Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium 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 Premium is a high-end smartphone that was released in July 2018, boasting impressive specifications that are still relevant today. This premium device comes with a 5.8-inch HDR display with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and a dual rear camera setup with 19MP and 12MP sensors. It also features water and dust resistance, fast wired and wireless charging, and a dynamic vibration system for a tactile experience. While the phone was launched several years ago, it still remains a popular choice among smartphone enthusiasts.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts a sleek and modern design, with its glass front and back panels, and aluminum frame. It has a large and hefty build, measuring 158 x 80 x 11.9 mm and weighing 236 g, which provides a premium feel in the hand. The device is also IP65/IP68 dust and water-resistant, making it durable against accidental spills and splashes.

The physical appearance of the phone is well-crafted, with its glossy finish and thin bezels on the sides. It has a 5.8-inch IPS LCD screen with HDR10 technology, which displays vivid and accurate colors. The glass back panel has a unique reflective design that adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Ergonomics and comfort are important factors when it comes to design, and Sony has delivered in this aspect. The device's curved edges and rounded corners provide a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold and use with one hand. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed at the back of the device, making it easily accessible.

Durability and construction are also key features of the Xperia XZ2 Premium. The device is built to last, thanks to its Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Despite its glass build, it can withstand accidental drops and scratches, making it a reliable device for daily use.

Overall, the design and build quality of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is impressive, with its sleek and modern design, comfortable grip, and durable construction. It's a device that can stand out in a crowd, making it a great choice for those who want to make a statement with their smartphone.

Display

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts a stunning 5.8-inch IPS LCD display with HDR10 capability. With a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and a density of 765 pixels per inch, it delivers an immersive visual experience that is sure to impress. The screen-to-body ratio of 72.4% allows for a large display while keeping the form factor manageable.

The display technology used in the Xperia XZ2 Premium is Triluminos, which enhances colors to make them appear more vivid and lifelike. The X-Reality Engine also works to improve image quality by analyzing and optimizing each pixel. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection ensures that the screen is durable and can withstand drops and scratches.

The brightness of the display is exceptional, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are also top-notch, making it easy to navigate through apps and menus.

Overall, the display on the Xperia XZ2 Premium is one of the best on the market, delivering stunning visuals that are sure to impress. The color accuracy, vibrancy, and brightness are all top-notch, making it an excellent device for media consumption and gaming.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB of RAM. This hardware combination delivers a smooth and efficient performance across a wide range of tasks. Multitasking is a breeze, with the phone easily handling multiple apps without any lag or stuttering. The Adreno 630 GPU ensures that gaming performance is top-notch, with even the most graphics-intensive games running smoothly.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Xperia XZ2 Premium is a solid performer. It scores an impressive 264734 on AnTuTu v7 and 288101 on AnTuTu v8. Geekbench scores are also impressive, with a score of 8509 on v4.4 and 2099 on v5.1. GFXBench scores are also noteworthy, with 37fps in ES 3.1 onscreen.

Real-world usage confirms the phone's impressive performance. Apps launch quickly, and scrolling through content is smooth and seamless. The phone handles web browsing, social media, and streaming media with ease. Even more demanding apps like photo and video editing tools run smoothly and without any hiccups.

All in all, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is a powerhouse device that delivers a top-notch performance. It's ideal for power users who need a phone that can handle even the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium runs on Android 8.0 (Oreo), which is upgradable to the latest Android 10. The user interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and customize their phone to their preferences. It also offers a range of customization options, including themes, wallpapers, and icons, allowing users to personalize their device.

One notable feature of the user interface is the Dynamic Vibration System, which enhances the multimedia experience by providing haptic feedback in response to audio and video content. This adds an extra dimension to gaming, movies, and music, making it a unique and enjoyable feature.

While the phone does come with some pre-installed apps, they are not excessive or intrusive, and most can be uninstalled or disabled if not needed. The interface is user-friendly and responsive, with smooth animations and transitions between apps and screens.

The phone also comes with several useful features, such as the Side Sense, which allows users to access frequently used apps and settings by double-tapping the side of the phone. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the back of the phone and is fast and accurate.

Sony has a reputation for providing regular software updates, and the Xperia XZ2 Premium is no exception. The device receives regular security updates and bug fixes, ensuring that it remains secure and up-to-date.

Overall, the software and user interface on the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium are well-designed, responsive, and intuitive, making it a pleasure to use. The range of customization options and unique features, such as the Dynamic Vibration System and Side Sense, add to the user experience, making it stand out in a crowded market.

Camera

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts an impressive dual camera setup on the back, featuring a 19 MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 12 MP black and white sensor with f/1.6 aperture. The rear camera setup also includes predictive phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus for fast and accurate focusing. The camera app provides a wealth of shooting modes and options, including manual mode, panorama, HDR, and 4K video recording at 30 frames per second.

In terms of image quality, the XZ2 Premium camera does an excellent job of capturing sharp and detailed photos with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The black and white sensor also adds an extra level of depth and contrast to the shots. In low light conditions, the camera performs well with minimal noise and good detail preservation, thanks to the bright aperture and pixel binning technology.

The XZ2 Premium also offers a unique feature called Motion Eye, which allows users to record super slow-motion videos at 960 frames per second in Full HD resolution. The front-facing camera is a 13 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture, which is capable of capturing decent selfies with good detail and color accuracy.

Overall, the camera performance of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is top-notch and can compete with some of the best camera phones on the market. Whether you're a professional photographer or just an average user, you won't be disappointed with the camera capabilities of this device.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 3540 mAh battery, which provides a decent amount of power for daily use. The battery life of the device is quite impressive, with an endurance rating of 77 hours. This means that the phone can last for a considerable amount of time on a single charge. Additionally, the device supports fast charging technology, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. The phone also offers wireless charging capabilities, providing convenience to users who prefer a cable-free charging experience. The battery optimization features of the Xperia XZ2 Premium help to maximize the battery performance and efficiency. Users can expect a good screen-on time and standby time, thanks to the power management features implemented by Sony. Overall, the battery of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium offers a reliable and efficient power source for users, ensuring that they can use their device for extended periods without worrying about battery drain.

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts impressive connectivity and networking capabilities, making it a reliable and efficient device for all your communication needs. It supports 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks, ensuring fast and reliable internet connectivity. The device also offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA for seamless wireless connectivity.

For navigation, the Xperia XZ2 Premium comes with GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS, providing accurate location tracking and faster response times. Additionally, the device features NFC technology for easy wireless payment and data transfer.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium also comes with a USB Type-C 3.1 port, enabling fast data transfer and charging. The device does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it supports high-quality audio through its 24-bit/192kHz audio output and dynamic vibration system.

The device also features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, and color spectrum sensors for added convenience and security.

Overall, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium delivers exceptional connectivity and networking capabilities, making it an ideal choice for individuals who value reliable and efficient communication devices.

Additional Features

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium boasts of several additional features that make it stand out from its competitors.

Firstly, the device is water and dust resistant with an IP65/IP68 rating, meaning that it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. This feature makes it perfect for users who enjoy outdoor activities or who work in harsh environments.

Secondly, the phone has expandable storage options with a microSDXC card slot that can accommodate up to 512GB of extra storage. This is particularly useful for users who need to store large files such as photos, videos, and music.

Thirdly, the Xperia XZ2 Premium comes with a dynamic vibration system that provides haptic feedback in response to different actions on the phone. This feature enhances the user experience by adding a new level of interactivity and immersion.

Fourthly, the audio quality on the Xperia XZ2 Premium is exceptional. The phone is equipped with stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound. Additionally, it supports 24-bit/192kHz audio and has a Triluminos display that enhances color accuracy.

Lastly, the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it comes with a USB Type-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter for those who prefer wired headphones. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX HD for high-quality wireless audio.

Overall, these additional features make the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium an impressive device that offers a premium user experience.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium to other related phones, it is clear that Sony has positioned this device as a premium offering. In terms of price, it is more expensive than many of its competitors, such as the Google Pixel 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S9. However, it also offers a number of premium features that set it apart from these devices.

One of the key areas where the Xperia XZ2 Premium excels is its camera. While many other phones offer dual-camera setups, Sony has gone a step further by including a dual-camera setup with one sensor dedicated to black and white photography. This allows for stunning low-light performance and depth-of-field effects that are unmatched by many other devices. In terms of camera performance, the iPhone X and the Huawei P20 Pro are the closest competitors to the Xperia XZ2 Premium.

Another area where the Xperia XZ2 Premium stands out is its display. With a 4K resolution, it offers unparalleled clarity and detail. However, this high resolution also means that the device can be quite power-hungry, and battery life may suffer as a result. For those who prioritize battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the OnePlus 6T are strong competitors.

Overall, the Xperia XZ2 Premium is a strong offering for those who prioritize camera and display performance above all else. While it may not be the best choice for those on a budget or for those who need all-day battery life, it is a device that will appeal to those who demand the best of the best.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is a powerful and feature-packed smartphone. Its stunning 5.8-inch HDR10 display with a high resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels delivers vibrant and sharp visuals. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, ensuring smooth performance and multitasking capabilities. The dual rear camera setup captures impressive photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions. The phone's IP65/IP68 rating makes it resistant to dust and water damage. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, the stereo speakers provide excellent audio quality. Overall, the Xperia XZ2 Premium is an excellent choice for users who prioritize a premium display, powerful performance, and a capable camera system.