Sony's compact phone lineup has always been a strong contender. Today, we pit two popular models against each other: the Xperia M4 Aqua and the Xperia Z1 Compact. Both offer a unique blend of features, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z1 Compact edges out the M4 Aqua thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 800 chipset and slightly better overall performance. While the M4 Aqua boasts water resistance and a larger screen, the Z1 Compact's speed and established reputation make it the stronger choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2303, E2353 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2303 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E2353 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2014, January. Released 2014, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm (5.73 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) | 127 x 64.9 x 9.5 mm (5.0 x 2.56 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 136 g (4.80 oz) | 137 g (4.83 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~61.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2306) | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | 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+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h 40 min | Up to 94 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 681 h (2G) / Up to 685 h (3G) | Up to 670 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Coral, Silver | Black, White, Pink, Lime |
| Models | E2303, E2353, E2306 | 550, SO-02F |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 1.43 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | 0.74 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -41.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 65h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1819 (nominal), 1.772 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 60dB / Noise 58dB / Ring 66dB
|
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -91.7dB / Crosstalk -41.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 65h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1819 (nominal), 1.772 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 60dB / Noise 58dB / Ring 66dB |
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
- Water Resistance (IP67)
- Larger 5.0-inch Display
- More Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Performance
- Less Premium Build Quality
- Camera Not as Refined
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
- Faster Snapdragon 800 Chipset
- Compact and Portable
- Excellent Battery Life (65h)
- Premium Build Quality
- Older Device
- Smaller Display
- Can be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent contrast ratios (1819 nominal, 1.772 in sunlight), showcasing vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the M4 Aqua has a larger 5.0-inch display compared to the Z1 Compact's 4.3-inch screen, making it better for watching videos and browsing. The Z1 Compact's smaller size, however, contributes to its overall portability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Z1 Compact generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Z1 Compact's camera benefits from Sony's established image processing algorithms. The M4 Aqua's camera is still capable, but it lacks the Z1 Compact's refinement.
Performance
This is where the Z1 Compact truly shines. Its Snapdragon 800 chipset and 2.2 GHz Krait 400 CPU offer a noticeable performance advantage over the M4 Aqua's Snapdragon 615. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Z1 Compact. The M4 Aqua's octa-core processor is decent, but it can't match the Z1 Compact's power.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z1 Compact boasts an impressive endurance rating of 65 hours, a testament to its efficient power management. While the M4 Aqua's battery capacity is larger, the Z1 Compact's more efficient chipset allows it to last longer on a single charge. Battery life is a significant win for the Z1 Compact.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is ideal for users prioritizing water resistance, a larger display for media consumption, and a more budget-friendly price point. The Xperia Z1 Compact is best suited for those who value performance, a compact form factor, and a premium feel, even if it's an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z1 Compact still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, the Z1 Compact remains a compelling option due to its performance and compact size. However, consider its age and potential lack of software updates.
❓ Which phone is more water-resistant?
The Xperia M4 Aqua has an IP67 rating, offering better water resistance than the Z1 Compact.
