Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact-First Android Devices to run Android 8.0 Oreo

Sony on 31^st of August 31, 2017, announced the new Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact smartphones, in Berlin which replace the XZ and X Compact released a year ago. The main updates to the new phones are Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor and refined designs, which, in the case of the XZ1, include a full metal frame.

As usual, the Japanese electronics company is bringing its latest innovations in audiovisual and imaging technology to the new mobile devices, in the hope of gaining an advantage over rivals like Samsung, HTC, and LG.

In addition, both phones have Sony’s Motion Eye camera system that first debuted in the XZ Premium earlier this year. It has a 19-megapixel sensor with Predictive Capture that will take an image a few seconds before you actually hit the shutter button to cut down on missed moments. In addition, the camera can record super slow motion 720p video at 960fps in addition to 4K video at standard speeds. But while it offers Sony’s SteadyShot electronic stabilization for video, it lacks optical image stabilization for stills. The Sony Xperia XZ1 has a 13-megapixel front-facing camera, while the XZ1 Compact has a super-wide-angle 8-megapixel front camera.

We’re used to a regular refresh of Sony’s Xperia hardware and it’s no different at IFA this year either. Although the company hasn’t announced a successor to its top of the line Xperia XZ Premium, the new Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact have plenty to offer those looking for premium processing hardware in a smaller package… not forgetting that these two phones are the first to be announced running Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Below you’ll find the full list of Xperia XZ1 Compact and Sony Xperia XZ1 specs:

Sony Xperia XZ1 Key Specs

Gorilla Glass 5 (5.2-Inch) Full HD with HDR
1920 x 1080 resolution
423 ppi
64-bit octa-core (2.35 GHz Quad + 1.9 GHz Quad) Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 10 nm processor
4 GB RAM
32 GB ROM (MicroSD expansion up to 256 GB)
Rear camera – 19 MP 1/2.3″ AF sensor with f/2.0 aperture
Front camera – 8 MP sensor with 120° wide angle
Battery 2,700 mAh (Non-removable) Quick Charge 3.0 Qnovo Adaptive Charging
Water resistance IP68 dust and water resistance
Wi-Fi 802.11, LTE Cat 16, 4CA, 4×4 MIMO
Bluetooth 5.0
USB Type-C, 3.1
NFC
DNLA
Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor (not in the US), Gyro Sensor
SIM: Nano SIM (single or dual market dependent)
Android 8.0 Oreo
Dimensions and weight: 148 x 73 x 7.4mm (156 grams)

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact Key Specs

6-inch 720p Triluminos Display
1280 x 720 resolution
319 ppi
64-bit octa-core (2.35 GHz Quad + 1.9 GHz Quad) Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 10 nm processor
4 GB RAM
64 GB ROM (MicroSD expansion up to 256 GB)
Rear camera – 19 MP 1/2.3″ AF sensor with f/2.0 aperture
Front camera- 13 MP 1/3.06″ sensor
Battery 2,700 mAh (Non-removable) Quick Charge 3.0 Qnovo Adaptive Charging
Water resistance IP68 dust and water resistance
Wi-Fi 802.11
LTE Cat 15, 4CA, 4×4 MIMO
Bluetooth 5.0
USB Type-C, 2.0
NFC
DNLA
Sensors: Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor (not in the US), Gyro Sensor
SIM: Nano SIM
Android 8.0 Oreo
Dimensions and weight: 129 x 65 x 9.3mm (143 grams)

With competition among Android smartphone makers hitting up ahead of the long-anticipated launch of Apple’s iPhone 8, here’s what you need to know about the new Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact.

Design

The Sony Xperia XZ1

It has what Sony describes as a metal “loop” surface, which means the metal continues all the way around the device, with flat caps on only the top and bottom.

The screen is made from Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which can supposedly survive 1.6-metre, shoulder-height drops onto hard, rough surfaces up to 80% of the time.

The phone is water resistant and dust-proof and is designed to resist twists and bends. The power button has an integrated fingerprint sensor, which can be used to unlock the phones and provide an added layer of security.The phone comes in four colors – Moonlit Blue, Venus Pink, Warm Silver, and Classic Black

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact (smaller but chunkier)

It has a reinforced plastic body, but with a curved edges and a metallic finish, so that it closely resembles its larger sibling. It also water- and dust-resistant, and comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen.

It’s available in four (different) colours – Black, White Silver, Horizon Blue and Twilight Pink.

Display

Inspired by Sony’s Bravia TV technology, the Xperia XZ1 has a 5.2-inch Full HD display with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for greater contrast between light and dark.

The Compact has a 4.6-inch display, which is lower resolution and doesn’t feature HDR. However, both feature Sony’s Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine technologies for detailed and brighter images on the screen.

Camera

Sony’s 19 Megapixel Motion Eye camera is the star feature of the Sony Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact. Combining technology from Sony’s ‘α’ and Cyber-shot camera ranges the phones are not only capable of capturing photographs with more detail than the human eye, but also filming super-slow-motion videos in 960 frames per second.

The rear of the Sony Xperia XZ1 houses a 19MP, 1/2.3″ Sony IMX400 camera with f/2.0 lens, predictive hybrid laser/phase detection/contrast AF, burst AF, IR sensor for white balance, LED flash and dedicated hardware shutter key while at the front, you have 13 MP 1/3.06″ sensor camera for taking selfies.

Sony’s “Predictive Capture” technology automatically starts buffering images when it detects action or even a smile, before you press the shutter button, so you can find a moment you may have missed from a selection of up to four shots.

Meanwhile, “Autofocus burst” follows your subject, adjusting the focus to make sure your action shots stay sharp.

The new devices also launch with Sony’s new “3D Creator”, which lets users can capture high-quality 3D scans of objects using one of four scan modes: head scan, face scan, food scan and freeform scan.

Once captured, there’s a range of options to use and share the 3D scans – from printing on a 3D printer to sharing on social media or through messaging apps, or adding your own facial scan to a 3D avatar and bringing it to life

Software and Performance

Sony claims that the XZ1 is engineered to support stunning graphics, smooth performance, and enhanced battery efficiency – making it ideal for anyone wanting to play their favourite PlayStation 4 games on their phone using PS4 Remote Play. Being a Flagship device, it is powered by the all new Snapdragon 835 chipset-an octa-core Kryo 280 CPU (4×2.46GHz +4×1.9GHz) that is paired with Adreno 540 GPU and 4GB of RAM.

The Sony Xperia XZ1 also has a USB 3.1 connection for fast file transfers, and various in-built technologies to help extend the life of your battery.

The Sony Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 will both launch with Android 8.0 “Oreo”, the newest version of Google’s mobile operating system. Oreo brings a range of new features including Picture-in-Picture, which creates a small box for a YouTube video or a video chat that exists on top of your main display, and background limits, which stops apps eating up memory and battery life in the background.

An onboard app, dubbed 3D Creator, allows for 3D scanning without the help of a cloud. There are four scan modes—head scan, face scan, food scan, and freeform scan—which produce a 3D image that can be shared online or sent to a 3D printer.

A range of supporting accessories will be available including phone covers in corresponding colours for both the Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact.

Also available is a quick charger, providing hours of battery time by plugging in for just a few minutes.

The new SBH24 Stereo Bluetooth Headset, which allows you to enjoy music and talk wirelessly, and STH32 Stereo Headset will both be available in colours matched to both smartphones.

Price and Availablity

Sony Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact are available to pre-order from August 31, at Carphone Warehouse in the US. The pricing starts from $699.99 for the XZ1 and $599.99 for the XZ1 compact

However, the retailer is offering the XZ1 on a £34 per month Vodafone contract, and the XZ1 Compact on a £30 per month Vodafone contract, both with an upfront cost of £29.99.

Anyone who pre-orders either phone before September 21 will receive a free pair of WH-H900N hi-res audio Bluetooth headphones worth £250.

The handsets will go on general sale at some point in September and should be available globally by then.