XPERIA XZ1c in 2025

 

I've been using my SO-02K for a few days now. 

Kirin asked me to make a review so I will do it now! 

The XZ1c was released in 2017, it has 32GB internal storage with a micro SD card slot which supports up to 256GB external storage, 4GB RAM, Runs Android 9, with a 19MP camera, in a 4.6" beautiful sharp angled body! 

It uses USB-C charging, and has a 3.5mm jack. 

Check out the GSM Arena page for full specifications. 

I have been interested in it for a couple of years now, as it seems to be running alongside the OGSE as the best compact smartphone to date. 

I found one in perfect condition in the box for ¥4980 on mercari so I took it right away! 

I bought this case since it was basically one of the only options left for sale. 

I used a sample piece of widow film and stickers from daiso to make it a little cute. 

As usual on android I'm using +HOME launcher. 

I'm using this theme:

But I changed the wallpaper. 

I'm using also a very cute rose keyboard on swiftkey but I don't know how to show it. 

Now I'll give my opinion and review. 

I think I'm not completely qualified to give my review because I've never used an android smartphone before this, only an android GO feature phone. So I'm very sure that if I'd used a newer android phone, I would be a lot more bothered by this phone's age. 

And also since I don't know how to use android, I'm sure there's so much I'm not using yet. (how does NFC work?) 

BUT here's the reviews:

The size and shape is very comfortable. It's also plenty light, but not too light. I can use it with one hand, which is the ideal of a compact smartphone, right? 

The screen is beautiful and bright with rich colors at all angles. 

The battery is showing as "over 80%" and I don't think it's ever been replaced. Even still, it lasts me through the day, around 12%-15% by the time I retire to bed for the night.

All of my necessary apps are available, with the exception of Brave, unfortunately. YouTube, discord, messenger, all good. I'm using Chrome as my browser, which works fine. It's only annoying for the sake of sync with my other devices. There's no lag, overheating, battery drain, etc. 

Camera is... Unimpressive. 

Back camera 

Front camera

Out of the two, the OGSE by far beats this phone in the camera game. 

As for signal and call quality in the US for the DoCoMo variant, there's no issues. I haven't experienced any interruptions in service so far. 

I'm using Musicolet for MP3 and Podcast Addict for podcasts. Everything works well and MP3s sound good quality. Listening doesn't severely drain battery. 

Since this is the DoCoMo varient, there is an insane amount of bloatware of course. Some is fun, some is useless, some of just plain annoying. The phone has しゃべってコンシェル, but it can't be updated to Mydaiz, so I can't seem to get any additional characters. I hope I can find a method eventually. But even Mr Sheep is very cute. Although I don't much use him for anything. 

Now, I can't think of anything else to say, please comment if you want to know about anything else! 

Overall, I really like this phone! I generally hate android and find it very unintuitive, so to find a phone that allows me to tolerate and even appreciate it is cool! I'm even thinking of getting another smartwatch to pair with it!