The handset can be purchased through Sony UK's website

Jan 30, 2014 12:01 GMT  ·  By

Following its official unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January, the Xperia Z1 Compact smartphone is now shipping to users in the UK.

The handset can be seen on this page on Sony’s UK website, where it is available both SIM-free and on contract, in four color versions, namely White, Lime, Pink, and Black.

The device can be purchased unlocked for £449 ($739/€543), but the Black variant is not in stock at the moment, it seems.

As for carrier deals, they are available at Vodafone, EE, Orange, and others, with prices starting at £0 on £29 ($48/€35) and up on monthly plans, as XperiaGuide notes.

According to Sony, the handset will be shipped to users in 3‑5 working days. However, those who purchase the phone can also opt in for express delivery, which means that they will receive it in one or two days.

For those out of the loop, we should note that Xperia Z1 Compact was launched as the smaller version of the Xperia Z1, the latest flagship handset from the Japanese mobile phone maker.

The handset sports a 4.3-inch TRILUMINOS Display for mobile with X-Reality for mobile picture engine and is powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974 processor.

Moreover, Xperia Z1 Compact features 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, along with a microSD memory card slot for expansion purposes.

It features a 20.7-megapixel camera on the back, with Sony Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, paired with a front camera for making video calls.

The handset is both waterproof and dustproof. It is powered by a 2300 mAh battery that can deliver up to 18 hours of talk time and runs under the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system.

“Xperia Z1 Compact is a beautifully crafted smartphone designed to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. Built with a solid aluminum frame, this waterproof beauty is both stunning and durable. Due to the amazing Quad-core processor, it’s also impressively fast,” Sony notes.

“Xperia Z1 Compact is made with the same components as our compact digital cameras, allowing you to capture incredible imagery. […] In compliance with IP55 and IP58, Xperia Z1 Compact is protected against the ingress of dust and is waterproof.”