Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact 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 XZ2 Compact is a pocket-sized powerhouse that packs a punch. With its compact dimensions and impressive build quality, this device is perfect for those who prefer a smaller form factor without compromising on performance. Powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB of RAM, it can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. The 5.0-inch Triluminos display with HDR support ensures vibrant colors and sharp details. Capture stunning photos with the 19MP main camera, and take crystal-clear selfies with the 5MP front camera. With an IP68 rating, this phone is also water and dust-resistant. With its attractive price point and multiple color options, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts seeking a compact and powerful smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact boasts a sleek and compact design, making it a perfect choice for users who prefer a smaller form factor. The device features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The dimensions of 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm and a weight of 168g make it highly portable and easy to handle with one hand. The device is also IP68 dust and water-resistant, providing added durability and robustness.

In terms of aesthetics, the Xperia XZ2 Compact offers a minimalist design with thin bezels and a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display. The display has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. The Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine enhance the viewing experience by producing accurate colors and sharpness.

The device features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security, which is conveniently placed for easy access. The placement of buttons and controls is well-thought-out, ensuring intuitive navigation and comfortable usage. The grip of the Xperia XZ2 Compact is enhanced by the textured back panel, which also adds a touch of sophistication to its design.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact excels in both design and build quality, offering a combination of premium aesthetics, durability, and ergonomic design elements. Its compact size, sleek design, and sturdy construction make it a desirable choice for users seeking a powerful and portable device.

Display

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The compact size of the screen makes it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which provides durability against scratches and accidental drops. With its Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine, the Xperia XZ2 Compact delivers vibrant and accurate colors, enhancing the overall visual experience. The pixel density of around 483 ppi ensures sharp and detailed images.

In terms of brightness, the display offers good levels, making it easily readable in different lighting conditions. The outdoor visibility is decent, allowing users to use the phone comfortably even in bright sunlight. The touch responsiveness is smooth and responsive, ensuring smooth scrolling and accurate touch inputs.

The Xperia XZ2 Compact also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) and wide color gamut, which results in a more immersive and lifelike viewing experience. The viewing angles are wide, providing consistent color reproduction from different angles. Additionally, the display features an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare and improving visibility in bright environments.

Other notable features include the absence of a notch design, which gives the display a more traditional and symmetrical look. The bezels surrounding the screen are relatively slim, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio and providing a more immersive feel. The Xperia XZ2 Compact does not have an always-on display feature, but it does include a blue light filter to reduce eye strain and adaptive brightness for automatic adjustment according to ambient lighting conditions. Users can also calibrate the display settings to their preferences.

Overall, the display of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact offers a compact size, vibrant colors, good brightness levels, and a durable screen protection, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a high-quality viewing experience in a compact form factor.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, which provides exceptional performance for a compact smartphone. The octa-core CPU, consisting of four Kryo 385 Gold cores clocked at 2.7 GHz and four Kryo 385 Silver cores clocked at 1.7 GHz, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. This chipset is known for its efficiency and optimized thermal management, resulting in a lag-free and smooth user experience.

In terms of GPU performance, the Xperia XZ2 Compact features the Adreno 630 GPU. This GPU delivers excellent graphics scores and gaming capabilities, making it suitable for gaming enthusiasts. The GPU benchmarks and gaming benchmarks consistently show that this device can handle graphically demanding games with ease, providing an immersive gaming experience.

When it comes to synthetic benchmarks, the Xperia XZ2 Compact has shown impressive performance metrics. In benchmark tests such as AnTuTu and GeekBench, it achieves high scores, demonstrating its processor efficiency and overall system optimization. The device also excels in graphics benchmarks like GFXBench, delivering smooth visuals and enhanced gaming experiences.

One notable aspect of the Xperia XZ2 Compact's performance is its battery life. With a 2870 mAh non-removable battery, this device offers an endurance rating of 88 hours. This means that it can last for an extended period without requiring frequent recharges, making it ideal for users who prioritize long-lasting battery performance.

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact delivers exceptional performance in a compact form factor. Its Snapdragon 845 chipset, coupled with the Adreno 630 GPU, ensures lag-free multitasking, smooth gaming experiences, and efficient thermal management. With impressive benchmark scores and long-lasting battery life, this device offers a powerful and enjoyable user experience for both everyday tasks and demanding gaming sessions.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 10. This allows users to enjoy the latest features and enhancements offered by the Android platform. Sony has also customized the software to provide a unique user experience. The interface is user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate through the various menus and settings.

One notable aspect of the software is the lack of bloatware. Bloatware refers to pre-installed apps that often take up valuable storage space and can be cumbersome to remove. Fortunately, the Xperia XZ2 Compact does not come with excessive pre-installed apps, giving users the freedom to choose which apps they want to have on their device.

In terms of customization, Sony offers a range of options to personalize the user experience. Users can customize their home screen with different themes, wallpapers, and widgets to suit their preferences. The device also supports various gesture controls, allowing users to navigate the interface with ease.

Furthermore, the Xperia XZ2 Compact comes with a range of useful pre-installed apps. These include Sony's own suite of multimedia apps, such as the Music and Video apps, which provide a seamless media playback experience. Additionally, the device features Google's suite of apps, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Photos, which offer a wealth of functionality and integration with other Google services.

Overall, the software on the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact offers a user-friendly interface, customization options, and a minimal amount of bloatware. This allows users to have a streamlined and personalized experience, making it a reliable choice for those who value simplicity and efficiency in their smartphone software.

Camera

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact features a 19-megapixel main camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture and a 25mm focal length, allowing for crisp and detailed shots. The camera is equipped with predictive phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and laser autofocus, ensuring quick and accurate focusing. It also boasts image stabilization technology to minimize camera shake and produce sharp images. The camera performs well in various lighting conditions, including daylight, indoor, and outdoor photography, delivering natural colors and excellent sharpness. The device's camera also excels in capturing images with a wide dynamic range, allowing for detailed highlights and shadows in high-contrast scenes. In low-light situations, the camera's low-light sensitivity and noise reduction capabilities help capture clear and vibrant photos. Additionally, the camera offers various shooting modes and features such as portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, giving users greater control and creative options. The Xperia XZ2 Compact's camera is also capable of recording high-quality 4K videos with excellent video stabilization. Slow-motion video and time-lapse features are also available, allowing users to capture unique and creative footage. The device supports multiple video formats, further enhancing its versatility as a video recording tool. Overall, the camera of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact offers impressive performance and versatility for photography and videography enthusiasts.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 2870 mAh battery, which provides a decent battery life. With its power-efficient Snapdragon 845 processor and optimized software, the battery performance of the Xperia XZ2 Compact is commendable. The device supports 18W wired charging with QC3 technology, allowing for quick charging when needed. However, it does not support wireless charging options. The battery management system on the Xperia XZ2 Compact ensures efficient utilization of power, maximizing the battery backup. Users can expect a good screen-on time and standby time with this device. The battery capacity is sufficient for everyday use, but heavy users may need to charge the device more frequently. Overall, the Xperia XZ2 Compact offers a reliable battery performance and optimization features to enhance the user experience.

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact offers a wide range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies, ensuring compatibility with most carriers. In terms of wireless connectivity, it features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, allowing for fast and reliable internet browsing. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA for seamless sharing of files and media. Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, aptX HD, and LE is available for wireless audio streaming and device pairing. NFC is included for convenient contactless payments and easy pairing with compatible devices. The USB Type-C 3.1 port allows for fast data transfer and charging. The phone also supports GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO for accurate navigation and location tracking. Additionally, the Xperia XZ2 Compact has a mobile hotspot feature, enabling you to share your internet connection with other devices. With its comprehensive connectivity options, this device ensures that you stay connected and enjoy fast data speeds and reliable network compatibility.

Additional Features

• Standout features: The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact boasts several standout features that make it a compelling choice. One of its key features is its water and dust resistance, with an IP68 rating. This means that it can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. Its compact size, measuring 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm, is another notable feature, making it comfortable to hold and easy to handle with one hand. Additionally, the Xperia XZ2 Compact supports wireless charging, allowing you to conveniently charge your device without the need for cables. It is compatible with Qi wireless charging technology, which is widely supported by many charging docks and accessories.


• Advanced sensors: The Xperia XZ2 Compact comes equipped with an array of advanced sensors that enhance its functionality. It features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, allowing for precise motion detection and control. These sensors enable the device to detect and respond to movements, enabling features such as gesture controls and screen rotation. In addition to these motion sensors, the Xperia XZ2 Compact also includes a sensor suite that includes proximity, barometer, compass, and color spectrum sensors. These additional sensors provide enhanced environmental awareness and enable features such as automatic screen brightness adjustment and accurate color reproduction. Overall, the Xperia XZ2 Compact delivers a comprehensive sensor package that enhances its overall user experience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a compact smartphone that packs a punch in terms of features and performance. When comparing it to related gadgets in the market, it stands out for its unique combination of size and power. One of its main competitors is the iPhone SE (2020), which also offers a compact design and high-end specifications.

In terms of specifications, the Xperia XZ2 Compact boasts a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with HDR support and a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. Its Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine ensure vibrant and sharp visuals. On the other hand, the iPhone SE (2020) features a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with True Tone technology, providing accurate colors and excellent visibility.

When it comes to performance, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB of RAM, delivering smooth multitasking and efficient processing power. The iPhone SE (2020) houses Apple's A13 Bionic chip, which is known for its exceptional performance and efficiency.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Xperia XZ2 Compact features a 19MP single rear camera with predictive phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording. It also has a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. The iPhone SE (2020) sports a 12MP single rear camera with advanced computational photography features, resulting in stunning photos. It has a 7MP front camera for selfies and FaceTime.

In terms of pricing, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is priced at around 430 EUR, offering good value for its features and specifications. The iPhone SE (2020) starts at a higher price point, but it offers the advantage of being part of Apple's ecosystem and receiving long-term software support.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact competes well with other compact smartphones in the market, providing a balance of size, performance, and features. Its unique combination of specifications and pricing make it an appealing option for those seeking a compact yet powerful device.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a compact powerhouse that offers a great user experience. Its small size and lightweight design make it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The HDR display delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, while the Snapdragon 845 processor ensures smooth performance. The camera is capable of capturing impressive photos and videos, and the battery life is commendable. However, the absence of a headphone jack may disappoint some users. Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a solid option for those who prioritize portability without compromising on performance. Potential buyers looking for a high-performing compact smartphone should definitely consider this device.