The Sony Xperia Z5 and Z2a represent different eras of Sony's smartphone ambitions. Both offer a premium feel and a focus on photography, but significant hardware differences separate them. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z5 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, improved camera, and longer battery life. However, the Z2a remains a capable device, especially for those seeking a compact and affordable vintage option. The Z5's Snapdragon 810 offers a noticeable performance boost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E6603, E6653 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - E6603, E6653 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps (E6603), LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps (E6653) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, September 02. Released 2015, October 02 | 2014, June. Released 2014, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 in) | 137 x 72 x 11 mm (5.39 x 2.83 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 154 g (5.43 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.9% 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) | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF | 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 | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 | VGA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted; EU model only), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | - |
| Music play | Up to 87 h | Up to 120 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 520 h (2G) / Up to 540 h (3G) | Up to 700 h (2G) / Up to 770 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 19 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Graphite Black, Gold, Green, Pink | Black, White, Turquoise |
| Models | E6653, SO-01H, SOV32, E6603, 501SO | D6563 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.55 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 48h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 986 (nominal), 2.88(sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1580Basemark X: 24941 | - |
Sony Xperia Z5
- Superior Performance
- Excellent Camera
- Longer Battery Life
- Better Sunlight Visibility
- Faster Charging (QC2)
- Potentially Overheating (Snapdragon 810)
- Larger Size
- Older Model - Limited Software Updates
Sony Xperia Z2a
- Compact Size
- Affordable Price
- Decent Camera
- Water Resistant
- Slower Performance
- Shorter Battery Life
- Outdated Processor
- Limited Software Support
Display Comparison
The Xperia Z5 features a 5.2-inch Full HD display with a contrast ratio of 986:1 (nominal) and a surprisingly good 2.88:1 in direct sunlight. The Z2a has a 5.2-inch Full HD display. While both offer good clarity, the Z5's contrast ratio suggests slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both utilize Sony's Triluminos technology for vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia Z5 is known for its impressive camera capabilities, featuring a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor with a fast phase detection autofocus. The Z2a has a 20.7MP camera as well, but its performance is noticeably behind. The Z5's image processing and autofocus are superior, resulting in sharper, more detailed photos and videos. Both phones offer excellent image stabilization.
Performance
Here's where the Z5 truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset with an Octa-core CPU (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) provides a substantial performance advantage over the Z2a's Snapdragon 801 and Quad-core Krait 400. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Z5. The Z5's 20nm process is also more efficient than the Z2a's 28nm.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z5 boasts an endurance rating of 48 hours, indicating significantly better battery life than the Z2a. While the Z2a's battery capacity is comparable, the Z5's more efficient processor contributes to its extended runtime. Expect to get through a full day of moderate use on the Z5, while the Z2a may require a midday charge.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z5 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and battery life, and don't mind a slightly larger device. The Xperia Z2a is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a compact, reliable phone with a decent camera and are comfortable with older technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 in the Z5 prone to overheating?
Yes, the Snapdragon 810 was known for thermal throttling under sustained load. However, Sony implemented cooling solutions to mitigate this issue, and it's generally manageable for everyday use.
❓ Are software updates still available for either of these phones?
Software support for both devices has largely ended. You'll be running older versions of Android, which poses security risks. Custom ROMs might be an option for advanced users.
