Sony Xperia X Compact is a much better mobile than the technical features might suggest. It stands out in camera, performance, screen and battery.
The bet continues
In a market full of almost identical devices and where the trend leads us to see ever larger mobiles, bets that go against the current and that seek to differentiate themselves are appreciated. This is the case of the Sony Xperia X Compact, a «reduced format» terminal with mid-high-end features that seeks to seduce is a large number of users who, like you, are looking for a manageable mobile below 5 inches.
Sony has been with this strategy for several years now. The Japanese company has us used to present its top of the range accompanied, later or more timely, by its «mini» versions.
In this case, although the nomeclature leads us to think that the Sony Xperia X Compact, is the small version of the Sony Xperia X, this is not entirely correct, since there are several differences. Certain variations are apparent both in exterior (beyond the small size, of course) and in performances, where in some sections, it surpasses the Xperia X, see for example the use of the most cutting-edge technology in the photograph section, the same as the Xperia XZ, the company’s new flagship.
Let’s say then that it is a compact version, that has parts of both models, and that is presented as one of the best and most powerful Android mobiles on the market below 5 inches. The reasons that lead me to such a statement, I tell you a little lower in this analysis of the Sony Xperia X Compact. Read.
Improved design
When it comes to Sony design, it’s talking about few changes. For a few years the company has bet on each and every one of its models, so it is known as omnibalance design, which according to the firm, is nothing more than creating balance and symmetry in all directions. For me, as a user, what I see is a maximum similarity in each and every one of its models. Models that are cut by the same pattern and dominate straight lines and angled corners.
In this case, the Xperia X Compact, we find a fully continuous line, where perhaps, if possible, the angular shapes and rectangular design are even more accentuated compared to other versions.
At the size level, when compared to the Xperia X, we see that, despite being smaller, both high and wide (129 x 65 mm) this Xperia X Compact is rather thicker 9.5 mm. This greater thickness, along with its straightening shapes, has a negative impact on handling and grip. It is not a comfortable mobile and you feel good in the hand. What’s more, the feeling of the set, is that the weight (only 135 grams) is much greater.
Surely the thickness, is not a whim of Sony and responds to the need to put in such a «compact» design, a hardware as powerful as the one it carries, but we do not go ahead with the intentions, that section we will see in this analysis a little later.
Based on the materials on which this Android mobile is manufactured, Sony has a lime and a sand. The positive part is the Corning Gorilla Glass 4 that protects the device screen and slightly borders the front frame. The negative face is the back cover and edges made of plastic with a clear ability to mark the footprints. Although that is, at first glance, it seems to be made with other nobler materials such as ceramics, however, touch, gives it away.
Another surprise left to us by this Xperia X Compact is the lack of protection against water and dust so characteristic of the firm. Instead, we do have a feature of, say, higher-flying mobiles, such as the fingerprint sensor, which we can only talk about wonders about as it is very accurate and fast. Next to it, on the right side, we have the volume cotrol and the physical shooting button of the camera.
On the opposite side we find the nanoSIM card slot and the microSD card slot. On the top edge is located the headphone output of 3.5 mm and on the inferred edge we have USB Type-C port compatible with Quick Charge 3.0 technology.
On the front we find two stereo speakers, the webcam and the Sony logo. On the back is the Xperia logo and also the laser sensor and LED flash.
Bright HD display
Traditionally, Sony’s «compact» models have been characterized by reducing the resolution of their screens to 720p and in this case, there is no exception.
The Xperia X Compact is a model that moves in the 4.6-inch screen with IPS technology with HD resolution and a density of 319 pixels per inch.
However, despite this lower resolution, thanks to Triluminos and X-Reality technology and the smaller screen size, the visual experience for with the screen is really good. We have been very satisfied with the experience, both at the level of interior/outdoor brightness and in contrast. The colors are true to reality and image definition is very good, just as the viewing angles are very efficient. As a detail comment, for example that in brightness we have 535cd/m2 for the 461cd/m2 of the Xperia Z5.
Android Marshmallow with custom layer and many apps
Sony Xperia X Compact comes standard with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with a layer of customization that will be very familiar if you’ve ever used a mobile in the Xperia family.
For those who like the purest Android versions, I have to tell you that, although it slightly resembles these, it comes with quite a few pre-installed apps that more than one will ever use.
The good news is that based on the leaks and taking into account what Sony took to update its latest models to Marshmallow, 6 months, we can expect the latest version of Android Nougat to reach the Xperia Compact later this year or early 2017.
In addition to a complete assistant for customizing the device, the Xperia X Compact with an application menu, where we find a section with suggested applications.
Within the pre-installed applications, we find the already classic Sony applications for multimedia Music, Album and Video, like the Playstation application, to be able to play streaming to the Playstation 4 using the screen of this smartphone.
We also have other applications like What’s New, Sketch, Livelog or News, Weather, Movie Creator, Video TV SideView among other pre-installed applications. Luckily, Sony allows us to uninstall several of them, although it would be more convenient for the user or not included.
As an interesting feature, the Xperia X Compact features the Smart Cleaner feature. What it does is automatically disable unused apps and clear the cache, optimizing device fluidity to the maximum.
Performance above data
Another section where the performance is slightly below the first sword of the firm is the hardware, however, the final experience far exceeds what the simple data tells us.
The Xperia X Compact comes with a six-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor at a top speed of 1.8 GHz.
This processor consists of two ARM Cortex-A72 (high-end) and four-core A57 (mid-range) cores. Alongside them, Sony added an Adreno 510 GPU for graphics and 3 GB of RAM for multitasking management.
This Sony mobile has a large storage space of up to 32 GB, which will allow us to store videos, photos, documents and other files without having to worry about filling it. And if this happens, you should know that you can use a microSD memory up to 256 GB.