Sony's mid-range phones have always offered a compelling blend of features and affordability. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the Xperia XA2 Plus and the Xperia M4 Aqua. Which one delivers the best experience for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XA2 Plus emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, a brighter display, and exceptional battery life. While the M4 Aqua offers water resistance, the XA2 Plus's overall performance and features make it the superior choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2303, E2353 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3413, H4413 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2303 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4493 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E2353 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, September | 2015, March. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157 x 75 x 9.6 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.38 in) | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm (5.73 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2306) |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 64 h 40 min |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 681 h (2G) / Up to 685 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black, Gold, Green | Black, White, Coral, Silver |
| Models | H4413, H4493, H3413 | E2303, E2353, E2306 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1522:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 86374 (v7), 107537 (v8)
GeekBench: 4144 (v4.4), 1018 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Sony Xperia XA2 Plus
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 630)
- Exceptional Battery Life (104h Endurance)
- Larger, Brighter Display
- Faster Charging (QC3)
- Potentially less water resistance than M4 Aqua
- Older model - software support may be limited
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
- Water Resistance (M4 Aqua)
- More Affordable (typically)
- Compact Size
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 615)
- Shorter Battery Life
- Smaller Display
- Older Technology
Display Comparison
The Xperia XA2 Plus features a larger 6.0-inch display with a contrast ratio of 1522:1 (nominal) and an impressive 3.445 in sunlight, making it easily viewable outdoors. The M4 Aqua has a 5.0-inch display, which is smaller and likely has a lower contrast ratio and sunlight visibility, though specific figures are unavailable. The XA2 Plus's larger size and superior contrast offer a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras for photo and video, but detailed specifications are missing. However, given the newer chipset in the XA2 Plus, it's likely to offer improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The M4 Aqua was known for decent image quality for its time, but the XA2 Plus likely surpasses it.
Performance
The XA2 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630, an octa-core processor clocked at 2.2 GHz. This is a substantial upgrade over the M4 Aqua's Snapdragon 615, which features a mix of 1.5 GHz and 1.0 GHz cores. The XA2 Plus will handle multitasking and demanding apps with significantly more ease.
Battery Life
The XA2 Plus shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 104 hours. This is a remarkable figure, suggesting exceptional longevity. The M4 Aqua's battery life is not explicitly stated, but it's likely to be considerably shorter than the XA2 Plus.
Buying Guide
The Xperia XA2 Plus is ideal for users seeking a smooth, responsive experience, excellent battery life, and a vibrant display. The Xperia M4 Aqua is a good option for those prioritizing water resistance and a more budget-friendly price point, but are willing to compromise on performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia XA2 Plus worth buying in 2024?
While it's an older model, the XA2 Plus still offers good value due to its performance and battery life. However, consider software support limitations.
❓ Does the Xperia M4 Aqua still have good water resistance?
Yes, the M4 Aqua was known for its IP67 water resistance rating, which should still be functional, though it's best to avoid prolonged submersion.
