The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus and XA2 Ultra were mid-range contenders offering a blend of style and functionality. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XA2 Ultra edges out the XA1 Plus thanks to its faster Snapdragon processor, significantly quicker charging (QC3), and slightly better sunlight display visibility. While both offer impressive battery life, the XA2 Ultra's overall improvements make it the more compelling choice.
| 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 - G3421, G3412, G3416, G3426 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H3213, H4213, H4233 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G3421, G3412 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3213, H4213 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps or LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G3416, G3426 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, October | 2018, January. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 155 x 75 x 8.7 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) | 163 x 80 x 9.5 mm (6.42 x 3.15 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 221 g (7.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T880MP2 | Adreno 508 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/2.6", OIS, AF
8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30ps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, aptX, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3430 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink, Gold | Silver, Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | G3416, G3412, G3426, G3421, G3423 | H4213, H4233, H3213, H3223 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
Noise -67.7dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 102h
| Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1572 (nominal), 2.93 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1562:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 88dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 84dB
|
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 77232 (v7), 95157 (v8)
GeekBench: 3783 (v4.4), 915 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 89110 (v7)
GeekBench: 4198 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB | Noise -67.7dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 102h | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1572 (nominal), 2.93 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1562:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 88dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 84dB | Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 77232 (v7), 95157 (v8)
GeekBench: 3783 (v4.4), 915 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 89110 (v7)
GeekBench: 4198 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
- Exceptional battery life
- Vibrant display
- Compact design
- Good value for money
- Slower processor
- Slower charging
- Older chipset
- Sunlight visibility could be better
Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 630)
- Quick Charge 3.0
- Better sunlight visibility
- Slightly improved camera
- Slightly larger size
- Older device
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent contrast ratios (1572:1 nominal). However, the XA2 Ultra boasts a superior sunlight readability score (3.445 vs 2.93), making it easier to view outdoors. The XA2 Ultra also has a slightly larger screen size (6.0 inches vs 5.5 inches), offering more screen real estate.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the XA2 Ultra's camera system is generally considered to be slightly better, particularly in low-light conditions. Both offer standard photo and video capabilities, but the XA2 Ultra's image processing tends to produce more natural-looking results. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are similar, but the Snapdragon's image signal processor (ISP) gives the XA2 Ultra an advantage.
Performance
The XA2 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the XA1 Plus's Mediatek Helio P20. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the XA2 Ultra. The Snapdragon 630 is generally considered more efficient as well.
Battery Life
Both phones deliver exceptional battery life, with endurance ratings of 102h and 100h respectively. This translates to roughly 2-3 days of moderate usage. The XA2 Ultra's support for 18W Quick Charge 3.0 significantly reduces charging times compared to the XA1 Plus's 10W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia XA1 Plus is a good option for budget-conscious users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a vibrant display. The Xperia XA2 Ultra is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a slightly more modern experience, even if it's a slightly older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia XA2 Ultra worth the extra cost over the XA1 Plus?
Yes, if you value performance and faster charging. The Snapdragon 630 and Quick Charge 3.0 offer a noticeable upgrade.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer excellent battery life, with very similar endurance ratings. Expect 2-3 days of moderate use on either device.
❓ Are these phones still supported with software updates?
Software support for both devices has largely ended. You may find some community-based custom ROMs available, but official updates are unlikely.
