With several large-screen smartphone prices getting steeper and steeper, one would expect the smaller versions to bring some relief in cost. However, this is not hugely felt with Sony's Xperia X Compact.
In dimensions, the smartphone measures only 129 x 65 x 9.5mm, making it ideal for those who want a smaller device. In its league are the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A3, Apple iPhone SE and the Huawei P9 Mini, among others.
The phone, which was released in September last year, weighs just 135 grammes.
The Sony's Xperia X Compact - it is a good phone, but I was rather put off by the R6 999 price tag. Sony has since reduced the price of the device from the recommended retail price of R9 999 when the smartphone was launched last year.
Look and feel
The X Compact is a smaller version of the Sony Xperia X, made from a mixture of Gorilla Glass and plastic on the sides. The review unit came in black. The compact phone is sleek in design and fits perfectly in the hand.
However, for those used to larger smartphones or phablets, like myself, the Sony Xperia X's miniature size can feel awkward. That said, it is ideal for one-handed use.
The handset comes with a 4.6-inch IPS LCD display with 720p resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 319 ppi.
Xperia X Compact's form is finished in high gloss, using ceramic. The back is made from is metal, adding depth, shine, and brightness to the finish.
Fingerprints never showed on the screen, which is an annoyance that many other brands have failed to counter.
On the top edge of the phone is a 3mm headphone jack and on the right is a silver power volume control button, as well as a dedicated camera shutter button just below. The bottom edge is anchored by a USB port.
However, the only thing that did not impress me about the design is the handset is thick, unlike more recent offerings where slimness has become the standard.
Camera
What impressed me the most about the Xperia X Compact was its camera. Sony loaded a massive 23MP front-facing camera and a 5MP front facing one ideal for selfie lovers.
On the camera, the Japanese electronics company used its advanced photography technology - the Exmor RS - for mobile image sensor; the G Lens; and Sony's Bionz image processing. In my view, the camera is a selling point.
The G Lens technology ensures the smartphone captures more light while the 24mm wide-angle lens also lets images fit more into the frame. The image sensor also comes equipped with phase detection autofocus for fast and accurate performance. With the Bionz for mobile image-processing engine, users get vivid colours and less noise.
Another plus is the triple image sensing technology. It allows the camera to analyse, adapt, and capture sharp, vibrant shots in challenging conditions. For example, in low-light, bright sunlight, and when taking photos of unpredictably moving objects.
Also featuring on the Xperia X Compact is SteadyShot with a 5-axis image stabilisation which comes in handy for camera shake so users get smooth videos, even when they are up close. Recording with updated stereo dual microphone system and integrated noise cancellation ensures immersive 3D stereo sound quality with reduced background noise.
On the inside
The Xperia X Compact is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650, 64-bit Hexa-core processor which supports better performance, multimedia, gaming and connectivity for the Snapdragon 600 tier, thanks to ARM Cortex-A72 architecture with hexa-core CPUs, X8 LTE Cat 7, and support for 4K Ultra HD video and next-gen Adreno graphics.
To test its performance, I downloaded a number of games - something I hardly do. However, the Xperia X Compact made me into a convert.
On the software side of things, the Xperia X Compact runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Sony has done a fantastic job with keeping the software experience clean and simple, which is also a contributing factor to the smooth performance that is available on this device.
It also comes with a lot of pre-installed applications including Sony apps and a few third-party ones, but all of these can be disabled.
Battery life
Another biggest selling point for the Xperia X Compact is its remarkable battery life. The device comes with a 2 700mAh battery which easily lasts a day even after heavy usage on things like games.
The other plus is the device comes with Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 support, which means it doesn't take long to get back to a full charge.
In conclusion
Besides the rather prohibitive price, the Xperia X Compact is a perfect phone for those who don't consider size an issue when purchasing a phone. The biggest selling points are its remarkable camera and long battery life. In an age where cheaper phones are aggressively flooding the market, Sony might find it tricky to convince consumers to get this device.
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