Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Xperia 1: A Clash of Flagships

Sony has a reputation for producing premium Android phones with unique features. The Xperia XZ2 and Xperia 1 represent different approaches to that premium experience. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 offers a superior display, a more powerful chipset, and a more modern design. While the XZ2 boasts impressive battery endurance, the Xperia 1's overall package, especially its cinematic 21:9 display, makes it the clear winner for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia XZ2	Sony Xperia 1

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2018, February 26. Released 2018, April 20	2019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions	153 x 72 x 11.1 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.44 in)	167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	198 g (6.98 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)	1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size	5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, HDR BT.2020	OLED, HDR BT.2020
	Triluminos display X-Reality Engine	Runs at 1096 x 2560 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 (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)	Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 630	Adreno 640
OS	Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11

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 6GB RAM	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	UFS 2.1

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single	19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF	-
Triple	-	12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps	4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0"	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)	1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system	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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass

Battery
Charging	-	18W wired, PD2.0
Type	Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Liquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink	Black, Gray, Purple, White
Models	H8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37	J8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
Price	About 360 EUR	About 500 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB	Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 88h	Endurance rating 79h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB	-26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ2

Excellent battery life
Compact and comfortable to hold
Solid performance
Good value (now that it's older)

Older chipset
Less impressive display
Design feels dated
Charging speed is slower

Sony Xperia 1

Stunning 21:9 OLED display
Powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset
Premium design and build quality
Fast charging (PD2.0)

Slightly shorter battery life than XZ2
Higher price
Larger size may not suit everyone

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1's 6.5-inch 21:9 OLED display is a standout feature, offering incredible contrast (infinite nominal) and a bright 665 nits. The XZ2's display, while good with a 1434:1 contrast ratio, lacks the brightness and unique aspect ratio of the Xperia 1. Sunlight visibility on the XZ2 is rated at 3.58, which is decent but not as impressive as what we'd expect from a flagship.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Xperia 1 generally produces more detailed and vibrant images. The Xperia 1's camera setup often includes more advanced features and processing. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Xperia 1's image processing tends to be more refined.

Performance

The Xperia 1's Snapdragon 855 chipset (7nm) provides a noticeable performance boost over the XZ2's Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 855's improved architecture and efficiency translate to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. Both phones have ample RAM, but the newer chipset gives the Xperia 1 the edge.

Battery Life

The XZ2 initially held a significant advantage with an 88h endurance rating, but the Xperia 1's 79h rating is still respectable. The Xperia 1 also supports 18W PD2.0 fast charging, offering quicker top-ups compared to the XZ2's charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XZ2 is a good choice for users prioritizing battery life and a more compact form factor. It's a solid all-arounder. The Sony Xperia 1 is ideal for those who value a stunning cinematic display, cutting-edge performance, and a premium design, even if it comes at a higher price and slightly reduced battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 worth the extra cost over the XZ2?

If you prioritize display quality, performance, and a premium design, the Xperia 1 is worth the investment. However, if battery life and a more compact size are your top priorities, the XZ2 remains a viable option, especially at its current price.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

While both phones have received updates, the Xperia 1, being newer, is likely to receive updates for a longer period. Sony's software support has improved, but it's still not as consistent as some other Android manufacturers.