Sony Xperia XA1 G3116 32GB

Sony Xperia XA1 review

The Sony Xperia XA1 is a nice phone for the money. We rate its clean, simple look and the way it feels in the hand, while the array of Smart Lock features and the raw specs and performance of that blockbuster rear-facing camera are impressive. Given how confusing Smart Lock can be, however, you may miss the fingerprint scanner, and bear in mind that dual cameras can be had for the same price tag if you look at the Honor 6X. The screen isn't the sharpest. And it's not the fastest phone around: you should expect it to struggle with high-end mobile gaming or any processor-intensive activities such as video editing. But these are standard preoccupations for sub-£250 smartphones, and the Sony actually performed better than almost all of its similarly priced rivals in our graphics tests.

Sony Xperia XA1 review

The Xperia XA1 is a pretty neat upgrade to last year’s Xperia XA. Its camera has been given a serious shot in the arm, making it one of the best — if not most consistent — smartphone snappers at the price. Sony has also kept the petite, narrow design that makes this series of phones seem that bit more elegant than most low-mid Android phones. These aspects seem so carefully positioned, so it’s a shame that other parts fall behind. No fingerprint scanner and no Full HD display make it lag behind the Moto G5, and the occasional performance trip-up is disappointing. That said, if you’re after a phone so slight it’ll slip in and out of your pocket without touching the sides, look no further. Just don’t tell the pickpockets.

Sony Xperia XA1 review review