Sony Xperia XA1 Plus Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a mid-range smartphone that was released in October 2017. It boasts a large 5.5-inch display, a powerful octa-core processor, and a high-resolution camera. The phone comes in four different colors; Black, Blue, Pink, and Gold and is available in single or dual SIM configurations.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus boasts a sleek, modern design with a premium feel. The phone features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 4 protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. Its dimensions of 155 x 75 x 8.7 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) and weight of 189 g (6.67 oz) make it comfortable to hold and use.

The phone's build quality is impressive, with a solid construction that ensures durability and longevity. It feels sturdy and well-made, with no creaks or flexing when pressure is applied. The phone's design is also ergonomic, with the power button and volume rocker placed on the right side for easy access.

One potential downside of the phone's design is the plastic back, which may scratch more easily than glass or metal. However, this is a minor concern and can be mitigated with a protective case. Overall, the design and build quality of the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus are top-notch, making it an attractive option for those looking for a stylish and well-made smartphone.

Display

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus boasts a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio. The screen's pixel density of 401ppi makes for sharp and detailed visuals that are pleasant to the eyes. The device also features Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection that keeps the display safe from scratches and minor impacts.

The Xperia XA1 Plus's display offers vibrant colors and impressive contrast levels, making it a great device for streaming videos and playing games. The screen is bright enough to be used outdoors, but direct sunlight may cause some visibility issues.

The touch sensitivity of the display is excellent, and it responds well to inputs. The phone's display also features a glove mode that allows users to operate it while wearing gloves.

Overall, the display on the Xperia XA1 Plus is impressive, and it's perfect for anyone who loves streaming videos, playing games, or browsing the web. The screen is sharp, vibrant, and responsive, making it a great device for daily use.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus boasts impressive performance features. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) chipset and an Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) CPU. This powerful combination ensures that multitasking and app performance is smooth and seamless.

Users have a choice between two storage options - 32GB with 3GB RAM or 32GB with 4GB RAM. Regardless of the option chosen, users can be confident that they have ample storage space for their apps and media. Additionally, the phone has a dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage.

Gaming on the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a treat. The Mali-T880MP2 GPU delivers impressive graphics, and the phone's processing power ensures that games run smoothly without lagging or freezing. In benchmark tests, the phone scored 77232 in AnTuTu (v7), and 95157 in AnTuTu (v8). Additionally, it scored 3783 in GeekBench (v4.4) and 915 in GeekBench (v5.1). In GFXBench, the phone recorded 4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen).

Real-world performance is impressive too. Apps load quickly and run smoothly, and the phone can handle multiple apps running concurrently without slowing down. The Xperia XA1 Plus is a sturdy performer that can handle heavy usage with ease.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus delivers impressive performance that will satisfy the needs of most users. From multitasking to gaming, the phone is a reliable and powerful performer.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus comes with the Android 7.0 (Nougat) operating system, but it is upgradable to the Android 8.0 (Oreo) version. The user interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and it offers customization options for users who want to personalize their device.

The device comes with some pre-installed apps and bloatware, but they can be easily uninstalled if they are not needed. The software support is commendable, with regular updates that fix bugs and improve the device's performance.

The phone's user interface is snappy and responsive, with no lag or stuttering when navigating between apps or opening them. Multitasking is a breeze, and the device can handle running multiple apps simultaneously without any hiccups.

The device's software also offers power efficiency and optimization features, including the Stamina mode, which helps to conserve battery life when it is running low. The software also includes a range of security features, including a fingerprint scanner for unlocking the device and accessing apps.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus are impressive, with a user-friendly interface, customization options, and regular software updates. It is an excellent choice for users who are looking for a phone that is easy to use, with a range of features and options to suit their needs.

Camera

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus boasts an impressive 23-megapixel rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, LED flash, HDR, and panorama features. It captures high-quality images with great color accuracy and detail. In daylight settings, the camera produces sharp and vibrant images, while in low light conditions, the camera’s noise reduction technology ensures clear and sharp images.

The front-facing camera is equally impressive, with an 8-megapixel sensor, f/2.0 aperture, and autofocus feature. It captures decent selfies with good color accuracy and detail.

The camera has a 24mm wide-angle lens that is perfect for landscape and group photos. It also has a 5x digital zoom feature and image stabilization technology, which makes it easy to capture steady and sharp images.

The camera can record videos in 1080p at 30fps with HDR. The videos are of high quality and show great detail. The camera also has a slow-motion mode with a frame rate of 120fps, which is perfect for capturing fast-paced action.

Overall, the camera on the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a standout feature that produces excellent images and videos. It is perfect for photography enthusiasts who want a mid-range smartphone with a great camera.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus offers a variety of connectivity and networking options that make it a versatile device for both personal and professional use. With GSM, HSPA, and LTE network compatibility, users can enjoy high-speed internet access and smooth voice calls.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Xperia XA1 Plus supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 4.2. It also has NFC capabilities, which enable users to make payments and transfer files with ease.

The device also comes with GPS and GLONASS support, making it easy to navigate through unfamiliar territory. Users can also enjoy FM radio and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support.

The Xperia XA1 Plus also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which provides secure unlocking and access to other features.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus offers a comprehensive range of connectivity and networking options, making it an ideal choice for users who value flexibility and convenience. Whether you need to stay connected for work or play, this device has got you covered.

Additional Features

The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is more than just your average smartphone, as it comes packed with a range of additional features that are designed to enhance your overall user experience. For starters, the phone boasts water and dust resistance, which means you can take it with you on all your adventures without worrying about damaging it.

Another great feature of the Xperia XA1 Plus is its expandable storage options. With a dedicated microSDXC slot, you can easily increase the phone's storage capacity to suit your needs, whether you need to store more photos, music, or video files.

In terms of audio, the Xperia XA1 Plus offers excellent sound quality, with a dedicated headphone jack that supports high-quality audio output. The phone also features a loud and clear loudspeaker that delivers great sound quality for calls, music, and videos.

Other features that make the Xperia XA1 Plus stand out include its fast and efficient fingerprint sensor, which is conveniently located on the side of the phone for easy access. The device also comes with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, to name just a few.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus offers a range of additional features that are designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable. Whether you're a music lover, a photography enthusiast, or a frequent traveler, this phone has something to offer everyone.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus with other related phones, two notable competitors come to mind: the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4.

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro boasts a slightly larger screen at 5.5 inches, but has a lower resolution at 1080 x 1920 pixels. It also has a slightly smaller battery capacity at 3600 mAh, but supports fast charging. The J7 Pro runs on a Samsung Exynos 7870 processor and comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 256GB with a microSD card. The J7 Pro features a 13MP rear camera and a 13MP front-facing camera, both with f/1.7 aperture.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has a similar screen size and resolution as the Xperia XA1 Plus, but has a larger battery at 4100 mAh. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and comes with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, which is also expandable up to 256GB with a microSD card. The Redmi Note 4 features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus stands out with its 23MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera, as well as its MediaTek Helio P20 processor. However, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 offer their own unique features and specifications that may appeal to different users.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a solid mid-range device that delivers a great combination of style and functionality. The device has a sleek appearance with an aluminum frame and a Gorilla Glass 4 front, which gives it a premium feel. The 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen delivers sharp and vibrant imagery with excellent color accuracy. The camera, both front, and rear, produces high-quality images in various lighting conditions, and the battery life is impressive, with a 3430mAh battery that delivers an endurance rating of 102 hours.

The phone's performance is smooth and efficient, thanks to the Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset and RAM options of either 3GB or 4GB. The device comes with Android 7.0 Nougat, which can be upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo, and customization options that make the user interface user-friendly and easy to navigate.

However, the device's lack of water resistance and wireless charging capabilities may be a concern to some users. The device is also not the most affordable mid-range device on the market, with a price point of about 150 EUR.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a great device for users who are looking for a mid-range phone that offers great performance, excellent camera quality, and impressive battery life. It is suitable for users who prioritize style and functionality over affordability. However, users who are looking for a more budget-friendly device or one with water resistance and wireless charging capabilities may want to consider other options.