Xperia X Compact Now On Pre-Order In The US

Those who have been hoping for a real miniature flagship Sony smartphone worth its salt won't have to wait much longer. The Xperia X Compact, the company's smaller sibling to the Xperia XZ flagship, is finally available for pre-order in the US via Amazon. But while the smartphone has quite a number of good things going for it, the fine print revealed in recent days might give even some fans some pause on whether the little flagship is actually worth its relatively higher price tag.

No smartphone is perfect, of course, so choosing a new purchase usually involves a set of compromises anyway. That said, the Xperia X Compact makes quite a convincing argument, especially with it's camera. And you're getting the full deal really, unless you're buying in the US.

Technically speaking, the Xperia X Compact would be classified as a mid-range smartphone, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor, 3 GB of RAM, and a HD screen. That said, there are still some in the market that dig the smaller 4.6-inch screen, in contrast the hulking high-end models we have today. The Xperia X Compact particularly shines in the photography department, bearing almost the same high-end camera as the Xperia XZ flagship itself, including Sony's new Predictive Hybrid AF.

The problem with the Xperia X Compact is that not all markets are being treated equal. Specifically, in the US, one of if not the major smartphone market in the world, the Xperia X Compact lacks fingerprint scanner functionality. The sensor is there, allegedly, just disabled through the firmware. While it might be possible to re-enable the hardware someday by flashing a different ROM, that carries its own risks and problems. Add the fact that the smartphone lacks any mention of water resistance, and you might get the idea why some Sony fans feel not a little bit miffed.

Still, there will be those still rooting for this particular smartphone, and for them, the $499.99 price tag will still be worth paying. The Xperia X Compact is now on pre-order on Amazon and is available unlocked in Black, Blue, and White colors. Shipping starts September 25th.