The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus and XA1 Plus were both solid mid-range contenders in their time. Both offer a premium feel and a focus on photography, but subtle differences set them apart. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XA2 Plus edges out the XA1 Plus thanks to its slightly faster Snapdragon 630 chipset, quicker charging (QC3 vs 10W), and marginally better sunlight display performance. While both offer excellent battery life, the XA2 Plus provides a more modern and slightly more powerful experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G3421, G3412, G3416, G3426 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3413, H4413 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G3421, G3412 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps or LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 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, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G3416, G3426 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, July. Released 2018, September | 2017, August. Released 2017, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157 x 75 x 9.6 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.38 in) | 155 x 75 x 8.7 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | Mali-T880MP2 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | 8 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX, 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3430 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black, Gold, Green | Black, Blue, Pink, Gold |
| Models | H4413, H4493, H3413 | G3416, G3412, G3426, G3421, G3423 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB |
Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -83.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 104h
|
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1522:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1572 (nominal), 2.93 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
|
Voice 88dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 84dB
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 86374 (v7), 107537 (v8)
GeekBench: 4144 (v4.4), 1018 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 77232 (v7), 95157 (v8)
GeekBench: 3783 (v4.4), 915 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 4fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XA2 Plus
- Faster Snapdragon 630 Chipset
- Quick Charge 3.0 (18W)
- Better Sunlight Display Performance
- Slightly more modern design
- Potentially slightly higher price (if still available)
Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
- Excellent Battery Life
- Good Camera Performance
- Potentially more affordable (due to age)
- Slower Charging (10W)
- Helio P20 Chipset (less efficient)
- Lower Sunlight Display Performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6-inch Full HD+ (2160 x 1080) IPS LCD display. The XA2 Plus boasts a contrast ratio of 1522:1 (nominal) and 3.445 (sunlight), while the XA1 Plus has 1572:1 (nominal) and 2.93 (sunlight). The XA2 Plus's superior sunlight readability gives it a slight advantage for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable cameras, but specifics are missing in the provided data. Generally, both offer good image quality in well-lit conditions. The XA2 Plus likely benefits from Sony's image processing improvements over the XA1 Plus.
Performance
The XA2 Plus utilizes a Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630, a 14nm chipset, paired with an Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The XA1 Plus uses a Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 (16nm) with an Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) CPU. The Snapdragon 630 generally offers better overall performance and efficiency compared to the Helio P20.
Battery Life
Both phones deliver exceptional battery life, with endurance ratings of 104h and 102h respectively. This indicates both devices can easily last a full day or more on a single charge. However, the XA2 Plus's support for 18W QC3 charging provides significantly faster charging speeds compared to the XA1 Plus's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize a bit more processing power, faster charging, and slightly improved outdoor visibility. The Xperia XA1 Plus remains a good option for those seeking a reliable and affordable phone with excellent battery life and a great camera, especially if found at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia XA2 Plus worth the extra cost over the XA1 Plus?
If you value faster performance and quicker charging, the XA2 Plus is worth the slight premium. However, if budget is a primary concern and you prioritize battery life, the XA1 Plus remains a solid choice.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones are older models, so software support is likely limited. Check Sony's website for the latest available updates for each device.
