If you’re looking for a phone with a top-tier hardware package, Sony’s Xperia Xz2 is worth checking out. It features a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a 5.7-inch 18:9 HDR Full HD+ display.
One of the significant changes is that Sony has finally moved to the 18:9 aspect ratio currently in vogue, and its IPS screen is designed to meet mobile HDR standards. That means you can upscale any HDR content to its original full-HD resolution, which is a nice touch.
Display
The Sony Xperia Xz2 has a display that is one of the most impressive on the market. Its colors are stunning, it has excellent contrast for an LCD panel, and it supports HDR video rendering.
Its resolution is not as high as some of the other new phones, though it doesn’t look too bad when watching videos or using the phone for web browsing. However, the screen has a lot of blank space above and below it.
The screen has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a 76% screen-to-body ratio. That makes it 13 per cent larger than its predecessor, although this design decision could be seen as a missed opportunity if the phone had a different screen size.
Camera
The Sony Xperia Xz2 isn’t the most affordable flagship on the market, but its excellent camera is well worth the asking price. Its f/2.0 primary lens and 13-MP wide-angle front-facing sensor rival the Galaxy S9 and Pixel 2 in photo quality, and its super-slow-motion video capture beats the likes of the iPhone X.
The Xz2 also does an excellent job of improving low-light performance, thanks to its new BIONZ image processor. However, lacking Optical Image Stabilization means you’ll want to use a tripod when taking pictures in dimly lit conditions.
The XZ2’s rear camera is powered by Sony’s Triple Image Sensing system, which includes a 19-MP Motion Eye sensor, a laser autofocus sensor, and an RGBC-IR color sensor. It’s a feature that has become standard on many other high-end phones. It also offers predictive capture, an anti-distortion shutter, and quick one-button access to the camera.
Performance
The Sony Xperia Xz2 is Sony’s fastest phone yet, with the Snapdragon 845 chip and 4GB of RAM working together to deliver a seamless experience across all tasks. It also comes with Battery Care, an algorithm that learns your charging habits and adjusts charging accordingly to improve battery life.
The display isn’t bad for an Xperia: it’s full HD with a wide 18:9 aspect ratio and support for HDR content. Visibility is good, and the display’s black levels are excellent.
The Sony Xperia Xz2’s primary camera is 19 megapixels, with electronic image stabilization and a two-step shutter key. A 5-megapixel lens accompanies it for selfies, and it can shoot 960 frames per second of video in slow-motion mode.
Battery
Sony’s latest flagship is one of the best Android phones on the market, with loads of power, a good camera, and a long-lasting battery. It’s backed up by intelligent software that aims to keep the device going longer than its rivals, which is a welcome boost for a company that hasn’t always done a great job in this department.
The XZ2 has the best battery life of any Android phone currently on sale, according to a study conducted by Strategy Analytics. That’s in stark contrast to high-end flagships like the OnePlus 6 and Samsung Galaxy S9, rated at around 30 hours of average use on a single charge.
The XZ2’s battery is also helped by two battery-life-saving modes, including Stamina Mode, which reduces background app activity and wireless connections to preserve charge. Another is Battery Care, which considers your phone’s charging habits to make sure it can last longer before you need to plug it in again.
