Sony Xperia XA2 Plus vs Google Pixel 2 XL: A Head-to-Head Showdown

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus and Google Pixel 2 XL represent different approaches to the Android smartphone experience. One prioritizes exceptional battery life and a bright display, while the other focuses on a class-leading camera and powerful performance. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the victor.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 2 XL takes the crown thanks to its superior camera, faster processor, and overall smoother experience. While the Xperia XA2 Plus boasts incredible battery life, the Pixel 2 XL's strengths in key areas make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XA2 Plus Google Pixel 2 XL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3413, H44131, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4493-
Launch
Announced2018, July. Released 2018, September2017, October 04. Released 2017, October 17
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 75 x 9.6 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.38 in)157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDP-OLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 508Adreno 540
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF12.2 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR4K@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"8 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC310.5W wired (capped), PD2.0
TypeLi-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Gold, GreenJust Black, Black & White
ModelsH4413, H4493, H3413G011C
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 520 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB Noise - 93.7 / Crosstalk - 79.7
Battery life Endurance rating 104h Endurance rating 88h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1522:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: ∞
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB
Performance AnTuTu: 86374 (v7), 107537 (v8) GeekBench: 4144 (v4.4), 1018 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 206711 (v7) GeekBench: 6055 (v4.4) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2 Plus

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Excellent sunlight readability
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Headphone jack

  • Slower processor
  • Less impressive camera
  • Outdated design
  • Lower screen quality compared to OLED

Google Pixel 2 XL

  • Outstanding camera
  • Powerful processor
  • Clean Android experience
  • Timely software updates
  • Premium design

  • Shorter battery life than XA2 Plus
  • Slower charging than XA2 Plus
  • Bezel design (for the time)

Display Comparison

The Pixel 2 XL's display is a clear winner. Its 'infinite' contrast ratio (effectively OLED) provides deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the XA2 Plus's LCD. While the XA2 Plus shines in direct sunlight with a reported 3445 contrast ratio, the Pixel 2 XL's overall image quality is superior.

Camera Comparison

Google's Pixel 2 XL is renowned for its exceptional camera capabilities. Its image processing is unmatched, delivering stunning photos in various lighting conditions. While the XA2 Plus has a decent camera, it simply can't compete with the Pixel 2 XL's image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

Performance

The Pixel 2 XL's Snapdragon 835 significantly outperforms the XA2 Plus's Snapdragon 630. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Pixel 2 XL. The 835's Kryo cores offer a noticeable performance boost.

Battery Life

The Xperia XA2 Plus holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting a remarkable 104-hour rating. However, the Pixel 2 XL's 88-hour rating is still very respectable, and its faster charging (PD2.0) helps offset the slightly lower endurance.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize long battery life above all else and appreciate a bright, sunlight-readable display. The Google Pixel 2 XL is perfect for photography enthusiasts, those seeking a premium Android experience, and users who value performance and timely software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Pixel 2 XL still worth buying in [current year]?
While it's an older device, the Pixel 2 XL's camera and software experience remain impressive. However, consider its age and potential lack of future updates before purchasing.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Google Pixel 2 XL is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and superior graphics capabilities.