The Sony Xperia Z4 Compact and Z4v were both compelling compact smartphones, offering flagship specs in a smaller form factor. But with subtle differences, choosing between them can be tricky. This comprehensive comparison breaks down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z4v edges out the Compact thanks to its inclusion of wireless charging. Both offer excellent performance and a compact design, but the Z4v's added convenience makes it the slightly better choice, assuming you value wireless charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 | 2015, June |
| Status | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | - | 144.4 x 72.3 x 8.7 mm (5.69 x 2.85 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~469 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~565 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", AF | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5.1 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC2
Wireless |
| Music play | - | Up to 95 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 590 h (2G) / Up to 580 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 17 h (2G) / Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White, black |
| Models | - | E6508, SOV31 |
Sony Xperia Z4 Compact
- Truly compact design
- Flagship performance
- Excellent camera
- Water and dust resistant
- Snapdragon 810 thermal throttling
- No wireless charging
- Design can feel a bit dated
Sony Xperia Z4v
- Flagship performance
- Excellent camera
- Water and dust resistant
- Wireless charging
- Snapdragon 810 thermal throttling
- Slightly larger than the Compact
- Design can feel a bit dated
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD). While the specifications are identical, subjective viewing experiences might vary slightly due to panel calibration differences. Both offer vibrant colors and good viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Z4 Compact and Z4v both boast a 20.7MP rear camera and a 5.1MP front camera. Image quality is generally excellent, with good detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance is decent, but not exceptional. Software processing is consistent across both devices.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 810 chipset, both phones deliver smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding games. Thermal throttling could be an issue under sustained heavy load, a common characteristic of the Snapdragon 810. Overall, performance is virtually identical.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z4 Compact has a 2,700mAh battery, while the Z4v features a slightly larger 2,930mAh battery. Both offer respectable battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. The Z4v's larger battery and wireless charging provide a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
The Xperia Z4 Compact is ideal for users prioritizing a truly pocketable phone with flagship performance and a great camera, and who don't need wireless charging. The Xperia Z4v is best for those who want the same performance and camera but appreciate the added convenience of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 chipset still good?
While not the latest, the Snapdragon 810 still provides ample power for most tasks. However, be aware of potential thermal throttling under sustained heavy load.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both the Z4 Compact and Z4v are water and dust resistant (IP65/IP68), offering similar levels of durability.
❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these phones?
Due to their age, finding replacement parts for both models can be challenging. It's best to handle them with care.
