The new Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is one of the smallest phones that you can buy, but it packs some serious power under the hood. Check out our video review to learn more about it!
You can see samples from the front camera and more information in our detailed text review here: www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sony-Xperia-XZ2-Compact-Review_id4503
PhoneArena for HDR video, it looks a lot duller because you're missing the HDR overlay when you insert this into the non-HDR review video. Is there anywhere we can see the sample HDR video in its full glory?
Ofc, its sony's video, everyone need to atack sony for something -_- You want something like samsung or apple but when it becomes almost copy of that smartphone you will say" UNORIGINAL,APPLE or SAMSUNG WANNABE " GROW UP
Noise on pictures is a matter of taste. It also helps having a great amount of details, which is the case. The only complaint that I may have with this phone is night shots. Having a tripod helps in this scenario.
Mark Luis Basas Manual mode won't compensate for the lack of OIS, whereas a tripod will keep the phone steady and the shutter speed would automatically decrease.
Great review! Vast amount of important information and views. I will consider buying this phone in the autumn if there will be discounts. 400 € would be okay price for me, but Europe's general price of 600 € is too high, if you don't fancy the compact size. For the size though, there is no better option and I actually like the quality of the camera, even though you can definetly spot the mentioned noise. Better to check it out yourself, since noise may or may not bother some people that much.
I can get it for €400 with a free Sony WH-1000XM2 headphone (retail value €380) when I renew my 1 year subscription. Great deal if you ask me.
6 лет назад+3
For me the dimensions of the SE are great, I'd love to have one IF: 1) It would be a Pixel device with the best of Android; 2) It would have IP68 rating; 3) USB-C So far the compact Sony phones are the best phones IMHO. If I could change one thing from this exact XZ2 Compact, would be the software. Would love to see a Pixel like this. Who knows this year we get one.
Bought the xz2 compact as it is one of the only small flagships out there. I am very happy with it so far. And the battery is not bad at all. Pulled it of the charger this morning(06:00) and has now 66% left (19:32). So yea, its pretty good
Honestly, the super vivid screen mode really distorts peoples opinion about the photos they take. Samsung phones are notorious for over saturating your photos, when you look at a photo after you upload them, they don't look at nice. I honestly HATE this market deception. I have a Google Pixel 2 and just bought this Sony phone and I am glad they included a color mode setting selection. Great video review overall, keep it up! Thanks!
I love tech, and love android phones, and this compact from sony is my favorite phone i've had in a loong time. I've always chosen sony's compact version since i dont need the big display. I just need a phone that is quick and i im not a phone of a huge brick in my pockets. When thats said. The only thing i wish sony would do to their compacts is make the screen resolution bigger. Tho i think it looks great, and i usually use my phone at 50%-70% brightness anyways. I hope sony will keep making their compacts, cause i've bought them for about10 years now. And ihavnt been dissapointed yet. And i dont actually mind that there is not jack since it comes with the adapter that i always carry around. And most people have the adapter now if you forget yours. Just my humble opinion.
Does the Sony XZ2 have that Sony click sound are you use the phone? I always like that sound. Also is there a notification LED light that blinks like the Samsung phones? And you can change the colors? Finally is there a always on display option like the Samsung’s have?
4:57 Curiously, the *non-HDR* video looks better to me. Colors are more saturated and better contrast. Look the greenery, the blue chairs, and his jacket.
As a current XZ1 Compact owner, I am extremely disappointed. They managed to make the phone bigger in every dimension, but it still has worse battery life and removed the headphones back... All they really needed to do was extend the display of the current compact and improve the build quality with the aluminum covering all sides instead of just the top and bottom.
The newer model has higher resolution so this is why the battery life is shorter. I'm getting the XZ2 compact because it looks very nice. It looks a lot like my Nokia Lumia 925
I've been a loyal fan of Sony and their phones. I've owned J, z1, z3 and currently xa ultra. Sony always had a problem that they have til this day.... BATTERY LIFE!!!! I'm still loyal to Sony, recently tried the xiaomi mi a1. Its really good for the price, while Sony sells overpriced. I'm going to wait and see what Sony releases in late 2018.
Marxy PH because it’s the only other Compact phone around. Many current owners of iPhone SEs are shopping around for their next device since an SE2 is still up in the air.
I think it would be a more compelling phone if the fingerprint scanner was still in the power button on the side and they kept the headphone jack. The current trends are just silly. They're creating more issues than they're fixing.
i like the redesign of the xperia line but i still think it's lackluster, and now they remind me of a cheap phone you would get for free from metro pcs. but for the bump in specs the devices have i think it's a fair compromise
Not recommend Sony mobile phones since disappearing experiences with Z2 and XZ1 compact because of too unstable hardware and software. And there are definitely more cool stuffs to spend for that money.
On Amazon it Says it is certified by Verizon and I called Verizon and they said it should work. I have not bought it yet but I have strongly considered it. What problems are people having? Verizon is eliminating 3g service right now and everything is going to 4G LTE and 5G and this phone does 4G Lte so it really should be fine. What problems are you having?
Why the fooken hell did they make it 12mm thick? feels like a brick. That, plus the 5 inch screen makes it NOT SO COMPACT anymore. Just when I thought Sony couldn't get any worse...
Im in the process of upgrading from my Z5C, it finally overheated enough to make the backplate start loosening. I realy hope this phone wont have the same problem. It's either this, the regular ZX2 or the Samsung s9 i think.
Iphonearena, you better check your eyes, no bullshit anymore. Just compare with iphone X and Samsung S9+, you can see these 2 competitors are not as good as you mentioned. A lot of reviews apart from you, open your mind and face the reality......
ItsChaBoiiDanny well, i cant understand that.. to me it looks like any other 2018 phone. And the specs? It has the best processor in the world atm, it has one of the best cameras on any phone. Has a unique hdr display, and its small for people who dont want to loose performance in a phone that is actually poketable.. i think its a great phone..
I bought xz2c and sold it after 2 days' use. First, it's too heavy and make the curved design not comfortable to hold at all. Second, I am afraid that the good battery life of SONY flagships is achieved by performance limitation, just like what Apple did to cover up their aging batteries. The new snapdragon 845 flagship just feels as laggy as the old xz1and can hardly present any smooth animation in daily use, even RUclips videos seems to frame dropping. I used to love SONY mobile so much for their elegant z series, but after the horrible experience with xz1 and xz2c it's unlikely for me to consider any SONY phones.
Paška I don't mind weight as long as it's comfortable to hold. 168g is nothing for a flagship smartphone under today's standards. I am such a big fan of the xz2c. I preorderred one and nearly watched all the English and Chinese pre-review videos before got mine. I once commented under a video saying that the xz2c looks so comfortable to hold I don't even need to try. Trust me I want it to be a great phone more than anybody in the world. But I cannot deceive myself, its weight is just not comfortable to hold at that size and design, even worse than some larger and heavier phones like the HTC U11. But of course you can have your own judgment after you get your hands on yours.
The new Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is one of the smallest phones that you can buy, but it packs some serious power under the hood. Check out our video review to learn more about it!
PhoneArena nothing about front camera ???
You can see samples from the front camera and more information in our detailed text review here:
www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sony-Xperia-XZ2-Compact-Review_id4503
PhoneArena i kow IS Out of the contest.. But what kind of sofa are You using?
With 168 grams weight and 12 mm thickness I doubt it has the right to be called Compact.
PhoneArena for HDR video, it looks a lot duller because you're missing the HDR overlay when you insert this into the non-HDR review video. Is there anywhere we can see the sample HDR video in its full glory?
Ofc, its sony's video, everyone need to atack sony for something -_- You want something like samsung or apple but when it becomes almost copy of that smartphone you will say" UNORIGINAL,APPLE or SAMSUNG WANNABE " GROW UP
Noise on pictures is a matter of taste. It also helps having a great amount of details, which is the case.
The only complaint that I may have with this phone is night shots. Having a tripod helps in this scenario.
Yes or use manual mode
Mark Luis Basas Manual mode won't compensate for the lack of OIS, whereas a tripod will keep the phone steady and the shutter speed would automatically decrease.
Let's hope Sony implements the OIS in its next phone, because honestly I think it's the only flaw I saw in the XZ2 series.
High price is the problem that makes Sony unable to compete with other brands. But I still like Sony.
Sovann Yem its expensive not overpriced
Samsung is a lot pricier than Sony
गौतम सिंह बिष्ट 600 something is costly for 845?
Nitin Nitin bro what about 999 for a11
The price at launch is around the same as other flagships, but Sony's prices drop the fastest. So in a few months it'll be much cheaper
Great review! Vast amount of important information and views.
I will consider buying this phone in the autumn if there will be discounts. 400 € would be okay price for me, but Europe's general price of 600 € is too high, if you don't fancy the compact size.
For the size though, there is no better option and I actually like the quality of the camera, even though you can definetly spot the mentioned noise. Better to check it out yourself, since noise may or may not bother some people that much.
I can get it for €400 with a free Sony WH-1000XM2 headphone (retail value €380) when I renew my 1 year subscription. Great deal if you ask me.
For me the dimensions of the SE are great, I'd love to have one IF: 1) It would be a Pixel device with the best of Android; 2) It would have IP68 rating; 3) USB-C
So far the compact Sony phones are the best phones IMHO. If I could change one thing from this exact XZ2 Compact, would be the software. Would love to see a Pixel like this. Who knows this year we get one.
Bought the xz2 compact as it is one of the only small flagships out there. I am very happy with it so far. And the battery is not bad at all. Pulled it of the charger this morning(06:00) and has now 66% left (19:32). So yea, its pretty good
This back design really reminds me of my old Xperia SP.
Honestly, the super vivid screen mode really distorts peoples opinion about the photos they take. Samsung phones are notorious for over saturating your photos, when you look at a photo after you upload them, they don't look at nice. I honestly HATE this market deception. I have a Google Pixel 2 and just bought this Sony phone and I am glad they included a color mode setting selection. Great video review overall, keep it up! Thanks!
Buying the phone. Love the battery and performance ❤❤❤
Best phone ever!
I love tech, and love android phones, and this compact from sony is my favorite phone i've had in a loong time. I've always chosen sony's compact version since i dont need the big display. I just need a phone that is quick and i im not a phone of a huge brick in my pockets. When thats said. The only thing i wish sony would do to their compacts is make the screen resolution bigger. Tho i think it looks great, and i usually use my phone at 50%-70% brightness anyways.
I hope sony will keep making their compacts, cause i've bought them for about10 years now. And ihavnt been dissapointed yet. And i dont actually mind that there is not jack since it comes with the adapter that i always carry around. And most people have the adapter now if you forget yours.
Just my humble opinion.
Great review would have liked to have seen a slightly bigger battery in the phone though considering how chunky it is.
I got this phone for 300 euros (new) It feels really good in hand, thickness doesn't bother at all.
It is a very nice phone but the s8 and s9 are just a little bit bigger
Excellent review by the way
I want to buy this phone and I have a question: do you have (black or grey) side bars when watching youtube or when playing games?
What I dislike about this phone is the on screen nav bar. It bothers me a lot.
Does the Sony XZ2 have that Sony click sound are you use the phone? I always like that sound. Also is there a notification LED light that blinks like the Samsung phones? And you can change the colors? Finally is there a always on display option like the Samsung’s have?
Yes to all
Compact but powerful 😍😍
So why exactly is this phone thicker. No ois, no heaphone jack, no large battery.
Thank you for the review. I did notice the video editing was not quite up to usual standards this time around.
Sony is always the best for you.
4:57 Curiously, the *non-HDR* video looks better to me. Colors are more saturated and better contrast. Look the greenery, the blue chairs, and his jacket.
do you have a HDR monitor?
HDR isn't a vivid mode. It's supposed to represent colors closer to what they look in real life.
I love small phone like 5s.. Now since i already switch back to android, this is definitely the phone i want.
I like this compact phone.
As a current XZ1 Compact owner, I am extremely disappointed. They managed to make the phone bigger in every dimension, but it still has worse battery life and removed the headphones back... All they really needed to do was extend the display of the current compact and improve the build quality with the aluminum covering all sides instead of just the top and bottom.
The newer model has higher resolution so this is why the battery life is shorter. I'm getting the XZ2 compact because it looks very nice. It looks a lot like my Nokia Lumia 925
Isaiah Scott i bet if they kept the old size and expanded the display, the battery life will be even worse than in the current design..
Isaiah Scott i think a better display is a good tradeoff for battery
Isaiah Scott I think they had to leave the design as it was, long screens are ugly! And they had to finally improve camera image quality!!
Isaiah Scott camera is better on the XZ2 and 64gb so it's a toss up. I think I would still go for XZ1 compact.
Seriously? HDR in video has nothing to do with HDR term we know in photography. Completely two different things.
Best unboxing ever!
I've been a loyal fan of Sony and their phones. I've owned J, z1, z3 and currently xa ultra. Sony always had a problem that they have til this day.... BATTERY LIFE!!!! I'm still loyal to Sony, recently tried the xiaomi mi a1. Its really good for the price, while Sony sells overpriced. I'm going to wait and see what Sony releases in late 2018.
Does the headphone adapter plug in to the socket that it charges from?
Yes
Do you still have it! I want this in India 😭
Why do they keep bringing up the Iphone SE??? omg...
Phone Arena bruh...
Marxy PH Because that's another compact phone
Marxy PH because it’s the only other Compact phone around. Many current owners of iPhone SEs are shopping around for their next device since an SE2 is still up in the air.
Marxy PH it's the only high end compact phone, if there's a s9 mini they'll probably mention it
I think it would be a more compelling phone if the fingerprint scanner was still in the power button on the side and they kept the headphone jack. The current trends are just silly. They're creating more issues than they're fixing.
Love it
You forgot to mention that it rocks like a boat !
People still complain about head phone jacks? When did that iPhone come out?
Good phone
Excellent camera
Ok?? Pixel 2 vs Sony Xperia XZ2 compact?? Shall we start review like that?
Naing Aung Lu Lu pixel 2 if u can get deal with lower price..
PyschoPath Wars Yap
Once upon a time, I was Sony fan.
Now, I own Pixel 2Xl
The XZ1 compact was WAY BETTER in terms of design. They really fucked up the new design.
Where do you stay??
2°??
i like the redesign of the xperia line but i still think it's lackluster, and now they remind me of a cheap phone you would get for free from metro pcs. but for the bump in specs the devices have i think it's a fair compromise
Nice ! I like it !
Not recommend Sony mobile phones since disappearing experiences with Z2 and XZ1 compact because of too unstable hardware and software. And there are definitely more cool stuffs to spend for that money.
Reminds me of xperia sp back
Chubby is a killer word to describe a phone with! Lol
Sony is the best
Sony UI is not the best but super clean UI
I bought mine for $450 which was half the price of an Iphone X
Hey guys, this is Austin...
No hat phone jack? I'm afraid that's a no from me then.
ass hat
you have something called bluetooth 4.2 with aptX
you have something called "having to charge earphones to listen to music, and being screwed if you forget"
comedyman112 you have something called usb c to 3.5mm jack
nope, the phone doesnt come with a hat called jack.
It's actually not compatible with Verizon. Google it users have nothing but problems including me
On Amazon it Says it is certified by Verizon and I called Verizon and they said it should work. I have not bought it yet but I have strongly considered it. What problems are people having? Verizon is eliminating 3g service right now and everything is going to 4G LTE and 5G and this phone does 4G Lte so it really should be fine. What problems are you having?
Why the fooken hell did they make it 12mm thick? feels like a brick. That, plus the 5 inch screen makes it NOT SO COMPACT anymore. Just when I thought Sony couldn't get any worse...
HDR video works diffrent than discribed
The Z5 compact is still the best sony phone ever ... 4 me :p. dont know if i shold upgrade to this one yet,its to thick 12.1mm ...
neminemm its thick yes, but surprisingly nice to hold. I use it with a pretty thick case and with the added grip its just right
Im in the process of upgrading from my Z5C, it finally overheated enough to make the backplate start loosening. I realy hope this phone wont have the same problem. It's either this, the regular ZX2 or the Samsung s9 i think.
Iphonearena, you better check your eyes, no bullshit anymore.
Just compare with iphone X and Samsung S9+, you can see these 2 competitors are not as good as you mentioned.
A lot of reviews apart from you, open your mind and face the reality......
I thought Sony Xperia Premium was the first phone to record 4k hdr.
Xz premium has 4k hdr display not 4k hdr video recording
Umar Farooq Sorry my bad.😀
Looks like my old lg g5.lg missed the boat on that one.hello moto
AM I only person who does not care about camera? I think I am. Seems everyone else it is #1 priority feature haha
Terry Hernandez Same here! It's the least thing I would look for while buying a smartphone.
Hesitant thumbs up.. Lol.. Allways the same this "reviewr".. Where in hell is this camera not on par with other flagships? Its so ridiculous..
There is bokeh mode in the camera settings for portrait pictures
Fake bokeh does not look as good as a F1.2 Aperture on a real camera.
Looks like Sony's E series device 🙁☹️ sony fan(im)
Again no jack? Uff I'm happy samsung user
this phone is too darn THICK. jeez.
alright
I use 3.5 jack..... :(
if only it has headphone jack 😢
Ruski?
2nd comment .. love ur videos
Good information #ultimaterandomvideos
Good vid bro
12mm?
Christopher Parker At the thickest point yes.
It goes from 7 mm to 12 mm.
Way too chunky and the camera is still a disappointment
Phone is kinda meh
"No 3,5mm headphone jack" - stopped watching at this point. @Sony: congrats on spectacular shot in own knee.
it is kinda ugly :\
Nope, all the nope. Don't care for the redesign, don't care for the size. Compact? It's bigger than any other phone I've owned! Pass...
Its only 6mm taller and 2.8mm thicker.
I think that's a good trade-off for the higher res screen.
SONY and HTC ,one of d biggest smartphone companies in d past are going in wrong direction.
5 inch display ain't small
Viboto Awomi with 18:9 aspect ratio it is
Still not small
Viboto Awomi what is small for you then? For me it's still a small phone comparable to last year's model in size
iPhone se size with 16:9 aspect ratio screen
Or 18:9
When Sony dissolved their partnership with Ericsson, their phones just went downhill from there
Nice phone for children. :D
Naime Shirou Yes, but the other phones are goods for sheeps
A loth of people don't even need a phone ore now how to use one wit h respect ;p
Bad design they need 2 change!
lol
hi guys 1st comment
Not a fan of Sony phones but I'm a fan of the ps4. Phones from sony aren't worth buying...
Why not?
You are an idiot
Norberto Castro Idk its just that I'm not a fan of its design and I don't like the specs
गौतम सिंह बिष्ट yeah I'm an idiot cause I'm giving out my opinion, you Sony Fanboy 😔
ItsChaBoiiDanny well, i cant understand that.. to me it looks like any other 2018 phone. And the specs? It has the best processor in the world atm, it has one of the best cameras on any phone. Has a unique hdr display, and its small for people who dont want to loose performance in a phone that is actually poketable.. i think its a great phone..
another overpriced plastic from sony
I bought xz2c and sold it after 2 days' use. First, it's too heavy and make the curved design not comfortable to hold at all. Second, I am afraid that the good battery life of SONY flagships is achieved by performance limitation, just like what Apple did to cover up their aging batteries. The new snapdragon 845 flagship just feels as laggy as the old xz1and can hardly present any smooth animation in daily use, even RUclips videos seems to frame dropping. I used to love SONY mobile so much for their elegant z series, but after the horrible experience with xz1 and xz2c it's unlikely for me to consider any SONY phones.
ITS TO HEAVY? DUDE , HOW WEAK ARE YOU?
Paška Buy and try. Such weight in that body feels nothing more than clumsy and bulky.
赵曦 So you telling me you want smartphone that is as light as feather?
赵曦 I have it and youre simply damn patheticaly stupid! Hahaha. Idiot!
Paška I don't mind weight as long as it's comfortable to hold. 168g is nothing for a flagship smartphone under today's standards. I am such a big fan of the xz2c. I preorderred one and nearly watched all the English and Chinese pre-review videos before got mine. I once commented under a video saying that the xz2c looks so comfortable to hold I don't even need to try. Trust me I want it to be a great phone more than anybody in the world. But I cannot deceive myself, its weight is just not comfortable to hold at that size and design, even worse than some larger and heavier phones like the HTC U11. But of course you can have your own judgment after you get your hands on yours.
This is most ungly phone I saw.
みやび This is the worst case of butchering the English language I have ever seen.
your english is the most ugliest in the entire galaxy i have ever seen
Rakesh Roy I apologize to the girl above, your comment made me realise that you are dumber than she is.
Looks so cheap! 1080 trash screen!
richard ratner 1080p display is perfect in a 5inch phone+its HDR which makes it amazing. And sony is known for making great LCD displays.
Good phone