Sony

Sony Xperia R1 Plus: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
Adreno 505
3 GB / 32 GB
5.2 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Sony announced the launch of the Xperia R1 Plus smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The Xperia R1 Plus comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Sony Xperia R1 Plus smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Sony Xperia R1 Plus / 1

Sony Xperia R1 Plus specifications

BrandSony
NameXperia R1 Plus
ModelXPERIAR1P
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.43 oz
Dimensions5.75 x 2.88 x 0.35 inch
Colorsblack, silver
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Sony Xperia R1 Plus is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The Sony Xperia R1 Plus comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Sony Xperia R1 Plus / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.2 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The Xperia R1 Plus has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage of the Xperia R1 Plus (32 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Sony Xperia R1 Plus / 2

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera8 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Xperia R1 Plus comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Xperia R1 Plus supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Xperia R1 Plus smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Xperia R1 Plus has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities.

The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2620 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2620 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Xperia R1 Plus does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Sony Exmor RS

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Xperia R1 Plus smartphone has an accelerometer. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Sony phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Sony Xperia R1 Plus to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
Phone42.com / Smartphones / Sony / Sony Xperia R1 Plus