What's good
- Battery life
- On-contract pricing
- Phone design
- MicroSD card support
What's bad
- Weak camera
- Mediocre display
- Small storage
The mid-tier mobile market has become a brutal arena of cutthroat pricing and ever increasing specs. As flagship devices continue to increase specs, some truly capable phones are emerging in their wake in the lower tiers. The Sony Xperia M2 is their latest foray onto the mid-range phone battlefield. Will it emerge victorious? According to reviews, the verdict is still out. Let’s see why!
If you’ve seen one of Sony’s Omnibalance design phones, you’ve seen the M2. For a mid-range smartphone, the design is nearly identical to its high priced brethren. The phone features a glass front and back with a plastic frame. Trusted Reviews noted, “The look is good, but the build isn’t quite as impressive.” This is due to a fact that many reviews noted—a lack of treatment on the rear glass leaves the phone incredibly susceptible to scratches and scuffs.
Moving back around to the front, the phone features a 4.8-inch display. This is one of the largest screen sizes in its price bracket. Unfortunately, its only running a resolution of 540 by 960 pixels. Every review was quick to point out in the impact. TechRadar said the screen was “by no means razor sharp.” CNet wasn’t a fan but said it was “reasonably bright at least.” While reviews note that its still usable, the screen definitely seems to impact visual quality and text clarity.
Powering the display is a 1.2Ghz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM. While it seems a fair bit behind in its class, most reviews were quite positive on performance. TechRadar stated that “at no point did I feel that I was left waiting.” PC Advisor found, “that it coped well with the majority of tasks we threw at it.” The few reviews that tried gaming on the phone remarked that it performed surprisingly well.
Unfortunately, there are a few niggling issues that bothered most reviewers. The biggest issue most found was the 8MP camera. CNet summed it up best, stating, “The camera is at least adequate for Instagram snaps, but it shouldn't be the chief reason you buy this phone.” Between washed out colors, a lack of clarity and poor low-light performance, most reviews chalked up the camera as a weak link compared to other phones in the mid-tier price range.
Another issue was storage space. While the M2 offers 8GB of internal storage, Sony piles on the pre-installed apps. Out of the box, most reviews found you’ll likely find less than 5GB available. If you plan to keep music or movies on your phone, taking advantage of the MicroSD card slot on the phone is probably a good idea.
One area where the M2 really shines, however, is battery life. Reviews found that thanks to its lower screen resolution and slower processors, the phones battery life was exceptional. All reviews noted a full day with average use. Trusted Reviews said, “Average use of the phone can easily see it last for a day and a half between charges.” Start using some of the power saving features and you have a phone that is ideal for those who don’t want to hunt power outlets but want a bit of smartphone flair in their pocket.
In the end, the Xperia M2 is a matter of compromise. You get a phone that looks great and performs well. To get it, you sacrifice the camera and high-resolution display. According to many reviews, it will come down to personal preference. However, Trusted Reviews believes “the Xperia M2 struggles to justify its case.” While CNet calls it “far from perfect” many other reviews recommended the phone if you can find a good deal.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Ershad Kaleebullah, Gadgets 360We think Sony has cut far too many corners with the M2. The screen is not that great, and its sluggish performance in daily usage is a downer. Even at reduced prices, the Sony Xperia M2 Dual doesn't feel like a good bargain considering the Moto G works out as better value for money. However, what th...
- Andrew Williams, TrustedReviewsThe Sony Xperia M2 is a good phone, but its killer feature is one that works best for poseurs. Namely, the phone can pass for the Xperia Z2 at a distance, and even in-hand for some people. Design does matter in phones, though, and the Xperia M2 looks a whole lot better than the original Xperia M.
- Sofian Nouira, Digital VersusThe Sony Xperia M2 is not a bad smartphone. But it does have several shortcomings that may be too big for some users, such as the screen's low resolution and mediocre camera. On the other hand, it runs fluidly and has an enjoyable interface with pretty good multimedia capabilities.
- The Gadget Show team, The Gadget ShowThe Sony Xperia M2 is a solid looking phone that’s let down by its software, screen and camera - not to mention its price. It’s far too expensive for the specs you’re given, as Motorola’s Moto G trumps it in several ways for a lot less cash. There’s no denying its good...
- Mark Lee, Geek SquadIt’s important to avoid comparing the Xperia M2 to its more expensive stable mates as although it looks very similar, the M2 is less than half the price of the Xperia Z2. However, it’s still got that quality feel that we’ve come to associate with the Xperia name, and despite using...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Sony Xperia M2 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Sony's suggested retail price is $279.99. You can compare Xperia M2 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia M2 user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia M2 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia M2 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Sony Xperia M2 Manual (PDF)
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