Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact Review

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a small phone that packs a lot of power into a pleasingly compact body. It’s not cheap, but it’s the best phone in this class and is worth checking out if you’re looking for a small Android smartphone.

Its 5.0-inch display features an 18:9 aspect ratio that keeps the bezels small and makes the phone more accessible to hold than some of its bigger siblings. It’s also one of the most vibrant 5-inch screens you’ll find.

Display

The Sony Xperia Xz2 Compact is a small smartphone that packs a lot of power into a tiny frame. That’s thanks to the same Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB of RAM as the XZ2, which makes it quick to launch apps, multitask and play graphics-demanding games at smooth frame rates.

Meanwhile, its 5-inch 18:9 HDR display has a resolution that’s a step up from the 720p offering on the XZ1 Compact. The result is a sharp, colorful, vibrant screen that gets bright enough for outdoor viewing, even on sunny days.

The XZ2 Compact ditches the OmniBalance design language that Sony has used for the past five years, opting for curves and corners to keep the design slim and easy to hold. But it still offers a microSD card slot, the usually dedicated camera button, and a fingerprint sensor on the back.

Camera

The Sony Xperia Xz2 Compact is a small phone with a big punch. It packs a powerful, high-end processor and a 19MP camera to record 4K HDR videos into a tiny body.

It’s a very different kind of phone from most other devices in this category, a device that doesn’t try to be thin by removing unnecessary features. Instead, it aims to be as comfortable to hold and use as possible while still delivering the latest hardware.

The Xperia Xz2 Compact’s 19MP Motion Eye sensor is accompanied by all of Sony’s own imaging technologies and performs very well. It takes lovely, detailed images with accurate color saturation in low-light situations.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a good choice for those who want a high-end Android phone in a small, palm-friendly package. The device packs the latest Snapdragon 845 SoC, a 19MP primary camera, and 4K HDR video recording capabilities into a 5-inch display.

The display on the XZ2 Compact is impressive, with an 18:9 aspect ratio and slim bezels. It supports HDR content, and the IPS LCD delivers pleasant colors, viewing angles, and contrast levels.

The rear camera on the XZ2 Compact is a 19MP module with 960fps slow-motion support, and it takes great photos in most low-light situations. Grain tends to creep into the pictures, but there’s a higher chance of blurriness.

Battery

Despite the size of the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, it still packs a punchy battery. Its 2,870 mAh capacity means it’ll last most people through a full day of use – or at least until the evening, when you can easily find your charger and plug it in again.

The Compact also features Qnovo Adaptive Charging, which monitors your battery health when you plug it in and adjusts to your charging habits. This ensures your battery lasts as long as possible without overcharging or damaging its cells.

Sadly, the Compact’s battery doesn’t last as long as the XZ2’s – it lasted 8 hours on our rundown battery test. That’s not bad, but it’s not impressive, either.

Price

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is a high-end smartphone that offers a lot for its price. It features the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

The XZ2 Compact also has IP68 certification, microSD card expansion, and dual front-facing speakers. It’s powered by a non-removable 2870 mAh battery and features Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 and Qnovo adaptive charging technology.

The Xperia XZ2 Compact ditches Sony’s OmniBalance design language that has been used on most of its devices since 2013. Instead, it uses a curved back and 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It feels much more comfortable in hand than previous Sony phones.