Sony Xperia XA2 Plus Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is a mid-range smartphone that was announced in July 2018 and released in September of the same year. It boasts a range of features and specifications that make it an attractive option for those looking for a new device.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus boasts an elegant and sleek design that is pleasing to the eye. The phone's dimensions measure 157 x 75 x 9.6 mm and it weighs at 205 g, which is slightly heavier than some of its competitors. However, this is due to the phone's sturdy construction and high-quality materials. The device has a glass front with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame that gives it a premium look and feel.

The phone's ergonomics are well thought-out, and it fits comfortably in the hand. The placement of the buttons is intuitive, making it easy to reach and use them without any fuss. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the back of the phone, making it easy to unlock the device with a simple touch.

In terms of durability, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is built to last. The Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front of the phone ensures that it can withstand scratches and minor drops. The phone's aluminum frame adds to its toughness, making it less prone to damage from accidental drops and bumps.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus' design and build quality are top-notch. It has a premium look and feel, and its sturdy construction ensures that it can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Display

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus boasts a large and vivid 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The screen-to-body ratio of almost 79% is impressive, and the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are excellent, and the images are sharp and clear. The brightness levels are adequate, and the phone's outdoor visibility is decent. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are quite good, and the phone's display is easy to use and navigate. The display also has a blue light filter mode that reduces eye strain during prolonged use. However, the lack of an OLED display is somewhat disappointing, as it does not offer the deep blacks and vivid colors of OLED screens. Overall, the display of the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is impressive, and it provides a great viewing experience for multimedia consumption and gaming.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset, an octa-core processor clocked at 2.2 GHz, and an Adreno 508 GPU. With this combination, the overall performance of the device is smooth and lag-free. Multitasking is a breeze with the 4GB or 6GB RAM options and the device handles heavy usage with ease.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Xperia XA2 Plus performs exceptionally well. High-end games run smoothly without any lag or frame drops. The device also handles graphics-intensive games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 with ease.

On the benchmark front, the Xperia XA2 Plus scores an impressive 86,374 on Antutu v7 and 107,537 on Antutu v8. It also scores 4144 on GeekBench v4.4 and 1018 on GeekBench v5.1. These scores are a testament to the device's processing power and capabilities.

In real-world usage, the device performs flawlessly with apps opening quickly, and smooth switching between them. The device also handles heavy usage like streaming video and music, browsing, and social media without any issues.

Overall, the Xperia XA2 Plus is a powerful device that performs exceptionally well in all facets. Its processing power and capabilities make it an excellent choice for those who require a phone that can handle heavy usage and multitasking with ease.

Software and User Interface

V. Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus runs on Android 8.0 (Oreo) with Sony's custom Xperia UI on top. The user interface is clean, minimalistic, and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through the phone's features and functions. The device also offers a range of customization options, allowing users to personalize their device to suit their preferences.

The pre-installed apps on the XA2 Plus are minimal, with only a few Sony apps and Google's suite of apps included. This lack of bloatware makes the phone feel less cluttered and more streamlined, allowing users to focus on the apps that they need and use the most.

The software on the XA2 Plus is responsive and snappy, thanks to the Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 chipset and 4GB/6GB of RAM. The phone can handle multitasking and app performance with ease, making it suitable for users who require a device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.

Sony is known for providing timely software updates, and the XA2 Plus is no exception. The device has received several updates since its release, which have improved the overall performance and stability of the phone.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus offer a smooth and streamlined experience for users who prefer a clean and minimalistic interface. The device's customization options and timely software updates further enhance the user experience, making it a solid choice for those who value performance and simplicity in their device's software.

Camera

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is equipped with a single 23 MP rear camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture lens, PDAF, and an LED flash. On the front, there is an 8 MP camera with f/2.4 aperture lens. The rear camera can shoot 4K videos at 30fps, while the front camera can shoot 1080p videos at 30fps.

The camera performance of the Xperia XA2 Plus is impressive, especially in daylight conditions. The photos captured are sharp, detailed, and have accurate colors. The camera also performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to the PDAF and LED flash. The images captured in low-light conditions are relatively noise-free, but they lack the crispness and detail of daylight photos.

The camera app on the Xperia XA2 Plus is user-friendly and easy to navigate. It comes with various shooting modes, including a manual mode for users who prefer to adjust the camera settings themselves. The camera also supports HDR and panorama modes, which produce stunning results.

The front-facing camera on the Xperia XA2 Plus is ideal for selfies and video calls. The images captured are detailed and have natural skin tones. The camera also features a beauty mode that smoothens skin and enhances facial features.

Overall, the camera performance of the Xperia XA2 Plus is impressive, especially considering its price range. It is a suitable phone for photography enthusiasts who do not want to break the bank.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus comes with a range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for those who need to stay connected on the go. The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, making it compatible with most carriers around the world. Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and Wi-Fi Direct are also supported, allowing for fast and stable wireless connections.

The phone also comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, and LE, making it easy to connect to other devices wirelessly. NFC is also available, allowing for quick and easy wireless payments with compatible devices.

GPS and GLONASS are included for accurate navigation and location tracking, while FM radio provides an additional entertainment option for those who prefer to listen to the radio. The USB Type-C 2.0 port supports fast charging and OTG connectivity, allowing for easy data transfer with other devices.

The phone also features a range of sensors, including a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors allow for advanced features such as face unlock and gesture control, making the phone more convenient and user-friendly.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus offers a wide range of connectivity and networking options, making it a versatile device for both personal and professional use. Whether you're looking to stay connected on the go or need a device for business use, the XA2 Plus has you covered.

Additional Features

The Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is a device that comes with a lot of additional features that make it stand out from the rest. One of the features that make it unique is its water and dust resistance. This means that the device can withstand water splashes and dust particles, which is a great feature for those who work in harsh environments or enjoy outdoor activities.

Another great feature of the Xperia XA2 Plus is its expandable storage options. This device comes with a microSDXC slot that can accommodate up to 400GB of additional storage space. This is perfect for those who love to store large amounts of music, videos, and photos on their device.

The audio quality of the Xperia XA2 Plus is also top-notch, with a 24-bit/192kHz audio output that delivers clear and crisp sound. The device also comes with a headphone jack, which is a rare feature in modern smartphones, making it perfect for those who prefer wired headphones.

In terms of speaker performance, the Xperia XA2 Plus does not disappoint. It comes with a loudspeaker that produces clear and precise sound, with a voice output of 66dB, noise output of 73dB, and ring output of 79dB. This makes it perfect for those who love to listen to music or watch videos on their device.

Lastly, the Xperia XA2 Plus also comes with other unique features or innovations, such as its fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These features make it easy to use and navigate, and they also add an extra layer of security to the device.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is packed with additional features that make it a great device for those who want a phone that can withstand harsh environments, has great storage options, excellent audio quality, and a range of unique and innovative features.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus with other related phones, it's important to consider the phones that fall within its price range and target audience. One such phone is the Motorola Moto G6 Plus, which has a similar price point and features a comparable Snapdragon 630 processor. However, the Moto G6 Plus has a slightly smaller 5.9-inch display and a lower resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels.

Another related phone is the Nokia 7 Plus, which is a bit pricier than the Xperia XA2 Plus but offers a larger 6.0-inch display with a higher resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. The Nokia 7 Plus also has a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 660 processor and a dual-camera setup on the rear, which may appeal to photography enthusiasts.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 is another phone that comes to mind when comparing to the Xperia XA2 Plus, as both phones have a similar Snapdragon 630 processor and 6.0-inch display. However, the Mi A2 boasts a higher resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and a dual-camera setup on the rear, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize camera capabilities in a phone.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus holds its own against other phones in its price range and target audience, but it may not stand out as the clear winner in any one category. It's important for potential buyers to weigh the pros and cons of each phone and determine which features are most important to them.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XA2 Plus is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a well-rounded package of features and capabilities. Its sleek design and durable build quality make it a sturdy choice for daily use, while its vibrant display and responsive touch technology provide an immersive user experience. The device's performance and software offerings are reliable and efficient, and its cameras produce high-quality images and videos that are sure to impress. The battery life is impressive, and its fast charging capabilities ensure that you won't be tethered to a charger for long. Overall, the Xperia XA2 Plus is a great option for those seeking a dependable smartphone with a respectable set of features, at an affordable price. However, those looking for cutting-edge technology and advanced features may want to consider other options in the market.