Phone Xperia XZ 2. Review of the Sony Xperia XZ2 smartphone: a very expensive and powerful Japanese flagship. Appearance and ease of use
Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact are two new products that are definitely worth paying attention to. In this article, we will analyze their main technical characteristics and compare them with each other - what are their similarities and differences. We will also focus on the key features. I wonder how much the new phone from Sony will cost...
The beginning of 2018 turned out to be quite busy with releases of various gadgets and smart electronics. The tech giant of the Japanese electronics market, Sony, also joined the relay. As part of MWC 2018, it presented an updated line of its top-end smartphones Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact. In fact, both models are close relatives both in hardware and in execution style. But there are a number of small differences, how obvious we will decide together.
Design
Hooray! It's finished! Sony smartphones have said goodbye to their traditional angular design. The company's specialists have finally paid attention to trends in mobile fashion. I would immediately like to note the thin frames around the perimeter of the screen at the edges, the smoothness of the body lines, and the front panel emphasized by the shine of the glass. Xperia now looks quite nice and stylish.
The screen, protected by 5th generation Gorilla Glass, looks like one single monolith, although this opinion is quickly dispelled when you first turn on the device. The upper and lower parts of the display remain covered with rather thick frames, hidden by the blackness of the glass. They become noticeable only when the screen is active. At the top there is a speaker, light sensors and a front camera. The hardware part is most likely hidden behind the bottom.
The back panel of the Xperia has also been worked out in detail. By the way, it is the back cover that is the first difference between the XZ2 and XZ2 Compact models. The older one has a glass lid, and the camera modules and fingerprint scanner are arranged in one line - vertical. The lid has a rather noticeable convex shape, in the reflection of which the usual edges of symmetry are erased. The compact model has a matte plastic cover, and the modules are located slightly differently, but the risk of the lens getting dirty when searching for a scanner is minimal.
The smartphone control buttons remain in the proprietary design of the Xperia line, which is fairly standard for Android devices - on one side of the side frame.
In general, the new product looks quite interesting, stylish and modern. The advantages include the release in four colors for each model, as well as moisture and dust protection of the IP68 standard. Sony stated that phones can be washed under running water if necessary without the risk of damaging the smartphone.
Specifications
| Display | Physical size | 5.7 inches | 5 inches |
| Permission | 1080 x 2160 pixels | 1080 x 2160 pixels | |
| Pixel Density | 424 ppi | 483 ppi | |
| Technology | IPS | iPS | |
| Peculiarities | HDR, scratch-resistant glass (Corning Gorilla Glass 5), light sensor, proximity sensor | ||
| Hardware | CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SDM845, Octa-core, 2800 MHz, Kryo 385, 64-bit, 10 nm | |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Adreno 630 | |
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
| Memory | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
| Memory expansion | up to 400 GB | up to 400 GB | |
| Camera | Photo | 19 MP (main), 5 MP (front, wide-angle) | 19 MP (main), 5 MP (front) |
| Video | 3840x2160 (4 frames), 1920x1080 (1080p HD) (960 fps), 1280x720 (720p HD) | ||
| Software Features | Manual Focus, Digital Image Stabilization, Touch Focus, Face Detection, Voice Activation | ||
| Other Features | High Dynamic Range (HDR), Time Resolution Video, Digital Image Stabilization, Video Calling, Video Sharing | ||
| cellular | GSM | 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz | 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz |
| Data | LTE-A Pro Cat 18 (1200/150 Mbps), HSPA, HSUPA, UMTS | ||
| Bluetooth | 5,0 | 5,0 | |
| WiFi | 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac, dual-band | ||
| USB | Type-C | Type-C | |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass | |
| Battery | Capacity | 3180 mAh | 2870 mAh |
| Wireless charger | Built-in Qi | — | |
| Other | Water and dust protection | IP 68 | IP 68 |
| Colors | Black, Silver, Pink, Green | ||
| Material | Main body: glass; Accents: Aluminum |
Main body: plastic; Accents: Aluminum |
|
| Dimensions | 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm | 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm | |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
Display
Sony developers have worked quite hard here. The screen has an aspect ratio of 18:9, Full HD resolution. The overall concept chosen by Sony for the new Xperia XZ2 is based on entertainment functions. And here this idea is implemented quite well. The Up Converter technology used in the production of Bravia TVs allows processing standard dynamic range (SDR) to HDR level. At the same time, it is possible to convert even the most ordinary content to HDR display. The display turned out to be quite successful and interesting, with excellent color rendition and contrast. Of course, the wide bezels of the screen on the top and bottom sides were a little disappointing, but the quality of the transmitted image more than compensates for this shortcoming. The difference between the screens is only in physical size: for the older model Xperia XZ2 it is 5.7 inches, for the younger XZ2 Compact it is 5 inches.
Hardware and Hardware
We can say that Sony developers did not skimp on ideas for implementing advanced technologies. The Xperia XZ2 is equipped with a processor that has been quite sensational lately, the Andreo 640 video chip is responsible for graphics, and all this is controlled by the Android 8.0 Oreo system. 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of main storage with the possibility of expanding the latter using SD cards will help you easily cope with all tasks that require high performance and data storage.
The modem responsible for mobile Internet did not go unnoticed. A new product in the electronics market is also implemented here - the X20 LTE modem, which is used in most modern flagships. Since the device is billed as a smartphone for entertainment, the hardware is more than enough for the most demanding users.
Entertainment Features
To create an augmented reality effect, a new vibration response system, Dynamic Vibration System, has been developed. This technology analyzes the audio output of the smartphone and adds vibration for certain situations. Watching movies and playing games on your phone will give you new pleasant sensations.
The sound parameters of the new product have been worked out. The Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact have full-fledged S-Force Front Surround stereo speakers, which are the loudest in the world of smartphones.
This also includes the fairly capacious battery of the new product. A 3200 mAh cell is being prepared for the Xperia XZ2, and 3000 mAh for the XZ2 Compact. With more efficient and modern hardware, this capacity should be enough for a good battery life, given that you will be constantly playing with the phone.
Camera
Sony camera sensors have long gained immense popularity and are used by many manufacturers to produce various video devices from smartphones to DVRs. True, both models received, as one might think at first impression, a slightly outdated version with one lens. Although most flagships have long acquired dual camera modules. However, the camera's capabilities are surprising.
Xperia received Motion Eye cameras with a resolution of 19 MP and an F 2/0 aperture with the ability to shoot 4K HDR video and super slow motion 960 FPS at 1080p quality instead of 720p. Thus, Sony Xperia XZ2 becomes the first smartphone to support 4K HDR video recording. The 3D kreator function with unique algorithms scans objects and faces and creates 3D models. We will definitely publish examples of photos taken with the new flagships from Sony on our resource.
Bottom line
In general, the updated Xperia XZ2 line turned out to be quite productive, stylish and with interesting functionality. A successful decision was the abandonment of the usual “brick” design in favor of modern trends. Sales of the new product are expected in March, but the price of the Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact is still in question. Based on past versions, the expected price tag will be around $700. The price and start date of sales in Russia have also not yet been announced.
- Android 8.0, Sony Xperia UI
- Display 5.7 inches, FHD+ (2160x1080 pixels), IPS, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, white balance adjustment
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, 8 cores (4x2.8 GHz + 4x1.77 GHz), Adreno 630 video accelerator
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal (UFS 2.0), memory cards up to 400 GB, combo slot
- nanoSIM, up to two cards, one radio module
- Li-Ion 3180 mAh battery, fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0) in 100 minutes to 100 percent, fast wireless charging
- Front camera, 5 megapixels, autofocus, f/2.2
- Main camera, 19 megapixels, f/2.0, LED flash, 4K video recording, super slow motion 960 fps in FHD, electronic stabilization
- Google Pay (NFC)
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 LE (aptX HD and LDAC support), USB Type C, NFC
- GPS, GLONASS
- Fingerprint scanner (on the back cover)
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, light sensor
- LTE cat.18
- Water and dust protection IP65
- Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm, weight 198 grams
Contents of delivery
- Smartphone
- Charger
- USB to USB Type C cable
- USB Type C to mini jack adapter
- Instructions
Positioning
Back in September 2017, Sony introduced its Xperia XZ1, but before we knew it, it had already been replaced by an updated model. Interestingly, the XZ1 occupied an intermediate position between the XZ1 Compact and XZ Premium, while the XZ2 is a full-fledged flagship, top of the line.
The rapid change in Sony's lineup is due to the peculiarities of the Japanese market, where the lifespan of a flagship is gradually decreasing, first from a year to nine months, and now to six months. Judge for yourself: XZ1 was shown at the beginning of September, and XZ2 – at the end of February.
In such a frantic race, it is difficult to maintain a decent number of innovations, but the company has done this perfectly with the XZ2. This is a new product that has received a number of functional features that the company’s fans have long asked for: a new fresh design, an 18:9 display aspect ratio, reduced bezels around the screen, SuperSlomo recording in FHD resolution.
The positioning of the Xperia XZ2 is very simple: this is the most sophisticated device from Sony, in which the company demonstrates all its achievements and new technologies, the model is designed to compete with the best solutions from major manufacturers - Samsung and Apple.
I took this smartphone on a short trip to Cappadocia, don’t be surprised if I periodically refer to the experience of using it.
Design, dimensions, control elements
Sony smartphones have always stood out from their competitors with their appearance. This was the company's calling card and one of their significant advantages. However, the strict angular design has been in use for quite some time, so Sony decided to radically change the appearance of its devices.
Instead of sharp corners, smoothed edges are now used, the back cover tapers at the edges to make the smartphone more comfortable to hold in your hand, and the glass plays beautifully in the light.
When I first looked at the XZ2, I saw a lot of dissatisfied comments. People didn't like the updated design, they wrote that Sony had lost its individuality, made one of hundreds of faceless devices and disappointed our commentators. But let's be honest, when we buy a new device, we want to get a different feeling from it, to feel that we are really holding a new product in our hands, and not a cosmetic update of the previous generation. If you compare the XZ2 and XZ1, you can immediately see that the devices are very different, they give off different emotions, they feel differently.
Do I like the updated design of the smartphone? Undoubtedly. The fact is that the case changes its color very beautifully under different lighting, plus the company chose good colors for this model (black, silver, dark green and ash pink). I tested the black version, but I saw a Sony employee walking around with a silver device, it seemed either mint or pearl, it looked great.
On the front panel there is a speaker mesh, light and proximity sensors, a front camera and a small indicator light. Below the display you can see the logo, as well as a thin mesh stereo speaker. Together with the spoken language they form a stereo pair. I didn’t see it right away; initially it seemed to me that the sound was coming directly from the USB Type C port.
On the right side there is a power button, a volume rocker and a separate camera key.
At the top you can see a tray for two nanoSIM and microSD cards, as well as a second microphone. I would also like to note that when you remove the tray, the device automatically reboots. I liked that in this model all the slots are combined into one tray; you don’t have to pry up the second tray with your fingernail, as was the case in older models.
At the bottom there is a USB Type C port and the main microphone. The XZ2 abandoned the minijack, so headphones are connected through this port. The kit comes with a corresponding adapter; Sony also announced, simultaneously with the XZ2, a separate accessory for those who want to listen to music and charge their smartphone, and several wireless headphones, as well as headsets that connect via Type C.
The back cover is made of Gorilla Glass 5, with an additional oleophobic coating applied. To be honest, initially I was afraid that the device would slip out of my hands due to the glass, but the smartphone, on the contrary, lies very securely in the hand.
The main camera and fingerprint scanner are located on the cover. Notice that both elements are moved down. This arrangement seems inconvenient at first: for example, I constantly tried to unlock the device by touching the camera. It turned out that you just need to hold the smartphone a little differently, and then your finger rests directly on the scanner.
The dimensions of the smartphone are 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm, weight – 198 grams. I think that you have already noticed the large numbers of thickness and weight; they also alerted me during the announcement of the new product. I was sure that the smartphone was thick and heavy and that it would be very inconvenient to use. In fact, it turned out that 11.1 mm is the thickness of the camera module; thanks to the beveled edges, the XZ2 feels great in the hand. The weight of the model is also evenly distributed, I can call it weighty, but it did not seem heavy.
I also liked how the smartphone fits in my hand. Thanks to the oleophobic coating, it does not slip, the glass gives a pleasant tactile sensation, and the beveled edges create the impression of a small thickness. I specifically say this because the dry characteristics may give the impression that we are looking at a 200-gram block one centimeter thick, but this is not the case.
After five days of use, I had no problems with assembly, the device is perfectly assembled, there are no backlashes or creaks.
The company’s website states that the smartphone has IP65/68 protection, and I initially assumed that it could even be submerged in water, but Sony’s website has explanatory information about this, allow me to quote it:
The Xperia XZ2 is protected from water and dust, making it resistant to heavy rain or washing under the tap (however, remember that all ports and covers must be securely closed). The device must not be completely immersed under water or exposed to sea, salt, chlorinated water or alcoholic beverages. Incorrect or improper use of the device will void the warranty. The device is assigned protection class IP65/68. For more information, visit https://support.sonymobile.com/ru/dm/waterresistant/. Please note that the Xperia XZ2 has a USB port for charging and connecting to other devices that does not have a cover. If your smartphone has been exposed to water, charge it only after the USB port is completely dry.
So the flagship's protection meets the IP65 standard, not IP68.
Screen
Following other manufacturers, Sony also decided to switch to an 18:9 display aspect ratio, and at the same time reduce the top and bottom bezels. The side bezels have also shrunk a bit, but they are still larger than some bezel-less smartphones.
I really liked the display, and I thought for a long time about how to describe its quality so that you would understand, given that even in the middle segment, manufacturers are now putting out very good screens. In the end, I settled on the following metaphor: imagine that you are leafing through a glossy magazine, printed using a good printer and high-quality paper. The picture on the smartphone screen feels like a page from such a magazine. My main smartphone is the iPhone 7 Plus, despite the fact that the difference in PPI between it and the XZ2 is small (401 versus 424), the naked eye can see that the Sony’s picture looks sharper, especially for thin fonts.
In the sun, information is no longer visible so well, but it is still readable, and in the dark the minimum brightness does not hurt the eyes. The XZ2 has a separate night mode; when it is turned on, the display goes into warm colors. You can configure the activation time of this mode, as well as the intensity of its operation. Separately, I would like to note that even at the maximum value, the picture simply looks “warmer”; there is no such obvious shift to yellow colors as on some devices.
The white balance of the screen is closer to cool colors, this is especially noticeable in comparison with the iPhone. However, without a direct comparison, I would not even notice this. Additionally, you have the option to adjust the white balance.
There are three presets for color rendering. The first meets sRGB standards, the second is an adaptation from Sony, and when you turn on the third, the display looks like a poorly calibrated AMOLED matrix.
If desired, you can enable one-handed control mode. To do this, you need to swipe left or right from the Home button.
The display can play back content in HDR, but only in some applications, in addition to the built-in ones, you can watch such videos on YouTube and Netflix.
By default, you can check the time and incoming notifications without unlocking; just take the smartphone in your hand and it will display this information on a black background. If desired, this option can be disabled in the settings.
Battery
Our commentators like to be indignant that companies do not put capacious batteries of 4000 mAh or higher in their flagship devices, but they often forget that operating time also depends on the optimization of power consumption, energy saving features of a particular manufacturer, and the energy efficiency of the chipset.
In Cappadocia, I used a smartphone paired with two SIM cards and LTE enabled, the brightness was at maximum, and all synchronization was enabled. In this mode, the device provided three hours of screen on. When you travel, you usually make the most of your smartphone, so the numbers I mentioned are a guaranteed minimum (compare these numbers with our test, where HD video is played).
As soon as we turn on Stamina mode, we get another additional hour of screen operation, and reducing the brightness to 50% will give about a little more than an hour. As a result, with active use this is three hours, in quieter scenarios - about five hours of the display on.
The device supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, it charges 43% in half an hour, 72% in an hour, 90% in an hour and a half, and it takes 100 minutes to fully charge.
At the hotel, I left my smartphone to charge overnight, and in the morning I discovered that it was only 90% charged. The problem was with the “battery care” service, it allows the battery to charge up to 90% and turns off charging, and in the last half hour before you wake up, it charges the device to 100%. But for it to work correctly, it needs to monitor your sleep schedule, and mine is floating, plus I don’t charge my smartphone at night every day, so I disabled this option in the settings.
Memory, chipset, performance
At work, I spend most of my time testing mid-range and budget smartphones; real flagships rarely come into my hands. I was almost sure that the operating speed of the mid-range segment was almost no different from the flagship devices, therefore, despite the top-end hardware, I did not expect miracles in terms of the operating speed of the XZ2. And I was pleasantly surprised by how it works. Very smooth, very fast, and most importantly, faster than most devices in the mid-segment, the difference is visible to the naked eye.
When using the smartphone for a long time (more than an hour in a row), the case heats up slightly, but it does not interfere with the use of the device.
During my entire use, I encountered two performance-related problems. When you turn on the Google feed in the launcher, the transition to it looks choppy and unsmooth. The problem is solved by disabling this element. Also, performance decreases significantly when Stamina mode is turned on, this is immediately noticeable.
Communication capabilities
Until recently, I did not consider Wi-Fi Calling a significant advantage, but the other day I read one of Sergei Villanov’s articles, in which he talked about how wonderful he was using calls at home tariff in other countries using Wi-Fi Calling, and I decided to try this too function while traveling. The reader can rightly note that it has long been possible to make calls via Telegram, WhatsApp and other services, but not everyone has them, plus there are situations when you need to call the support service or somewhere else. In this regard, Wi-Fi Calling is very helpful and works great on the XZ2. Same as VoLTE. I love this technology not so much for the quality of voice transmission, but for the absence of the need to jump from 4G to 3G and back. But Roman Belykh, by the way, likes the crystal clear voice on VoLTE. By the way, both VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling are available on both SIM cards, that is, you can choose another primary SIM card and use both services. But the smartphone has only one radio module.
Support for AptX HD and LDAC codecs will be a pleasant bonus for audiophiles who own high-quality wireless headphones. But Sony also pursues its own goals by adding these codecs. For example, I connected the device to my Sony wireless speaker, the smartphone immediately identified an LDAC-compatible device and wrote that the maximum sound quality was available.
I'll tell you another funny story about Bluetooth 5.0. I usually play music on the speaker in the shower and turn the speaker off when I get out. One time, instead, he pressed pause and took the smartphone to his room. The speaker usually turns itself off when it loses connection, so this wasn't a problem. Until I heard the usual ringtone coming from the bathroom (it is located 5 meters from the room, and there are two more closed doors to it). It turned out that the connection was active even at this distance.
The presence of NFC in the flagship is not surprising, but Sony installs this module even in inexpensive devices. Fans of Google Pay are happy about this, but the company did this primarily for quick connection to their accessories (and it’s convenient).
Camera
I was lucky with the XZ2 camera test: the announcement of the start of sales took place in Cappadocia, so there was no need to look for subjects for pictures, they were right before my eyes. Before that, I had only heard about Cappadocia in the context of the Cappadocian fathers, but during the lectures on Byzantineism we did not touch on the history of the area itself. It turned out that the region is famous for several interesting sights, some of which I was able to visit in one free day. I hope you'll forgive me for a few paragraphs about the trip, illustrated with sample images from the XZ2.
In Cappadocia, one of the entertainments for tourists is hot air balloon flights. To be honest, every time I thought about this method of transportation, I always caught myself thinking that I was unlikely to decide on such an extreme. And here they were the key event of the trip. At first I planned to cowardly refuse, but when I saw that the balls were grouped, I still found the strength to sit in one of them. Still, the presence of company greatly influences our courage. Previously, it seemed to me that flying in a hot air balloon involved constant shaking and you clearly felt that you were at a high altitude, but in fact the experience was similar to viewing the territory from a huge balcony. The ball maneuvered smoothly, and we were not shaken at all. The views were simply indescribable; you felt like a king flying around his domain. For one person, such entertainment costs $200, but it will be an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. Look at the photographs, even they do not convey all the delight of this flight. Keep in mind that due to air currents, balloons fly early in the morning, so be prepared to wake up at 5-6 am for this flight.
The second point of my short journey was the underground city in Kaymakli. In the 5th century, due to persecution of Christians, believers hid in dungeons and led full lives there. There were schools, temples and even wine storage facilities in the dungeon. Although the spectacle is stunning, if not for the presence of navigation arrows, an inexperienced traveler would definitely get lost there. In total, such cities could have up to seven floors! Interestingly, with each subsequent floor the passages became narrower, and at some point I was afraid that I would find myself in a Winnie the Pooh situation with small doors.
Due to three previously active volcanoes, Cappadocia did not have very good soil; this problem was partly solved with the help of fertilizers made from pigeon droppings. A family's wealth was determined by the number of pigeons it could keep. And it just so happened that pigeons lived in a very picturesque valley. Check out its size in the photos below.
The views there are simply amazing. By the way, flocks of pigeons taking off are an excellent reason to shoot a SuperSlomo video.
The last attraction was the Fairy Chimneys, some call them “fairy chimneys”, others “the valley of witch chimneys”. There are many legends associated with this place; we were told that in ancient times fairies agreed to help and be friends with people if they did not fall in love with them. I also heard that one of the Star Wars episodes was filmed here, since the director thought this place was the most similar to something extraterrestrial.
I only had a day in Cappadocia, but I had enough impressions. A stunning place both in terms of history and in terms of breathtaking scenery and unusual things. I hope I didn't bore you with a little story about this area, but now let's move on to describing the capabilities of the XZ2 camera.
As you may have noticed, there are no complaints about the smartphone in terms of daytime shots: excellent detail, natural colors, accurate white balance. But with insufficient lighting and night shots, the situation has not changed since the days of the XZ1, because it uses the same Motion Eye module paired with the same software. The exception is the resolution of SuperSlomo shooting, which has been increased to FHD. By the way, look at examples of such shooting; if you choose the right moment, the videos turn out to be very impressive.
The camera interface has also not changed. By default, super auto mode is used; switching to manual settings or video shooting is done by swiping up and down.
The selfie camera is quite ordinary, there are not enough stars in the sky. When shooting portraits, I recommend turning off the smooth skin mode so that the photo does not blur.
The maximum resolution for video recording is 4k. When shooting this way, electronic stabilization is used, but the picture still turns out a little jerky. If you want to shoot SuperSlomo, the resolution will be limited to FHD; Sony was able to beat even Samsung in this parameter, because their maximum resolution for such shooting is only HD.
Just like the Xperia XZ1, this smartphone can take 3D photographs of objects. The innovation is that now you can use the front camera for this purpose. Plus, the possibility of server processing has appeared, it speeds up the rendering of the object and increases its final resolution. However, keep in mind that for a correct portrait you will need a certain skill.
We compared the XZ2's cameras to the Apple iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9+. Especially for this comparison, I asked Roman Belykh to give a short comment on the pictures:
Shooting during the day. The detail of images in good lighting is approximately the same. The difference lies in the dynamic range: the Samsung has a very wide one - details are visible both in bright areas and in dark areas. The iPhone X performed weaker, and the picture on Sony is average from the point of view of DD.
Secondly, this is the first model to feature Dynamic Vibration System technology. The smartphone has a special “vibration motor” built into it, which works in tandem with the device’s external speakers. When playing music, videos or toys, XZ2 vibrates in time with the sounds. The vibration intensity can be changed or turned off completely in the settings. I liked this option, it reminds me of Apple's Taptic Engine, although it feels a little different.
Thirdly, the location of the stereo speakers has changed; now one of them is built into the earpiece, and the second is located at the bottom end. Their sound quality is still decent; a smartphone can easily replace an inexpensive portable speaker.
The sound quality in the headphones is also excellent; Sony is one of the best for this parameter, but keep in mind that in order to feel this difference, you must have high-quality headphones; on models costing 500-1,000 rubles it will not be so noticeable. Sony's AptX HD and LDAC audio codecs are available for wireless headphones.
Software features
The smartphone runs Android 8.0 and the proprietary Xperia UI shell. We have already talked in detail about both stock Android and the shell from Sony, I recommend reading the relevant materials on the website.
However, in addition to links, readers also ask us to talk about shells in the reviews themselves, so let's pay a little attention to the Xperia UI. Personally, I like that the shell from Sony looks laconic and close to Android 8.0, while it has not lost its individuality or any additional features. For example, unlike Google Start, the launcher in Xperia UI has significantly more settings: here you can change the grid size, and individual themes, and customize the flipping animation. The Album app can sync with your home network using DLNA, and the music player supports end-to-end synchronization with Google Drive and your home media library. There are many such little things in the shell; be sure to read its detailed review.
Impression
I have no complaints about the quality of voice transmission; you and your interlocutor can hear each other perfectly, especially when Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE is enabled.
In Russia, sales of the model begin on April 5, it will be sold for 60,000 rubles. When you pre-order, you will receive Sony WF-1000X wireless headphones as a gift, they cost 15,000 rubles, we have a review of them on our website.
Why is the XZ2 so expensive? The fact is that the Russian office has been discounting smartphones at the start of sales for a long time, but it is impossible to do this forever, so this time the smartphone is being sold at the regular price, that is, this is not the company’s desire to cash in on its fans.
Compared to the XZ1, I see a lot of progress from Sony: they changed the design, switched to an 18:9 display aspect ratio, reduced bezels, added wireless charging and increased the resolution for SuperSlomo.
Also among the strengths of the Xperia XZ2, I will highlight support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling, a top-end chipset from Qualcomm and the very fast operation of the device as a whole, the presence of fast wireless charging and an interesting feature with the Dynamic Vibration System.
Disadvantages: average camera for a flagship, average operating time and lack of a minijack.
At this price, the model immediately has two strong competitors: Samsung Galaxy S9 and Apple iPhone X. S9 is now sold for the same 60,000 rubles, and iPhone X 64 GB costs 76,000 rubles for the EAC version and from 63 thousand for the European device . The choice between the XZ2 and the iPhone X is primarily a choice between the OS: I don’t think iOS fans will look towards Android and vice versa.
But the Galaxy S9 looks like a formidable competitor to the XZ2: it has a higher resolution and a better camera, and with a comparable battery capacity, it is thinner and lighter.
On the XZ2 side, SuperSlomo shooting in FHD resolution, an excellent display with an IPS matrix (for those who do not like SuperAMOLED screens) and a good expensive pre-order bonus.
It's hard for me to compare the XZ2 to the Galaxy S9 since I haven't used the latter in person. As for the XZ2, I liked the model emotionally: beautiful display, fast operation, fits perfectly in the hand, wireless charging and NFC, as well as almost stock Android 8.0. I enjoyed using this smartphone while traveling.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a unique smartphone. Hidden inside the tiny, neat casing is a naturally beastly filling. The device is extremely productive, but it can easily get lost in the front pocket of your trousers. Everything would be fine, but there would be some nuances, which we will talk about in the review of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact.
Design and convenience
I don’t think that Sony smartphones have a strange and boring design. The company has found its path and has been following it for many years, creating devices that are noticeably different from competitors. Sony has never copied anyone. At least for this alone they should be respected.
Yes, they do not have frameless devices, there are no protruding bangs, as is now fashionable. But they have their own, unique and recognizable design. This is wonderful!
The biggest strength of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is its dimensions.
It is very miniature, and under the hood of this baby there is a fierce Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 hidden. The performance of this platform will be enough for the next 2-3 years, and that’s at least.
The smartphone fits perfectly in your hand, disappears into your trouser pocket, and can be placed anywhere in the interior of any car. After the awkward 6-inch shovels, this is a godsend.
My main concern was the small keyboard and the inconvenience of typing. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded.
By default, the clunky SwiftKey Keyboard that collects all data about its users is preinstalled. Luckily, you can easily replace it with Google's Gboard and type to your heart's content. Yes, the screen is small, yes, the buttons are small, but surprisingly the typing speed and the number of errors practically do not suffer from this.
So even I, a lover of larger displays, quickly adapted and calmly chatted in instant messengers.
All convenience is spoiled by only one thing - the thickness of the smartphone.
You won't believe it, but the body of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is as much as 12.1 mm thick. This is not just a lot, but an exorbitant amount!
Length | Width | Thickness | Weight |
|
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact (5’’) | 12,1 | |||
iPhone 8 (4.7’’) | 138,4 | 67,3 | ||
iPhone X (5.8’’) | 143,6 | 70,9 | ||
Samsung Galaxy S9 (5.8’’) | 147,7 | 68,7 |
Just imagine how cool a second compact would look if it had a 7-8 mm body. A real dream... that won't come true.
Below in the photo is a comparison of our hero and his 7.8 millimeters. As they say, feel the difference.
Display
There are absolutely no questions about the screen. This is a very high quality IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5 inches. Color display, contrast, off-scale brightness of 700 nits - everything is very cool.
In addition to the diagonal (4.6'' in the predecessor), the aspect ratio has changed - now it is 18:9, that is, in the spirit of 2018. They also added support for HDR video and for good reason. The built-in camera allows you to record HDR videos in 4K resolution.
Video content with extended dynamic range really looks more interesting, and if you don’t have a TV at home with the appropriate support, you’ll have to watch the video only on your smartphone screen—the difference is noticeable.
Cameras
One of the main functions of any modern smartphone. And for a flagship it’s almost the most important.
I’ll say right away that you shouldn’t expect photo quality at the level of top-end solutions. And in regular photos, and in portraits, and other modes, our baby loses to them.
It is surprising that Sony supplies its competitors with sensors of its own production, but at the same time cannot achieve comparable photo quality in its devices.
The first problem is exposure errors. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon situation. The camera constantly misses the mark with exposure. First, she takes a shot where literally everything is overexposed.
Then he shoots this - there is clearly not enough light in the photo.
HDR mode would be great. However, as it turned out, we still need to look for it. For all competitors, the setting is immediately visible on the main screen of the camera. In extreme cases, it is in shooting modes, like devices from Huawei - roughly speaking, in two clicks.
In the XZ2 Compact camera it is located, believe it or not, in the M (Manual) mode settings. That is, you first need to click on the M icon, then go to the settings and only there turn the lever opposite HDR to the ON position. Why such difficulties?
However, with HDR enabled, the camera shoots like this:
There is practically no difference, except that the temperature of the colors becomes a little warmer, and objects hidden in the shadows appear just a little.
In general, the HDR mode in our device is very weak and of little use.
But the detailing is quite up to par. Yes, if you compare 100% crops, you may not like the pictures. But here, whoever likes what. Some people like maximum detail with oversharpening, while others like smooth object outlines smoothed by software algorithms.
There is also a portrait mode. It is displayed in a separate profile, which needs to be downloaded specifically. By default there is no such script. After downloading the setting and trying it, I understood why bokeh is not in stock.
Apparently the developers were embarrassed about portrait mode, so it's not available out of the box.
Yes, in an amicable way, high-quality bokeh requires two cameras. However, Google Pixel 2 manages to do this with a single sensor. Too steep a comparison? OK. Now every second smartphone can blur the background in selfies with one single front camera. Yes, it doesn’t always work out well, but it’s always better than in the XZ2 Compact. Sorry.
What's with the front camera? Actually, nothing special. I understand that it’s not about megapixels, but there are still certain mandatory requirements for a modern flagship. And it’s definitely not 5 megapixels, like in our compact.
You will find all the examples given in one archive.
Another nuance. In the camera settings there is an “Intelligent” item with two options: “Auto” and “Off”. This begs a simple question - intellectual what? Focus? Dynamic range? What are we talking about?!
Well, like the famous Japanese Sony quality. Or rather its absence.
But we can only thank Sony for the physical shutter button. Perhaps this is the only manufacturer that has preserved such a convenient thing. It has two positions: press the key - focus on the object, press it all the way - take a picture. It’s very convenient and allows you to avoid unnecessary shaking of your hands while shooting.
Video shooting
The smartphone is excellent at recording video.
The quality of the videos is impressive: detail, stabilization even when shooting in 4K, a bit rate of 55 Mbps - everything is very cool.
Video shooting falls just a little short of the level of the iPhone X. On the other hand, the XZ2 Compact produces stereo sound, while its Apple competitor does not. If desired, you can even enable recording with the H.265 codec.
A special bonus is HDR video recording. To view the final result, you need a monitor with this support, otherwise you will have to view video with extended dynamic range only on a smartphone screen.
The only thing that bothered me was that while shooting on a smartphone, the image on it mercilessly slows down and lags. I was afraid that the video file would turn out just as slow, but no. It worked out.
Slow Motion
Another strong point of the smartphone.
The device can shoot Slo-Mo video at a frequency of 960 fps in a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. No smartphone in the world does this.
I propose to compare the characteristics of our hero with the previous generation. All the details are in the sign below the cut.
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Performance
The smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. I think that says it all.
Today there is not a single task that can at least seriously load the device. It works very, very quickly, easily opens any application, even the heaviest, without lag or slowdown. Well, except for video shooting, of course.
In general, we have before us a real flagship of 2018, dressed in a very compact, almost toy-like body.
In games, the device feels like a fish in water. For example, in World of Tanks Blitz at maximum settings the graphics does not drop below 59 FPS. Excellent proof of the excellent performance of the device.
Sound
In the previous generation, despite the even smaller body, there was a 3.5 mm audio output. This time they decided to finish him off.
Amen.
However, the sound quality in the headphones (tried with) is very high. How could it be otherwise? After all, this is Sony with all its vast musical experience.
Two speakers are responsible for external playback: the main one in the lower corner, next to the “Sony” inscription, and the conversational one at the top.
Together they produce high-quality and pleasant sound. There is, of course, no bass or even a hint of it, but the playback is clear and loud (above average).
Equipment
Inside, everything is basically standard: a USB C power cable, a charging unit (5 - 12 volts / 1.35 - 2.7 amperes) and a wired headset. The only thing that confused me was that the headphones included in the kit have a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack, and there is an adapter from 3.5 to USB C nearby under the charger.
This is the first time I’ve seen a manufacturer that has removed the standard audio output still put a headset in the box with a regular plug rather than a USB Type-C plug. A very strange step.
Autonomous operation
There is no need to wait for a miracle - the smartphone works on one charge for one day at best. At worst, it will be discharged to zero by 8 pm.
There are three reasons why smartphone battery life is so bad. The first is the QS 845 processor. Although it is made using a 10 nm process technology, whatever one may say, it is a flagship and very powerful chipset with corresponding power consumption. The second is the display. The XZ1 Compact comes with an HD screen. In the new generation, we already have Full HD resolution, therefore, the processor has to process at least one and a half times more pixels. Third is a tiny 2,870 Mach battery. Considering the prohibitive thickness of the device at 1.2 centimeters, a larger battery could be placed here.
However, the smartphone supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging. Due to it, the device is fully charged in 1 hour 40 minutes. A lot for such a small capacity.
Bottom line
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact came out very strange.
On the one hand, it has very compact and convenient dimensions, on the other hand, it is still fat, and this slightly spoils the impression of use.
On the one hand, the device records gorgeous 4K HDR videos, but at the same time takes photos that lag behind top competitors by a year or two.
On the one hand, the smartphone is incredibly powerful, on the other, it has a weak battery, and the interface lags during video recording. Whether this bug with video recording will be fixed is unknown, but there’s nothing much you can do about the battery.
On the one hand, the smartphone has great sound in headphones, on the other hand, the audio jack was cut out in the XZ2 Compact, despite the fact that the predecessor had one of even smaller dimensions.
Luckily, there are better offers. The smartphone came to me from an online store, where the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact can be bought for a much more reasonable price of 39,490 rubles. And using the promotional code “SuperG” you get an additional discount of 500 rubles.
Nowadays, there is fierce competition among flagship smartphones, and you won’t surprise anyone with just the top-end hardware. Cameras and battery life are becoming increasingly important, and Sony has a lot to offer its fans. First of all, the design has finally been updated, but at the same time it doesn't have the ugly unibrow, it looks quite interesting and has almost nothing in common with its competitors. Sony is one of the few companies that stays away from trends and follows its own line.
The Sony XZ2 smartphone is pleased with the emergence of new functions, including the ability to shoot HDR video in 4K format. It uses a proprietary screen made using IPS technology. It features a wider dynamic range. These are just some of the features that the new flagship received from the Japanese manufacturer. We will analyze the Sony X3 2 in detail as part of a full review.
Specifications:
- Screen: 5.7", IPS, 2160x1080, capacitive, multi-touch
- Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, 2.7 GHz
- Graphics accelerator: Adreno 630
- Operating system: Android 8.0
- RAM: 4 GB
- Built-in memory: 64 GB
- Memory card support: microSDHC up to 400 GB
- Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz || LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
- SIM: nano-SIM + nano-SIM (combined slot)
- Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC
- Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidu
- Cameras: main - 19 MP (autofocus, flash), front - 5 MP (fix focus)
- Sensors: light, motion, microgyroscope, accelerometer, color correction, fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 3180 mAh, non-removable
- Dimensions: 153x72x11.1 mm
- Weight: 198 grams
Equipment
The device comes in a thick cardboard package, with nothing special inside:
- AC adapter supporting Quick Charge 3.0;
- USB-C cable;
- Adapter from USB-C to 3.5 mm jack.
Sony XZ2 design
Sony has revised its approach to design, offering a new concept called Ambient Flow. The manufacturer gets rid of corners and wide frames, which benefits ergonomics. The front side of the device is covered with 5th generation Gorilla Glass, which has rounded edges (2.5D technology). If we compare it with the first Sony XZ, the frames around the perimeter of the display have become an order of magnitude smaller. In the past, Sony's wide bezels have been the most hated thing, so it's clearly going the right way by providing a larger display area. There are also a pair of speakers in front that play in stereo. This guarantees complete immersion in games and when watching your favorite films.
The back is also made of glass and covered with Gorilla Glass 5. The back is strongly curved and boat-shaped. The main camera, flash and just below the fingerprint scanner are located at the top center. By the way, there is only one sensor; the manufacturer is in no hurry to follow trends. The side frame is made of metal, which is necessary to give rigidity to the glass body. Sony Xperia XZ2 ds review shows that, like most other models of the brand, it received protection from dust and water according to the IP68 standard.
At the top end there is a tray into which you can install nano-SIM and nano-SIM or a microSD card instead. It's convenient that it opens without a paperclip.
On the right we see the volume rocker, power button and the proprietary shutter key. They are metal and have a nice ride. A sufficiently large distance was left between them to avoid accidental clicks.
At the bottom there was only room for a USB Type-C port, installed exactly in the center.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 review makes it clear that the body is impeccably assembled. It feels solid, no matter how hard you try, but there are no backlashes or creaks. Ergonomics benefit from the 18:9 ratio, which has made it possible to reduce the thickness of the device. As a result, a 5.7-inch screen was placed in a compact body. The phone fits well in the hand and practically does not slip, even despite the use of glass as the main material for manufacturing. This is the merit of the new form. At first it seems that the fingerprint scanner is located very low, which causes some discomfort, but over time you get used to it. During all the testing of the Sony Xperia XZ2, I only hit my finger on the camera lens a couple of times.
Sony XZ2 display
Most manufacturers have already switched to using OLED and AMOLED panels, but Sony continues to use IPS technology. But this is not a standard IPS display with FullHD+ resolution; it has a number of interesting features. These include support for HDR technology, increased color gamut and various software functions for image enhancement and fine-tuning. With a diagonal of 5.7 inches, we get a pixel density of 424 ppi - the pixel grid will be impossible to see even if you try.
Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review showed that the screen is ideal for playing HDR content, which is now starting to gain popularity. Along with this, a proprietary dynamic image processing technology works, which even brings standard videos up to the HDR level. It was impossible to do without such a display in a smartphone that itself can shoot video in HDR format. The black color is very deep, which is unusual for IPS technology. The advantages of the matrix also include maximum viewing angles, natural color reproduction and high contrast. An oleophobic coating is applied to the glass. Thanks to it, it will be easy to get rid of fingerprints.
The matrix backlight does not flicker, which is ensured by the use of high-quality components in the design. So even if you work with the phone for a long time, your eyes will not get tired. The brightness reserve is enough so that the eyes do not experience any discomfort in pitch darkness and the information remains readable when exposed to direct sunlight.
A review of Sony XZ 2 introduces you to the fact that in the settings you can find a blue filter that minimizes eye strain. You can also customize the color rendering, changing it depending on your personal preferences. The settings have several presets, from natural to oversaturated colors. Everyone will find the best option for themselves. Features include proprietary video enhancement technology. Initially, the display image was biased towards cool tones, which was corrected using the slider in the calibration menu. Those who live in cold regions will appreciate the ability to operate with gloves.
Performance
Sony Xperia XZ2 specifications are based on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which will be the top solution at least until the end of 2018. It delivers the most power available today, delivering a fast interface and maximum gaming performance. They didn’t skimp on RAM - as much as 6 GB, and user memory - 64 GB. Adreno 540 is used as a graphics accelerator.
Sony Xperia XZ2 test in Antutu
There are no tasks yet in which the smartphone’s performance would be insufficient. Sony Xperia XZ2 easily plays HDR video at 60 fps on YouTube, everything is fine in games - the body practically does not heat up, fps is close to maximum values. The fingerprint scanner works quickly and recognizes the owner without errors.
Sound
The Sony Xperia XZ 2 review makes it clear that the sound is doing great. There is no talk of any dedicated DAC, but despite this, in a wired headset connected using the included adapter, the sound is of ideal quality and purity. If you use proprietary sound improvement software, you can also customize it to your taste. The variety of available sound effects will pleasantly surprise even avid music lovers. The Sony XZ2 has a convenient graphic equalizer, a system for simulating sound in different spaces and other algorithms designed to improve the quality of playback of musical compositions.
The external speaker plays in stereo format, but leaves behind ambiguous impressions. No, it sounds high-quality and clean, but there is no volume reserve at all. Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review showed that it has a peculiar feature - a vibration response that is synchronized with sound. As a result, when playing music, the case shakes as if you were placing your hand on the subwoofer. This effect gives maximum pleasure when listening to music, but its scope is not limited to this. For example, a smartphone will vibrate when firing a firearm in games. This is somewhat reminiscent of the response of a gamepad when playing .
Interface
The Sony Xperia XZ2 smartphone runs on the current version of Android - 8.0 with Sony's proprietary shell. There are few differences and they are primarily custom. Some standard Android applications have been replaced by proprietary ones, but this is rather a plus, because they are even more convenient to use. What is the world-famous Walkman music player worth, a gallery, many additional settings and improvements. It's a fast and stable shell that's a pleasure to use.
Wireless communications
Sony XZ2 is a real flagship, which has an NFC chip, Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz with support for MIMO technology, Bluetooth 5th generation and domestic LTE frequencies. Pages in the browser load instantly; modern communication frequencies have never been superfluous. But as the Sony XZ2 Pro review showed, not everything is so good with terrain navigation. When you are in a closed area, it finds few satellites, otherwise everything is fine. A cold start takes about 10 seconds, and reconnection takes no more than 5 seconds.
Sony XZ2 battery life
Autonomy is a strong point of the smartphone, because on average it runs out with 7-8 hours of screen activity. And this despite the fact that proprietary energy saving modes - Stamina and Ultra Stamina - were not used. Throughout the day, you don’t have to limit yourself to anything and don’t worry that your phone will die at the most inopportune moment. And this is an excellent result, because the battery capacity is small - 3180 mAh, which is a merit of good system optimization and the use of an energy-efficient processor.
Sony XZ 2 is capable of playing FullHD video at maximum brightness for 18 hours. This is a more than worthy result, which only the flagship has come close to. But in games everything is not so smooth - in an hour of playing Tanks, 19% of the charge was consumed, which allows us to count on 5 hours of active play.
A full charge from zero to one hundred percent takes 2 hours and 19 minutes. There is fast charging, but as you can see from the test results, it works much worse than its competitors. There is a smart feature that turns off fast charging when it reaches 90% charge. This is necessary so that the Sony XZ2 battery lasts longer.
Sony XZ2 camera review
The flagship uses a 19-megapixel Sony IMX400 main camera, but do not forget that the manufacturer produces cameras itself, so it differs from a similar module supplied to competitors. Its capabilities are complemented by the presence of buffer memory, which opens up the possibility of shooting spectacular slow-mo with 960 frames per second. This makes it possible to examine what is happening in the smallest detail and not lose sight of anything.
Another, no less interesting feature is the ability to shoot 4K video in HDR mode. Often, when shooting videos, the image turns out to be overexposed or, on the contrary, details are hidden in the shadows, but HDR corrects this annoying misunderstanding, capturing more objects in the frame and evening out the color rendition.
For shooting, it is suggested to use manual or intelligent automatic mode. In the first case, you have the opportunity to set the shutter speed at your discretion, change white balance, exposure, ISO settings and manually control focus.
By the way, the main camera may be represented by a single module, but this does not prevent it from creating beautiful bokeh using software algorithms.
The picture quality is pleasantly surprising if you shoot in good lighting. Photos are obtained with excellent detail and natural color reproduction. By the way, there are no problems with color rendering at all, which is due to the presence of a color correction sensor. Thanks to it, you can forget about the need to manually move the slider, trying to select the optimal parameters.
Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review makes it clear that the situation with the camera is no worse when shooting at night. Yes, as lighting conditions worsen, detail deteriorates, but nevertheless it remains at a decent level. We are pleased with the variety of additional shooting modes. One of them adds AR effects, allowing you to get an original shot against the backdrop of a dinosaur, beautiful fish, and natural landscapes. There are a lot of options, and if you want, you can download new ones from the app store.
The 5 megapixel front camera takes decent photographs, but the result greatly depends on the lighting conditions.
The smartphone can shoot video in 4K, and in HDR mode. The video turns out really great, it stands out with good color rendition and detail. Sony XZ2 is one of the best options for video shooting. It can also record videos in FullHD at 60 fps. There are several options for electronic stabilization, SteadyShot and other proprietary functions that help you get the best results.
Last but not least is the slow motion mode with 960 fps. If in last year’s flagship the function only worked in HD quality, now slow-mo is filmed in FullHD quality, which gives a positive result.
Conclusion
Sony XZ2 turned out to be a very controversial device, offering a wide range of advantages. At the same time, when choosing it, you have to put up with some shortcomings, many of which are related to the fact that the manufacturer is not in a hurry to follow the trends that competitors have long armed themselves with. The flagship is good, but it is still very far from being ideal. The glass case quickly loses its presentable appearance and becomes covered with fingerprints. Not everyone will appreciate the change in design either; you can't argue with just one thing - they finally got rid of the sharp corners, the body has become more comfortable.
The smartphone is distinguished by high build quality, powerful hardware that can handle even the most demanding games, clear and surround sound, as well as advanced capabilities for shooting photos and videos. As is the case with
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a representative of the Compact line from Sony, the main feature of which is a small screen diagonal and extremely serious characteristics. Compact is a kind of iPhone SE, only from Sony. It is worth noting that the demand for this kind of gadgets is not as huge as one might expect. Shovel haters have completely switched to huge smartphones and are quite happy with themselves. But there are also those people who do not want bulky gadgets, and smartphones like the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact are created for them.
In the XZ2 line, the design has noticeably changed - instead of the classic Sony with its “sharpness” and “strict corners”, we got a gadget that is standard these days with rounded edges and ends, and a body tapering at the edges. Perhaps this is more practical, but Sony have lost their design chip.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact smartphone is available in four colors: black, white silver, smoky green and pink coral.
Dimensions of the smartphone, the most important thing in the compact line: 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm. The weight of the device is 168 grams. You'll notice that the device is a whopping 12.1mm thick, which isn't all that "compact". However, this is the maximum thickness. Since the edges are rounded, and the body tapers closer to the edges, the thickness of 12.1 mm is not felt. On the one hand, this is good, on the other hand, it’s still not so compact.
Screen IPS with a diagonal of 5 inches and a resolution of 2160x1080. The PPI indicator is 483. There is an oleophobic coating and automatic brightness adjustment. Multitouch allows the smartphone to accept up to 10 simultaneous touches on the screen. You don’t often see such a resolution on a smartphone with a small screen, and the aspect ratio is 2 to 1 too. The diagonal has increased slightly compared to the previous version (4.6 inches for the XZ1 Compact), but the width remains the same - the length of the smartphone has increased.
Iron quite decent: 8-core Snapdragon 845, Adreno 630 graphics chip and 4 GB of RAM. All this, together with the Android 8.0 operating system, allows you to do everything you need, including extremely demanding mobile games. In the Antutu benchmark, the gadget scores a crazy 265 thousand points. The smartphone works extremely quickly.
Main camera– resolution 19 MP and aperture f/2.0, front – 5 MP and aperture f/2.2. Video shooting can be done in 4K format at 30 frames per second. If you want to shoot video at 960 FPS, then the maximum resolution is FHD (2160x1080). The camera module is Motion Eye, it is currently used in the XZ2, and was also used in the XZ1 and XZ1 compact. The camera interface has not changed since the XZ1. The quality of shooting is as usual: excellent pictures in the daytime in standard lighting and pictures with not very good detail and raised brightness at night in poor lighting. For better selfies, it is recommended to turn off the soft skin mode.
Capacity battery– 2870 mAh, type – Li-ion. It seems that the smartphone is not particularly thin, and the battery is still not as capacious as we would like. Apparently, the Motion Eye camera module really takes up a lot of space. Smamina and Ultra Stamina are in a hurry to help the modest battery, which, as you might have guessed, are responsible for battery endurance - these are energy-saving modes. In addition to them, there is Battery Care - software that, if your smartphone is charging at night, stops it by 90%, and recharges until you wake up. It’s a strange thing, to be honest, because charging can be turned off after 99 or 100%, but oh well, Sony knows better. XZ2 Compact supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 – 100% charging from zero in 100 minutes. The smartphone does not support wireless charging.
Audio. The XZ2 Compact has two stereo speakers, and the sound quality is quite good. Everything sounds pretty good in headphones too.
operating system– Android 8.0 Oreo + proprietary Xperia UI shell, which fits very well into the operating system.
Specifications Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Main characteristics of the smartphone:
- Operating system – Android 8.0 + Xperia UI.
- SIM cards: nanoSIM, two or one + memory card.
- Display – IPS 5 inches diagonal with a resolution of 2160x1080.
- Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: 4 cores at 2.7 GHz and 4 cores at 1.7 GHz.
- Video chip – Adreno 630.
- RAM – 4 GB.
- Built-in memory – 64 GB, it is possible to insert memory cards instead of a second SIM card – support up to 400 GB.
- Cameras: main 19 MP with f/2.0 aperture, front – 5 MP with f/2.2 aperture
- Battery – Li-Ion 2870 mAh.
- NFC chip – available, Google Pay.
- Protection against water and dust – yes, IP65 standard.
- Dimensions – 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm.
- Weight – 168 grams.
How much does Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact cost?
You should always check the current price, as it changes periodically for gadgets. Yes, and it varies from store to store.
For example, according to the situation as of April 13, in most large retail chains (Svyaznoy, Euroset, Eldorado, etc.) Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact costs 50,000 rubles. The offers of some online stores are 41,000 rubles, but everything there may not be so smooth and white.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- Extremely powerful iron.
- Good screen resolution at 5 inches.
- A rare “small” flagship these days.
Minuses:
- Lack of mini-Jack connector (3.5 mm) for regular headphones.
- No wireless charging.
- The camera could shoot better in low light for 50k.
As for the design, to each his own. Sony has switched to a new style of “curves”. On the one hand, they “let go” of their design, which is now almost unique, on the other, it has become more convenient.
The price is quite decent, but such a small and powerful smartphone is rare.
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