Sony Xperia L3 vs Xperia XA2: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when considering older models. Today, we're pitting two Sony contenders against each other: the Xperia L3 and the Xperia XA2. Both offer a distinct Sony experience, but which one delivers the better value?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XA2 edges out the L3 thanks to its superior chipset, faster charging, and excellent sunlight display performance. While the L3 boasts impressive battery endurance, the XA2's overall performance and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia L3 Sony Xperia XA2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3312, I4312, I4332HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - I3312, I43121, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H3123
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 29 - I33221, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H4133
Launch
Announced2019, February. Released 2019, February2018, January. Released 2018, February
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions154 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.06 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight156 g (5.50 oz)171 g (6.03 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 508
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 8.0 (Oreo)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingUSB Power Delivery18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, SilverSilver, Black, Blue, Pink
ModelsI3312, I4312, I4332, I3322H4113, H3113, H4133, H3123
PriceAbout 230 EURAbout 200 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB
Battery life Endurance rating 80h Endurance rating 92h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1818:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 81dB Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB
Performance AnTuTu: 78894 (v7) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia L3

  • Excellent battery life
  • High contrast ratio display
  • Affordable price

  • Slower performance
  • Less refined camera
  • No fast charging

Sony Xperia XA2

  • Faster performance (Snapdragon 630)
  • Excellent sunlight display
  • Fast charging (QC3)
  • Sleek design

  • Slightly shorter battery life than L3
  • Older model

Display Comparison

The Xperia XA2 features a contrast ratio of 1327:1 (nominal) and an impressive 2.938 rating in sunlight, making it significantly easier to view outdoors. The L3's 1818:1 contrast ratio is good, but lacks the XA2's sunlight readability. Both utilize IPS LCD panels, offering decent color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature standard camera setups for their time. While specific camera specs are similar (Photo/Video), the XA2's superior processor generally leads to better image processing and low-light performance. The L3's camera is adequate but lacks the XA2's refinement.

Performance

The Xperia XA2's Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset (14nm) provides a noticeable performance boost over the L3's Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm). The XA2's CPU clocks slightly higher (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), resulting in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Gaming performance is also better on the XA2.

Battery Life

The Xperia L3 holds a slight advantage in raw battery endurance, boasting an 80-hour rating compared to the XA2's 92-hour rating. However, the XA2's support for 18W wired charging (QC3) allows for significantly faster charging times, offsetting the slight difference in endurance.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia L3 is a good option for budget-conscious users prioritizing long battery life and a high contrast display. The Xperia XA2 is ideal for those seeking a smoother performance, faster charging, and better outdoor visibility, willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia L3 still worth buying?
The Xperia L3 can be a decent budget option if battery life is your absolute top priority. However, the XA2 offers a better overall experience for a slightly higher price.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones are older models and likely have limited software updates. Check Sony's website for the latest information on supported devices.