Sony Xperia XA2 vs Xperia XA2 Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia XA2 and XA2 Plus were solid mid-range contenders, offering a premium feel and reliable performance. But with subtle differences, choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XA2 Plus edges out the XA2 thanks to its larger display, improved sunlight visibility, and slightly better battery life. Both share the same capable Snapdragon 630 chipset, making the Plus a worthwhile upgrade if screen size and endurance are priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia XA2	Sony Xperia XA2 Plus

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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H3123	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - H3413, H4413
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H4133	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H4493

Launch
Announced	2018, January. Released 2018, February	2018, July. Released 2018, September
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 in)	157 x 75 x 9.6 mm (6.18 x 2.95 x 0.38 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	171 g (6.03 oz)	205 g (7.23 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 4	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)	1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size	5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~78.9% 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)	Android 8.0 (Oreo)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	32GB 3GB RAM	32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB 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
Single	8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"	8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 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 3300 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3580 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Silver, Black, Blue, Pink	Silver, Black, Gold, Green
Models	H4113, H3113, H4133, H3123	H4413, H4493, H3413
Price	About 200 EUR	About 240 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB	Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.1dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 92h	Endurance rating 104h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 1522:1 (nominal), 3.445 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB	Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 79dB
Performance	GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 86374 (v7), 107537 (v8) GeekBench: 4144 (v4.4), 1018 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2

Compact and lightweight
Good OLED display
Reliable performance
Quick Charge 3.0

Smaller display
Slightly shorter battery life
Camera performance could be better

Sony Xperia XA2 Plus

Larger display
Excellent sunlight readability
Longer battery life
Quick Charge 3.0

Slightly larger and heavier
Camera performance similar to XA2

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the XA2 Plus boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio (1522:1 vs 1327:1) and significantly better sunlight readability (3.445 vs 2.938), making it easier to view outdoors. The XA2 Plus also has a larger 6.0-inch display compared to the XA2's 5.2-inch screen.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have capable cameras, detailed camera specs are missing. Generally, both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. Video recording capabilities are standard for the era, likely supporting 1080p recording.

Performance

Performance is virtually identical. Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset and an Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. Expect smooth everyday usage, but don't expect flagship-level gaming performance. RAM configurations were typically 3GB or 4GB, impacting multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The XA2 Plus holds a clear advantage in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 104 hours compared to the XA2's 92 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, especially for power users.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XA2 is a good choice for users prioritizing a compact form factor and a balance of features. The Xperia XA2 Plus is ideal for those who value a larger display for media consumption and extended battery life, without sacrificing overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XA2 Plus worth the extra cost over the XA2?

If you prioritize a larger display and longer battery life, the XA2 Plus is a worthwhile upgrade. Otherwise, the XA2 remains a capable and compact option.

❓ What is the camera like on these phones?

Both phones offer decent camera performance in good lighting, but low-light photography is a weakness. Expect standard 1080p video recording.