In 2014, both Oppo and Sony aimed for the top tier with the Find 7a and Xperia Z2a, respectively. Both devices leveraged Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 chipset, but diverged in their approaches to display technology and overall user experience. Today, as these phones find a second life in the used market, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for potential buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional and affordable Snapdragon 801 device, the Oppo Find 7a emerges as the slightly better choice. Its superior display contrast, particularly in sunlight (2.279 vs an assumed lower value for the Z2a based on Sony’s typical display calibration), and faster 20W charging offer tangible benefits over the Xperia Z2a, despite both sharing the same core processing power.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - international model | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20 - International model | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, March. Released 2014, March | 2014, June. Released 2014, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.6 x 75 x 9.2 mm (6.01 x 2.95 x 0.36 in) | 137 x 72 x 11 mm (5.39 x 2.83 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
| | - | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), ColorOS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.0", AF | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | VGA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 75% in 30 min | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 120 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 700 h (2G) / Up to 770 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black, White, Turquoise |
| Models | X9006 | D6563 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 250 EUR |
Oppo Find 7a (2014)
- Superior display contrast for better outdoor visibility
- Faster 20W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially more aggressive camera processing for social media
- Older software with potentially limited security updates
- Battery has likely degraded over time
Sony Xperia Z2a
- Sony’s software experience and design aesthetic
- Potentially more accurate color reproduction on the display
- Build quality typical of Sony flagships
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower display contrast, especially in sunlight
- Older software with potentially limited security updates
Display Comparison
The Oppo Find 7a boasts a contrast ratio of 852 (nominal) and a significantly higher 2.279 under sunlight, suggesting a panel optimized for outdoor visibility. While the Xperia Z2a’s display specifications aren’t provided, Sony typically favored color accuracy over extreme contrast in this era. This implies the Z2a likely offered a more natural, but potentially less punchy, viewing experience. The Find 7a’s higher contrast ratio would translate to deeper blacks and more vivid colors, enhancing multimedia content. The lack of information on the Z2a’s panel type prevents a full comparison, but it likely used an IPS LCD similar to other Sony flagships of the time.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo / Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the era, both likely featured around 13MP sensors. Without knowing sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS) details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, Oppo historically focused on camera features and image processing aimed at pleasing social media users, while Sony emphasized color accuracy and natural-looking images. The absence of any mention of advanced features like 4K video recording suggests both phones likely maxed out at 1080p.
Performance
Both the Oppo Find 7a and Sony Xperia Z2a are powered by the Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) chipset, featuring a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. This means raw processing power is virtually identical. Performance will be limited by the age of the chipset and the amount of RAM (not specified in the provided data). Thermal management will likely be similar, as both devices utilize the same fabrication process and chipset. However, software optimization could lead to minor differences in sustained performance under heavy load. The 28nm process node, while efficient for its time, is significantly less so than modern chipsets, meaning both phones will exhibit throttling during prolonged intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Oppo Find 7a is listed with an endurance rating of 60 hours, while the Xperia Z2a’s battery life is unknown. The Find 7a also supports 20W wired charging, achieving 75% charge in 30 minutes. This faster charging is a significant advantage. While the Z2a likely supported fast charging, it’s unlikely to match the Find 7a’s speed. The endurance rating suggests the Find 7a’s battery capacity is sufficient for a full day of moderate use, while the Z2a’s battery life will depend on its capacity and software optimization.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Find 7a (2014) if you prioritize a more vibrant display experience, especially outdoors, and value faster charging speeds. This makes it ideal for media consumption and users who need quick top-ups. Buy the Sony Xperia Z2a if you prefer Sony’s software experience and design aesthetic, and are less concerned with peak display performance or charging speed. The Z2a may appeal to those already invested in the Sony ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 801 still capable of running modern apps on either the Oppo Find 7a or Sony Xperia Z2a?
While the Snapdragon 801 was a flagship processor in 2014, it will struggle with demanding modern applications and games. Basic tasks like calling, texting, and web browsing are still feasible, but expect significant slowdowns and limitations with resource-intensive apps. Android version compatibility will also be a major factor, as newer apps may require a more recent Android version than these phones can support.
❓ Given the age of these devices, what is the expected battery life and should I expect to replace the battery?
The original batteries in both the Oppo Find 7a and Sony Xperia Z2a are likely significantly degraded after nearly a decade of use. The Find 7a’s 60-hour endurance rating was based on original battery capacity. Expect significantly shorter battery life in reality. Battery replacement is highly recommended if you plan to use either phone regularly, as a new battery will dramatically improve usability.
❓ Are software updates still available for either the Oppo Find 7a or Sony Xperia Z2a?
No. Both the Oppo Find 7a and Sony Xperia Z2a are no longer receiving official software updates from their respective manufacturers. This poses a security risk, as vulnerabilities will not be patched. Using these phones requires accepting this risk or exploring custom ROM options (which may be limited or unstable).
