Sony Xperia XA2 vs Xperia XZ2 Compact: The Ultimate Compact Battle

Sony's compact phone lineup has always been a strong contender, offering premium features in a pocket-friendly size. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the Xperia XA2 and the Xperia XZ2 Compact. Which one delivers the best overall experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ2 Compact wins decisively. While the XA2 boasts impressive battery life, the XZ2 Compact's significantly faster processor, superior camera, and brighter display make it the better choice for most users, despite a slightly shorter endurance rating.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XA2 Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
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, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H4133-
Launch
Announced2018, January. Released 2018, February2018, February. Released 2018, April
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions142 x 70 x 9.7 mm (5.59 x 2.76 x 0.38 in)135 x 65 x 12.1 mm (5.31 x 2.56 x 0.48 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)168 g (5.93 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 (~424 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~483 ppi density)
Size5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 508Adreno 630
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
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), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0"5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/5.0"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC318W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsSilver, Black, Blue, PinkBlack, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral Pink
ModelsH4113, H3113, H4133, H3123H8324, H8314, SO-05K
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 430 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB
Battery life Endurance rating 92h Endurance rating 88h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB
Performance GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 265326 (v7), 308651 (v8) GeekBench: 8487 (v4.4), 2174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XA2

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Smooth performance for everyday tasks
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Good value for money

  • Slower processor compared to flagship phones
  • Less impressive camera
  • Lower screen brightness

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

  • Flagship-level performance
  • Superior camera quality
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Water resistance

  • Slightly shorter battery life than XA2
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays with excellent contrast ratios (1327:1 nominal). However, the XZ2 Compact shines with a significantly better sunlight readability score (3.765 vs 2.938), making it easier to view outdoors. The XZ2 Compact also generally offers slightly more vibrant colors.

Camera Comparison

The XZ2 Compact's camera is superior, offering better image quality, faster autofocus, and improved low-light performance. While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the XZ2 Compact's image processing and hardware are simply better. Expect more detail and dynamic range in photos taken with the XZ2 Compact.

Performance

This is where the XZ2 Compact truly pulls ahead. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the XA2's Snapdragon 630. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the XZ2 Compact. The XA2 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, but struggles with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The XA2 holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting a rated 92h compared to the XZ2 Compact's 88h. However, real-world usage often closes this gap, and the XZ2 Compact's more efficient processor can mitigate the difference.

Buying Guide

The Xperia XA2 is a good option for budget-conscious users prioritizing exceptional battery life and a smooth, albeit less powerful, experience. The Xperia XZ2 Compact is ideal for those seeking a premium compact phone with flagship-level performance, a better camera, and a brighter display, willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia XZ2 Compact worth the extra money?
Yes, if you prioritize performance and camera quality. The XZ2 Compact offers a significantly better user experience overall.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ2 Compact is the clear winner for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities.
❓ Does the XA2 have water resistance?
No, the Xperia XA2 does not have an official IP rating for water resistance. The XZ2 Compact does have IP65/68 rating.