gdgt

Performance was right on par with what you'd expect from an S4, handling Android Jelly Bean (4.1) capably and devoid of any apparent navigation or UI hiccups.

It doesn't have the immediate feel of a "budget" handset by any means. The 4.3-inch screen smartphone is large yet light in the hand, but still features some of the higher-spec build quality from further up the Xperia range.

Generally it copes with everything pretty well and while there is a hint of slow down every now and then that's expected from cheaper handsets.

Unfortunately, the Achilles' hell of all Sony smartphone displays - the poor viewing angles - make another appearance here. Of course, that disadvantage matters little in real-life usage ... and even though the Xperia L lacks the Bravia engine optimizations, its colors are quite punchy as they are.