Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra and the Motorola G Pure are both contenders in the budget market, but they offer very different experiences. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XA2 Ultra, despite its age, still holds a significant advantage thanks to its superior chipset, display, and exceptional battery life. The Motorola G Pure offers a more modern software experience and potentially better availability, but falls short in key performance areas. The XA2 Ultra is the clear winner for performance and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H3213, H4213, H4233 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3213, H4213 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, February | 2021, October 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163 x 80 x 9.5 mm (6.42 x 3.15 x 0.37 in) | 167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/2.6", OIS, AF
8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" | - |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30ps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black, Blue, Gold | Deep Indigo |
| Models | H4213, H4233, H3213, H3223 | XT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 63.99 / C$ 123.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -67.7dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1562:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 89110 (v7)
GeekBench: 4198 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
- Exceptional Battery Life (100h)
- Superior Chipset (Snapdragon 630)
- Excellent Display Contrast
- Refined Camera (Likely)
- Compact Design
- Older Device (Software Updates Limited)
- Potentially Slower Charging (QC3)
- Availability May Be Limited
Motorola G Pure
- Very Affordable
- Clean Android Experience
- Readily Available
- Larger Screen (Likely)
- Weaker Chipset (Helio G25)
- Subpar Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Slow Charging (10W)
Display Comparison
The Xperia XA2 Ultra boasts a significantly better display. Its contrast ratio of 1562:1 (nominal) and impressive 3.445 sunlight readability are far superior to the G Pure's likely standard LCD panel. While the G Pure may have a larger screen, the XA2 Ultra's quality is the deciding factor.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are not fully detailed, the XA2 Ultra likely offers a more refined camera experience due to Sony's image processing expertise. The G Pure's camera is expected to be adequate for casual snapshots, but won't compete with the XA2 Ultra's potential for better image quality and features.
Performance
Here, the XA2 Ultra shines. The Snapdragon 630 is a more powerful chipset than the Helio G25 in the G Pure. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience on the Xperia. The G Pure will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
The Xperia XA2 Ultra's 100h endurance rating is astonishing and a major selling point. This vastly surpasses the G Pure's likely shorter battery life, even with its larger battery capacity, due to the less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra? Users prioritizing battery life, a vibrant display, and a smoother overall experience, even if it means dealing with an older device. Who should buy the Motorola G Pure? Those seeking a very budget-friendly option with a clean Android experience and readily available support, accepting compromises in performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia XA2 Ultra still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, if battery life and performance are your priorities, the XA2 Ultra remains a surprisingly capable device. However, be aware of limited software updates.
❓ Which phone has the better software experience?
The Motorola G Pure likely offers a cleaner and more up-to-date Android experience, though the XA2 Ultra's UI is generally well-regarded.