Sony Xperia XA in the Flesh!

Barcelona, Spain — Sony announced three new smartphones earlier today and we were able to get our hands on all three of them. First up we have the Sony Xperia XA, their new entry-level offering in the series which focuses on camera capabilities, battery life, and aesthetic design.

Here’s a quick refresher on the specs before we jump into our hands-on review.

Sony Xperia XA Preliminary Spec Sheet

• Mediatek MT6755 processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 5-inch HD display, 1280 x 720 resolution
• 16GB of storage, expandable via microSD
• 13-megapixel EXMOR RS rear camera with AF and flash
• 8-megapixel front camera
• 2300mAh battery
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Okay with that out of the way let’s jump right into it.

It’s Really the Design that Makes it Special

While Sony boasts of camera capabilities and long battery life, we think the real selling point of this device is the hardware design. The gorgeous edge-to-edge slightly curved 5-inch HD display is just stunning to look at from any angle. The body is solid, lightweight, and feels good in the hand as well. You can also get it in different colors.

Here are a few shots of the phone for your appreciation.

The specifications and battery are standard fare so there’s no point in digging deep into it. Perhaps what’s nice to point out is the camera since this does pack a 13-megapixel EXMOR RS primary snapper and an 8.0-megapixel front shooter.

Initial Verdict: It Will Boil Down to Price

The Xperia XA promises to be a great smartphone but only if Sony prices it competitively here in the Philippines. If it’s priced in the same level as the C5 Ultra it stands a chance of making it big. If it’s priced higher than that then you might want to consider other options.

PS — Look who we bumped into at the Sony Booth here in MWC: