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Sony Compact phones are a special breed. What Sony Mobile does is take their flagship product and squeeze it into a compact smartphone size. This is probably the only mobile brand still dedicated to providing compact premium smartphones.
The term “compact phone” is used to describe not just any kind of small phone, but specifically a premium phone that has a compact size – usually of about 6.2 inches and less. By default, modern high-end smartphones have a motto – be powerful AND be big. As such, power users who prefer handier phones have been abandoned by all but one Android phone makers.
Sony Mobile is that one brand that still caters to that need or preference. Every year, the brand launches one compact smartphone. For years, the default screen size of Sony Compact phones was 4.5/4.6 inches. In 2018, we saw that go up to 5 inches.
If you are interested in compact phones with flagship build quality, features and performance, I have a definitive list of all Sony Compact smartphones from as far back as 2015.
All Sony Compact phones from 2015 till date
Sony Xperia 5 III (2021)
The Xperia 5 III (pronounced Xperia 5 Mark 3) brings premium flagship features, specs, and performance in a 6.1-inch OLED display with 21:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 6 protection.
The Xperia 5 iii is a Sony compact phone released in 2021
On the inside, it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. It is the best of the best. The processor is coupled with 8 GB of RAM. Internal storage memory is available in two options – 128 B and 256 GB. There is no memory card slot.
At the back is a triple camera setup with a 12 MP main lens, 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens. ZEISS optics is on board too and the camera records 4k video. The front camera is an 8 MP selfie snapper.
The Xperia 5 III has IP65/68 protection from dust and water, 3.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos. The 4500mA battery is coupled with 30W fast charging.
This Sony compact phone is the dream phone of lovers of handy smartphones in 2021. It is available in two colours – Black and Green.
Meanwhile, Sony is rebranding its Compact line up, it seems, as the term “Compact” is missing from the Xperia 4’s name. Personally, I prefer that the tag be retained. It helps you immediately identify which model is a compact smartphone.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact – 2018
Xperia XZ2 Compact is the Sony Compact phone released in 2018
The Xperia XZ2 has a 5″ IPS LCD with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, Snapdragon 845 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 19MP rear camera, and a 2870mAh battery with 18W quick charging (Qualcomm ® Quick Charge™ 3.0).
This 2018 Sony Compact phone shipped with Android 8 Oreo from the factory but is getting Android 9 Pie update.
The Xperia XZ2 is made of glass in front, with an aluminium frame sandwiched between that and the plastic back. A fingerprint reader is located at the back and like all Sony flagships, the phone has an IP68 water/dust resistant rating.
Price? $379 only.
Sony Xperia XA2 – 2018
Sony made another compact smartphone in 2018 – the Xperia XA2. Yes; it doesn’t have the “Compact” tag on it either, but with a 5.2″ display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and a Snapdragon 630 processor, it is close enough, so we are listing it here.
Take those photos with the 23MP rear camera. RAM is 3 GB, storage is 32 GB, and the battery is of 3300mAh capacity and supports 18W fast charging as well. This is a very respectable compact smartphone. What will delight bargain hunters even more is the very pocket-friendly price tag.
Price: $195 only.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact – 2017
Take the XZ2 Compact, replace the SD845 with an SD835 chip. And instead of a 64GB storage, put in 32GB, and you would almost have Sony’s 2017 compact smartphone, the Xperia XZ1 Compact. It has a modest 4.6″ display of 720 x 1280 pixels resolution and an old school 16:9 aspect ratio. There is a 2700mAh battery with 18W quick charging.
In other words, the XZ2 Compact was an incremental update to the XZ1 Compact from 2017. But this configuration will still deliver impressive performance today.
Sony Xperia X Compact – 2016
If you are really on a budget and want a compact smartphone, the Xperia X Compact, launched in 2017, is a good place to look. With a 4.5″ display, 23MP camera, 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, and a 2700mAh battery with 18W quick charging.
The processor is a mid-range affair – a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 – so you may not get full premium performance, but it is as close as it gets.
Price: $249.
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact – 2015
The last Sony Compact phone – and the least – on our list (do you see my rhyme?) is the 4.6″ Xperia Z5 Compact from 5 years ago. There is a Snapdragon 810 under the hood, along with 2GB of RAM. Storage space is 32 GB. There is a 23MP rear camera, a 2700mAh battery and 18W fast charging.
If you are really, really on a budget for a compact premium phone….the Xperia Z5 Compact will meet your budget – if you can still find it on sale.
What is the best Sony Compact phone?
At the moment, the best Sony Compact phone is the Xperia 5 III, launched in 2021.
What is the latest Sony Compact phone?
For now, the latest Sony Compact smartphone is also the Xperia 5 III.
What is a Compact smartphone?
A compact smartphone is defined as a premium/high-end smartphone with top features and specs, but with a smaller screen size. In 2019, screens of less than 6 inches (15.24 centimetres) are used in compact phones, and that yardstick has not changed for years since then. Find out the best compact smartphones you can buy today.
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Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
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Samsung’s 2019 super phone comes in two sizes – Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and the bigger Note10 Plus. They both have rear triple camera, can record 4k video, support S pen, have stereo speakers, come with a pair of USB-C headphones, and come in LTE and 5G versions.
The triple camera setup on both phones includes a 12MP sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and dual aperture (f/1.5 and f/2.4), a telephoto camera with a 12MP sensor and OIS, and a 16MP 123° ultra wide-angle camera. In addition, the Note10+ has a 3D ToF depth sensor.
Both Samsung Galaxy Note 10 models have centred punch holes for their 10MP selfie cameras, giving them a clean asymmetric look. And – Hallelujah – The Bixby button is nowhere to be found on either phone. Both devices are Wifi 6 phones .
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note10 Plus
Both displays are Dynamic AMOLED and notchless. The differences start with the sizes and resolutions of their displays. The Note 10 has a 6.3-inch notchless display, while the Note10 Plus has a massive 6.8″ display.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note10 Plus Shared Specs
- 2G mobile network bands : GSM, GPRS, EDGE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz; CDMA 800 / 1900 for US market
- 3G mobile network bands : UMTS, WCDMA, HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 MHz; CDMA2000 1xEV-DO – US market.
- 4G mobile network bands : LTE 1(2100) / 3(1800) / 5(850) / 7(2600) / 8(900) / 20(800) / 38(2600) / 40(2300) / 41(2500).
- 5G mobile networks bands : Yes, on 5G models only.
- SIM Type : Nano-SIM, Single and Dual SIM options
- Software / OS : Android 9 Pie + One UI
- Display : Dynamic AMOLED with tone mapping, with Corning Gorilla Glass protection.
- Build : IP68 dust/waterproof (up to 1.5 m for 30 mins)
- Colours : Aura Glow, Aura White and Aura Black
- S Pen support : Bluetooth LE, accelerometer and gyroscope for motion controls
- Main camera : 12 megapixels, f/1.5 and f/2.4 dual aperture, OIS
- Telephoto camera : 12 megapixels, f/2.1, 45-degree
- Wide-angle camera : 16 megapixels, f/2.2
- Selfie camera : 10 megapixels, f/2.2
- Sensors : In-screen fingerprint sensor, ambient light, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, SpO2
- Bluetooth : v5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
- WiFi : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, hotspot
- GPS : Yes, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS.
- USB : 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector
- Music Support : PCM, AAC / AAC + / eAAC + / MP3 / AMR – NB / WB / APE
- Audio : USB-C connector. No 3.5mm audio jack. Dolby Atmos/AKG sound.
- Loudspeaker : Stereo speakers
- Video Support : H.264/MP4/MPEG4 player
- FM Radio : No.
- Battery Charging : Fast charging. Fast wireless charging. Reverse wireless charging
- Announced : August 7th, 2019
- Availability : August 23rd, 2019.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 with stylus
Samsung Galaxy Note10 Plus Specs
- Model : SM-N976N
- Dimensions : 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.7 mm
- Weight : 165 g
- Screen : 6.8-inch, 3040 x 1440 pixels
- Processor : Exynos 9825
- RAM : 12GB
- Storage : 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.0,
- Memory Card : Yes; microSD up to 1TB (hybrid slot).
- Battery : 4,300mAh + 45W fast charging
- Extra Camera : VGA 3D ToF camera
- Price : $1,099 in the USA and €1,099 in Europe, respectively for the 12GB/256GB variant, and $1,199/€1,199 for the 12GB/256GB variant. The 12GB/256GB is selling for ₦384,000 in Nigeria.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 specs
- Model : SM-N976N
- Dimensions : 151 x 71.8 x 7.9 mm
- Weight : 168 g
- Processor : Qualcomm SDM855 Snapdragon 855
- Screen : 6.3-inch, 2280 x 1080 pixels
- RAM : 8GB (12GB on 5G version)
- Storage : 256GB / 512Gb UFS 3.0,
- Memory Card : no microSD expansion
- Battery : 3,500mAh + 25W fast charging
- Price s: From $949 in the USA for the 8/256 GB variant, and €606 in Europe. Canadians can pick it up for C$ 999.99. It costs £400 in the UK. In Nigeria, the price of the Galaxy Note 10 is ₦330,000. In Inida, it sells for ₹ 3,499.
MobilityArena Buyer’s Guide Verdict
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note10 Plus are Samsung’s super phones of the year 2019 – and they bring big, powerful guns to the fight. These phones are pretty much the best of the best in the market, if that’s what you are after.
Our Buyer’s Guide Verdict is a recommendation that we make based on our evaluation of the specs of the device. It is a general guide designed to help you understand how much value a smartphone offers for its price. It is not a stamp of quality assessment or an endorsement of the device or of the manufacturers. Be sure to ask questions and use your judgement when buying any device, as MobilityArena may not be held responsible for your buying decisions .
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Review Rating
Not available yet.
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