Sony Xperia XA2 vs Xperia XZ1: A Detailed Comparison

Sony's Xperia line offers a range of devices catering to different budgets and needs. The XA2 and XZ1, while both excellent phones in their time, represent different tiers of performance and features. This comparison will help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ1 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, a brighter display, and a generally more premium experience. While the XA2 offers impressive battery life, the XZ1's performance and display advantages make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XA2 Sony Xperia XZ1
Network
2G bandsGSM 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 bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - F8341, F8342
4G bands1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H31231, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - G8341
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H41331, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - G8343
Launch
Announced2018, January. Released 2018, February2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 in)148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)155 g (5.47 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR10
 -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)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal32GB 3GB 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", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 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, 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), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC318W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Blue, PinkBlack, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue
ModelsH4113, H3113, H4133, H3123G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 260 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 92h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB
Performance GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2

  • Excellent battery life
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Good value for money
  • Decent display contrast

  • Less powerful processor
  • Lower screen brightness
  • Camera performance lags behind XZ1
  • Older design

Sony Xperia XZ1

  • Powerful Snapdragon 835 processor
  • Brighter and more readable display
  • Superior camera performance
  • Premium build quality
  • Faster charging (likely)

  • Slightly shorter battery life
  • Higher price (originally)
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent contrast ratios (1327:1 for XA2, 1406:1 for XZ1). However, the XZ1 shines with significantly better sunlight readability (3.765 vs 2.938), making it easier to use outdoors. The XZ1 also likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness, though specific panel details are needed for a definitive assessment.

Camera Comparison

While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the XZ1's superior processor and likely more advanced camera hardware (sensor size, aperture, image processing) generally result in better image quality, especially in low light. The XZ1 also likely supports features like 4K video recording and more advanced image stabilization.

Performance

The XZ1's Snapdragon 835 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the XA2's Snapdragon 630. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the XZ1. The XZ1's Kryo cores offer a significant performance boost.

Battery Life

The XA2 holds a slight edge in battery endurance with a reported 92h versus the XZ1's 82h. However, this difference is relatively small and real-world usage will vary. The XZ1's more powerful processor will consume more power under heavy load.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XA2 is ideal for budget-conscious users prioritizing long battery life and a compact form factor. The Xperia XZ1 is suited for those seeking a faster processor, a brighter display, and a more premium build quality, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XA2 still worth buying?
If you're on a tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else, the XA2 can still be a decent option. However, consider newer budget phones with better performance.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ1 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics capabilities.
❓ What is the difference in build quality?
The XZ1 generally feels more premium with a more robust build, while the XA2 is lighter and more plastic-feeling.