Nostalgia for older Sony phones? The Xperia L1 and Z1s represent different eras of Sony's smartphone journey. The L1 aimed for affordability, while the Z1s was a flagship. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one holds up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z1s is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 800 chipset delivers significantly better performance and a smoother user experience. While the L1 boasts impressive battery life, the Z1s's superior processing power and camera make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 4, 17 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, March. Released 2017, June | 2014, January. Released 2014, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 151 x 74 x 8.7 mm (5.94 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) | 145.7 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (5.74 x 2.91 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| | - | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass (> 6H) | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide) | 2 MP |
| 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 | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 63 h | Up to 40 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 639 h (2G) / Up to 687 h (3G) | Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 620 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2620 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | Black |
| Models | G3312, G3311, G3313 | C6916 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 63h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 957:1 (nominal), 2.994 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 91dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 83dB
| - |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 1890 (v4.4) | - |
Sony Xperia L1
- Exceptional battery life
- Good sunlight display contrast
- Affordable
- Slow performance
- Lower resolution display
- Basic camera
Sony Xperia Z1s
- Powerful Snapdragon 800 processor
- Good camera
- Compact size
- 1080p display
- Older device
- Battery life not as exceptional as L1
- May lack latest software updates
Display Comparison
The Xperia Z1s features a 5-inch 1080p display, offering sharper visuals and more vibrant colors compared to the L1's likely lower resolution screen. The L1's impressive sunlight contrast ratio (2.994) is a notable strength, making it easier to see outdoors, but the Z1s's overall image quality is superior.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have cameras, the Z1s's camera is generally considered superior. The Z1s boasted a 20.7MP sensor, capable of capturing detailed images. The L1's camera is adequate for basic photography, but lacks the Z1s's image processing capabilities and low-light performance.
Performance
This is where the Z1s truly shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU are significantly faster than the L1's Mediatek MT6737T. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Z1s. The L1 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Xperia L1's endurance rating of 63h is remarkable, suggesting exceptional battery life. However, the Z1s, despite having a smaller battery, still offered respectable battery performance for its time, and the difference in real-world usage might not be as drastic as the numbers suggest, especially considering the L1's slower processor consumes less power.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia L1 is a good option for users on a tight budget who prioritize long battery life and don't need high-end performance. The Xperia Z1s is ideal for those seeking a capable, compact phone with a flagship-level processor from its time, and a good camera, even if it's older.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z1s still worth buying in [current year]?
The Xperia Z1s can be a good value if you find it at a low price and don't need the absolute latest features. Its performance is still decent for everyday tasks, and its compact size is appealing. However, be aware that software updates are likely discontinued.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia Z1s is significantly better for gaming due to its powerful Snapdragon 800 processor. The L1 will struggle with more demanding games.
