Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Xperia 1 II: A Clash of Flagships

Sony has consistently delivered unique smartphone experiences, and the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia 1 II are prime examples. Both offer distinct features and cater to different user preferences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your investment.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 II is the clear winner, boasting a superior Snapdragon 865 chipset, brighter display, and refined camera system. While the XZ2 offers impressive battery life, the 1 II's advancements in performance and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia XZ2	Sony Xperia 1 II

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, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands	-	1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub6
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2018, February 26. Released 2018, April 20	2020, February 24
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2020, May 22

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)	165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	198 g (6.98 oz)	181.4 g (6.38 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 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, HDR BT.2020	OLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020
	Triluminos display X-Reality Engine	Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPU	Adreno 630	Adreno 650
OS	Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	UFS 3.0

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR	Zeiss optics, 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/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps	4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

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	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 Dynamic vibration system

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE	5.1, 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/6, 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	-	21W wired, PD 11W wireless
Type	Li-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 4000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Liquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink	Black, Purple, Mirror Lake Green
Models	H8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37	XQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42
Price	About 360 EUR	About 700 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 88h	Endurance rating 83h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB	-27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ2

Excellent battery life
Compact and ergonomic design
Good value for money (now)
Solid performance for everyday tasks

Outdated chipset
Lower display brightness
Less versatile camera system
No 5G connectivity

Sony Xperia 1 II

Powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset
Stunning 4K OLED display
Versatile triple-lens camera system
5G connectivity
Fast charging (wired & wireless)

Higher price point
Larger size
Battery life slightly less than XZ2 (potentially)
Can be power hungry with 4K display

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 II features a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with an infinite contrast ratio and a measured peak brightness of 611 nits, offering exceptional color accuracy and vibrant visuals. The XZ2 has a 5.7-inch HDR OLED display with a contrast ratio of 1434:1 and a lower peak brightness. Sunlight readability on the XZ2 is rated at 3.58, which is significantly lower than the 1 II's likely improved performance.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Xperia 1 II takes the lead. It features a triple-lens setup with a variable telephoto lens, offering greater versatility. The XZ2's camera is still good, but lacks the advanced features and image processing capabilities of the 1 II. The 1 II also benefits from improved video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Xperia 1 II's Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and Cortex-A77 CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the XZ2's Snapdragon 845 and Kryo 385. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the 1 II. The 7nm+ process of the 865 also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The XZ2 holds a slight edge in endurance rating (88h vs 83h), but real-world usage and the more power-hungry display of the 1 II may even out the difference. The Xperia 1 II also supports 21W wired and 11W wireless charging, offering faster charging options than the XZ2.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XZ2 is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize long battery life and a compact design. The Xperia 1 II is ideal for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and those seeking a premium, high-performance smartphone with a stunning display and 5G connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 II worth the extra cost compared to the XZ2?

If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium display, the Xperia 1 II is definitely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and primarily need a reliable phone with long battery life, the XZ2 remains a viable option.

❓ Which phone is better for mobile gaming?

The Xperia 1 II's Snapdragon 865 chipset and improved cooling system make it significantly better for mobile gaming, offering smoother frame rates and less throttling.