Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium vs. Xperia XZ Premium: A Detailed Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The XZ2 Premium edges out the XZ Premium thanks to its Snapdragon 845 chipset offering noticeably better performance and a slightly superior display. However, the XZ Premium remains a compelling option, especially if you find it at a significantly lower price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium | Sony Xperia XZ Premium |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G8142 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G8141, G8142 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 - G8141, G8142 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2018, April. Released 2018, July | 2017, February 27. Released 2017, June 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 80 x 11.9 mm (6.22 x 3.15 x 0.47 in) | 156 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.14 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM (G8141)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (G8142) |
| Weight | 236 g (8.32 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~765 ppi density) | 3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~807 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.8 inches, 91.5 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.46 inches, 82.2 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10 | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Runs at 1080 x 1920 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | Runs at 1080 x 1920 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 19 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF 12 MP B/W, f/1.6, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, predictive PDAF | - |
| 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", predictive PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS) | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system | 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, QZSS | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted, region dependent), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 Wireless (Qi) | 18W wired, QC3 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3540 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3230 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Chrome Black, Chrome Silver | Luminous Chrome, Deepsea Black, Bronze Pink, Rosso |
| Models | H8166, H8116, SOV38 | G8142, G8141, SO-04K, SO-04J |
| Price | About 460 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -91.0dB / Crosstalk -87.6dB | Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 77h | Endurance rating 72h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1411:1 (nominal), 2.867 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: 1238:1 (nominal), 2.877 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 73dB | Voice 62dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 264734 (v7), 288101 (v8) GeekBench: 8509 (v4.4), 2099 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | GeekBench: 5460 (v4.4), 1603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
- Faster Snapdragon 845 processor
- Slightly better display (brighter, higher contrast)
- Improved image processing
- Modern design
- Larger size
- Potential for overheating under heavy load
- Older model - software support may be limited
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
- Excellent slow-motion video recording
- Compact design
- Potentially better value (if found at a discount)
- Premium build quality
- Slower Snapdragon 835 processor
- Slightly less bright display
- Older model - software support may be limited
Display Comparison
Both phones boast excellent displays with impressive contrast ratios. The XZ2 Premium has a nominal contrast ratio of 1411:1 and a sunlight readability score of 2.867, slightly surpassing the XZ Premium's 1238:1 and 2.877. While the difference is minimal, the XZ2 Premium's display is marginally brighter and potentially easier to view in direct sunlight. Both feature HDR support.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but with slightly different strengths. The XZ Premium was known for its impressive slow-motion capabilities (Super Slow Motion), while the XZ2 Premium offered improved image processing and low-light performance. Both have a 19MP main camera and a 12MP front camera. The XZ2 Premium's camera benefits from Sony's latest image processing algorithms.
Performance
The XZ2 Premium's Snapdragon 845 chipset is a significant upgrade over the XZ Premium's Snapdragon 835. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. Gaming performance is also noticeably improved on the XZ2 Premium. Both phones have 6GB of RAM.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices. The XZ2 Premium has an endurance rating of 77 hours, while the XZ Premium scores 72 hours. Real-world usage will vary depending on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium? Users prioritizing performance, a brighter display, and the latest Snapdragon processor. Who should buy the Sony Xperia XZ Premium? Those seeking a slightly more compact design and a potentially better value proposition if found at a discounted price.