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Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 22 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact offers everything you want from a flagship smartphone in a smaller package. While it’s a little chunky and doesn’t have the best camera on the market, it’s the best “small” phone on the market.

What's good

  • Pocketable size
  • Lightning fast processing power
  • IP68 certified
  • Sharp and colorful display

What's bad

  • Thicker when compared to other modern smartphones
  • Camera struggles in low light situations
  • Battery consumption skyrockets with high use

Sony proves bigger isn't always better with the Xperia XZ2 Compact. While the earlier XZ1 Compact didn’t especially impress reviewers, the XZ2 Compact appears to offer flagship quality in a small package.

Given its name, you’d expect it to be small. It’s great for one-handed use as it’s only 5.3 inches tall and 2.56 inches wide. But it’s fairly thick at 0.47 inches. That’s almost twice as thick as the Huawei P20 Pro and slightly thicker than the first iPhone. 

It’s not light either, weighing 168 grams. Although it might be chunky, the rounded aluminum sides and plastic rear make it comfortable to hold and provide a decent grip. Should it slip out of your hands into a puddle of water, you need not worry -- it is IP68 certified.

Sony has updated the design for the XZ2 compact, removing the large top and bottom bezels. While it’s not bezel-less, it’s much more pleasant and modern looking than earlier models. 

The screen might seem small at 5-inches, but it packs a punch with its 1080-by-2160 LCD panel. Not only does it sport the popular 18:9 aspect ratio, it also uses Sony’s X-reality image processing for HDR capabilities.

Reviewers were blown away by the vibrant color, excellent contrast, and maximum brightness the screen could achieve. With all those pixels, it's plenty sharp too. Still, when compared to AMOLED displays, the blacks were not as inky.

Proving big things can come in small packages, the phone is equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB of RAM -- the same internals as found on the full-size Xperia XZ2. 

As expected, critics experienced no issues with performance. Whether they were multitasking, surfing the web or playing the latest games, it tackled everything without a hitch.

The 2,870mAh battery was good despite its small size. It lasted a full day when used moderately though experts noticed a sharp increase in battery consumption during heavy use. If you're a power user, you'll enjoy the quick charge capabilities. 

The XZ2 Compact sports the same 19MP camera as found on the full-size XZ2. Results were the same with detailed and colorful pictures in good lighting situations. It also offers the same 4K video recording and 1080p/960fps super slow motion.

Sadly, it faces the same problems as well with no touch to focus, a finicky autofocus, poor low-light performance, and no optical image stabilization.

Despite its flaws, reviewers highly recommend the Xperia XZ2 Compact for people who want a smaller smartphone. Engadget states, “Sony’s Xperia XZ2 Compact is in a class of its own, packing meaningful features and components of the XZ2 into a petite, translucent body…” Pocket-Lint adds, “... if you want a high-end Android phone that’s not too big, then the XZ2 Compact should be your number one choice.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.7 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.7 GHz
5.0"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.0"
19+ MP, f/2.0
Camera
Camera
19+ MP, f/2.0
2870 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Digital Trends
Digital Trends

The perfectly sized Xperia XZ2 Compact will fit in any pocket, and it comes with excellent performance, a good camera, and day-long battery life.

- Julian Chokkattu, Digital Trends
Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide

Sony's pint-size Xperia XZ2 Compact is the iPhone SE of Android phones — a beautiful, nostalgic phone that can easily compete when it comes to performance and battery life.

- Caitlin McGarry, Tom's Guide
Phone Scoop
Phone Scoop

The XZ2 Compact represents a wholly different value for mobile phone shoppers. There are very few — if any — premium flagship phones that are also compact and truly one-handed. That makes the XZ2 Compact stand out in a sea of thin slates that seem super-size by comparison.

- Eric M. Zeman, Phone Scoop
Cnet
Cnet

The Sony XZ2 Compact's flagship-level performance and pocketable size makes it the phone to get if you want something smaller that doesn't skimp on the goodies.

- Andrew Hoyle, Cnet
Android Authority
Android Authority

The main appeal of Sony's Compact series of smartphones has always been flagship specifications in a small form factor but it doesn't come without a price. At $599.99 the Xperia XZ2 Compact is expensive and unless you highly value its compact nature, it isn't worth the purchase.

- Lanh Nguyen, Android Authority


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions



Sony backs up the Xperia XZ2 Compact with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia XZ2 Compact 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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Quick view

Screen Size
5.0"

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact's screen size is 5.0 inches with 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.7 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.7 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system (OS).

Camera
19+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 19+ MP, f/2.0 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
64 GB

Internal memory is 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 400 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2870mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2870 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 1160 minutes, 784 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia XZ2 Compact Specs

Overview
Release Date March 22, 2018
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 8.0 Oreo

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Octa core 2.7 GHz
Internal Storage 64 GB
RAM 4 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.77 W/kg
Body: 1.05 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Headphones, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX HD, LDAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 400 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
19+ Megapixels, f/2.0
Zoom
8x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Brightness control, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, ISO, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, Smile detection, White balance, HDR, Super slow motion recording(960 FPS)
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
f/2.2 Aperture
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Pixel Density 441 pixels
Size 5.0 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, X-Reality Engine, Triluminos display
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2870 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Up to 624 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 784 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 1160 minutes
Standby Time Up to 22.917 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Aluminium
Colors Black, White Silver, Moss Green, Coral Pink
Dimensions [H x W x D] 13.5 x 6.5 x 1.21 cm (5.3 x 2.6 x 0.5 in)
Weight 168 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack No
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA):

Also available in dual SIM variant.

Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact Reviews
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