The new mid-range Xperia XA1 line comes in either a 5-inch standard model or 6-inch ‘Ultra’ size which both feature 23 MP cameras and a border-less display.
While the Xperia XZ Premium was Sony’s big hitter at this years MWC, it didn’t stop the electronics giant from also announcing a couple of mid-range handsets. The XA1 and XA1 Ultra represent a complete refresh for the ‘X’ series, giving the line a fresh coat of paint for 2017.
Both phones carry similar aethetics to the XZ Premium, with a borderless display and slab design. The 5-inch model has a resolution of 720p, while the 6-inch handset has a FullHD 1080p screen. The latter is most definitely a phablet, dwarfing even the iPhone 7 Plus in terms of sheer size. Sony has gone with MediaTek Octa Core CPUs this time round, which is a surprise departure from the usual Snapdragon chip. You’ll be getting 3GB of RAM in the Xperia XA1 and 4GB of RAM in the Xperia XA1 Ultra. Both handsets are powered by 2,300 mAh and 2,700 mAh batteries respectively.
With handsets such as the Google Pixel and Apple iPhone 7 proudly using Sony sensors, it comes as no surprise that the company has kitted them out in this area. Both handsets come with a 1/2.3³ 23MP ExmorRS sensor similar to what we saw in the Xperia Z5. This means a decent f/2.0 aperture and a 24mm wide-angle lens. There’s also Hybrid Autofocus that can register and capture images in 0.6 seconds.
The front camera on the XA1 is a standard 8 megapixel affair, which should be fine for taking those important selfies. The XA1 Ultra takes it up a notch, with a 16MP front camera, LED flash and Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) to eliminate the effects of hand shake and improve the pictures taken in low light conditions. Both front cameras feature 23 mm wide-angle lens and a ‘Hand Shutter’ feature, which allows the user to take selfies by waving their hands in front of the sensor.
Vodafone has announced they will begin stocking the XA1 soon with both devices rolling out this Spring. Colour options available include White, Black Pink or Gold. UK pricing information is yet to be confirmed, however the XA1 will be arriving in the United States at $300 (£241.60). This means it will likely cost above that when it hits UK stores.
Via Mobile News
