Sony Xperia XZ1 vs. XZ2 Compact: Which Compact Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 845 provides a noticeable performance boost, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While battery life is marginally improved, the performance gains justify the upgrade, especially for power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia XZ1 | Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact |
| 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 (4CA) Cat15 800/150 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 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, August 31. Released 2017, September 19 | 2018, February. Released 2018, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 73.4 x 7.4 mm (5.83 x 2.89 x 0.29 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 |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | 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 (~483 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~73.5% 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 |
| 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, 23mm (wide), 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 | |
| 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 | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Warm Silver, Venus Pink, Moonlit Blue | Black, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral Pink |
| Models | G8341, G8342, F8341, F8342, G8343, SOV36, SO-01K | H8324, H8314, SO-05K |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -90.2dB | Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 82h | Endurance rating 88h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1406 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 65dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 69dB | Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6541 (v4.4), 1527 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 265326 (v7), 308651 (v8) GeekBench: 8487 (v4.4), 2174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XZ1
- Lower price point, offering excellent value.
- Slightly higher nominal display contrast ratio.
- Proven reliability and software support.
- Older Snapdragon 835 chipset limits performance.
- Shorter battery life compared to the XZ2 Compact.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 845 processor.
- Improved battery endurance.
- Enhanced image processing capabilities.
- Generally higher price than the XZ1.
- Slightly lower nominal display contrast ratio.
Display Comparison
Both the XZ1 and XZ2 Compact feature displays with a peak sunlight contrast ratio of 3.765, ensuring excellent visibility outdoors. However, the XZ1 boasts a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio of 1406 compared to the XZ2 Compact’s 1315:1. This difference, while measurable, is unlikely to be perceptible to most users. Neither Sony specified panel technology (IPS or OLED) or refresh rates, suggesting standard 60Hz IPS LCDs were used, common for the era. Bezels are comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. Given Sony’s expertise, both likely feature capable cameras. The XZ2 Compact benefits from the improved image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 845, enabling faster image processing, better low-light performance, and potentially enhanced video stabilization. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the 845’s ISP gives the XZ2 Compact an edge. The lack of detail regarding secondary cameras suggests they were likely standard offerings for the time, and not a key differentiating factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the XZ1 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10nm), while the XZ2 Compact steps up to the SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 845 offers a significant CPU upgrade, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) exceeding the XZ1’s (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo). This translates to approximately 25-30% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The 845’s Adreno 630 GPU also provides a substantial graphics boost, benefiting gamers and users of graphically intensive applications. Both devices share the same 4GB of RAM, but the 845’s improved memory controller contributes to smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The XZ2 Compact edges out the XZ1 in battery endurance, achieving an 88-hour rating versus the XZ1’s 82 hours. This 6-hour improvement, while not massive, is noticeable in real-world usage. Both support 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0, meaning charging speeds are comparable. The Snapdragon 845’s improved power efficiency contributes to the XZ2 Compact’s longer battery life, despite not having a significantly larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Sony Xperia XZ1 if you prioritize value and already own an older flagship. It remains a capable device, and its lower price point makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Buy the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact if you demand the best possible performance in a compact package, appreciate faster processing speeds for demanding apps, and want a slightly longer-lasting battery.