Sony Xperia L1 vs Xperia L3: A Detailed Comparison

Looking for an affordable Android phone from Sony? The Xperia L1 and L3 were both contenders in the budget space. But which one offers the better value? We'll dive deep into their specs, features, and performance to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia L3 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly improved chipset, larger battery, and better display contrast. While the L1 boasts impressive endurance, the L3's overall performance and modern features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia L1	Sony Xperia L3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3312, I4312, I4332
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - I3312, I4312
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 29 - I3322

Launch
Announced	2017, March. Released 2017, June	2019, February. Released 2019, February
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	151 x 74 x 8.7 mm (5.94 x 2.91 x 0.34 in)	154 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.06 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	180 g (6.35 oz)	156 g (5.50 oz)

Display
Protection	Scratch-resistant glass (> 6H)	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)	720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)
Size	5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio)	5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
Chipset	Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm)	Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-T720MP2	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 7.0 (Nougat)	Android 8.0 (Oreo)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM
	eMMC 5.0	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.2, AF	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	-	USB Power Delivery
Music play	Up to 63 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 639 h (2G) / Up to 687 h (3G)	-
Talk time	Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G)	-
Type	Li-Ion 2620 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Pink	Black, Gold, Silver
Models	G3312, G3311, G3313	I3312, I4312, I4332, I3322
Price	About 110 EUR	About 230 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB	Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 63h	Endurance rating 80h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 957:1 (nominal), 2.994 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 1818:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 91dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 83dB	Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 81dB
Performance	GeekBench: 1890 (v4.4)	AnTuTu: 78894 (v7) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia L1

Excellent battery life
Good sunlight display performance
Compact size

Outdated chipset
Slower performance
Basic camera

Sony Xperia L3

Improved performance
Better display contrast
Longer battery life
USB Power Delivery
More modern design

Can still feel budget-oriented
Camera not flagship-level

Display Comparison

The Xperia L3's display takes a significant lead with a contrast ratio of 1818:1 compared to the L1's 957:1. This translates to richer blacks, more vibrant colors, and better overall image quality. Both phones feature similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the L3's superior contrast makes a noticeable difference.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the L3 generally produces better image quality due to its more modern chipset and likely improved image processing algorithms. The L3 also often features a dual-camera setup (though specifics vary by region), offering more versatility. The L1's camera is adequate but lacks the detail and features of the L3.

Performance

The Xperia L3's Mediatek Helio P22 chipset (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the L1's MT6737T (28nm). The L3's octa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz provides significantly faster performance for multitasking, gaming, and general usage. The L1's quad-core 1.45 GHz processor feels noticeably slower by comparison.

Battery Life

The Xperia L3 holds a slight edge with an endurance rating of 80h compared to the L1's 63h. While both offer excellent battery life, the L3's more efficient chipset contributes to its longer runtime. The L3 also includes USB Power Delivery for faster charging.

Buying Guide

The Xperia L1 is a decent option for users prioritizing maximum battery life and are comfortable with older hardware. The Xperia L3 is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera capabilities, and a more modern design, even on a budget.