Pros

+ Insane sustain overall
+ Fast jungle clear
+ Early jungle sustain
+ Unbeatable in duels
+ Deals mixed damage
+ Can take objectives solo
+ Early ganking potential
+ Late game monster

The incredible healing done by his Battle Cry allows Xin Zhao to secure objectives early, take down towers within seconds without losing health at all in late game. His ganking potential is quite good- mid lane can be made much easier for your team member by applying some pressure, due to his crowd control effects on Three Talon Strike and his gap closer Audacious Charge, with every minute that ticks away, he gets more and more beast.

Cons

- AA dependant
- Medium mid-game damage
- Vulnerable to CC
- Very item dependant
- Low AoE damage

On the other hand, AP Xin Zhao is likely the most auto attack dependent champion in the whole game. His sustain is insane as long as he can AA. Due to that, he is very vulnerable to crowd control effects and pretty much a glass cannon if stunned. Before being able to afford Nashor's Tooth (which should be rushed) and Rabadon's Deathcap/Lich Bane his damage output is quite low.