If you’re looking for the latest flagship that runs on the very latest version of Android, the Sony Xperia XZ1 has finally arrived in Malaysia. It was recently announced just a few weeks back during IFA 2017 and it’s now officially launched on our shores with Android 8.0 Oreo running out of the box.
Xperia XZ1
Succeeding the Xperia XZs that was launched earlier this year, the new XZ1 comes with the top of the line Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of UFS storage. The screen still retains the same 5.2″ Full HD resolution but it now gets HDR support for a better visual experience. In terms of sound, it still gets the usual dual front facing stereo speakers but they are now upgraded with 50% more sound pressure. Like previous Sony Xperia flagships, it supports Hi-Res Audio and DSEE HX upscaling.
In terms of camera, you still get the same 19MP Motion Eye camera with f/2.0 G Lens that’s capable of shooting 960 fps super slow-mo videos. Over at the front, it gets a 13MP selfie camera that has SteadyShot with intelligent active mode assist.
New on the Xperia XZ1 is a 3D Creator feature. Using the preinstalled app, you can create high-resolution 3D avatar of yourself or even food. This can be used for social and you can also make physical copies via a 3D printer.
The Xperia XZ1 is also a dual-SIM device and it comes with microSD expansion. You also get IP68 water resistance and powering the device is a smaller 2,700mAh battery which charges via USB Type-C. There’s also support for Quick Charge 3.0 and Qnovo Adaptive Charging.
The Sony Xperia XZ1 is priced at RM2,999 and it will be available in Malaysia by end September 2017. It comes with a choice of 4 colours – Moonlit Blue, Black, Warm Silver and Venus Pink. Unfortunately, there’s no word on the Xperia XZ1 Compact availability for our local market but Sony Malaysia says they will be making an announcement sometime later.
Xperia XA1 Plus
If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Xperia XA1 Plus is their new mid-range device that’s smaller than their previous XA1 Ultra. It comes with a 5.5″ Full HD display with an edge-to-edge design and it runs on a MediaTek Helio P20 processor. For Malaysia, the XA1 Plus comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.
Unlike its other XA1 siblings, the XA1 Plus also comes with a fingerprint sensor that’s embedded on the power button. In the imaging department, it gets a 23MP f/2.0 Exmor RS main camera with Hybrid Auto Focus while the front comes with an 8MP f/2.0 selfie shooter.
The battery on the XA1 Plus is larger than the XA1 Ultra at 3,430mAh and it also charges via USB Type-C supporting MediaTek’s Pump Express Plus 2.0 fast charging. You can get the XA1 Plus in Gold, Black and Blue colours.
Unlike the XZ1, the Xperia XA1 Plus is still running on Android Nougat. The Xperia XA1 Plus is priced at RM1,499 and it will be available in Malaysia from October 2017.
