Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Xperia 5: A Head-to-Head Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia 5 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a brighter display, a more powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset, and slightly better battery life. While the XZ2 remains a capable device, the Xperia 5’s upgrades make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia XZ2 | Sony Xperia 5 |
| 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 |
| 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, September 05. Released 2019, October 05 |
| 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) | 158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 164 g (5.78 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) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR BT.2020 | OLED, HDR BT.2020 |
| Triluminos display X-Reality Engine | 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) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB 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@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS) |
| 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 3140 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Liquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink | Blue, Red, Black, Grey |
| Models | H8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37 | J8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01M |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 409.99 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 674.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB | Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 88h | Endurance rating 96h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB | -27.1 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia XZ2
- Compact design
- Solid performance for its age
- Good value for money (used)
- Water resistant
- Older chipset
- Lower display brightness
- No fast charging
- Outdated design
Sony Xperia 5
- Brighter display
- Faster Snapdragon 855 chipset
- Slightly better battery life
- Modern design
- Fast charging (PD2.0)
- Versatile camera system
- Higher price
- Can be bulky for some
Display Comparison
The Xperia 5’s display is a significant upgrade. While the XZ2 boasts a respectable 1434:1 contrast ratio (nominal), its sunlight visibility is only 3.58. The Xperia 5, with its measured 630 nits max brightness and an 'infinite' nominal contrast ratio, offers far superior outdoor visibility and a more vibrant viewing experience. The Xperia 5 also features a taller 21:9 aspect ratio, ideal for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Xperia 5 has a more versatile setup. While specific camera details are missing, the Xperia 5 generally features improved image processing and low-light performance due to the newer chipset and potentially updated sensors. The XZ2's camera is still good, but the Xperia 5 offers a more modern and refined photographic experience.
Performance
The Xperia 5’s Snapdragon 855 chipset (7nm) is noticeably faster and more efficient than the XZ2’s Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 855’s improved architecture and manufacturing process translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. Both phones have ample RAM (6GB in the Xperia 5), but the newer chipset provides a tangible performance boost.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 88h/96h respectively, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Xperia 5's more efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset likely contributes to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially under heavy load. The Xperia 5 also supports 18W PD2.0 fast charging, a feature absent in the XZ2.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia XZ2? Those seeking a budget-friendly Sony phone with solid performance and a compact form factor. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5? Users prioritizing a brighter display, faster performance, and a more modern design, willing to spend a bit more.