Mid-range Sony Xperia XA1 Plus launches in the US, fans of large bezels rejoice

by Florin Troaca / Oct 19, 2017, 9:30 AM

Mid-range Sony Xperia XA1 Plus launches in the US, fans of large bezels rejoice

Shortly after releasing the Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact in the US, Sony is now bringing another new (but cheaper) smartphone stateside. We're talking about the Xperia XA1 Plus, a mid-range handset with a 5.5-inch 1080p screen and an unmistakable Sony design - large top and bottom bezels included.

As of today, the unlocked Sony Xperia XA1 Plus can be pre-ordered through Amazon, which acts as one of Sony's official US distribution channels. The new smartphone is offered for $379.99 (in gold, black, or blue), comes with US warranty, and will be shipped on October 23. Like most unlocked Sony handsets, this one isn't compatible with Verizon and Sprint, but you can use it on any GSM/LTE network, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, MetroPCS, and so on.

Powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P20 processor, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is made out of aluminum and glass, featuring a 23 MP rear camera, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of expandable storage space, and a quite large 3430 mAh battery. While the device has a fingerprint scanner embedded in its side power button, this is disabled in the US. Thanks, Sony! Anyhow, you can take a closer look at the new phone by checking out our Xperia XA1 Plus hands-on from last month - video included.

Unlike the Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact, which run Android 8 Oreo out of the box, the XA1 Plus comes with Android 7 Nougat pre-installed. Of course, Sony will update the handset to Oreo, but we don't know if it's going to do it before the end of 2017 (probably not). So, anyone here planning to buy this new Xperia?

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus

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Sony Xperia XA1 Plus

source: Amazon

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22 Comments

1. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"fans of large bezels rejoice" Well, if there is a fanbase of large bezels, then the biggest one is definitely the Apple fanbase.:)

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:35 AM 24

3. worldpeace

Posts: 3092; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

True that. i8+ 67% screen-to-body ratio Xperia XA1 Plus 72% screen-to-body ratio

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:44 AM 4

10. Florin.T

Posts: 314; Member since: Dec 16, 2013

Perhaps to the surprise of many, we're quite aware of the fact that the current iPhone lineup looks dated, too: https://www.phonearena.com/news/With-the-iPhone-8-Apple-surrenders-design-leadership-to-Samsung_id98786

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:09 AM 2

13. mahima

Posts: 714; Member since: Nov 20, 2014

yep...but "fans of large bezels rejoice" will never be the headline of an iphone... sad this is a midrange device while iphone actually asked for a premium price

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:57 AM 14

17. GoTstan

Posts: 386; Member since: Jul 25, 2015

Spot on mahima

posted on Oct 20, 2017, 1:25 AM 0

21. UnlimitedSkye03

Posts: 275; Member since: Apr 27, 2012

Well hello there Florin, certified fan of large bezel iPhone

posted on Oct 21, 2017, 12:48 AM 1

14. Tipus

Posts: 785; Member since: Sep 30, 2016

LMAO! :)))

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 11:10 AM 0

16. IronTech

Posts: 153; Member since: May 27, 2016

Phonearena authors are the fans of large bezels themselves. Let's see how they rate iPhones every time. LOL

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:43 PM 1

2. Madmax

Posts: 110; Member since: Aug 19, 2016

lol..

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:39 AM 0

4. dubaiboy78

Posts: 442; Member since: Sep 19, 2014

Poor iphonearena!!! Lolol

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:44 AM 0

5. Feanor

Posts: 1292; Member since: Jun 20, 2012

It has become a bit tedious reading an article about a Sony phone and always having the bezel issue mentioned. Often only this and nothing else actually. There must be other phone characteristics that play some role in using a phone other than judging its bezels, right? I mean, I buy a phone for phone calls, internet browsing, listening to music, making pictures. I don't buy it to admire its bezels or its lack thereof. Seriously, please stop it, it's getting boring.

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:50 AM 5

8. libra89

Posts: 2221; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Yeah, I'm also bored of the bezel talk. Is it really so bad to have something to hold on to?

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:04 AM 0

18. GoTstan

And to make matters worse, the bezel-less trend just kicked off this year! The talk these days though you would think the switch was made 3yrs ago. 2017, the year smartphones functionality took a far backseat to fashion. Imo, get rid of the glass backs. Who asked for the phones to be built with materials guaranteed to crack? Keep the 3.5mm jack. And to my dismay, no flagships have removable batteries anymore, that's some BS. Bring back the removable battery! The note 4 has the feature and it's far from an ugly device. And lastly, we don't need razor thin phones, make them a bit thicker so you can put a bigger battery in it! The Samsung S active line has the right idea. I digress......

posted on Oct 20, 2017, 1:33 AM 1

11. Lumberjack

Posts: 306; Member since: May 04, 2017

Yes... And XA1+ is shorter than Moto X4, Moto Z2 Play and i8+. XZ1c is shorter than A3 and i8. XZP is shorter than i8+.

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:12 AM 1

12. libra89

Yeah the shortness is another reason why I enjoy the XZ1C. The size of the A3 is still great to me but the XZ1C is even more awesome.

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:40 AM 0

6. Ezio2710

Posts: 548; Member since: Aug 22, 2015

Then apple fanboys will definitely enjoy

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 9:53 AM 6

7. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

Considering Florin T. and co. need their free access to Apple's boring ass events the iPhone isn't for fans of larger bezels...

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:00 AM 0

9. PhoneInQuestion

The iPhone is still the gaudiest looking slab on the market right now, at least the larger bezel XPERIA has contrast. What do the iPhone 7/7S and 6/6S series differentiate? Lack of headphone jack? Dollar store ugly antennae bands?

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 10:05 AM 0

15. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

Nougat fan enjoy, pfft.

posted on Oct 19, 2017, 3:41 PM 0

19. Rexperia

Posts: 136; Member since: Sep 28, 2012

Shame on u PA.. I used to like this website before, i have no idea what sony did to you guys. As a tech website you're supposed to be fair when you review the device but it seems that you always give a bad review no matter what xperia phone is, grow up guys.