Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra vs. Xperia XZ Premium: A Detailed Comparison

Sony has a history of producing compelling smartphones, but the XA2 Ultra and XZ Premium represent different eras and target audiences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which device is right for you. We'll cover everything from display quality to performance and camera capabilities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ Premium is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster processor, superior camera, and a more premium build. However, the XA2 Ultra offers exceptional battery life and a larger display at a more budget-friendly price point. It's a trade-off between power and longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G8142
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - H3213, H4213, H4233HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G8141, G8142
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3213, H42131, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G8141, G8142
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2018, January. Released 2018, February2017, February 27. Released 2017, June 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/plastic frame
Dimensions163 x 80 x 9.5 mm (6.42 x 3.15 x 0.37 in)156 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.14 x 3.03 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM (G8141)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (G8142)
Weight221 g (7.80 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density)3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~807 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)5.46 inches, 82.2 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
 -Runs at 1080 x 1920 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.45 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), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/2.6", OIS, AF 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"-
Single-13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30ps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted, region dependent), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC318W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3230 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Blue, GoldLuminous Chrome, Deepsea Black, Bronze Pink, Rosso
ModelsH4213, H4233, H3213, H3223G8142, G8141, SO-04K, SO-04J
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 320 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -67.7dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 100hEndurance rating 72h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1562:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1238:1 (nominal), 2.877 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 80dB Voice 62dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
Performance AnTuTu: 89110 (v7) GeekBench: 4198 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 5460 (v4.4), 1603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Large 6-inch display
  • Affordable price
  • Good sunlight readability

  • Lower performance
  • Less premium design
  • Camera not as advanced
  • Older chipset

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

  • Flagship performance
  • Excellent camera with 4K HDR
  • Premium design and build quality
  • 4K HDR display

  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Smaller display compared to XA2 Ultra

Display Comparison

The XA2 Ultra features a 6-inch Full HD+ display with a contrast ratio of 1562:1 (nominal) and impressive 3.445 sunlight readability. The XZ Premium has a 5.5-inch 4K HDR display with a contrast ratio of 1238:1 (nominal) and a sunlight readability of 2.877. While the XA2 Ultra's screen is larger, the XZ Premium's 4K resolution and HDR support offer a sharper, more vibrant image, especially noticeable in supported content.

Camera Comparison

The XZ Premium's camera is a significant upgrade. It features a 19MP rear camera with predictive capture and 4K HDR video recording, alongside a 13MP front camera. The XA2 Ultra's camera is capable but lacks the advanced features and image processing capabilities of the XZ Premium. Low-light performance is noticeably better on the XZ Premium.

Performance

The XZ Premium's Snapdragon 835 chipset and Octa-core Kryo CPU provide a substantial performance advantage over the XA2 Ultra's Snapdragon 630. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the XZ Premium. The XA2 Ultra is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The XA2 Ultra shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 100 hours, significantly outperforming the XZ Premium's 72-hour rating. This makes the XA2 Ultra a better choice for users who need a phone that can last through multiple days of moderate use.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, a large screen for media consumption, and a more affordable price. The Xperia XZ Premium is best suited for those who demand top-tier performance, a flagship camera, and a premium design, regardless of cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the XZ Premium worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance and camera quality, the XZ Premium is worth the investment. However, if battery life and affordability are your main concerns, the XA2 Ultra is a compelling alternative.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ Premium is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics capabilities.