Alphr | Lee Bell

Sony's compact flagship is a marvel – fast, pocketable and with a clever trick up its sleeve. In short, if you prefer your phones to be usable one-handed, you won't be disappointed with the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact.

Recombu | Alex Todd

Despite a lack of HDR or a sharper panel, the overall capabilities of the Xperia XZ1 Compact mean it's more than a match for the now ageing iPhone SE, arguably the only other powerful pint-sized mobile worth considering in 2017.

NotebookCheck | Manuel Masiero

Small form factor, high-end hardware, and Android 8.0 – right now these three unite only in the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact. There is nothing serious to criticize about the Xperia XZ1 Compact and such a small form factor has scarcity value.

Android Authority | Lanh Nguyen

While most small smartphones sacrifice hardware and specifications, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is one of the few smartphones on the market that delivers a flagship experience in a smaller size and easy to use form factor, but it still comes with a full-sized price tag.

MobileTechTalk | Domenico Lamberti

The Xperia XZ1 is a really nice phone, surprisingly nice, but unless you look at it in a vacuum, you have to know that there are better phones for less or equivalent money, and that's why I have to say that unless you're a diehard Sony fan, you should probably look elsewhere.

The Inquirer | Graeme Burton

First impressions of the XZ1 Compact weren't great, but grew over time. It's a nippy, compact device in a world of ever-larger smartphones.

AndroidPit | Shu On Kwok

There's simply no direct competition for Sony's XZ1 Compact, which combines a small size with big power.

TheEffect.Net | John Reilly

Overall, we enjoyed our time with Sony's latest handsets. The Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact definitely hold their own in today's smartphone market. We just wish Sony would enter the bezel-less world and then we could have a real battle on our hands.

PC Mag | Sascha Segan

With a 4.6-inch screen, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is the smallest premium Android phone. For its price, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is the most powerful Android phone you can comfortably use with just one hand. That's increasingly rare to find, and combined with its other capabilities, the XZ1 Compact is a viable alternative to the pricier Galaxy S8.

IT PRO | Nathan Spendelow

With a budget price, superb camera, and a performance on par with some of the industry's best smartphones, the Xperia XZ1 Compact is a mid-range marvel.

phoneArena | Nick T.

If you want a phone that's truly small but uncompromisingly powerful, one that takes good photos and videos, one that lasts long between charges, then yes, this guy should be on your shortlist.

Expert Reviews | Nathan Spendelow

Sony's XZ1 Compact is a mid-range marvel; don't let its dinky size fool you. Sony's Xperia XZ1 Compact squeezes top-end features into a 4.6in smartphone, at a flagship-besting price.

Stuff | Tom Morgan

This bantamweight champion of Android phones might pulls a few punches, but there's nothing better for its size.

TechRadar | James Peckham

The Xperia XZ1 Compact may look similar to previous phones from Sony, but it packs a punch and is perhaps the best small-form-factor Android phone around right now, making it a great choice if you want a device you can use one-handed.

Trusted Reviews | Richard Easton

If you're the kind of person who wants a small phone then these days your options are rather limited. Thankfully, then, the Xperia XZ1 Compact is a decent option. A pocket powerhouse with plenty of battery life – but that design is looking rather dated.

Digital Trends | Simon Hill

Sony's Xperia XZ1 Compact proves good things can come in small packages. It is one of the few, powerful, small Android phones around, but it's too expensive.

The Verge | Stefan Etienne

Don't misunderstand my lack of enthusiasm: the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact are definitely usable phones. But, with so many compelling flagship phone duos on the market, I haven't come across enough reasons to ignore an ocean of similarly priced devices for the new Xperias.