Sony Xperia XZ1 vs. XA2: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and a more vibrant display, the Sony Xperia XZ1 is the clear winner. However, the XA2’s superior battery endurance – offering 10 hours more usage – makes it the better choice for those who demand all-day battery life without compromise.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia XZ1 | Sony Xperia XA2 |
| 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 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - F8341, F8342 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H3123 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - G8341 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 28, 29, 66 - H3123 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat13 600/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29, 38, 40, 41, 66 - G8343 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - H3133, H4133 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19 | 2018, January. Released 2018, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 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 | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 171 g (6.03 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD |
| Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 508 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3" | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/4.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | 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, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue | Silver, Black, Blue, Pink |
| Models | G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K | H4113, H3113, H4133, H3123 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB | Noise -92.8dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 82h | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1327:1 (nominal), 2.938 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB | Voice 68dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | GeekBench: 4215 (v4.4) GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XZ1
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Superior display contrast for a more vibrant viewing experience
- Potentially better camera image processing
- More responsive user interface
- Shorter battery life compared to the XA2
- Higher price point
Sony Xperia XA2
- Exceptional battery life for all-day usage
- More affordable price
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Quick Charging support
- Less powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps
- Lower display contrast
Display Comparison
The Xperia XZ1 boasts a display with a nominal contrast ratio of 1406, jumping to 3.765 in sunlight, indicating superior visibility outdoors. The XA2’s contrast ratio is lower at 1327:1 (nominal) and 2.938 in sunlight. While both utilize similar display technology, the XZ1’s higher contrast translates to richer colors and deeper blacks, enhancing the viewing experience. The impact of panel technology (IPS LCD in both) is similar, but the XZ1’s superior contrast gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable photo and video cameras, but detailed specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the XZ1’s flagship positioning suggests a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) and potentially superior image processing algorithms. The XA2 likely focuses on reliable performance in good lighting conditions, while the XZ1 may offer better low-light capabilities and more sophisticated features. The inclusion of a dedicated camera app with manual controls is likely on both, but the XZ1’s processing power allows for faster image processing and potentially more complex computational photography features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The XZ1’s Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835, built on a 10nm process, delivers significantly more processing power than the XA2’s Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14nm). The XZ1’s octa-core CPU, with its 2.45 GHz Kryo cores, outperforms the XA2’s 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The 10nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 835 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Despite both phones featuring 18W wired charging with QC3 support, the XA2 holds a significant advantage in battery endurance, achieving a rating of 92 hours compared to the XZ1’s 82 hours. This 10-hour difference suggests the less power-hungry Snapdragon 630 and potentially more efficient software optimization contribute to longer battery life. While both offer quick charging, the XA2’s larger effective capacity means users will spend less time tethered to a charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a brighter, more contrast-rich display. Buy the Sony Xperia XA2 if you prioritize battery life above all else, and are content with a more modest processor for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.