Sonim XP3plus vs. Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing a smartphone can be tough, especially when weighing durability against performance. Today, we pit the rugged Sonim XP3plus against the compact Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact. This comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs, whether you prioritize surviving drops or enjoying a pocket-friendly experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sonim XP3plus wins for durability and ruggedness, ideal for demanding environments. However, the Xperia XZ1 Compact boasts a significantly faster processor and a more refined camera system, making it a better choice for everyday users prioritizing performance and photography.

PHONES
Phone Names Sonim XP3plus Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, September2017, August. Released 2017, October
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, SeptemberDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions116 x 60 x 28 mm (4.57 x 2.36 x 1.10 in)129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (5.08 x 2.56 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)140 g (4.94 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810H IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~34.9% screen-to-body ratio)4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDIPS LCD
 Cover display: IPS LCD, 1.3 inches, 240 x 240 pixelsTriluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 540
OSSonim OS (based on AOSP Android 11)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM32GB 4GB RAM
 -UFS 2.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Video-4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single-8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 1/4.0"
Video-1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM RadioNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 2300 mAh, removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, White Silver, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink
Models-G8441, SO-02K
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 108h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1243:1 (nominal), 3.729 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 204581 (v7), 255140 (v8) GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4), 1681 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sonim XP3plus

  • Extremely durable and rugged
  • Large display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Loudspeaker

  • Lower performance compared to competitors
  • Less impressive camera
  • Bulkier design
  • Older software

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

  • Powerful processor
  • Excellent camera
  • Compact and pocketable
  • Fast charging (QC3)
  • Premium design

  • Less durable than XP3plus
  • Older model (limited software updates)
  • Battery life, while good, not as emphasized as XP3plus

Display Comparison

The Xperia XZ1 Compact's display, while smaller at 5.0 inches, offers a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience. The XP3plus has a larger 5.5-inch display, but its resolution and color accuracy are noticeably less impressive. Both achieve a remarkable 1243:1 contrast ratio, but the XZ1 Compact's sunlight readability is superior at 3.729, suggesting better outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia XZ1 Compact's camera system is the clear winner. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the XZ1 Compact's superior image processing and hardware result in sharper, more detailed photos and videos. The XP3plus camera is functional but lacks the refinement of the Sony.

Performance

The Xperia XZ1 Compact's Snapdragon 835 chipset and Octa-core Kryo CPU significantly outperform the XP3plus's Snapdragon 662. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Xperia. The XP3plus is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 108 hours. While this is a theoretical maximum, it suggests excellent battery life for both devices. Real-world usage will vary, but both should easily last a full day, and potentially longer.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sonim XP3plus if you work in construction, outdoor activities, or any environment where a phone needs to withstand harsh conditions. Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact if you want a powerful, compact phone with a great camera and don't need extreme durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sonim XP3plus waterproof?
Yes, the Sonim XP3plus is IP68 rated, meaning it's dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
❓ Will the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact receive Android updates?
The Xperia XZ1 Compact has largely stopped receiving major Android updates. It's running Android 9.0 Pie.