Sony Xperia Z1 & Z1 Compact: Flagship Features Reviewed

Sony Xperia Z1 & Xperia Z1 Compact (2013)

The Sony Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z1 Compact are flagship Android smartphones released by Sony Mobile in September 2013, positioned as the company’s premium devices for the global market. The Xperia Z1 is the standard large-screen flagship, while the Xperia Z1 Compact is its compact, pocket-friendly variant—retaining most flagship features in a smaller form factor. Both models highlight Sony’s strengths in imaging (Cyber-shot camera tech), display (Bravia TV technology), and durability (waterproof/dustproof design), targeting photography enthusiasts, multimedia users, and consumers seeking a balance of performance and portability.

Core Models & Positioning Overview

Attribute	Sony Xperia Z1	Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Launch Date	September 2013	January 2014
Market Position	Flagship large-screen multimedia smartphone	Compact flagship (mini variant)
Target Audience	Power users, photography enthusiasts, media consumers	Users prioritizing portability without sacrificing flagship performance
Key Selling Points	20.7MP Exmor RS camera, 5-inch 1080p Triluminos display, IP58 water/dust resistance	Same 20.7MP camera & processor as Z1, 4.3-inch HD display, compact 127g body, IP57 rating
Launch Price (Global)	~$649 (32GB)	~$499 (16GB)
Colors	Black, White, Purple	Black, White, Pink, Yellow

Full Technical Specifications (Side-by-Side Comparison)

Component Category	Sony Xperia Z1	Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Display	5.0-inch Triluminos IPS LCD1920×1080 (Full HD, 441 ppi)Bravia Engine 2, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 3178° viewing angles, 1000:1 contrast ratio	4.3-inch Triluminos IPS LCD1280×720 (HD, 342 ppi)Bravia Engine 2, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 3178° viewing angles, 1000:1 contrast ratio
Processor & Performance	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974), 2.2 GHz quad-core Krait 400Adreno 330 GPU2GB LPDDR3 RAM	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974), 2.2 GHz quad-core Krait 400Adreno 330 GPU2GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage	16GB/32GB internal storageExpandable via microSD card (up to 64GB)	16GB internal storageExpandable via microSD card (up to 64GB)
Camera System	Rear Camera: 20.7MP Exmor RS for mobile CMOS sensorf/2.0 aperture, 27mm wide-angle lens, 1/2.3″ sensor sizeOptical Image Stabilization (OIS), BIONZ image processor4K video recording (3840×2160 @ 30fps), 1080p @ 60fpsFront Camera: 2MP, 720p video recording	Rear Camera: 20.7MP Exmor RS for mobile CMOS sensorf/2.0 aperture, 27mm wide-angle lens, 1/2.3″ sensor sizeOptical Image Stabilization (OIS), BIONZ image processor4K video recording (3840×2160 @ 30fps), 1080p @ 60fpsFront Camera: 2MP, 720p video recording
Battery & Charging	3000 mAh non-removable Li-Ion batteryUp to 14 hours talk time (2G), 10 hours (3G)Up to 550 hours standbyUSB 2.0 charging (no fast charging support)	2300 mAh non-removable Li-Ion batteryUp to 10 hours talk time (2G), 8 hours (3G)Up to 320 hours standbyUSB 2.0 charging (no fast charging support)
Build & Durability	144×74×8.5 mm, 170 gGlass front/back, aluminum frameIP58 rating: Dust-tight; waterproof up to 1.5m for 30 mins	127×64.9×9.5 mm, 127 gGlass front/back, aluminum frameIP57 rating: Dust-tight; waterproof up to 1m for 30 mins
Connectivity	4G LTE Cat.4 (150 Mbps down), 3G HSPA+, 2G GSMWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.0NFC, GPS/GLONASS, micro-USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack	4G LTE Cat.4 (150 Mbps down), 3G HSPA+, 2G GSMWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band), Bluetooth 4.0NFC, GPS/GLONASS, micro-USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack
Software	Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean (upgradable to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop)Sony custom UI with apps: Sony Album, Movies, Music	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (upgradable to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop)Sony custom UI with apps: Sony Album, Movies, Music

Core Features & User Experience Highlights

1. Imaging: Cyber-shot Camera Tech Integration

The 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor was the standout feature of both models, co-engineered with Sony’s Cyber-shot camera division:

Exmor RS for Mobile: A stacked CMOS sensor that improved light sensitivity and reduced noise in low-light conditions, a breakthrough for smartphone cameras in 2013.
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Minimized blurriness in handheld shots and low-light video, a rare feature in mid-2010s smartphones.
4K Video Recording: One of the first smartphones to support 4K video capture, catering to content creators seeking high-resolution footage.
BIONZ Image Processor: Sony’s proprietary processor optimized color reproduction and dynamic range, delivering vibrant photos with natural skin tones.

2. Display: Bravia TV Technology for Mobile

Both models used Sony’s Triluminos display technology, borrowed from Bravia TVs:

Triluminos IPS LCD: Produced a wider color gamut than standard LCDs, with more accurate reds and greens for photos and videos.
Bravia Engine 2: Enhanced contrast, sharpness, and color saturation in real time, improving the viewing experience for streaming media and gaming.
Gorilla Glass 3: Scratch-resistant protection for the glass front and back, critical for the devices’ slim, glass-sandwich design.

3. Durability: Waterproof & Dustproof Design

Sony’s “OmniBalance” design philosophy emphasized both aesthetics and durability:

IP58 (Z1) / IP57 (Z1 Compact) Ratings: Both devices were dust-tight and waterproof, allowing use in rain or accidental submersion (Z1 handled deeper water for longer).
Sealed Ports: The micro-USB and headphone jack were sealed with rubber gaskets, eliminating the need for a separate waterproof cover.
Glass-Sandwich Build: Premium glass front/back and aluminum frame gave the devices a high-end feel, distinguishing them from plastic-bodied competitors.

4. Performance & Software

Snapdragon 800 Processor: The 2.2 GHz quad-core chip was the top mobile processor of 2013, handling multitasking, gaming, and 4K video recording smoothly.
Software Experience: Sony’s custom UI was minimal, with bloatware kept to a minimum. Preloaded apps included Sony’s media suite (Album, Movies, Music) for seamless integration with Sony’s ecosystem (e.g., PlayStation consoles, Bravia TVs).
Software Updates: Both models received two major Android updates (from Jelly Bean to Lollipop), which was standard for flagship devices of the era.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Class-leading 20.7MP camera with OIS and 4K video recording	No fast charging support; full battery recharge took ~3 hours
Premium glass-sandwich design with IP57/IP58 water/dust resistance	Non-removable battery, a downside for users who preferred swappable batteries
Z1 Compact offered flagship performance in a pocket-friendly 127g body	LCD display lacked the deep blacks of OLED panels (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S4)
Expandable storage via microSD card (up to 64GB)	Limited software support (stopped at Android 5.1.1, no Marshmallow or later)
Triluminos display with Bravia Engine 2 for vibrant media viewing	Z1’s 8.5mm thickness made it slightly bulky for one-handed use

Target Markets & Use Cases

Xperia Z1: Global flagship market, targeting photography enthusiasts, media consumers, and power users who wanted a large-screen device with top-tier camera performance.
Xperia Z1 Compact: Users who valued portability—ideal for commuters, travelers, and those who preferred one-handed operation without sacrificing flagship specs (a niche that few competitors addressed in 2014).

Legacy & Market Impact

The Xperia Z1 series solidified Sony’s position in the premium smartphone market, showcasing the company’s cross-product synergy between Cyber-shot, Bravia, and mobile divisions. The Z1 Compact was particularly influential, proving that compact smartphones could retain flagship performance—a concept later adopted by Apple (iPhone Mini) and Samsung (Galaxy S Compact models). However, the series faced stiff competition from Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and Apple’s iPhone 5s, and Sony’s mobile division struggled to gain significant market share despite the Z1’s technical strengths.

Today, well-preserved Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact units are sought after by Sony mobile enthusiasts, reflecting their status as iconic devices of the early 4K camera smartphone era.