Sony Xperia XZ2 vs XZ1: Which Sony Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Sony Xperia XZ2 is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 845 provides a noticeable performance uplift, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the display contrast is slightly lower, the 88-hour endurance rating and incremental battery improvements make it a more capable daily driver.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia XZ1 | Sony Xperia XZ2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - F8341, F8342 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 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 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19 | 2018, February 26. Released 2018, April 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 in) | 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.44 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD, HDR BT.2020 |
| Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 630 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF | 19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3" | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE | 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue | Liquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink |
| Models | G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K | H8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB | Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 82h | Endurance rating 88h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB | Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XZ1
- Slightly higher nominal display contrast ratio.
- More affordable price point (likely).
- Refined and proven design.
- Older Snapdragon 835 chipset.
- Shorter battery life compared to XZ2.
Sony Xperia XZ2
- Faster Snapdragon 845 processor.
- Improved battery endurance (88h rating).
- More modern design aesthetic.
- Slightly lower nominal display contrast ratio.
- Potentially higher price.
Display Comparison
Both the XZ1 and XZ2 feature similar display characteristics, with contrast ratios of 1406 and 1434 respectively. However, the XZ2’s slightly lower contrast ratio of 1434 (nominal) compared to the XZ1’s 1406 is noticeable, though not dramatically so. More importantly, both displays excel in sunlight readability, achieving contrast ratios above 3.5. The lack of detailed information regarding panel technology (like OLED or LCD) and refresh rates prevents a deeper analysis, but both likely utilize Sony’s TRILUMINOS display technology for color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. Given Sony’s expertise in camera technology, it’s reasonable to assume both offer competent image quality. However, the XZ2 likely benefits from the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 845, enabling faster processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without detailed specifications, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the XZ2’s newer chipset provides a likely advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the XZ1 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10nm), while the XZ2 boasts the SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 845 represents a significant architectural improvement, with its Kryo 385 Gold cores clocked at 2.7 GHz versus the XZ1’s 2.45 GHz Kryo cores. This translates to approximately 15-25% faster CPU performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks. The 845 also features an improved GPU, offering a more substantial gaming experience. While both are 10nm chips, the 845’s refinements lead to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Xperia XZ2 edges out the XZ1 in battery endurance, achieving an 88-hour rating compared to the XZ1’s 82 hours. This 6-hour improvement, while not massive, is significant for all-day users. Both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0, meaning charging times will be comparable. The XZ2’s improved efficiency from the Snapdragon 845 likely contributes to the longer battery life, despite not having a significantly larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 if you prioritize a slightly higher display contrast ratio in nominal conditions and are seeking a more affordable entry point into Sony’s flagship experience. Buy the Sony Xperia XZ2 if you demand faster performance for demanding applications, improved battery life, and a more modern design aesthetic, even if it means a minor trade-off in nominal display contrast.