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

Sony's Xperia line has always catered to enthusiasts seeking a blend of premium features and unique design. The XZ2 Compact and XZ2 offered compelling options, but with subtle differences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ2 offers a slightly larger display and marginally better sunlight readability, while the XZ2 Compact shines with its smaller form factor and portability. Both share the same powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset and impressive battery life, making the choice largely dependent on screen size preference.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact Sony Xperia XZ2
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, 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 (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2018, February. Released 2018, April2018, February 26. Released 2018, April 20
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions135 x 65 x 12.1 mm (5.31 x 2.56 x 0.48 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
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/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)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~73.5% screen-to-body ratio)5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020IPS LCD, HDR BT.2020
 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 (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 630
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlymicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
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), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/5.0"5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0"
Video1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
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 3.1, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC3-
TypeLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral PinkLiquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink
ModelsH8324, H8314, SO-05KH8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 360 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB
Battery lifeEndurance rating 88h Endurance rating 88h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1315:1 (nominal), 3.765 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 83dB Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB
Performance AnTuTu: 265326 (v7), 308651 (v8) GeekBench: 8487 (v4.4), 2174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

  • Highly portable and pocketable
  • Premium build quality
  • Powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset
  • Excellent battery life (88h)
  • Vibrant OLED display

  • Smaller screen may not suit all users
  • Camera may slightly lag behind larger XZ2 in low light

Sony Xperia XZ2

  • Larger, more immersive display
  • Slightly better sunlight readability
  • Premium build quality
  • Powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset
  • Excellent battery life (88h)

  • Less pocketable than the Compact
  • Can be more difficult to use one-handed

Display Comparison

Both phones feature OLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The XZ2 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio (1434:1 vs 1315:1) and a better sunlight readability score (3.58 vs 3.765), making it easier to view outdoors. However, the XZ2 Compact's smaller 5.0-inch screen might be preferable for those with smaller hands or who value pocketability.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. While specific camera specs are not detailed, both are known for their fast autofocus and reliable image processing. The XZ2's larger sensor *may* offer a slight advantage in low-light conditions, but real-world differences are likely minimal.

Performance

Under the hood, both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and Octa-core CPU. Expect smooth performance for everyday tasks, demanding games, and multitasking. There's virtually no performance difference between the two.

Battery Life

Both the XZ2 Compact and XZ2 share the same impressive endurance rating of 88 hours. This suggests comparable battery life for typical usage, ensuring you can get through a full day or more on a single charge.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is ideal for users who prioritize portability and one-handed use without sacrificing performance. It's a great choice for those who want a premium experience in a smaller package. The Xperia XZ2 is better suited for users who prefer a larger display for media consumption and gaming, offering a more immersive experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the XZ2 Compact worth buying in 2024?
The XZ2 Compact remains a viable option for those seeking a compact, powerful phone with excellent battery life. However, newer models offer more advanced features and camera capabilities.
❓ What is the main difference between the XZ2 and XZ2 Compact?
The primary difference is screen size and overall dimensions. The XZ2 has a larger 6.0-inch display, while the XZ2 Compact features a smaller 5.0-inch display, making it significantly more compact.