Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact vs. XZ1 Compact: A Detailed Comparison

Sony's compact phone lineup has always been a favorite for those seeking premium features in a pocket-friendly size. The Xperia XZ2 Compact and XZ1 Compact both offer a compelling package, but which one reigns supreme? This in-depth comparison will help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The XZ1 Compact edges out the XZ2 Compact primarily due to its superior battery life. While the XZ2 Compact boasts a slightly faster processor, the XZ1 Compact's longer endurance and comparable performance make it the more practical choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2018, February. Released 2018, April2017, August. Released 2017, October
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions135 x 65 x 12.1 mm (5.31 x 2.56 x 0.48 in)129 x 65 x 9.3 mm (5.08 x 2.56 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)140 g (4.94 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~483 ppi density)720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~319 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)4.6 inches, 58.3 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020IPS LCD
 Triluminos display X-Reality EngineTriluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 540
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM32GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/5.0"8 MP, f/2.4, 18mm, 1/4.0"
Video1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, 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, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC318W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral PinkBlack, White Silver, Horizon Blue, Twilight Pink
ModelsH8324, H8314, SO-05KG8441, SO-02K
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 300 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 88h Endurance rating 108h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1243:1 (nominal), 3.729 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB Voice 65dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 76dB
Performance AnTuTu: 265326 (v7), 308651 (v8) GeekBench: 8487 (v4.4), 2174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 204581 (v7), 255140 (v8) GeekBench: 5596 (v4.4), 1681 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

  • Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 845)
  • Better sunlight display contrast
  • More modern design

  • Shorter battery life
  • Potentially higher price (depending on availability)

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

  • Excellent battery life (108h endurance)
  • Comparable performance
  • Generally more affordable

  • Slightly older chipset (Snapdragon 835)
  • Slightly lower display contrast

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 5-inch Full HD+ (2160 x 1080) OLED display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The XZ2 Compact has a slightly better contrast ratio (1315:1 nominal, 3.765 sunlight) compared to the XZ1 Compact (1243:1 nominal, 3.729 sunlight), resulting in marginally better image quality, particularly in bright conditions. However, the difference is subtle and likely not noticeable to most users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 19MP rear camera with similar capabilities. Image quality is generally good in both devices, with decent dynamic range and accurate colors. Low-light performance is comparable. The XZ2 Compact benefits from Sony's improved image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in slightly better results in certain scenarios. Video recording is also solid on both devices.

Performance

The XZ2 Compact utilizes the Snapdragon 845, a step up from the XZ1 Compact's Snapdragon 835. This translates to slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. However, both phones offer excellent performance for everyday tasks and even moderate gaming. The Snapdragon 835 remains a capable chipset.

Battery Life

This is where the XZ1 Compact truly shines. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 108 hours, significantly outperforming the XZ2 Compact's 88 hours. This means the XZ1 Compact will easily last a full day, even with moderate to heavy usage, while the XZ2 Compact may require a top-up before the end of the day.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly faster processor and a more modern design. The Xperia XZ1 Compact is a better fit for those who value extended battery life and a more affordable price point, especially if they don't need the absolute latest processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 845 in the XZ2 Compact a significant upgrade?
While the Snapdragon 845 is faster than the 835, the difference in real-world performance is not dramatic for most users. Both chipsets are capable of handling everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
❓ Which phone is better for photography?
Both phones offer comparable camera performance. The XZ2 Compact's image processing might give it a slight edge in certain situations, but overall, the results are similar.