The Xperia X Performance isn't a bad phone, per se. It's just that Sony's newest flagship doesn't bring anything new to the table. For $700, it offers fast performance (as its name suggests), and the design is water resistant, so that's nice. Other than that, though, you're stuck with a middling camera and occasional episodes of overheating. What's more, it's missing some features you'd typically expect from a device in this price range -- things like a fingerprint sensor, 4K video recording and a Quad HD display. Again, it's not a bad phone; it's just not good enough for the price, especially with so many superior alternatives out there.
Engadget Score
Pros
- Flagship-level performance
- Water-resistant design
- Lightweight, unobtrusive Android skin
Cons
- Not worth the asking price
- Lacks some features you'd expect from a flagship
- Middling camera
- Occasionally overheats
Summary
Sony, what are you doing? Though the $700 Xperia X Performance features a flagship-level processor and runs well as a result, Sony apparently didn't feel the need to bring anything new to the table. What we have here is a reasonably good smartphone that lacks soul or ambition, and ultimately costs too much for what it is.
