LAS VEGAS — If you think today's flagship Android phones are too big, Sony's got your number. The Xperia Z1 Compact is a small phone with big specs.
Packing the same technology as its Z1 big brother, the Xperia Z1 Compact has a 4.3-inch display. It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, sports a 20-megapixel camera and includes Sony's Triluminous display technology for a better picture for video playback.
See also: 9 Things You Would Immediately Fail Without Your Smartphone
The one spec where the Compact comes up short, of course, is the screen: It has just 720p resolution, although that's still plenty for a display this size. It'll be powered by Android 4.3 "Jelly Bean" when it debuts in February (no carrier or regional information yet), although Sony promises it'll get an Android 4.4 "KitKat" upgrade quickly. Colors include black, white, red and yellow.
The phone has all the regular Xperia goodness, with NFC and LTE connectivity. And yes, it is indeed waterproof. In fact, it doesn't even need a cover for the headphone jack like the original Xperia Z had.
I got a little hands-on time with the Z1 Compact at Sony's press event. While it's definitely smaller than its Xperia brothers, it's just a bit on the thick side (it's actually a millimeter thicker than the Xperia Z1). But it's very light and the 720p screen looks great.
The Xperia Z1 Compact fulfills a need among Android smartphones: a smaller device that doesn't compromise on specs — essentially a model that can go toe-to-toe with the iPhone. The question now is: Does Sony have enough clout to actually sell it?
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Image: Mashable, Pete Pachal
Unveiled today at CES, Toyota debuted it's latest Fuel Cell Vehicle concept car. Fuel cell vehicles combine pure hydrogen with air to create water, a reaction that also produces electricity. The fuel cell channels the electricity to a drive motor, powering the car.
Samsung's U9000 UHD TVs feature a wider field of view and a balanced and uniform viewing distance across all areas of the screen. The company claims that a curved TV offers up to two times the enhanced contrast ratio of a flat TV in a normal viewing environment.
The Eyelock Myris takes biometric security to the next level. Plug this device into your device's USB port, and it will scan your eye to grant access.
LG G Flex, the first curved phone with a "flexible" display, is moving out of the lab and into U.S. markets in the first quarter of 2014.
Panasonic has dropped the production of plasma TVs, instead focus efforts on increased levels of interaction. The Life+ will come in both 4K and 1080p, but the real feature of note is facial recognition.
For CES 2014, Pebble is showing off its new Pebble 2.0 software, the Pebble app store and Pebble Steel, its premium smart watch. Like the original Pebble, the Pebble Steel is waterproof and has a battery life of 5 to 7 days. The e-paper display is the same, too — only now it's covered with Corning Gorilla Glass.
The Lenovo ThinkPad 8 is sized to compete with the iPad Mini, but the comparison is only skin deep. Lance Ulanoff wonders if Windows 8.1 can compete with Android and iOS.
Sharp's Aquos Quattron technology is capable of creating a picture that comes close to 4K, but from a 1080p set. The new TV's start at a decent price point – the SQ Q+ TVs start a $2,299.99 and the UQ models start at $2,999.99.
Philips' new PicoPix PPX3610
Schwinn unveiled the CycleNav Smart Bike Navigator. Schwinn CycleNav is a free mobile application paired with a handlebar-mounted smart-bike navigation unit designed to give riders turn-by-turn audio and visual navigation from their handlebars.
The SOL Republic Relays are designed to fill two niches: everyday wear and fitness wear. Mashable reporter Pete Pachal says they're some of the most comfortable he's worn.
Toshiba joins the list of Chromebook manufacturers with a 13.3-inch netbook. While it isn't the largest-resolution Chromebook on the market, Toshiba's Chromebook has an impressive $279 price tag.
The Skulpt Aim, smaller than an iPhone, collects data when pressed against your muscles. Use it to track body-fat or set and share goals.
This smart bracelet, from Neatatmo, measures sun exposure and connects to iOS devices to let users know if they've had too much (or too little) sun.
The Tao coaches you through 50 exercises related to isometrics — the science of applying pressure, which is the basis of many popular workouts such as pilates and plank exercising — and adds a gaming element.
Withings sleep system works with a pressure-sensitive pad and a light system that measures the appropriate time to wake you and the appropriate hues for falling asleep and waking up.
At CES Unveiled, Sphero introduced the 2B model, the second model of the popular Orbotix toy.
Kolibree introduced a smart toothbrush that monitors user's brushing habits and let's them keep track of their routines on an app.
Any CES wouldn't be complete without a fleet of drones. Parrot introduced a minidrone model at CES Unveiled.
Chevrolet announced it is bringing 4G LTE to its OnStar infotainment system.
The 2015 Corvette Stingray has a performance data recorder which allows drivers to record hi-definition video and share with friends.