect ratio and you can't really notice it's 720p), better build and design overall. Btw getting my third xz1c next week (I change phones quite often, still always end up back on Sony somehow).

[@8one7hug45]

@@juhanpoeka hey man, could u give me any advice on where to get a xz1c? Ive been looking everywhere for it 😥 thx

[@juhanpoeka]

@@8one7hug45 Hey man, depends entirely where you're living. I would try second hand online markets (you may get lucky and find an entirely unused unit) and Amazon. I live in Finland and found mine using option A. 😁

[@8one7hug45]

@@juhanpoeka Alright, thx a lot for your response!

[@mrssecret9587]

Anyone know if this can use the gcm10 PS4 controller mount? Or if there is any controller mount for the xz1 compact?

[@hermanto2985]

Can't move apps to the SD card to save. 😞😢

[@DVZNMedia]

oh wowww this is clean

[@GrantLikesTech]

Very

[@benhardi2179]

Hi there all, I really into this phone because only Sony that offers compact size phone nowaday. I want to go for xz2 compact but the price still high besides I really doesn't like the design of xz2 compact, so this phone is only my option or stay with my mi5 longer with awful GPS. But I want to ask before decide to go for it. 1. Is it worth buy this phone right now? Because I read some WiFi problems with the phone firmware and still no fix til now. I don't really care about gaming, I just need fast, all functional phone with compact size and good GPS performance. 2. Is it true that Sony phone especially this phone will lose the camera quality if we unlock bootloader and install root? Cause I can't live without root. I use root for some adblock and kernel tuning. Thank you very much everyone. I'll really appreciate any answers.

[@GrantLikesTech]

#1: I haven't experienced WiFi issues, but if you do then just return it. #2: Sorry, no idea.

[@someone.............]

I currently have Galaxy S7 flat and planned to change it this year, do you consider xz1 compact as an upgrade or just a sidestep choice compared to the S7?

[@GrantLikesTech]

Good question. I think in terms of camera and display the S7 is still better. If you want something smaller that will receive more updates, then the XZ1 Compact is probably better.

[@someone.............]

Grant S ah i see, so it's kinda upgrade and downgrade at some point then? I really keen on such small device that pack a flagship spec, hence why i like the xz1c, since no other brand put the same thought like sony.. Oh btw i really appreciate your reply, Thanks!

[@mbuhlah2940]

Bye omnibalance, I will miss u

[@kirbyswarp]

Why? You don't like the "autistic bathtub" on the XZ2 series?

[@hardlybreathe93]

Rip :(

[@MrBarclonista]

i just got xz1 compact, i compare both headphone output quality to my old z1 compact, change equalizer etc. and the difference is night and day, and my old z1 compact sound way better and clearer. so pathetic sony really, this really pissed me off the most. do you think it's the software??

[@sorinbunea471]

I want this phone 📱, I don,t care about notch phones I,m glad that Sony don,t copy this stupid trend

[@anthonyluis1053]

whats version is that from amazon??

[@stehill7998]

hi grant, wondering does the selfie camera do wide angle on snapchat and other apps or does it stick to the zoomed in setting? thinking of getting it thanks

[@GrantLikesTech]

Wide angle only in the camera app, but the standard lens has a larger field of view than other phones like the iPhone.

[@ceejaykaliber4898]

Does it heat up easily when u do gamings??

[@RayLancer]

Is the face on this white or silver? It looks white here but on the product pages it makes it look more silver.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Silver

[@DickyFarella]

What the name icon pack

[@anthonyluis1053]

why it sharp? mine is too..

[@OGKingfish]

Bokeh is pronounced bow-ka, great review. Thanks for going in depth on some of the software, alot of people gloss over that.

[@antonivt]

so, so contented with this phone. I actually switched from xz2, worthy "downgrade" haha.

[@Afura33]

Why did you downgrade? 😊

[@hbkc83]

Is this phone compatible with t mobile? I had a Sony z5 compact and had major issues, making and getting phone calls

[@GrantLikesTech]

Yes, I used it on T-Mobile

[@hbkc83]

Grant S awesome, thank you for the feedback

[@AlanKusmaryudi]

Please help me choosing between xz1 compact or samsung s8 , which is better in overall? Anyone have idea? and the reason?

[@MrLarbz]

S8 MEN

[@aviatorman8]

Watching on my horizon blue color XZ1 Compact. Love the phone. Too bad Sony changed the next design to a curved back like the 2012 HTC One. Good review. I enjoyed watching it. Thanks.

[@TheEpicHavre]

Great video

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks!

[@coffeebreakhero3743]

is audio quality really dependent on the phone? I thought it's 99% the headphones and the file quality

[@GrantLikesTech]

You need a phone with a DAC (and preferably amp) if you want to be able to use high quality headphones unless you're fine with buying and carrying a separate DAC+amp.

[@coffeebreakhero3743]

DAC?

[@dapovi]

Coffee Break Hero That stands for “digital audio converter” and even tough every phone has one, not all dacs are equally good. That’s why he says the htc 10 sounds better , because it has a better dac (iPhone’s dacs are also really good, also the ones from the LG V lineup). I would still spend the money on a good pair of headphones though, since imo makes the most impact on quality amongst the three ( it is very debatable that you can pick up the difference between a 320 kbps mp3 and a so called high resolution file, specially on the go).

[@stehill7998]

also what theme are you using?

[@GrantLikesTech]

No theme in the video. Just stock launcher with Aris icon pack with Muzei rotating the Aris wallpapers.

[@kilian1636]

which theme are you using

[@GrantLikesTech]

Stock theme with Polycon icon pack.

[@jrich2955]

Do u still usung it in 2019?

[@GrantLikesTech]

I use it off and on. Just used it recently and saw it got the Android Pie upgrade.

[@bhjj6956]

Do xz2 compact plz

[@upload9595]

You can install the Bokeh app from the play store.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks! Thought it would be an update from Sony for some reason.

[@upload9595]

Grant S Glad to help :) I just subscribed and i dont know if you do battery tests like a few phones battery discharge battle, but if you do i would really like to see the xz1c in one of those. No one includes it and i think it has the potential to perform very well...if not win. Btw i have the phone in black color for 6 months. Very happy with it.

[@GrantLikesTech]

Thanks for the support! I don't do battery tests, but I do cover battery life in my reviews. Real world usage is more important to me than artificial tests.

icon pack?

[@GrantLikesTech]

Polygon

[@Orlyy]

I really wanna go back to a Sony phone. However, I've always been burned. Both the Xperia Z1 and Z2 had strange cracking from dropping it on not even 10 inches onto carpet, and Sony wouldn't help me. :/ I gave you a sub though ;P

[@GrantLikesTech]

Lol, thanks! I'm grateful I have it in a case when out and that I rarely drop my phone.

[@ТатьянаИванова-л4ь]

Black batter then silver

[@GrantLikesTech]

That's up to you. I'm liking the silver since I've had so many black Sony phones.

[@jasonking1284]

Bezels are fine.... corners are absolutely stupid.....

[@harryo6126]

"I'm liking" why do we always have to get dragged into this crap? you know Indian people used to over use the gerund form, " I am very much liking Tea" " I am liking the sunny weather" now you have people using this horrible expression, why? no self confidence, have to join the crowd, get a tattoo, go on face book, like music you don;t like.

[@clintml7557]

My phone

[@GrantLikesTech]

Cool, how has it been for you?

[@clintml7557]

@@GrantLikesTech the last realistic phone size

[@ironj100]

(Sony Xz1 is A Very Very Nice Phone. )Xz2 ugly

[@Pharesm]

Do you realize how useless it is to play that electronic crap to evaluate speaker sound quality? Its electronically made up - nobody has any clue what it *should* sound like... :p I don't know, I may have to disregard any comment you make on audio, after you did that to demo the speakers...

[@GrantLikesTech]

That's pretty much true of anything given I'm recording with a phone. Audio quality is difficult to convey over video and, as with anything, it's up to you to understand a reviews historical point of view to make your own informed decision. Thanks for watching though.