Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Xperia XZ Premium: A Clash of Flagships

Sony's Xperia line has always been known for its unique design and impressive camera capabilities. The XZ2 and XZ Premium, both flagship devices, offer distinct experiences. But which one is the better choice for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia XZ2 boasts a more modern Snapdragon 845 chipset and a slightly better display in sunlight, offering a smoother experience. However, the XZ Premium’s faster charging and arguably more refined camera system make it a strong contender. Ultimately, the XZ2 wins for performance, while the XZ Premium excels in photography.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia XZ2 Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G8142
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - G8141, G8142
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 - G8141, G8142
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2018, February 26. Released 2018, April 202017, February 27. Released 2017, June 18
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/plastic frame
Dimensions153 x 72 x 11.1 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.44 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)
Weight198 g (6.98 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~424 ppi density)3840 x 2160 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~807 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio)5.46 inches, 82.2 cm2 (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR BT.2020IPS LCD, HDR10
 Triluminos display X-Reality EngineRuns at 1080 x 1920 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 630Adreno 540
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlymicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB 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", predictive PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0"13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system 24-bit/192kHz audio
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 (side-mounted, region dependent), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3180 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3230 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsLiquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash PinkLuminous Chrome, Deepsea Black, Bronze Pink, Rosso
ModelsH8266, H8216, H8296, H8276, 702SO, SOV37G8142, G8141, SO-04K, SO-04J
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 320 EUR
Tests
Audio quality Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -89.2dB Noise -90.6dB / Crosstalk -92.6dB
Battery life Endurance rating 88h Endurance rating 72h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1434 (nominal), 3.58 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: 1238:1 (nominal), 2.877 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 66dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 78dB Voice 62dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB
Performance AnTuTu: 259244 (v7), 281749 (v8) GeekBench: 8466 (v4.4), 2060 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) GeekBench: 5460 (v4.4), 1603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia XZ2

  • Faster Snapdragon 845 Chipset
  • Better Battery Life (88h)
  • Improved Sunlight Display Visibility
  • More Modern Design

  • Camera processing might not appeal to all
  • Design can feel a bit generic

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

  • Excellent Camera System (especially slow-motion)
  • Faster Charging (QC3)
  • Refined Image Processing (subjective)
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Older Snapdragon 835 Chipset
  • Shorter Battery Life (72h)
  • Lower Sunlight Display Visibility
  • LCD Display

Display Comparison

The XZ2 features a 5.9-inch OLED display with a contrast ratio of 1434:1 (nominal) and 3.58 in sunlight, offering vibrant colors and good outdoor visibility. The XZ Premium has a 5.5-inch LCD display with a contrast ratio of 1238:1 (nominal) and 2.877 in sunlight. While both are good, the XZ2's OLED technology and better sunlight performance give it a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but with different strengths. The XZ Premium was known for its impressive slow-motion capabilities (Super Slow-Mo) and image stabilization. The XZ2 improved upon this with better overall image processing and low-light performance. While subjective, many reviewers found the XZ Premium's image processing to be more refined, particularly in certain lighting conditions.

Performance

The XZ2 is powered by the Snapdragon 845, a more recent and powerful chipset than the XZ Premium's Snapdragon 835. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance, especially in demanding games. The XZ2's octa-core CPU also benefits from newer architecture.

Battery Life

The XZ2 has a significant advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 88 hours compared to the XZ Premium's 72 hours. This means the XZ2 can easily last a full two days on a single charge, making it a more practical choice for heavy users.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia XZ2 is ideal for users prioritizing performance, a more contemporary design, and a slightly better display visibility in bright conditions. The Xperia XZ Premium is a great choice for photography enthusiasts who value a more established camera system and faster charging speeds, even if it's a slightly older device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia XZ2 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset and improved thermal management.
❓ Is the XZ Premium's slow-motion feature still relevant?
Yes, the XZ Premium's Super Slow-Mo mode remains impressive, offering high-resolution and high-frame-rate slow-motion recording, although newer phones have caught up.
❓ Which phone has better water resistance?
Both phones have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, offering similar levels of protection.
❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these older phones?
Finding replacement parts for both phones may be more challenging than for newer models, but they are still generally available online.