Ordered the Xperia X Compact.

[shortylickens]

Baby blue.

Will be getting it Saturday. I'll try to review it by Sunday.

http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/


I cant go back to a giant phone. Too much for my pant pocket.

 

[linkgoron]

I've got a Z3 compact, and I've been very pleased with my phone. The form factor is much better than 5"+ phones. I've also been considering the X comapct as a replacement (as I like new tech), but I'll probably hold out for 2017.

If you've bought the Compact in the US you should probably try to enable the finger print sensor (XDA) as it is firmware disabled in the US.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

What do people preferring small phones do on them, that they don't feel that small screen is too big a compromise?

Honestly curious, because I can't imagine using satnav, browsing, reading, gaming, typing or consuming media on it, not after having been exposed to a bigger screen.

I am curious, because for whatever reason people keep asking me for advice, and I could recommend a small phone if I knew usage.

 

[core2slow]

What do people preferring small phones do on them, that they don't feel that small screen is too big a compromise?

Honestly curious, because I can't imagine using satnav, browsing, reading, gaming, typing or consuming media on it, not after having been exposed to a bigger screen.

I am curious, because for whatever reason people keep asking me for advice, and I could recommend a small phone if I knew usage.

My co-worker loves small phones and still using an iphone 4s between a few other ones. He does a lot of social media stuff (fb, insta, twitter, etc) so really doesn't use much else other than take pictures or send some messages. I guess other than really likens the pinch-to-zoom functionality, people who likes small phones are not power users, per se.

 

[quikah]

Honestly curious, because I can't imagine using satnav, browsing, reading, gaming, typing or consuming media on it, not after having been exposed to a bigger screen.

I am not into the 4" phones (iphone 5 or earlier are too small for me), I feel the ideal size is 4.5-5". Main reason I like smaller phones is that I feel big phones are too much of a hassle to handle and carry around. I think a lot really depends on how good your eyesight is or how large your hands/fingers are.

Nav, not really an issue as you are looking at the road, not the phone. Listen to voice cues or quick glance at the arrows.

Browsing/reading/typing, not an issue. Again, probably depends on your eyesight and size of your hands.

Consuming media I do on my PC or TV

Gaming I do on my PC.

 

[CFP]

I've got a Z3 compact, and I've been very pleased with my phone. The form factor is much better than 5"+ phones. I've also been considering the X comapct as a replacement (as I like new tech), but I'll probably hold out for 2017.

If you've bought the Compact in the US you should probably try to enable the finger print sensor (XDA) as it is firmware disabled in the US.

I'm on a z5 compact and before that had a z1 compact. I love the size as I commute a lot on the subway where it's mostly standing room only and it's so much easier to use the phone with one hand.

I prefer the size for pocketability, too. I hate having something big in my front pocket. Love the waterproof features as well (the x compact doesn't have that) as I'm often caught in surprise rain since I live in the subtropics.

I find the screen is just fine for reading, though not for extremely long periods of time (i won't read my phone before bed, tablet is for that).

 

[Kazukian]

Sony makes good stuff, they sure don't like to play the US marketing game though.

Gotta love a 4.6" screen being "compact"

 

[linkgoron]

Sony makes good stuff, they sure don't like to play the US marketing game though.

Gotta love a 4.6" screen being "compact"

Sadly, it really is compact in the current Android market. I haven't seen a sub 5" Android phone with a Snapdragon 820 (or better/equivalent).

The smallest Android flagship today is 5" (the Pixel). The s7 is 5.1", the G5 is 5.3", the HTC 10 is 5.2", the OP3 is 5.5", the mi5 is 5.15", the XZ is 5.2 and the Axon 7 is also 5.5. I probably missed a Lenovo/Moto, or Asus or Leeco some other obscure phone, but that's where we're at. The last sub 5" high-end phone was the Xperia Z5c, and the Xperia X Compact is basically the only modern recently released sub 5" phone (please correct me if I'm wrong). I agree, though, that it's amazing that there was a time when the S3 was considered (by some) to be "too big".

 

[Crono]

The ideal screen size for comfort for me for one handed use is 4.5" to 4.7". 4.6" is Goldilocks perfect in that regard (and unusual).

It's not a matter just of phone body size, but how far my thumb has to stretch (one handed modes are garbage by the way). That may sound like it doesn't matter, but if you use a smartphone a lot, it does. I remember Apple making some point of that back before they finally jumped to larger screens and I actually agreed with the point, but they had the screen size wrong unless they were talking about people with small hands (insert Trump joke here).

But for productivity, I like 6" to 7", which depending on the phone or tablet and bezels is still pocketable in slacks. Unfortunately these devices are less handy to use one handed, which I like to do when walking around.

The compromise between comfort and productivity for me are devices between 5.0" and 5.7". My current phone is 5.2". Once you've used enough sizes, though, you adjust. Most people who say they don't like larger phones at all haven't given them a chance.

I'm glad smaller phones are still being made by Sony. It's unfortunate that few other manufacturers are making anything with smaller than a 5.0" screen.

 

[quikah]

The compromise between comfort and productivity for me are devices between 5.0" and 5.7". My current phone is 5.2". Once you've used enough sizes, though, you adjust. Most people who say they don't like larger phones at all haven't given them a chance.

For me it is more about pocketability. I used a G4 for about 3 weeks (returned to amazon because the camera sucks). Not a huge phone at 5.5". I just couldn't walk around with it. Always feel like it is either falling out or the feeling of having too much in my pockets.

It is fine when sitting around though. If you use a briefcase, laptop bag or backpack all the time, just throwing in there I guess would be fine.

 

[shortylickens]

Mailman left it on the front step, did not ring the bell. Gonna have to kick his ass on Monday.

Body is very nice, though its a little longer than the Z3 compact. Instead of glass all around, they went full aluminum, and its pretty nice. Top and bottom are perfectly flat. Left and right sides are nicely rounded for comfortable grip. power button is perfectly recessed so you cant accidentally brush it. Volume rocker is a little smaller but its not a problem. The sliding tray on the opposite side is now bigger for easier access, and holds both the micro SIM and micro SD card.

USB port is proprietary. It works in either direction, but does not have rounded corners like the new iPhone plug. I regret to say they decided to drop the magnetic charging port. Also, if they ever make a dock for this thing, it means the phone will be standing upright instead of sideways. Still has the standard headphone jack, on top of the body.

Screen is even brighter and crisper than the X3 compact. Audio seems a little less tinny. More on that stuff, later.

 

[linkgoron]

USB port is proprietary. It works in either direction, but does not have rounded corners like the new iPhone plug.

The plug is supposed to be USB Type-c, are you sure it's proprietary?

 

[shortylickens]

OK, the startup screen is pretty easy, if your old phone has both NFC and Bluetooth, you can instantly copy over all your stuff.
The phone auto downloaded as many old apps as it could. For the others it gave me links to make it faster. Apps seem a little more responsive. Not mind-bending but noticeable. I'll try some 3D games later to see what performance is like.

Default themes are pretty. It also installed or copied over my old ones.

Thing needed a massive update already so I'll have to wait for that.

 

[shortylickens]

OK, its not perfect.
Just doing updates with the screen off, the phone back gets extremely hot. Will have to see if the performance tweaks can keep it cooler.

And it is USB-C. I just didnt look closely. Cuz I was too excited. I'm a bastard.

 

[hans007]

this and the moto z play were my top 2 choices to replace my nexus 5x. kinda opposite sides of the spectrum, the z play has a lot of great features but i would really have loved it to be teh x compact size. i have pretty big hands, but one handing a moto z play isn't nearly as comfortable as a x compact would have been

 

[Excelsior]

I hope it lasts for you, unlike my Z3 compact which died completely and had a broken headphone jack just 1 year in.

 

[luv2liv]

It looks very nice from the front. Not sure why it looks so thick from the side.
I rather get a Le Eco phone on Nov 2nd.
I'm currently using a 4.7 phone. People who talk on phones for extended periods of time prefer small phones. Holding a big phones feels like holding up a brick. If I play games or use it for multimedia, I would get a 5.5 or bigger

 

[Deeko]

What do people preferring small phones do on them, that they don't feel that small screen is too big a compromise?

Honestly curious, because I can't imagine using satnav, browsing, reading, gaming, typing or consuming media on it, not after having been exposed to a bigger screen.

I am curious, because for whatever reason people keep asking me for advice, and I could recommend a small phone if I knew usage.

Most of what I do with my phone involves messaging, email, and social networks. I really don't need a 6" screen to read Twitter or my fantasy football scores. I don't watch movies, TV, or play games on my phone, either, and web browsing is perfectly sufficient on a phone in the 4" range. Meanwhile, large phones are harder to use with one hand, harder to fit in pockets, etc. The iPhone SE and Sony Z5 Compact are good sizes, its a shame they don't get marketed more.

That said I'm disappointed in the X Compact. They've gone away from being truly premium, small-form-factor versions of their flagships like they were with the Z line. Even my Z5 compact has performance issues - the UI can get laggy, and the camera takes ages to start up. Sony has been the flag carrier for the "premium small phone" market and it seems they're stepping back from it, which is unfortunate.

 

[cbrunny]

OK, its not perfect.
Just doing updates with the screen off, the phone back gets extremely hot. Will have to see if the performance tweaks can keep it cooler.

And it is USB-C. I just didnt look closely. Cuz I was too excited. I'm a bastard.

I have the Xperia X Performance and have noted that it gets hot too. I don't really do much with it other than log my calories though and stuff like that. no games or anything. it isn't a negative for me. just something I noticed.

The X Compact wasn't around when I got mine or I'd have got that for sure. So sick of huge phones. The X Perf is a decent compromise - I can touch the entire screen with one hand - but still I'd prefer something smaller and more manageable.

 

[Seven]

I would love to try this phone and most likely will. Just watched a few videos and really like it. It's just a damn expensive and thick.

 

[lothar]

I could be dreaming, but didn't there used to be a time when the Xperia Compact line had the same high-end processor as their Xperia Z line with the only difference being screen size, screen resolution, and battery size?
Looks like Sony has decided to cheapen the brand further by going for a mid-range processor with the Xperia Compact brand, so now it's no longer a compelling phone to have.

 

[evident]

Sony's phones in the US are WAY overpriced. XZ for $700, ouch.

even on the used market. makes no friggin sense. Z5 (snapdragon 810 CPU) on swappa is going for $350, WTH? i picked up a mint Galaxy S7 for $400. Been trying to get one as I don't want to support samsung anymore, but Sony just isn't a viable option until they get real on their pricing!!

 

[dark zero]

OK, its not perfect.
Just doing updates with the screen off, the phone back gets extremely hot. Will have to see if the performance tweaks can keep it cooler.

And it is USB-C. I just didnt look closely. Cuz I was too excited. I'm a bastard.

Weird... the Snapdragon 650 isn't supposed to overheat.... many users of the other phone who uses it (Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro) says that the chip isn't supposed to overheat like that. Even I bought one and is supposed to get by Thursday and I will compare it with a Redmi Note 2 with the Mediatek Helio X10 which I have (love the phone, but overheats like crazy).