Price and specifications of Sony Xperia XA advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Sony Xperia XA boasts a sleek and elegant design that complements its functionalities. The device features a glass front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, contributing to a lightweight feel at just 137.4 grams. The dimensions of 143.6 x 66.8 x 7.9 mm make it compact and easy to handle, fitting comfortably in the user's hand. The design includes a Nano-SIM slot, emphasizing its modern and minimalist approach.

Display

Equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen, the Xperia XA offers vivid colors and sharp details. The resolution stands at 720 x 1280 pixels with a 16:9 ratio, achieving a density of approximately 294 pixels per inch. The display is protected by scratch-resistant glass, enhancing durability while maintaining clarity. Despite its budget-friendly positioning, the screen provides a reasonably immersive viewing experience, supported by a screen-to-body ratio of around 71.8%.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Xperia XA is powered by the Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 chipset built on a 28nm process. The CPU is an octa-core unit with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and another four running at 1.0 GHz, ensuring a balance between performance and power efficiency. The device further incorporates a Mali-T860MP2 GPU, which handles graphics processing tasks. The smartphone is equipped with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot, allowing users to store more apps, media, and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The Sony Xperia XA comes with a single 13 MP rear camera featuring an f/2.0 aperture, PDAF technology for rapid focusing, and a 1/3.1" sensor size. The camera supports LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes, so it's versatile in different lighting conditions. The primary camera records 1080p video at 30fps, ensuring smoother motion capture. On the front, the device houses an 8 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture and autofocus capability, also capable of capturing 1080p video. The inclusion of HDR in the front camera enhances dynamic range, making it good for capturing selfies with balanced exposure.

Battery Life

Powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery, the Xperia XA delivers sufficient power to get through a regular day. Although this capacity might seem modest compared to more recent smartphones, it still offers decent standby and usage times, up to 560 hours on 2G and 603 hours on 3G networks. Talk time is up to 11 hours and 20 minutes on 2G and up to 10 hours on 3G. The device also supports up to 55 hours of music playback, catering to music enthusiasts. Charging the battery is facilitated through a 10W wired charger, which offers a reasonable recharge time.

Operating System and Software

Initially released with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), the Xperia XA can be upgraded to Android 7.0 (Nougat), offering an updated interface and improved features. The software experience is clean, and while the device might not support the latest Android iterations, it remains functional for basic, everyday tasks.

Connectivity and Network Support

The Xperia XA supports a broad range of network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, making it versatile in terms of connectivity globally. It includes support for various 2G, 3G, and 4G bands, allowing it to work efficiently on most carriers. The device achieves maximum data speeds of HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps, ensuring smooth internet browsing and streaming.

Additional Features

The smartphone features an array of communication options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, and FM Radio with RDS. It includes GPS and GLONASS for precise location tracking. Users can enjoy audio through the built-in loudspeaker or the 3.5mm audio jack. Additionally, the device supports microUSB 2.0 with OTG capabilities, enabling users to connect external accessories.

Audio and Multimedia

The sound quality of the Xperia XA is decent, with a loudspeaker output measuring at 61dB for voice and 66dB for noise, with a ringing sound at 68dB. The audio quality experienced through the headphones is notable for its clear sound and low distortion, rated at a noise level of -93.6dB and crosstalk at -91.7dB.

Color Varieties and Pricing

The Xperia XA is available in four distinct colors: White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold, and Rose Gold, allowing users to choose a style that best suits their preferences. At launch, the device was priced around 100 EUR, offering a balanced combination of features and affordability.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA serves as a solid entry-level option, especially for users desiring a blend of functionality and style without breaking the bank. Its design, camera capabilities, and connectivity options make it suitable for everyday use, while its limitations in RAM and processing power align it with basic tasks rather than intensive apps or games. Despite its discontinuation, the Xperia XA remains relevant for those who prioritize essential smartphone functions within a budget-friendly lens.