We have already measured the new phablet of Sony en comparative to the most popular mid-range of Samsung and Motorola, but today a duel awaits you that is always more complicated, because the quality / price ratio of brands such as Xiaomi It is difficult to match, and that the model with which we face it is one of the most expensive: Xiaomi Mi Note 3 vs Xperia XA1 Plus.
Designer
Although the lines of the My Notes 3 they are much softer, it is true that if we look at the front, these two phablets bear a certain similarity, with relatively wide frames at the bottom and top, but very reduced frames on the sides. If we look at the back, however, things change, because here the phablet of Xiaomi it's quite distinctive, with a slightly curved glass casing. In both cases, yes, we have premium materials and a fingerprint reader.
Dimensions
Despite the fact that both have relatively wide bezels at the bottom and at the top of the front, the Xiaomi phablet manages to take a fairly clear advantage even in size (15,26 x 7,4 cm against 15,5 x 7,5 cm). We find a similar situation if we compare their respective weights (168 grams grams versus 189 grams) and its thickness (8 mm against 8,7 mm).
Screen
These differences in the dimension section, especially in size, attract more attention considering that their screens are just as large (5.5 inches). It is not the only thing they have in common, in addition, since they also have the same resolution (1920 x 1080) and therefore the same pixel density.
Unlimited
The balance is tilted back to the phablet side of Xiaomi in the performance section, although it must be said that the Sony it holds the type very well, with a Mediatek processor, but with a somewhat higher frequency even (Snapdragon 660 eight core to 2,2 GHz against Helio P20 eight core to 2,3 GHz) and considerable RAM, even if it falls one step behind its rival (6 GB against 4 GB). The two also arrive with Android Nougat (with customizations, yes, very different).
Storage capacity
In the storage capacity section, the distribution of points is imposed: the My Notes 3 comes with more RAM (64 GB against 32 GB), but we must bear in mind that we do not have the possibility of gaining space externally; the Xperia XA1 Plus part with 32 GB internal memory, but it does have a card slot micro-SD.
Cameras
In the cameras section, perhaps what is most striking is that both leave us spectacular figures for the front, reaching both the 16 SM, which makes them perfect for fans of selfies. With regard to the main one, on the other hand, their claims are very different: the Xiaomi phablet arrives with a dual camera of 12 SM with f / 1.8 aperture and x2 optical zoom, while Sony's comes with a conventional one with 23 SM.
Autonomy
While waiting for independent test data to allow us to draw more definitive conclusions, the advantage in terms of battery capacity would be for the My Notes 3, something quite commendable because the Xperia XA1 Plus is already big enough3500 mAh against 3430 mAh). The phablet of Sony, in fact, it has obtained very good results in the tests of real use and although the one of Xiaomi could surpass him, it is necessary to recognize him being in any case a very solid bet in this section.
Xiaomi Mi Note 3 vs Xperia XA1 Plus: final balance of the comparison and price
Besides being one of the best phablets in Xiaomi, the My Notes 3 is still fresh out of the oven, which contributes to the fact that, contrary to what might be expected, it is the most expensive of the 300 Euros, but the first importers that are selling it are usually doing so for more than 350 Euros; the Xperia XA1 Plus, for its part has been announced by 350 Euros.
What do we gain if we decide on the My Notes 3, even if it's paying a little more? As we have seen, it is a more compact device, despite having a screen of the same size and an even higher capacity battery, and it comes with a Qualcomm processor and more RAM. Keep in mind, yes, that it has more internal memory but not micro-SD. It must be recognized that, in order not to depend on imports, the Xperia XA1 Plus it stands up to comparison quite well, in any case.
Here you can consult the complete technical sheet of the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 and the Xperia XA1 Plus yourselves