In comparison with “classmates”, for example with Samsung Galaxy A3, the camera looks better. But when shooting in low light, the Sony is slightly inferior. It copes with applied tasks such as shooting text or tourist attractions during the daytime. And to fully replace a compact camera, there are more expensive smartphones. The same Xperia X, for example.
Secretive character
But with testing the performance of the Xperia XA, certain difficulties arose. It seems that Sony has blocked the ability to run Geekbench and a number of other benchmarks. We were able to fully run only the 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited package, which measures performance in games. However, we already know what the MediaTek Helio P10 is – there are several models on the market that use this platform. Mostly, however, Chinese ones - like Oppo R9 or Meizu M3 Note. The central processor uses 8 cores operating at 2 GHz, and the Mali-T860MP2 chip is responsible for graphics acceleration. Regardless of which version of the Xperia XA you choose (single or dual SIM), the smartphone will have 2 gigabytes random access memory and 16 GB on built-in storage. In short, it will be difficult to do without a microSD card. But let me remind you that the Xperia XA Dual can simultaneously install two SIM cards and a memory card.
Sony smartphone Xperia XA, which appeared in 2016, is the youngest device in the line, and accordingly, the most affordable. It has relatively good hardware and an attractive frameless design, but is completely devoid of protection from water and dust. If you try hard, you can find it for 310 USD. This is the minimum cost and is current at the time of this review.
There are a total of 5 modifications of this smartphone. The differences lie in the number of SIM cards, as well as in the frequency range of 4G networks. This review will discuss the dual-SIM model Sony Xperia XA (F3112), relevant for the domestic market. Let's see what this smartphone is like and whether it's worth spending at least $310 on it.
Specifications Sony Xperia XA (F3112)
For the most part, the characteristics are average; only the memory capacity and battery capacity do not fit into the general concept.
Design
Appearance is the calling card of this device. It looks elegant and attractive, your hands are drawn to touch it. Due to the not very huge screen and very modest side frames, the body turned out to be quite narrow.
As a result, it is easy to hold and convenient to operate with one hand. The neat rounding at the ends of the rear panel is also repeated by the front part: this is facilitated by rounded 2.5D glass.
The buyer is free to choose between classic and modern body colors: black and white, or lime gold and rose gold. On the right side there are controls: buttons for volume control, camera launch and a round power button.
On the left side edge there is a plug, under which separate slots for a flash drive and SIM card. The 3.5 mm jack is on the top edge, the MicroUSB port is on the bottom.
The body is made of matte plastic: a disappointment for those who are used to metal smartphones from Sony. However, there is nothing wrong with plastic, plus the device, in addition to its compactness, boasts a modest weight: 138.8 g.
The assembly is generally not bad, but if you pick too hard, you can find a gap between the display and the frames - an excellent place for collecting dust. Dimensions: 143.6 x 66.8 x 7.9 mm.
CPU
The smartphone uses a fairly powerful 64-bit MediaTek Helio P10 processor with a Mali-T860 MP2 graphics chip. The system-on-chip consists of 8 Cortex-A53 cores; at maximum loads, the frequency can reach 2 GHz. As a result, the device's performance level is more than sufficient for solving trivial tasks and for entertainment. The AntuTu synthetic performance test gives the hardware a score of 48 thousand points, which is average.
Under prolonged intense loads, significant heating of the case is observed, in the area of the NFC tag. In most cases, this does not cause a decrease in productivity, but it does not reduce the discomfort in the hand.
Memory
RAM 2 GB – I would like more in such a device. But this volume is enough to ensure good performance when launching several applications and while working with them. The built-in storage capacity is also not the most impressive - 16 GB, of which approximately 10 GB is available. However, support for memory cards with a capacity of up to 200 GB expands the possibilities for installing games and storing multimedia content.
Autonomous operation
The capacity of the non-removable battery installed in the device is 2300 mAh. Not enough, but in addition to battery capacity, optimization is important, which, apparently, is completely absent from the Xperia XA. Taking into account the energy-efficient OS and processor, as well as the low screen resolution, during normal use the device will be discharged before evening. In video viewing mode at the maximum display brightness level, the battery lasts a maximum of 4 hours. In 3D games under the same conditions, the smartphone is discharged in 2 hours.
The activated Stamina mode in this particular device barely noticeably affects the autonomy for the better (by 10 percent). And Ultra Stamina turns the smartphone almost into a regular dialer, so significant battery savings in this case do not bring much joy.
Camera
The main 13-megapixel photo module Exmor RS IMX-258, with an individual pixel size of 1.12 microns, has an f/2.0 aperture, complemented by a single flash. SteadyShot technology stabilizes the picture in shaking conditions. Of course, nothing better than optical stabilization has yet been invented, but it’s better with SteadyShot than without it. Phase detection autofocus with subject tracking can significantly reduce the number of blurry shots. Focusing will take no more than a second, even in poor lighting.
The physical camera launch button also acts as a shutter release, and focusing is performed when pressed incompletely. The camera interface is the same as in previous Xperias. There are different modes, including HDR and some manual settings. The quality of the resulting photographs is pleasing, however, it greatly depends on the shooting conditions.
The capabilities of the photomodule are most fully revealed in good lighting conditions. The pictures are detailed, with a decent dynamic range even without HDR, and with correct color rendition. If there is a significant lack of light, the active noise reduction is activated, which causes a loss of detail. Handheld Twilight mode partially improves the situation.
Video shooting is done in FullHD, at 30 FPS. The quality of the videos is decent, but nothing extraordinary. The 8-megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture allows you to take very good, detailed pictures. The lens is wide-angle, so several people can easily fit into the frame. But the main thing is the presence of full autofocus.
Display
Sony Xperia XA is equipped with a 5-inch display with an IPS matrix. Many will be surprised by the screen resolution: only HD (1280 x 720), at such and such a price. However, there is nothing wrong with this. With a pixel density of 294 ppi, the image is clear, with smooth lines of the interface and fonts. In addition, if there were a FullHD matrix, the charge level would probably melt before our eyes. The maximum brightness level is normal, the image remains readable in the sun.
Viewing angles are good, but when tilted 30 degrees or more, the image fades a little and colors may be distorted. Multitouch is designed for 4 touches. Mobile BRAVIA Engine technology is supported, due to which, when viewing multimedia, the picture visually appears more contrasting, rich, with natural black color. There is a “fly in the ointment”: there is no oleophobic layer, the finger has difficulty sliding across the glass, and fingerprints are collected instantly.
Networking capabilities
The smartphone supports 2 SIMs and works in 2G, 3G and 4G networks in all major bands. The traditional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 network modules have not gone away. They are complemented by NFC support. Navigation capabilities: GPS, A-GPS and GLONASS. All of the above communications work stably, without any complaints.
Sound
The main speaker grille is located on the bottom edge. The playback volume is average, you can hear perfectly indoors, but in noisy places (subway, etc.) there is a chance of missing a call. As for quality, the sound is clear, with a predominance of high and mid frequencies, without a hint of bass. The sound in headphones is simply excellent - clean, deep, but the maximum volume reserve is relatively low. There is an additional microphone for noise reduction.
Software part
Initially, Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS is installed on the smartphone. The system shell is modified by Sony developers, and the standard list of applications is supplemented by proprietary software from the manufacturer. In general, the system works quite quickly, the interface looks nice, in unison with the design of the case. You can change themes and download new ones. Unless Sony changes its policy in the future, the device will receive the latest versions of the OS.
Individual characteristics
Of all the “chips” of this device, the most interesting feature so far can be considered the minimal side frames. Frameless design is the future, and soon it will no longer be a curiosity.
Pros and cons of Sony Xperia XA
Advantages:
- Attractive design, almost no side frames;
- Good cameras;
- Separate slots for Dual SIM and MicroSD.
Flaws:
- Very poor autonomy;
- There is no oleophobic layer on the glass;
- No fingerprint scanner;
- The case gets noticeably hot.
Who is a smartphone suitable for?
An excellent find for those who do not care about price and autonomy. The main thing is that the smartphone is branded, with good characteristics, looks chic, and you can take excellent selfies using the front camera. The problem with fast discharge is unlikely to be of particular concern to those who are constantly located close to an outlet - at home or in the office. And if you need to go somewhere, it won’t be difficult for women to throw a Power Bank into their purse.
Our review of the Sony Xperia XA smartphone
Buying a Sony Xperia XA can hardly be called a rational decision if your priority is to purchase the most functional device for a reasonable price. You can argue for a long time whether this is a good smartphone or a bad one, but it is clearly designed for a specific target audience. And this audience will be delighted to own it.
This smartphone, made in a “frameless” design, nevertheless retains the classic proportions (16:9) of a bright 5.2-inch screen. Its main camera has a slow-motion function (120 fps), and the front camera, with a wide-angle lens, is useful for group self-portraits. The filling, flavored with Android 8.0, is also worth noting a fresh processor, high-quality sound, NFC interface and support fast charging. Vesti.Hi-tech found out not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages of the Sony Xperia XA2.
Together with the Xperia XA2, they presented new original Style Cover Stand cases made of artificial leather. Thanks to the adjustable tilt angle, these accessories provide comfortable viewing of videos. In this case, playback is automatically paused when the case is closed. In turn, the new mono Bluetooth headset MBH22 is designed for six hours of talk time and can be used in conjunction with Google Assistant to control music playback, as well as perform other commands.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: technical specifications
- Model: H4113
- OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo) with Xperia proprietary shell
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 64-bit (MSM8998) 8-core ARM Cortex-A53 architecture (up to 2.2 GHz)
- Graphics subsystem: Adreno 508
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage: 32 GB, eMMC, microSD/HC/XC combo memory card slot (up to 256 GB)
- Screen: 5.2 inches, IPS (1920x1080 pixels), pixel density per inch 424 ppi, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass
- Main camera: 23 MP, Exmor RS (1/2.3-inch optical size), wide-angle G Lens (84-degree viewing angle), f/2.0 aperture, 5x Clear Image zoom, hybrid autofocus, LED flash, slow-motion video (120 fps), 4K video
- Front camera: 8 MP, Exmor R (1/4-inch optical size), ultra-wide-angle lens (120 degrees), f/2.4 aperture
- Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+(3G), LTE (4G) Cat.13/Cat. 12
- Interfaces: Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, NFC, USB Type-C (OTG)
- SIM card format: two nanoSIM (4FF)
- Sound: SmartAmp, Clear Audio+
- Radio: FM tuner
- Navigation: GPS/GLONASS, A-GPS
- Sensors: accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, gyroscope, compass (Hall sensor), fingerprint scanner
- Battery: non-removable, lithium-ion, 3,300 mAh, Smart Stamina 3.0, support for Quick Charge 3.0 and adaptive Qnovo, Battery Care
- Dimensions: 142x70x9.7 mm
- Weight: 171 grams
- Color: Black, Silver, Blue, Pink
Sony Xperia XA2 review: design, ergonomics
It's no secret that Sony smartphones are easy to distinguish among similar ones, largely due to their original, slightly angular design. So, the Xperia XA2 inherited the evolving Loop Surface concept, which is characterized by a slight curve of the screen and symmetry, giving the device a more elegant look. The side edges of the case are made of anodized aluminum, while the upper and lower ends are supplemented with a decorative chamfer.
The front panel of the smartphone is entirely covered with protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass, but the back panel is covered with durable polycarbonate. Although in a silver color (and this is exactly the device we got for testing), it looks quite “metallic”. In addition to silver, black, blue and pink colors are also offered. If the side frames around the screen are practically invisible, then the upper and lower dies were made with a large margin. The power/lock button has been reverted to its classic round “metal rivet” look, as the fingerprint scanner has now moved to the rear panel. The overall dimensions of the Xperia XA2 are 142x70x9.7 mm and the weight is 171 grams. At the same time, protection of the case from dust and moisture is not provided for this smartphone.
At the junction of the front panel and the top end there is a cutout for the speaker grille, below which the Sony logo was applied on the plate. To the right of it there is an “invisible” LED indicator, a large “eye” of the front camera, as well as proximity and light sensors.
The control panel touch buttons ("Back", "Home" and "Recent applications") are the "triangle", "circle" and "square" icons, which take their place at the bottom of the screen.
At the bottom end of the case, around the USB Type-C connector for charging/synchronization, there is a grille for a “multimedia” speaker and a hole for a “conversational” microphone.
The hole for the second microphone (for noise reduction) and the 3.5 mm connector (CTIA) for an audio headset are on the top end.
On the right edge there is a volume rocker, a power/lock button and a dedicated shooting key.
On the left edge there is a slot covered with a lid that is easy to pry off with a fingernail. On the lid there is a tray intended for the first subscriber identification module (nanoSIM format). Another tray not connected to the lid (again, removable, for example, using a fingernail) is designed to install a second nanoSIM or microSD memory card.
In the center of the upper part of the rear panel, decorated with the Sony logo, the main camera lens was placed with a slightly protruding protective edging. A little to the left of it there was a place for an LED flash, and below - for a round capacitive pad for a fingerprint scanner. The NFC antenna area is marked with an icon.
Even with classic screen proportions (16:9), operating a 5.2-inch device with one hand is not particularly difficult. However, the settings provide special tools for changing the size of the screen working area.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: screen
The Xperia XA2 smartphone has a 5.2-inch IPS matrix with an aspect ratio of 16:9. At a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, the pixel density per inch is 424 ppi. Sony proprietary technologies are used to improve image quality.
The required backlight level is selected either manually or automatically (“Adaptive adjustment”). According to unofficial data, the maximum brightness reaches 500 cd/sq. m, which even feels like the truth. In addition, the adjustment range is very wide. So it is quite comfortable to work, both in complete darkness and in bright light. The touch screen responds clearly to touch and recognizes up to ten simultaneous touches. This multi-touch is confirmed by the results of the AnTuTu Tester program. In the settings, you can also step-by-step adjustment of the size of images, text and icons on the screen.
Presets available for color and contrast standard mode and maximum brightness mode. In addition, you can completely disable automatic image quality enhancement. The backlight control function automatically detects whether the device is in your hand or not. In the first case, the screen does not go dark, but in the second it turns off in accordance with the timeout setting. Changing the screen color temperature ("White Balance") makes the shades warmer or, conversely, cooler. A high-quality oleophobic coating is applied to the Gorilla Glass 4 protective glass. By the way, the “piquant” detail about the version number of the glass was found only on the Corning website.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: cameras
The Xperia XA2 smartphone did not skimp on megapixels and equipped it with a rear camera with a 23 MP Exmor RS sensor (optical size 1/2.3 inches). The Sony G Lens wide-angle lens with an equivalent focal length (EFL) of 25 mm and a viewing angle of 84 degrees has an f/2.0 aperture. The maximum image resolution with the classic aspect ratio (4:3) is 5520x4144 pixels (23 MP). The main photo module also has an LED flash and digital image stabilization (SteadyShot). Hybrid autofocus ensures fast focusing in a variety of lighting conditions.
For Full HD video, the main photo module provides a frame rate of not only 30 fps, but also 60 fps. A separate application "4K Video" records clips in 3840x2160@30 fps quality.
There are three main shooting modes available in the Camera application - "Manual" (M), "Super Auto" and "Video". You can forcefully enable the HDR option only in manual mode, where you are asked to decide on the focus, as well as shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation levels and white balance presets.
The front camera with an 8-megapixel Exmor R sensor (1/4-inch optical size) received a lens with an f/2.4 aperture and a variable viewing angle. So, with just one tap on the corresponding icon on the viewfinder, you can switch between wide-angle (80 degrees) and ultra-wide-angle (120 degrees) mode. The maximum image resolution for a 4:3 aspect ratio here is 3264x2448 pixels (8 MP).
Horizontal swipes switch shooting modes, and vertical swipes (from top to bottom) change the main camera to the front one (and vice versa). In the settings, you can not only determine the photo resolution and video quality, but also, for example, activate the “soft skin” cosmetic effect for selfies. Among the additional applications, along with “4K Video” and “Panorama”, various filters (“Artistic”) and augmented reality effects (“AR effect”) are also offered, which can somehow enliven boring photos.
In the "Video" mode of the main camera, next to the record button there is an icon that is used for slow-motion (120 fps) shooting with HD quality (1280x720 pixels).
Generally speaking, photo hunting with the Xperia XA2 left a mixed impression. On the one hand, one cannot help but note the simple interface and useful options, but on the other hand, for example, you still expect more from night and macro photography (again, on Sony sensors!). See examples of photos from the main camera.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: sound
Enabling the ClearAudio+ option replaces the 5-band equalizer with presets and separate low-frequency control (Clear Bass technology). For headphones in manual mode, surround sound emulation in studios, clubs and concert halls is also provided. Let us remind you that for wireless headsets paired via Bluetooth, LDAC and aptX HD codecs are available, providing high quality sound. The dynamic normalizer, in turn, equalizes the volume of different audio tracks or video recordings.
The "multimedia" speaker of the Xperia XA2 sounds quite loud and with good quality. The proprietary Music application offers to store your audio library on Google Drive. For the FM tuner that appeared in the new smartphone to work, you need to connect a wired audio headset as a short-wave antenna.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: hardware, performance
For the Xperia XA2, the developers opted for the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 mobile platform, which features increased gaming performance, improved photo and video capabilities, improved energy efficiency, and high data transfer speeds on LTE networks. Eight ARM Cortex-A53 processor cores, created using the 14 nm process technology, are clocked at up to 2.2 GHz. The Adreno 508 graphics accelerator works in tandem with them. At the same time, their performance, according to the company, has increased compared to its popular predecessor - Snapdragon 625 - by 10% and 30%, respectively.
The X12 LTE modem, when paired with a new RF transceiver, can provide a maximum downlink data rate of 600 Mbps (Cat. 12). The chip now includes support for Bluetooth 5.0, Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging, 4K video shooting, etc. The basic configuration of the Xperia XA2 is complemented by 3 GB of RAM.
TestingSonyXperiaXA2 . Results in the AnTuTu benchmark
TestingSonyXperiaXA2. Results in the GeekBench benchmark
TestingSonyXperiaXA2 . Results in the 3DMark benchmark
The built-in storage capacity of 32 GB can be expanded with microSD/HC/XC memory cards (up to 256 GB). USB-OTG technology allows you to connect regular flash drives to your smartphone via a USB Type-C adapter. Let us remind you that the combined slot is designed to install either a memory card or a second nanoSIM.
Functions voice communication and mobile Internet in the Xperia XA2 are assigned to one radio channel, with which two subscriber identification modules in nanoSIM format (4FF) can alternately work. They provide support for fourth-generation LTE networks for mobile terminal categories Cat.12/Cat.13. The set of 4G frequency bands contains the FDD-LTE Band 3 (1,800 MHz), Band 7 (2,600 MHz) and Band 20 (800 MHz) required for Russia. Among other wireless communications, along with dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, Bluetooth 5.0 (LDAC, aptX HD) and NFC are supported.
The NFC interface is useful for exchanging data between smartphones or the Android Pay payment service. In tandem with the corresponding application, it will also help you find out the balance of Strelka and Troika transport cards.
GPS and GLONASS satellite systems can be used for positioning and navigation. There is also a coordination mode over Wi-Fi and cellular networks (A-GPS).
Sony Xperia XA2 review: autonomy
The non-removable battery capacity of the Xperia XA2 is 3,300 mAh. The smartphone comes with the usual Charger(5 V/1.5 A), so to take advantage of Charge 3.0 fast charging, you will need to purchase, for example, the recommended UCH12W adapter. After which you can fill the battery halfway in about half an hour.
As for the energy efficiency of the new smartphone, the AnTuTu Tester program rated it at 7,507 points. A set of test videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD quality at full brightness played continuously for about 7.6 hours.
To extend the autonomy of the Xperia XA2, smart energy saving modes Stamina and Ultra Stamina are used, the first of which limits, in particular, background data transfer, and the second - the number of available applications. Qnovo's adaptive charging technology and Battery Care feature increase battery life.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: software features
The Xperia XA2 smartphone runs on the Android 8.0 (Oreo) operating system with the proprietary Xperia shell, which minimally changes the interface and adds a number of features to it. For example, like stock Android, there is an application menu and separate screens with program shortcuts. And a standard solution is used for the notification curtain. Long-pressing an application icon brings up an access menu (if supported) with up to four frequently used functions of that application. With the next tap and hold, already on the line of the menu that appears, you can move the icon of one of these functions to the main screen. For example, from “Settings” you can separately select a quick transition to the “Battery (Battery)” section.
In addition to choosing a wallpaper and theme, in the settings it’s easy to change the icon grid, as well as decide on the type of transition between work screens.
To conveniently unlock your smartphone, for example, by pairing it with a PIN code, it is recommended to use a fingerprint scanner, the capacitive pad of which is located on the back panel of the smartphone. In the Smart Lock section, you can also configure quick unlocking of the device using face and/or voice recognition. It is worth remembering that such protection is less reliable than using fingerprints.
One-Handed Actions makes it easy to resize your home screen, including support for optimized dialing, unlocking, and notification apps. Note that dividing the screen into two parts (tap and hold on the “Recent applications” icon) is not yet supported by all programs.
Sony Xperia XA2 review: purchase, conclusions
Since the Xperia XA2 was not affected by such fashionable trends as camera duets and a “high” screen, the device turned out to be just a strong middling device in a classic style. Among the advantages of the new smartphone, it is worth noting, among other things, a bright screen with narrow frames, a front camera with a wide viewing angle, high-quality sound, a set of interfaces (including NFC), support for fast charging and Android 8.0 OS out of the box.
The polycarbonate back panel, as well as the lack of protection against water and dust, may cause some disappointment. In addition, we must remind you that the kit does not include a fast charging adapter.
Positioned as a mid-price smartphone, the Xperia XA2 was priced at 25,990 rubles at the start of sales. Of the 5.2-inch “classics” with a standard aspect ratio (16:9) screen, for example, for (our review) they are now asking only a thousand more (26,990 rubles). This difference, in addition to the additional display, is obviously due to the presence of a Super AMOLED screen, dual (12 MP + 12 MP) main and 16 MP front cameras, as well as 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. True, it will no longer be possible to expand the existing storage with microSD cards, and the set of wireless connections does not include an NFC interface. In addition, you will have to be content with Android 7.0 (Nougat) OS coupled with the Flyme OS shell.
Review results of the Sony Xperia XA2 smartphone
Pros:
- Bright screen with narrow bezels
- Front camera with wide viewing angle
- High quality sound
- A set of interfaces, including NFC
- Fast charging support
- Android 8.0 OS out of the box
Minuses:
- Polycarbonate rear panel
- Lack of protection against water and dust
- No fast charging adapter included
Among the presented flagship solutions of the X-series from Sony in 2016, one of the most interesting was the smartphone Sony Xperia XA. It should be noted that the device does not have the highest performance, but it will find many buyers. Mainly because of its design.
New design
Despite the high performance of Sony Xperia X Performance, many buyers will prefer the XA series. That's because Sony Xperia ha It captivates with its design: compact, thin and neat. The five-inch HD display is hidden behind protective 2.5D glass. But the main feature that the Xperia X and X Perfomans do not have is the absence of side frames. This solution can be found in ZTE Nubia Prague S or ZTE Blade V Plus, which the new Sony somewhat resembles. But still, some signs make it clear that this is an Xperia. And, despite the plastic back, rounded frame, and the usual keys on the side edges, the smartphone does not look like the Z-series. This makes it unique among other devices from Sony.
Technical capabilities
The device runs on the Mediatek platform and, despite the productive Helio P10, it’s a stretch to call it a flagship. In general, the characteristics are quite enough for many everyday tasks: 2 GB of RAM, as well as 16 GB of permanent memory, a 2300 mAh battery, an eight-megapixel front camera and a thirteen-megapixel main camera. Isn't this enough for comfortable use? In addition, the new product supports the operation of two SIM cards - and this is much more important for many consumers. There is also a microSD slot with a capacity of up to two hundred gigabytes. It is also important that there are all modern wireless interfaces, including NFC. In addition, support for LTE is declared, the advantages of this wireless network Every day more and more users evaluate it.
Although the device looks attractive, it belongs not to the flagships, but to the line of the mid-price segment. On the other hand, the frameless 2.5D display creates the feeling that you are holding a modern, exclusive device in your hands. First of all, the smartphone will be of interest to women, especially if we talk about the pink version.
Of the entire new line of Sony Xperia smartphones, I liked the Xperia XA the most. Even though this is the simplest phone in the series, it does not shine with characteristics, does not take top places in benchmarks and does not take cool photos.
I liked its design, it has no frames, you look at it and think that this is a top model. But a quick glance at the characteristics suggests that the filling here is like that of an inexpensive Chinese smartphone. You say: wow, what a Chinese, I found something to compare Sony with. So let's see how the Xperia XA with its expensive design differs from its cheap competitors.
Frameless design
When I see photos of the future iPhone 7, I want to cry. In 2016, the phone will appear with the same huge frames. I don’t know what Apple designers are thinking and where they are looking, but Sony is looking in the right direction. The Xperia XA has minimal bezels, and the margins on the left and right of the screen are simply tiny. The display is covered with curved glass; you run your finger along the edge of the display and do not feel the transition between the screen and the body.
But if it has disappeared in one place, it has appeared in another: the Xperia XA has large indents above and below the screen, 1.5 cm long, so the phone has an elongated shape. It is very thin, light and looks great, such a combination of qualities is not very common at the same time.
There are no removable parts, except for a small plug on the side. It covers the tray for nanoSIM and microSD cards. Sometimes they write that the smartphone has a metal body, but this is not entirely true: there is a metal frame on the sides, but the back panel is made of plastic.
After I left the phone for 2 weeks, I noticed abrasions on the plastic. I didn’t scratch the surface on purpose, but the damage is noticeable at certain angles, here’s an example for clarity. This way it’s visible, but on the other hand it’s not.
Having examined the case from all sides, I didn’t see a fingerprint scanner here, which is a pity, this is no longer a luxury, but a standard feature in Chinese phones.
Screen
Display with a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The picture is clear, but the screen is configured strangely; its colors distort reality. Why Sony makes such displays with unnatural colors, I don’t know. Although who wants to look at faded natural colors if you can tweak them and make them brighter?
The display is blue; Huawei smartphones, for example, are famous for this. Among the positive qualities, I can note a good reserve of brightness, the display is very contrasty and does not fade under the sun.
Strange, but there is no oleophobic coating. I thought this only happened with LG and Huawei. But now Sony is included in this list.
The most impressive thing about the Xperia XA is always before your eyes; smartphones without frames were released before Sony; there was such an inexpensive Sharp Aquos. But it’s unlikely that anyone ever held it in their hands, while anyone can buy the Xperia XA.
Camera
Sony didn't spare any buttons and even allocated a separate key for the camera. The place is perfectly chosen for the index finger of the right hand, but pressing it will be uncomfortable for left-handed people. The front camera is 8 megapixels, the main one is 13 megapixels. Sony is relying on a hybrid focusing system, which includes both phase and contrast focusing.
I won’t say that the Xperia XA shoots very well, but during the day in clear weather the photos come out good. But as soon as clouds, clouds and other climatic phenomena appear in the sky, the photos become spoiled. In the evenings and at night the pictures are just so-so.
Connection
I noticed that network reception often fluctuates and it all depends on the location: I often saw 2 sticks out of 4 on the signal reception scale indoors. LTE is of course in place, the standard version of the smartphone has only one slot for a SIM card, you need to pay extra for the second card compartment.
Wi-Fi is stable, GPS is fast, NFC is also built-in, I connected to headphones and speakers.
The speaker is good, the call volume is above average, but in a noisy metro you may not hear the melody. The sound in the headphones is now more or less the same everywhere, and the Xperia XA plays fine.
Software
I like the way Android 6.0 looks paired with the Sony shell, everything is beautifully designed and doesn’t slow down. After Chinese phones, the tap unlock feature is missing, and the additional themes are not the most beautiful. But these are little things, you quickly forget about them.
I note that Sony cannot format a memory card for use as an addition to the built-in one, which is inconvenient. This would make it easier to store large games/applications.
Performance
The hardware in the phone has poor performance, so applications start slowly and not very quickly. This is also noticeable when switching between running programs. But if you periodically clear the memory by unloading unnecessary software, then everything will be ok.
The 8-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor is often installed in inexpensive smartphones. Sony Xperia XA is the youngest in the new Sony line, which is why it was awarded such filling. 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory - everything is as usual.
Doesn't work much
The battery capacity is 2300 mAh, a full charge usually lasts for a day, if you don’t play Pokemon or spend all your time on the Internet. You can run the Stamina function, it will help increase the operating time of your smartphone by disabling data transmission in the background, GPS and similar power-hungry things.
The phone supports fast charging, but the kit includes a regular power supply, so the Xperia XA will not charge in an hour.
Opinion
The main advantage of the Sony Xperia XA is its design; the smartphone looks beautiful to the envy of its competitors. This is basically where all the advantages end; for the 22 thousand that the Xperia XA costs, you can buy a phone with more interesting characteristics. What's missing here is a high-quality camera, a fingerprint scanner and a bigger battery. Why does the case get scratched so quickly, where is the oleophobic coating, and why do you need to pay extra for a slot for a second SIM card?
Boring? When I wrote the text, I didn’t think that I would end up with so many negative things about this nice device. I really liked the Xperia XA in appearance; it is one of the most attractive smartphones of the year. Therefore, if you are choosing between a new Sony product and other devices, then think about how critical these shortcomings are for you. I would prefer a more practical phone, given that the Xperia XA now costs 21,990 rubles.