Sony Xperia XZ1 vs L2: A Detailed Comparison of Performance, Battery, and Display
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Sony Xperia XZ1 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 835 chipset provides significantly faster performance and a smoother user experience. While the L2 boasts respectable battery life, the XZ1’s faster charging and overall refinement make it a worthwhile investment if budget allows.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia L2 | Sony Xperia XZ1 |
| 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 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - F8341, F8342 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3311, H4311 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - G8341 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4331 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - G8343 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, January | 2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 150 x 78 x 9.8 mm (5.91 x 3.07 x 0.39 in) | 148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| - | Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", AF | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Pink | Black, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue |
| Models | H4311, H3311, H4331, H3321 | G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.0dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 65h | Endurance rating 82h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1130:1 (nominal), 2.266 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 67dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 91dB | Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 45023 (v7) GeekBench: 1932 (v4.4) | GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L2
- Longer battery endurance rating (65h)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slow processor (Mediatek MT6737T)
- Lower display contrast ratio
- Slower charging speeds
Sony Xperia XZ1
- Flagship Snapdragon 835 processor
- Superior display contrast and brightness
- Fast charging with Quick Charge 3.0 (18W)
- Shorter battery endurance rating (82h)
- Higher price point (originally)
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Xperia XZ1’s display boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1406:1 (nominal) and 3.765:1 (sunlight) compared to the L2’s 1130:1 and 2.266 respectively. This translates to deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays share the same resolution, the XZ1’s superior contrast makes for a more immersive viewing experience. The L2’s lower contrast ratio may appear washed out in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but the XZ1 likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 835. While specific sensor details are missing, the XZ1’s flagship status suggests a higher-quality camera module with features like faster autofocus and improved low-light performance. The L2’s camera will likely be adequate for casual snapshots, but will struggle in challenging lighting conditions. Without detailed sensor specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the XZ1’s processing power gives it a clear advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The XZ1’s Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, is a flagship-level processor with an octa-core configuration (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo). This contrasts sharply with the L2’s Mediatek MT6737T (28nm), a quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 processor designed for budget devices. The Snapdragon 835 offers substantially faster CPU and GPU performance, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 10nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Xperia XZ1 offers an endurance rating of 82 hours, while the L2 achieves 65 hours. While the L2 has a longer theoretical runtime, the XZ1 compensates with 18W wired charging and Quick Charge 3.0 support, allowing for significantly faster recharge times. This means less downtime and more convenience. The XZ1’s more efficient processor also contributes to real-world battery performance, potentially closing the gap between the two devices despite the lower endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Xperia L2 if you prioritize maximum battery life and a lower upfront cost, and are willing to compromise on processing power and display quality. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 if you demand a responsive and capable smartphone for multitasking, gaming, and photography, and value a brighter, more vibrant display and faster charging capabilities.