The Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra were solid mid-range contenders in their time, offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one truly shines? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you decide which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia XA2 Ultra edges out the XA2 thanks to its superior display visibility in sunlight and slightly longer battery life. Both share the same processor, but the Ultra's larger screen and extra features justify its slight advantage, making it the better overall choice for most users.
| 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 - H3213, H4213, H4233 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3213, H4213 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H3123 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H4133 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, January. Released 2018, February | 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 | 163 x 80 x 9.5 mm (6.42 x 3.15 x 0.37 in) | 142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 171 g (6.03 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 508 | Adreno 508 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB 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 | 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/2.4, 1/4.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30ps | 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 | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Black, Blue, Gold | Silver, Black, Blue, Pink |
| Models | H4213, H4233, H3213, H3223 | H4113, H3113, H4133, H3123 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -67.7dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 100h |
Endurance rating 92h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1562:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB |
Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 89110 (v7)
GeekBench: 4198 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
- Superior sunlight display visibility
- Longer battery life (100h)
- Larger screen (6.0 inches)
- Potentially better camera (speculation)
- Larger size, less pocketable
- Potentially slightly lower gaming performance due to larger screen
Sony Xperia XA2
- More compact and pocketable (5.2 inches)
- Similar performance to XA2 Ultra
- Potentially lower price (if found used)
- Lower sunlight display visibility
- Shorter battery life (92h)
- Potentially less capable camera (speculation)
Display Comparison
The Xperia XA2 Ultra boasts a significantly better contrast ratio in direct sunlight (3.445 vs 2.938), making it much easier to view content outdoors. Both phones feature a 1562:1 nominal contrast ratio, indicating good image quality in controlled lighting. The Ultra's larger screen (6.0 inches vs 5.2 inches) also provides more screen real estate.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the XA2 Ultra likely has a slightly better camera setup due to its larger size allowing for potentially larger sensors and more advanced features. However, without specific megapixel and aperture information, a definitive comparison is difficult.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 chipset and an Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. Performance will be very similar in everyday tasks and most games. However, the XA2 Ultra's larger screen might slightly impact gaming performance due to the increased rendering demands.
Battery Life
The Xperia XA2 Ultra holds a clear advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 100 hours compared to the XA2's 92 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, especially for power users.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra? Users prioritizing excellent outdoor visibility, a longer battery life, and a slightly larger screen. Who should buy the Sony Xperia XA2? Those seeking a more compact and pocketable device with similar performance at a potentially lower price (if found used).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Both phones are quite old. While they can still function, consider their age and lack of software updates. They're best suited for budget-conscious users or as secondary devices.
❓ What operating system do these phones run?
Both the Xperia XA2 and XA2 Ultra originally shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo. Software updates were limited, and they likely run an older version of Android now.
