Sony Xperia L2 vs XA1 Plus: A Detailed Comparison for Budget-Conscious Buyers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is the superior choice. Its Helio P20 chipset delivers substantially better performance than the L2’s MT6737T, and its significantly longer battery life (102h endurance vs 65h) makes it a more reliable daily driver. The L2 remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia L2 | Sony Xperia XA1 Plus |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H3311, H4311, H4331 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G3421, G3412, G3416, G3426 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3311, H4311 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G3421, G3412 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps or LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4331 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G3416, G3426 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, January | 2017, August. Released 2017, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150 x 78 x 9.8 mm (5.91 x 3.07 x 0.39 in) | 155 x 75 x 8.7 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-T880MP2 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", AF | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | 8 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3430 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Pink | Black, Blue, Pink, Gold |
| Models | H4311, H3311, H4331, H3321 | G3416, G3412, G3426, G3421, G3423 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.0dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB | Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 65h | Endurance rating 102h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1130:1 (nominal), 2.266 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1572 (nominal), 2.93 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 67dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 91dB | Voice 88dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 84dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 45023 (v7) GeekBench: 1932 (v4.4) | AnTuTu: 77232 (v7), 95157 (v8) GeekBench: 3783 (v4.4), 915 (v5.1) GFXBench: 4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L2
- Most affordable option
- Acceptable battery life for light users
- Compact and lightweight design
- Slow processor
- Lower display contrast
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
- Significantly faster processor
- Superior battery life
- Better display contrast and visibility
- Higher price point
- May be harder to find new
- Still uses Micro-USB (likely)
Display Comparison
Both the Xperia L2 and XA1 Plus feature similar display characteristics, but the XA1 Plus boasts a noticeably superior contrast ratio of 1572:1 (nominal) and 2.93 (sunlight) compared to the L2’s 1130:1 and 2.266 respectively. This translates to deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and improved visibility in bright outdoor conditions. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the XA1 Plus’s higher contrast suggests a more refined panel calibration. The resolution is not specified for either, but given the target market, it's likely 720p on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Given their market positioning, it’s unlikely either device features a particularly advanced camera system. Focusing on the chipset, the Helio P20 in the XA1 Plus includes an ISP (Image Signal Processor) that is more capable than the one found in the MT6737T. This suggests the XA1 Plus will likely produce slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Without further information, it's safe to assume both rely on software processing to enhance images.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Xperia XA1 Plus is powered by the Mediatek Helio P20 (MT6757), an octa-core processor built on a 16nm process. This contrasts sharply with the L2’s Mediatek MT6737T, a quad-core chip fabricated on a larger 28nm node. The 16nm process of the Helio P20 is more efficient, contributing to better thermal management and potentially sustained performance. The XA1 Plus’s CPU configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) provides a significant advantage over the L2’s uniform 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery life is a key differentiator. The Xperia XA1 Plus achieves an endurance rating of 102 hours, significantly outperforming the L2’s 65 hours. This difference is attributable to a combination of factors: the more efficient Helio P20 chipset and potentially a larger battery capacity (though not specified). The XA1 Plus also supports 10W wired charging, offering a faster recharge rate than the L2, though specific charging times are unavailable. The XA1 Plus’s superior endurance makes it a better choice for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Xperia L2 if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality, accepting compromises in performance and battery life. You'll be content with light tasks like calls, texts, and occasional social media browsing. Buy the Sony Xperia XA1 Plus if you value a smoother user experience, the ability to handle more demanding apps, and extended battery life, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.