Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Compact & Premium: Key Differences Explained

Sony Xperia XZ2 Series: Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Compact, Xperia XZ2 Premium (2018)

Definition

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Series is a trio of premium Android flagships launched by Sony Mobile at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018, representing a major design overhaul for Sony’s smartphone lineup. Replacing the angular, waterproof-bodied XZ1 series, the XZ2 range adopted a curved “Ambient Flow” design language with rounded edges and a glass-sandwich construction, targeting photography enthusiasts, multimedia consumers, and power users. The lineup includes three variants: the standard Xperia XZ2 (balanced flagship), the pocket-friendly Xperia XZ2 Compact (compact premium model), and the ultra-high-end Xperia XZ2 Premium (imaging-focused flagship with dual sensors). Positioned against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ and Google Pixel 2 XL, the series emphasized Sony’s Motion Eye™ camera system, 4K HDR video recording, and high-fidelity audio features, while maintaining IP68 water/dust resistance.

Core Model Differentiation Overview (English)

Feature	Xperia XZ2 (H8216/H8266)	Xperia XZ2 Compact (H8314/H8324)	Xperia XZ2 Premium (H8166/H8196)
Launch Date	February 2018 (MWC)	February 2018 (MWC)	April 2018
Market Position	Standard flagship; daily driver for power users	Compact premium flagship; one-handed use	Ultra-premium imaging flagship; dual-sensor camera
Key Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10 nm octa-core)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10 nm octa-core)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (10 nm octa-core)
Display	5.7-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD, 424 ppi	5.0-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD, 449 ppi	5.8-inch 4K UHD (3840×2160) IPS LCD, 765 ppi
Rear Camera	19 MP Motion Eye™ (f/2.0, OIS, 960 fps slow-mo)	19 MP Motion Eye™ (f/2.0, OIS, 960 fps slow-mo)	Dual 19 MP + 12 MP Motion Eye™ (f/1.8 + f/2.4, OIS, 960 fps slow-mo)
Front Camera	5 MP (f/2.2, 120° wide-angle)	5 MP (f/2.2, 120° wide-angle)	13 MP (f/2.0, autofocus)
Battery Capacity	3180 mAh Li-ion (non-removable)	2870 mAh Li-ion (non-removable)	3540 mAh Li-ion (non-removable)
Water/Dust Resistance	IP68 (1.5m/30min, dust-tight)	IP68	IP68
Launch Price (Global)	~$799	~$699	~$999

Detailed Hardware Specifications

1. Display & Form Factor

Model	Display Details	Dimensions & Weight	Build Material & Design	Key Display Features
Xperia XZ2	5.7-inch FHD+ IPS LCD; 18:9 aspect ratio; 60 Hz; 600 nits peak brightness	153 × 72 × 11.1 mm; 198 g	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) + glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) + aluminum frame; Ambient Flow curved design	Sony Triluminos Display; X-Reality Engine for Mobile; HDR10 support
Xperia XZ2 Compact	5.0-inch FHD+ IPS LCD; 18:9 aspect ratio; 60 Hz; 600 nits peak brightness	135 × 65 × 12.1 mm; 168 g	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) + glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) + aluminum frame; compact Ambient Flow design	Same image processing as XZ2; optimized for one-handed operation
Xperia XZ2 Premium	5.8-inch 4K UHD IPS LCD; 18:9 aspect ratio; 60 Hz; 600 nits peak brightness	158 × 73 × 11.9 mm; 236 g	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) + glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) + aluminum frame; premium curved design	World’s first 4K HDR smartphone display; downscales to FHD+ for daily use; HDR10 & Dolby Vision support

2. Processor & Memory

All three models are equipped with the same flagship-grade processor and memory configurations, ensuring consistent high performance:

Component	Specifications
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (octa-core: 4×2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold + 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver); Adreno 630 GPU
RAM	4 GB LPDDR4X (XZ2 / XZ2 Compact) / 6 GB LPDDR4X (XZ2 Premium)
Internal Storage	64 GB UFS 2.1 (expandable via microSD card up to 400 GB; hybrid slot with dual-SIM support in regional variants)
Performance Highlights	Supports 4K HDR video encoding/decoding; smooth multitasking and gaming; compatible with Sony’s PlayStation Remote Play

3. Camera System (Motion Eye™ – Flagship Imaging)

The XZ2 series introduced upgraded Motion Eye™ camera technology, focusing on high-speed capture and professional-grade video:

Model	Rear Camera	Front Camera	Video Capabilities	Key Camera Features
Xperia XZ2	19 MP Exmor RS sensor (f/2.0 aperture; 1/2.3″ size; 1.22µm pixels; optical image stabilization (OIS); laser autofocus)	5 MP (f/2.2; 120° wide-angle; fixed focus; beauty mode)	4K HDR (3840×2160) at 30 fps; 1080p at 60 fps; 960 fps slow-motion at 720p	Predictive Capture: Captures 4 frames before shutter press; Super Slow Motion (960 fps); Bokeh Mode (software-based background blur)
Xperia XZ2 Compact	Same as XZ2	Same as XZ2	Same as XZ2	Same as XZ2; compact form factor ideal for on-the-go photography
Xperia XZ2 Premium	Dual-sensor setup: 19 MP (f/1.8, OIS, color) + 12 MP (f/2.4, OIS, monochrome)	13 MP (f/2.0; autofocus; 1080p video calls)	Same as XZ2 + 4K HDR at 60 fps (via firmware update)	Dual-sensor fusion: Combines color and monochrome data for higher dynamic range; ISO 51200 (night mode); Manual Pro Mode (full control over ISO, shutter speed)

4. Battery & Charging

Model	Battery Capacity	Charging & Battery Life
Xperia XZ2	3180 mAh	18W Quick Charge 3.0; Qi wireless charging (10W); ~9 hours screen-on time; ~300 hours standby
Xperia XZ2 Compact	2870 mAh	18W Quick Charge 3.0; Qi wireless charging (10W); ~8 hours screen-on time; efficient power usage due to smaller display
Xperia XZ2 Premium	3540 mAh	18W Quick Charge 3.0; Qi wireless charging (10W); ~7 hours screen-on time (4K display increases power consumption)

5. Connectivity & Sensors

All models share identical connectivity and sensor suites, with premium features for multimedia and productivity:

Networks: 4G LTE Cat.16 (1 Gbps download); 5G-ready (via future updates for select variants); GSM/3G HSPA+; dual-SIM support (regional models)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 5.0 (A2DP, LE, aptX HD); NFC; GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou + Galileo
Ports: USB-C 3.1 (data/charging); no 3.5 mm headphone jack (first Xperia flagship to drop the port)
Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, barometer, fingerprint scanner (side-mounted, integrated into power button), heart rate monitor
Audio: Hi-Res Audio (LDAC support); stereo speakers (front-facing); 360 Reality Audio support (via firmware update)

6. Software

Model	Launch OS	Update Support	Key Software Features
XZ2 / XZ2 Compact / XZ2 Premium	Android 8.0 Oreo	Upgradable to Android 10 Q	Stock Android with minimal Sony overlay; Sony Album (4K photo editing); Walkman (Hi-Res Audio tuning); PlayStation Remote Play; IP68-tested software optimizations

Core Innovations & Series Highlights

1. Ambient Flow Design Overhaul

The XZ2 series abandoned Sony’s signature angular design for curved glass and rounded edges, improving ergonomics and grip. The glass-sandwich construction also enabled wireless charging— a first for Sony’s flagship Xperia lineup.

2. Advanced Motion Eye™ Camera Features

Predictive Capture: The camera automatically captures 4 frames before the shutter button is pressed, ensuring users never miss a fleeting moment (e.g., a smile or a fast-moving object).
960 fps Super Slow Motion: Records 720p video at 960 frames per second, turning fast actions into detailed slow-motion clips.
Dual-Sensor Fusion (XZ2 Premium Exclusive): The combination of color and monochrome sensors delivered 3x higher dynamic range than the standard XZ2, with exceptional low-light performance (ISO 51200).

3. 4K HDR Display (XZ2 Premium Exclusive)

The XZ2 Premium was the world’s first smartphone with a 4K HDR display, supporting both HDR10 and Dolby Vision for cinema-grade video playback. It downscaled to FHD+ for daily use to conserve battery, switching to 4K only for compatible content.

4. Hi-Res Audio & 360 Reality Audio

All models supported Hi-Res Audio and LDAC wireless audio coding, delivering lossless sound quality to compatible headphones. A later firmware update added 360 Reality Audio support, creating an immersive, 3D-like listening experience.

Market Positioning & Reception

1. Target Audience

Xperia XZ2: Mainstream power users seeking a balanced flagship with strong performance, camera quality, and wireless charging.
Xperia XZ2 Compact: Enthusiasts who prefer a small, pocket-sized phone without sacrificing flagship specs (a rare offering in 2018’s trend of large smartphones).
Xperia XZ2 Premium: Professional photographers and multimedia enthusiasts who demand the best imaging and display technology.

2. Critical Reception

Strengths

Build Quality: Premium glass and aluminum construction felt luxurious, with IP68 resistance maintaining Sony’s durability legacy.
Camera Performance: Predictive Capture and Super Slow Motion were innovative; the XZ2 Premium’s dual-sensor setup delivered industry-leading low-light photos.
Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio support appealed to audiophiles.

Weaknesses

No Headphone Jack: The removal of the 3.5 mm port was controversial among Sony’s loyal user base.
Battery Life (XZ2 Premium): The 4K display drained battery quickly, even with downscaling.
Price: The XZ2 Premium’s $999 launch price was criticized as overpriced compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S9+.

3. Legacy

The XZ2 Compact remains a cult favorite among users who value small-form-factor flagships— a niche that has since been nearly abandoned by major smartphone manufacturers.

The XZ2 series marked Sony’s transition to a more consumer-friendly design language, moving away from the divisive angular aesthetic of previous Xperia models.

The XZ2 Premium’s dual-sensor camera laid the groundwork for Sony’s later imaging flagships, including the Xperia 1 series with Cinema Pro mode.