GSMArena team, 07 October 2017

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus review

Synthetic benchmarks

The Xperia XA1 Plus is powered by the same chipset as the other two XA1s this year - the Mediatek Helio P20. It's built on a 16nm fabrication process, so it should be power-efficient while providing adequate performance thanks to an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU in a 4x2.3Ghz + 4x1.6GHz configuration. The GPU is a Mali-T880MP2, and RAM on our unit is 4GB, though there are 3GB versions too.

We ran the usual set of benchmarks on the XA1 Plus and here are the results, starting with GeekBench. In the single-core portion of the benchmark the XA1 Plus inches ahead of the Ultra, the two of them narrowly topping this chart of mid-tier devices with P20s, S625s, Exynos 78x0s, and a Kirin 658 thrown in for good measure. Oh, and the Nokia that can't quite keep up with the rest, with only a Snapdragon 430 at the helm.

GeekBench 4.1 (single-core)

Higher is better

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
901
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
897
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
888
Sony Xperia XA1
887
Xiaomi Mi A1
877
Xiaomi Mi 5X
868
Moto G5S Plus
843
Huawei P10 lite
834
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
824
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
734
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
731
Nokia 6 (Global version)
665

In the multi-core chart the S625, represented by the Moto G5S Plus and the Mi A1/Mi 5X (pretty much the same phone), takes a clear lead in front of the P20s. The Xperia XA1 Plus and the Ultra come next, followed closely by an Exynos 7870-packing Galaxy J7 (2017). Oddly, the Mi Max 2 isn't faring too well here, despite its S625 chip, so not all S625s implementations are equally well executed.

GeekBench 4.1 (multi-core)

Higher is better

Xiaomi Mi A1
4292
Xiaomi Mi 5X
4225
Moto G5S Plus
4193
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
3807
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
3783
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
3779
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
3667
Sony Xperia XA1
3611
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
3509
Huawei P10 lite
3344
Nokia 6 (Global version)
2841
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
2445

The same can be said about the P20s, if you look at the Antutu scores - seemingly identical configurations like the Xperia XA1 Plus and Ultra post very different numbers, the Ultra clearly having the upper hand. In fact, the Plus only manages to beat the Nokia 6 (S430) and the Galaxy J5 (2017) and J7 (2017), the Galaxies featuring Exynos 7870 tickers.

AnTuTu 6

Higher is better

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
64983
Huawei nova plus
64680
Moto G5S Plus
64554
Xiaomi Mi 5X
63548
Xiaomi Mi A1
61762
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
61616
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
61020
Huawei P10 lite
60895
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
60767
Sony Xperia XA1
60707
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
57996
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
57902
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
55657
Nokia 6 (Global version)
47495
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
46822
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
46400

The Plus pulls ahead of the Ultra in Basemark OS II 2.0, the second benchmark we use for judging overall performance. Here, the XA1 Plu ranks towards the middle of the pack, with results being more varied between devices - putting more emphasis on memory and storage performance reveals more differences in fine tuning.

Basemark OS 2.0

Higher is better

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
1417
Sony Xperia XA1
1351
Huawei P10 lite
1284
Xiaomi Mi A1
1262
Xiaomi Mi 5X
1246
Huawei nova plus
1215
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
1198
Moto G5S Plus
1176
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
1163
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
1107
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
1050
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
1038
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
497
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
379
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
349

Look at those Basemark X numbers and let's talk about consistency. In this graphics-only benchmark, the six Snapdragon 625 devices are within a little over 1% of difference. The three Xperias exhibit a similar behavior, but the Galaxy J7 Max (itself packing a P20) is a few hundred points behind - Sony's squeezing a smidgeon more out of the Mali-T880 MP2 GPU than Samsung.

Basemark X

Higher is better

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
14619
Huawei nova plus
10524
Moto G5S Plus
10488
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
10482
Xiaomi Mi A1
10472
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
10446
Xiaomi Mi 5X
10403
Sony Xperia XA1
9714
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
9598
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
9543
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
9034
Huawei P10 lite
7588
Nokia 6 (Global version)
7516
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
5489
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
5258

In the OpenGL 3.1-based Basemark ES 3.1 the Xperia XA1 Plus clocks in virtually the same score as its bros, and here the Galaxy J7 Max is keeping up better. The higher-end Galaxies A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) rule in this benchmark, though the A7 is oddly behind the A5 despite similar specs. The Snapdragon 625 devices are struggling to compete with their P20 peers under this particular load.

Basemark ES 3.1 / Metal

Higher is better

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
259
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
229
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
192
Sony Xperia XA1
191
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
191
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
187
Huawei P10 lite
145
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
138
Huawei nova plus
138
Xiaomi Mi 5X
138
Moto G5S Plus
137
Xiaomi Mi A1
136
Nokia 6 (Global version)
100
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
93
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
93

And finally, some GFXBenching. Looking at the offscreen scores (rendered at 1080p regardless of actual display resolution), it becomes evident that the Galaxy A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) have the most raw power at their disposal, but the XA1 Plus still manages about a third of their framerates. And since most phones here have 1080p displays anyway, the picture doesn't change much into onscreen testing. Well, if you don't count the Xperia XA1 proper, which storms to the top thanks to its 720p resolution

GFX 3.0 Manhattan (1080p offscreen)

Higher is better

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
15
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
14
Huawei nova plus
9.9
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
9.9
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
9.9
Xiaomi Mi A1
9.8
Xiaomi Mi 5X
9.8
Moto G5S Plus
9.8
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
9.6
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
9.6
Sony Xperia XA1
9.6
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
9
Huawei P10 lite
7.8
Nokia 6 (Global version)
7.1
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
5.1
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
5.1

GFX 3.0 Manhattan (onscreen)

Higher is better

Sony Xperia XA1
19
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
15
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
15
Moto G5S Plus
10
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
10
Huawei nova plus
10
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
10
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
10
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
9.9
Xiaomi Mi A1
9.7
Xiaomi Mi 5X
9.7
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
9.7
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
8.9
Huawei P10 lite
8.4
Nokia 6 (Global version)
7
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
5.1

GFX 3.1 Car scene (1080p offscreen)

Higher is better

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
5.2
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
5.2
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
4
Sony Xperia XA1
3.7
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
3.7
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
3.7
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
3.5
Xiaomi Mi A1
3.5
Xiaomi Mi 5X
3.5
Moto G5S Plus
3.4
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
3.4
Huawei nova plus
3.4
Huawei P10 lite
2.8
Nokia 6 (Global version)
2.5
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
1.9
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
1.9

GFX 3.1 Car scene (onscreen)

Higher is better

Sony Xperia XA1
7.9
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
5.2
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
5.2
Samsung Galaxy J7 Max
4
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
4
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
4
Moto G5S Plus
3.8
Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017)
3.8
Huawei nova plus
3.7
Xiaomi Mi 5X
3.5
Xiaomi Mi Max 2
3.5
Xiaomi Mi A1
3.5
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (S625)
3.4
Huawei P10 lite
3
Nokia 6 (Global version)
2.5
Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017)
1.9

A predictable showing by the Xperia XA1 Plus overall - the smartphone falls in line with previously tested Xperias with the same chipset and also proves to non-believers that Mediatek can indeed make a proper midrange SoC. The Snapdragon 625 is slightly more powerful in multi-core CPU usage, but the XA1 Plus' P20 is superior in single-core applications and has a minor edge in graphics. If you want the ultimate performance in this class, the Exynos 7880 is the way to go, but the Plus and its P20 appear unfazed by the Exynos 7870 devices.

Next Page » 6. Telephony, loudspeaker, text input, other apps

5. Performance

Reviews Sony Xperia XA1 Plus reviewPage 5