Sony Xperia Z1

Smartphones have gotten ridiculously big, and unfortunately, most Android manufacturers today have decided that their top-end phones should have five-inch screens at the minimum. It isn't because they can sneak in more space for a larger battery and better heat dissipation; it's just a sort of herd mentality and the desire to outdo each other that keeps things going along a certain trajectory.

At least Sony seems to think we've reached a point of diminishing returns, and has done what it can to balance things out with a more reasonably sized phone that doesn't compromise on its internals. The Z1 Compact isn't a flagship on its own, but it's far more equal to the device it's been spun off from than many of the underpowered "mini" phones that have tried to trade on their names.

In fact it's almost ridiculous that we automatically think of this as a "miniature" phone, or one that's somehow reduced in importance by having a small screen. This is what has been, and for many should still be, perfectly normal. We're happy to see physical size decoupled from power, such that buyers who aspire to class-leading smartphones can now actually get one that can be used comfortably with one hand and held up to an ear without risking a wrist injury.

Look and feel
The Z1 Compact is somewhat similar to the iPhone 5 in terms of size and proportion, though that's where the similarity ends. The Z1 Compact feels chunky in the hand, rather than elegant. The combination of bevelled metallic sides and waterproof flaps made even our bright pink review unit feel outdoorsy and rugged.

Sony hasn't followed the crowd by crippling its second-best phone's specifications, but it has evidently felt the need to offer it in bright colours, possibly to pander to women (who, research apparently suggests, prefer smaller phones anyway). In addition to the usual blank and white, the Compact is available in pink and yellow.

Photos might not show this very well, but the plastic and metal parts of the pink variant are actually two quite different shades. While the metal band around the edges is a pale, muted rose tint, the plastic front and rear are bright, almost fluorescent, bubblegum pink. The effect is striking, and very memorable. Needless to say, if you aren't very certain you can live with this colour, you should stick to the safer white or black.