Smartphone Sony Xperia X Z 2. Sony Xperia XZ2 review

Sony review Xperia XZ2 - the highest quality smartphone from the Japanese company in 2018. This is not an ultimatum, but even without a dual camera, the device is able to surprise with the Japanese desire for excellence.

Specifications Sony Xperia XZ2

  • Screen: LCD, 5.7″, 18:9, 2160x1080 pixels, Dolby Vision HDR, Gorilla Glass 5, TRILUMINOS
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) octa-core, Hexagon 685 DSP, Adreno 630 GPU
  • RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X
  • Built-in memory: 64 GB, UFS 2.1, hybrid slot for memory cards microSD/HC/XC
  • Primary camera: Motion Eye, 19 MP, Exmor RS (optical size 1/2.3", pixel 1.22 µm), G Lens, 25 mm, f/2.0 aperture, electronic stabilization, predictive hybrid autofocus, super slow motion video 960 fps FHD, 4K HDR video
  • Front camera: 5 MP, 1/5″ Exmor RS sensor, 23mm f/2.0 wide-angle optics, 3D scanning, EIS SteadyShot
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac/b/g/n (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, DLNA, NFC, USB type-C (USB 3.1 Gen. 1, 5Gbps, OTG) Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+(3G), LTE (4G) Cat.18 (up to 1.2Gbps)
  • Navigation: GPS/GLONASS/BDS/Galileo/QZSS, A-GPS
  • Connectors: USB type-C
  • Battery: 3180 mAh, support fast charging Qualcomm Charge
  • Body material: glass, metal
  • Operating system: Android 8.0 Oreo, proprietary shell Xperia UI
  • Dimensions: 153x72x11.1 mm, weight 198 grams
  • Features: dustproof and waterproof (IP65/IP68), Qi wireless charging, Dynamic Vibration System

Design, ergonomics

And why did I scold the new design concept in which the XZ2 line is made? After three weeks with the Xperia XZ2, I am surprised at myself, because the smartphone is beautiful in terms of design.



It is a pity that during the announcement and on the renders I did not understand this. Sometimes you need to hold a smartphone in your hands yourself, feel the weight and tactile qualities, and only then form your own opinion.

Therefore, I officially declare - Xperia XZ2 is one of the most attractive smartphones of 2018. I got a black sample, it looks like a monolithic piece of mineral polished to a crazy shine. The build quality and fit of the glass to the metal frame is amazing. In the hand, the device feels extremely solid, I don’t even know what to compare it to, only the iPhone 8 Plus comes to mind.

You take the Xperia XZ2 in your hands and you feel the thing, a Japanese smartphone as it is, albeit made in Thailand.

I don’t want to talk about the location of buttons and connectors after such declarations of love, everything here is standard for Sony phones Xperia, except that the mini-jack was removed, and the fingerprint sensor was moved back.





This is the only design element that is a little out of the general concept, but I lamented over this back in .

Ergonomics

Usability has to be sacrificed in favor of tactile sensations and design. While the Xperia XZ2 is nice to hold in your hand, it's not as easy to use as other 5.8-inch devices.


The smartphone is really bulky, very heavy and thick. This imposes restrictions on ergonomics. Therefore, I advise you to twist it in your hands for at least a couple of minutes before buying.

Screen

Without exaggeration, the Xperia XZ2 has the highest quality LCD screen on the market. It has amazing color reproduction, contrast and maximum brightness. But all this could not be described, because it is enough to mention HDR support for the Dolby Vision system.


HDR Dolby Vision places higher demands on the screen than HDR10, thus only the highest quality screens can pass this certification. On the this moment, only the Xperia XZ2 and LG G7 screens have a corresponding confirmation.

Therefore, using the Xperia XZ2 is not only a pleasure from an aesthetic point of view, but also thanks to the super-cool screen. After it, it is difficult to adequately evaluate budget phones with their penny matrices.


When the Xperia XZ2 screen is turned off, it practically merges with the front panel, the so-called lamination is implemented very cool here, perhaps I have never seen such a cool effect in any smartphone.

Camera

The camera is the only weak point of the Xperia XZ2. For a smartphone for 60,000 rubles, it is unacceptable to have a single main camera, which is inferior to competitors. For Sonyboys, the situation is already familiar when a company that makes the best image sensors cannot make an ultimate camera in its own flagship.


Soft

Xperia XZ2 runs on Android 8.0 Oreo with proprietary Xperia UI skin latest version, but I confess that I did not notice any noticeable changes compared to last year's Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact.


We slightly corrected the system settings, slightly combed the icons and items, and that's all. Visually the same shell.


Of the real innovations, only the analogue of Always On Display, which was described above, as well as Xperia Actions. With this application, you can set up various scenarios for using your smartphone, see the screenshots below for understanding:


Performance, run time

With the performance of the Sony Xperia XZ2, everything is in perfect order. The Snapdragon 845 chipset with Adreon 630 graphics and fast UFS 2.1 memory leaves no room for lag/stuttering.

The smartphone can easily claim to be the fastest among Android devices. You notice this both when working with the launcher and with specific applications. Just a bullet!

Benchmark results:


I almost forgot, the smartphone practically does not heat up in everyday use. You have to sit in resource-intensive games for a long time to achieve noticeable heating.

autonomy

The operating time against the background of super-speed is no longer so pleasing. The Xperia XZ2 Compact does not surprise with autonomy, but it is quite capable of delivering 4.5-5 hours of the screen on from a single charge.

In my usage scenario (a lot of music through wireless headphones, YouTube for 1-2 hours, social networks and constant twitter), the device lasted until late at night, and even in the morning 10-15% remained.

Communication, sound

There are no complaints about the quality of cellular communication and voice transmission during calls. Like the small XZ2 Compact I tested earlier, the large XZ2 is great for long conversations. Noise canceling copes even with strong gusts of wind.


With the sound from the speakers, the situation is even better. Xperia XZ2 was equipped with speakers that are simply excellent in terms of sound. For the first time, without shyness, loudly praise Sony for this item. The speakers play music very loudly and do it well. I heard something similar in .

Everything is better with headphones. The device did not receive a separate DAC for sound processing, so it can only rely on the audio chip built into the Snapdragon 845. Here is Sony's wireless sound, as always, at the highest level, Bluetooth 5.0 and the LDAC codec give top sound quality in wireless connection, the main thing is to buy the appropriate Sony headphones. For example, h.ear in 2 or h.ear on 2 Wireless NC.

Review Xperia XZ2. Conclusion

It seems like the Xperia XZ2 will last forever. Its monolithic body, heaviness and stability leave no doubt that this smartphone will last for a long time.


Xperia XZ2 is an original flagship unlike its competitors. It doesn't try to be the thinnest or the most bezel-less. This is just a reliable thing, in which everything is fine, except for the price. Here she really bites, but Sony fans will not be disappointed, and the rest can pass by. The Xperia XZ2 is meant to be experienced, not to be tried on paper.

  • Android 8.0, Sony Xperia UI
  • Display 5.7 inches, FHD + (2160x1080 pixels), IPS, 424 ppi, automatic brightness control, white balance adjustment
  • Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, 8 cores (4x2.8 GHz + 4x1.77 GHz), video accelerator Adreno 630
  • 4 GB random access memory, 64 GB built-in (UFS 2.0), memory cards up to 400 GB, combo slot
  • nanoSIM, up to two cards, one radio module
  • 3180 mAh Li-Ion battery, fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0) in 100 minutes to 100 percent, fast wireless charging
  • Front camera, 5 megapixels, autofocus, f/2.2
  • Primary camera, 19 megapixels, f/2.0, LED flash, 4K video recording, 960 fps super slow motion in FHD, electronic stabilization
  • Google Pay (NFC)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 LE (aptX HD and LDAC support), USB Type C, NFC
  • GPS, GLONASS
  • Fingerprint scanner (on the back cover)
  • Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor
  • LTE cat.18
  • Water and dust protection IP65
  • Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm, weight 198 grams

Contents of delivery



Positioning

Back in September 2017, Sony introduced its Xperia XZ1, but before we knew it, it had already been replaced by an updated model. Interestingly, the XZ1 occupied an intermediate position between the XZ1 Compact and XZ Premium, while the XZ2 is a full-fledged flagship, top of the line.

Quick change of model Sony series connected with the peculiarities of the Japanese market, where the life of the flagship is gradually decreasing, first from a year to nine months, and now even to six months. Judge for yourself: XZ1 was shown at the beginning of September, and XZ2 at the end of February.

In such a frenetic race it is difficult to maintain a decent amount of innovation, but it is in the XZ2 that the company succeeded perfectly. This is a novelty that has received a number of functional features that fans of the company have been asking for for a long time: a fresh new design, an 18:9 display aspect ratio, reduced bezels around the screen, SuperSlomo recording in FHD resolution.

The positioning of the Xperia XZ2 is very simple: this is the most sophisticated device from Sony, in which the company demonstrates all its developments and new technologies, the model is designed to compete with the best solutions from major manufacturers- Samsung and Apple.

I took this smartphone on a short trip to Cappadocia, do not be surprised if I periodically refer to the experience of using it.

Design, dimensions, controls

Sony smartphones have always stood out from the competition with their appearance. This was the hallmark of the company and one of their significant advantages. However, the strict angular design has been used for quite some time, so Sony decided to radically change the appearance of their devices.


Instead of sharp corners, smooth edges are now used, the back cover is tapered at the edges to make the smartphone more comfortable to hold in your hand, and the glass plays beautifully in the light.


Under the first glance at the XZ2, I saw a lot of dissatisfied comments. People did not like the updated design, they wrote that Sony had lost its individuality, made one of hundreds of faceless devices and disappointed our commentators. But let's be honest, when we buy a new device, we want to get a different feeling from it, to feel that we really have a novelty in our hands, and not a cosmetic update of the previous generation. If we compare the XZ2 and XZ1, it is immediately clear that the devices are very different, they have different emotions, they are felt differently.

Do I like the updated design of the smartphone? Undoubtedly. The fact is that the case changes its color very beautifully under different lighting, plus the company chose good colors for this model (black, silver, dark green and ash pink). I had a black version on the test, but I saw a Sony employee who walked around with a silver device, it seemed to be either mint or pearl, it looked great.


On the front panel there is a mesh earpiece, light and proximity sensors, a front camera and a small light indicator. Under the display, you can see the logo, as well as a thin mesh stereo speaker. Together with the spoken language, they form a stereo pair. I did not immediately see it, at first it seemed to me that the sound was coming directly from the USB Type C port.


On the right, there is a power button, a volume rocker and a separate camera key.


Above you can see the tray for two nanoSIM and microSD cards, as well as a second microphone. Separately, I note that when the tray is removed, the device automatically reboots. I liked that in this model all the slots are combined into one tray, you do not have to pry off the second tray with your fingernail, as was the case in older models.



Below are the USB Type C port and the main microphone. The XZ2 abandoned the minijack, so the headphones are connected through this port. AT comes with the corresponding adapter, also at Sony, along with the XZ2, they announced a separate accessory for those who want to listen to music and charge their smartphone, and several wireless headphones, as well as headsets that connect via Type C.


Back cover Made from Gorilla Glass 5 with an additional oleophobic coating. To be honest, initially I was afraid that the device would slip out of my hands because of the glass, but the smartphone, on the contrary, lies very securely in my hand.

On the cover are the main camera and a fingerprint scanner. Note that both elements are shifted down. This arrangement seems inconvenient at first: for example, I constantly tried to unlock the device by touching the camera. It turned out that you just need to hold the smartphone a little differently, and then the finger rests directly on the scanner.



Smartphone dimensions - 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm, weight - 198 grams. I think that you have already noticed the large numbers of thickness and weight, they also alerted me during the announcement of the new product. I was sure that the smartphone is thick and heavy, that it will be very inconvenient to use it. In fact, it turned out that 11.1 mm is the thickness in the place of the camera module, thanks to the beveled edges, the XZ2 feels great in the hand. The weight of the model is also evenly distributed, I can call it heavy, but it did not seem exactly heavy.


I also liked how the smartphone feels in the hand. Thanks to the oleophobic coating, it does not slip, the glass gives a pleasant tactile sensation, and the beveled edges give the impression of a thin thickness. I say this on purpose, because the dry characteristics may give the impression that we have a 200-gram bar with a centimeter thickness, but this is not so.

For five days of use, I had no problems with assembly, the device is perfectly assembled, there are no backlashes and squeaks.

The company's website states that the smartphone is IP65/68 protected, and I originally assumed that it could even be submerged in water, but the Sony website has clarification on this, let me quote it:

The Xperia XZ2 is water- and dust-resistant, making it resistant to heavy rain or faucet washing (but keep all ports and covers firmly closed when doing so). The device must not be completely submerged under water, nor be exposed to sea water, salt water, chlorinated water or alcoholic beverages. Incorrect or inappropriate use of the device will void the warranty. The device has been assigned an IP65/68 protection class. For more information, see https://support.sonymobile.com/en/dm/waterresistant/ . Please note that the Xperia XZ2 has a USB port for charging and connecting to other devices, which is not closed by a cover. If your smartphone has been exposed to water, charge it only after the USB port is completely dry.

So the protection of the flagship meets the IP65 standard, not IP68.

Screen

Following the rest of the manufacturers, Sony also decided to switch to an 18:9 display aspect ratio, and at the same time reduce the top and bottom bezels. The side bezels have also shrunk a bit, but they are still larger than some bezel-less smartphones.

I really liked the display, and I thought for a long time how to describe its quality so that you understand, given that even in the middle segment, manufacturers now put very good screens. As a result, I settled on the following metaphor: imagine that you are leafing through a glossy magazine printed using a good printer and quality paper. The picture on the smartphone screen feels like a page of such a magazine. My main smartphone is the iPhone 7 Plus, despite the fact that the difference in PPI between it and the XZ2 is small (401 vs. 424), you can see with the naked eye that the Sony picture looks sharper, especially for thin fonts.


In the sun, the information is no longer visible so well, but it still remains readable, and in the dark, the minimum brightness does not hit the eyes. The XZ2 has a separate night mode, when you turn it on, the display goes into warm colors. You can adjust the activation time of this mode, as well as the intensity of its work. Separately, I note that even at the maximum value the picture looks simply “warmer”, there is no such obvious shift to yellow colors, as on some devices.

The white balance of the screen is closer to cold colors, it is especially noticeable in comparison with the iPhone. However, without a direct comparison, I would not even notice this. In addition, you have the option to adjust the white balance.


There are three color presets. The first meets sRGB standards, the second is an adaptation from Sony, and when you turn on the third, the display looks like a poorly calibrated AMOLED matrix.

If desired, you can turn on the control mode with one hand. To do this, swipe left or right from the Home button.

The display can play content in HDR, but only in some applications, in addition to the built-in ones, you can watch such videos on YouTube and Netflix.

By default, you can check the time and incoming notifications without unlocking, just take the smartphone in your hand and it will display this information on a black background. If desired, this option can be turned off in the settings.

Battery

Our commentators like to complain that companies don't put large 4000 mAh and higher batteries in their flagship devices, but they often forget that the operating time also depends on power consumption optimization, energy saving chips from a particular manufacturer, and chipset energy efficiency.

In Cappadocia, I used a smartphone paired with dual SIM cards and enabled LTE, the brightness was at maximum, and all synchronizations were turned on. In this mode, the device provided three hours of on-screen display. When traveling, you usually use your smartphone to the maximum, so the numbers I've given are a guaranteed minimum (compare these numbers with our test, where HD video is played).

As soon as we turn on Stamina mode, we get another extra hour of screen time, and lowering the brightness to 50% will give about an hour and a little more. As a result, with active use, this is three hours, in calmer scenarios - about five hours of the included display.

The device supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, it charges 43% in half an hour, 72% in an hour, 90% in an hour and a half, and it takes 100 minutes to fully charge.

At the hotel, I left the smartphone to charge overnight, and in the morning I found that it was only 90% charged. The problem was in the “battery care” service, it allows the battery to charge up to 90% and turns off charging, and in the last half an hour before you wake up, it charges the device up to 100%. But for him correct operation he needs to follow your sleep schedule, and I have it floating, plus I don’t charge my smartphone every night at night, so I disabled this option in the settings.

Memory, chipset, performance

At work, most of the time I test smartphones of the middle and budget segments, real flagships rarely fall into my hands. I was almost sure that the speed of the middle segment is almost the same as the flagship devices, therefore, despite the top stuffing, I did not expect miracles in terms of the speed of the XZ2. And I was pleasantly surprised by how it works. Very smooth, very fast, and most importantly, faster than most devices in the middle segment, the difference is visible to the naked eye.

When working with a smartphone for a long time (more than an hour in a row), a slight heating of the case appears, however, it does not interfere with the use of the device.

For all the time of use, I encountered two problems related to performance. When you turn on the Google feed in the launcher, the transition to it looks ragged and clumsy. The problem is solved by disabling this element. Also, performance is significantly reduced when Stamina mode is enabled, this is immediately noticeable.

Communication options

Until recently, I did not consider WiFi Calling a significant advantage, but the other day I read one of the articles by Sergey Vilyanov, in which he told how wonderfully he used calls at home tariffs in other countries with using Wi-Fi Calling, and decided to also try this feature during the trip. The reader can rightly note that it has long been possible to call via Telegram, WhatsApp and other services, but not everyone has them, plus there are situations when you need to call support or somewhere else. In this regard, Wi-Fi Calling helps a lot and works great on the XZ2. Just like VoLTE. I love this technology not so much for the quality of voice transmission, but for the absence of the need to jump from 4G to 3G and back. But Roman Belykh, by the way, likes the crystal clear voice on VoLTE. By the way, both VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling are available on both SIM cards, that is, you can choose another SIM card as the main one and use both services. But the smartphone has one radio module.

Support for AptX HD and LDAC codecs will be a nice bonus for audiophiles who own high-quality wireless headphones. But Sony also pursues its goals by adding these codecs. For example, I connected the device to my Sony wireless speaker, the smartphone immediately identified an LDAC-compatible device and wrote that the maximum sound quality was available.

I'll tell you another funny case about Bluetooth 5.0. I usually turn on the music in the shower through the speaker, and when I leave, I turn off the speaker. Once, instead, he paused and took the smartphone to his room. The speaker usually turns itself off when the connection is lost, so this was not a problem. Until I heard the usual ringtone coming from the bathroom (it is located 5 meters from the room, and there are two more closed doors to it). It turned out that the connection was active even at such a distance.

The presence of NFC in the flagship is not surprising, but Sony puts this module even in inexpensive devices. Google Pay fans are happy about this, but the company has done this primarily to quickly connect to their accessories (and this is convenient).

Camera

I was lucky with the test of the XZ2 camera: the announcement of the start of sales took place in Cappadocia, so there was no need to look for scenes for pictures, they were right in front of my eyes. Before that, I heard about Cappadocia only in the context of the Cappadocian fathers, but in lectures on Byzantine we did not touch on the history of the area itself. It turned out that the region is famous for several interesting sights, some of which I managed to visit in one free day. I hope you will forgive me for a few paragraphs about the trip, illustrated with examples of shots from the XZ2.

In Cappadocia, one of the attractions for tourists is flying in hot air balloons. To be honest, every time I thought about this method of transportation, I always caught myself thinking that I would hardly decide on such an extreme. And here they were the key event of the trip. At first, I planned to cowardly refuse, but when I saw that the balls were group, I still found the strength to sit in one of them. Still, the presence of the company greatly affects our courage. Before, it seemed to me that flying in a balloon is associated with constant shaking and you clearly feel that you are at a high altitude, in fact, the impressions were similar to viewing the territory from a huge balcony. The ball tacked smoothly, and we were not shaking at all. The views were simply indescribable, you feel like a king flying around his possessions. For one person, this kind of entertainment costs $200, but it will be an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. Look at the photos, even they do not convey the whole delight of this flight. Keep in mind, because of the air currents on the balloons, they fly early in the morning, so be prepared to wake up at 5-6 in the morning for such a flight.

The second point of my short trip was the underground city in Kaymakli. In the 5th century, due to the persecution of Christians, believers hid in the dungeons and led a full life there. In the dungeon there were schools, temples and even wine storages. Although the spectacle is amazing, but if it were not for the presence of navigation arrows, an inexperienced traveler would definitely get lost there. In total, such cities could have up to seven floors! Interestingly, with each successive floor, the transitions became narrower, and at some point I was afraid that I would find myself in the Winnie the Pooh situation with small doors.

Due to the three previously active volcanoes in Cappadocia, there was not very good soil, part of this problem was solved with the help of fertilizers, which were made from pigeon droppings. The wealth of a family was determined by the number of pigeons it could keep. And it just so happened that pigeons lived in a very picturesque valley. Estimate its dimensions from the photos below.

The views there are just amazing. By the way, flying flocks of pigeons are a great reason to shoot a SuperSlomo video.

The last attraction was the Fairy Chimneys, some call them "fairy chimneys", others "valley of witch chimneys". Many legends are connected with this place, we were told that in ancient times fairies agreed to help and be friends with people if they did not fall in love with them. I also heard that one of the Star Wars episodes was filmed here, as the director seemed to think this place was the most similar to something extraterrestrial.

I only had a day in Cappadocia, but the impressions were enough for my eyes. An amazing place both in terms of history, as well as in terms of breathtaking scenery and unusual things. I hope I didn't bore you with a little story about this area, but now let's move on to describing the capabilities of the XZ2 camera.

As you can see, in part daytime shots there are no complaints about the smartphone: excellent detail, natural colors, accurate white balance. But with insufficient lighting and night shots, the situation has not changed since the XZ1, because it uses the same Motion Eye module paired with the same software. The exception is the SuperSlomo resolution, which has been upgraded to FHD. By the way, look at examples of such shooting, if you choose the right moment, then the videos are very impressive.

The camera interface has not changed either. By default, super auto mode is used, switching to manual settings or video shooting is carried out using up and down swipes.




The selfie camera is quite ordinary, there are not enough stars from the sky. When shooting portraits, I recommend turning off the smooth skin mode so that the picture is not blurry.

The maximum resolution for video recording is 4k. This shooting uses electronic stabilization, but the picture is still a little twitchy. If you want to shoot SuperSlomo, then the resolution will be limited to FHD, in this parameter Sony even managed to bypass Samsung, because they have a maximum resolution for such shooting - only HD.

Just like the Xperia XZ1, this smartphone can take 3D pictures of objects. The innovation lies in the fact that now the front camera can also be used for this purpose. Plus, there is the possibility of server processing, it speeds up the rendering of the object and increases its final resolution. True, keep in mind that for a correct portrait you will need some skill.

We compared XZ2 cameras with Apple iPhone X and samsung galaxy S9+. Especially for this comparison, I asked Roman Belykh to give a short comment on the pictures:

Shooting during the day. The detail of the pictures good lighting about the same. The difference lies in the dynamic range: Samsung has a very wide range - you can see details in both bright areas and dark areas. The iPhone X showed itself weaker, and the picture on Sony is average in terms of DD.

Secondly, this is the first model in which the Dynamic Vibration System technology appeared. A special “vibration motor” is built into the smartphone, which works in tandem with the external speakers of the device. When playing music, videos or toys, the XZ2 vibrates in time with the sounds. Vibration intensity can be changed or turned off completely in the settings. I liked this option, it reminds me of Apple's Taptic Engine, although it feels a little different.

Thirdly, the location of the stereo speakers has changed, now one of them is built into the earpiece, and the second is located on the bottom end. Their sound quality is still decent, a smartphone can easily replace an inexpensive portable speaker.

The sound quality in the headphones is also on top, Sony is one of the best in this parameter, but keep in mind that in order to feel this difference, you must have high-quality headphones, on models for 500-1,000 rubles it will not be so noticeable. For wireless headphones, Sony's AptX HD and LDAC audio codecs are available.

Software Features

The smartphone runs on Android 8.0 and proprietary shell Xperia UI. We have already talked in detail about both stock Android and the shell from Sony, I recommend reading the relevant materials on the site.

However, readers, in addition to links, are also asked to talk about shells in the reviews themselves, so let's pay a little attention to Xperia UI. Personally, I like that the skin from Sony looks concise and close to Android 8.0, while it has not lost its individuality and some additional features. For example, unlike Google Start, the launcher in Xperia UI has much more settings: here you can change the size of the grid, and separate themes, and adjust the swipe animation. The Album app can sync with your home network using DLNA, and the music player supports end-to-end sync with Google Drive and home media library. There are many such little things in the shell, be sure to read its detailed review.

Impression

I had no complaints about the quality of voice transmission, you and your interlocutor hear each other perfectly, especially when you turn on Wi-Fi Calling or VoLTE.

In Russia, sales of the model begin on April 5, it will be sold for 60,000 rubles. When pre-ordering, you will receive Sony WF-1000X wireless headphones as a gift, as they cost 15,000 rubles, we have a review of them on our website.

Why is the XZ2 so expensive? The fact is that the Russian office for a long time discounted smartphones at the start of sales, but it’s impossible to do this forever, so this time the smartphone is sold at a regular price, that is, this is not the company’s desire to cash in on its fans.

Compared to the XZ1, I see a lot of progress from Sony: they changed the design, switched to an 18:9 display aspect ratio, reduced the bezels, added wireless charging and increased the resolution for SuperSlomo.

Also among the strengths of the Xperia XZ2, I will highlight support for VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling, a top-end chipset from Qualcomm and very fast work device as a whole, the presence of fast wireless charging and an interesting feature with the Dynamic Vibration System.

Disadvantages: average camera for a flagship, normal battery life and lack of a minijack.

At this cost, the model immediately has two strong competitors: Samsung Galaxy S9 and Apple iPhone X. S9 is now sold for the same 60,000 rubles, and iPhone X 64 GB costs 76,000 rubles for the EAC version and from 63 thousand for the European device . The choice between XZ2 and iPhone X is first of all a choice between OS: I don't think that iOS lovers will look towards Android and vice versa.

But the Galaxy S9 looks like a formidable competitor for the XZ2: it has a higher resolution and a better camera, with a comparable battery capacity, it is thinner and lighter.

On the XZ2's side is SuperSlomo shooting in FHD resolution, a great IPS display (for those who don't like SuperAMOLED screens) and a nice expensive pre-order bonus.

It's hard for me to compare the XZ2 to the Galaxy S9 since I haven't used the latter live. As for the XZ2, I emotionally liked the model: a beautiful display, fast operation, fits perfectly in the hand, there is wireless charging and NFC, as well as almost stock Android 8.0. I enjoyed using this smartphone while traveling.

Now among the flagship smartphones there is fierce competition and you won’t surprise anyone with one top filling. All greater value relegated to cameras and autonomy, and Sony has a lot to offer its fans. First of all, the design has finally been updated, but at the same time, it does not have an ugly monobrow, it looks quite interesting and has almost nothing to do with competitors. Sony is one of the few companies that stays aloof from trends and bends its line.

The Sony XZ2 smartphone is pleased with the appearance of new features, including the ability to shoot HDR video in 4K format. It uses a proprietary screen made using IPS technology. It has a wider dynamic range. This is only a part of the chips that the new flagship from the Japanese manufacturer received. We will analyze Sony XZ 2 in detail as part of a complete review.

Specifications:

  • Screen: 5.7", IPS, 2160x1080, capacitive, multi-touch
  • Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, 2.7 GHz
  • Graphics accelerator: Adreno 630
  • Operating system: Android 8.0
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Built-in memory: 64 GB
  • Memory card support: microSDHC up to 400 GB
  • Communication: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz || UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz || LTE: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
  • SIM: nano-SIM + nano-SIM (combo slot)
  • Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC
  • Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidu
  • Cameras: main - 19 MP (autofocus, flash), front - 5 MP (fixed focus)
  • Sensors: light, motion, microgyroscope, accelerometer, color correction, fingerprint
  • Battery: 3180 mAh, non-removable
  • Dimensions: 153x72x11.1 mm
  • Weight: 198 grams

Equipment

The device comes in a thick cardboard box, inside of which there is nothing special:

  • AC adapter with support for fast charging Quick Charge 3.0;
  • USB-C cable;
  • Adapter from USB-C to 3.5 mm jack.

Sony XZ2 design

Sony has revised its approach to design, offering a new concept of Ambient Flow. The manufacturer gets rid of corners and wide frames, which benefits ergonomics. Covers the front of the device protective glass Gorilla Glass 5 generation with rounded edges (2.5D technology). Compared to the first Sony XZ, the bezels around the perimeter of the display have become an order of magnitude smaller. Sony used to be the most hated for wide bezels, so it's clearly on the right track by providing a larger display area. Also placed in front are a pair of speakers playing in stereo format. This guarantees complete immersion in games and when watching your favorite movies.

The back is also constructed of glass and covered with Gorilla Glass 5. The back is strongly curved, made in the shape of a “boat”. The main camera, flash and just below the fingerprint scanner are located at the top center. By the way, there is only one sensor, the manufacturer is not in a hurry to follow the trends. The side frame is made of metal, which is necessary to stiffen the glass body. The Sony Xperia XZ2 ds review shows that, like most other models of the brand, it received protection against dust and water according to the IP68 standard.

A tray was placed at the top end, into which you can install nano-SIM and nano-SIM or a microSD card instead. It is convenient that it opens without a paper clip.


On the right we see the volume rocker, the power button and the proprietary shutter button. They are metal and have a nice ride. They left a sufficiently large distance between them to avoid accidental clicks.


From the bottom, there was only a place for a USB Type-C port, installed exactly in the center.

Sony Xperia XZ2 review makes it clear that the body is assembled flawlessly. It feels monolithic, no matter how much effort you put in, but there are no backlashes or creaks. In favor of ergonomics, there is a ratio of 18: 9, which made it possible to reduce the thickness of the device. As a result, a 5.7-inch screen was placed in a compact body. The phone fits well in the hand and practically does not slip, even despite the use of glass as the main material for manufacturing. This is the merit of the new form. At first it seems that the fingerprint scanner is located very low, which causes some discomfort, but over time you get used to it. For all the time I tested the Sony Xperia XZ2, I only got my finger on the camera lens a couple of times.

Sony XZ2 display

Most manufacturers have already switched to using OLED and AMOLED panels, but Sony continues to use IPS technology. But this is not a standard IPS display with FullHD + resolution, it received a number of interesting features. Among them, support for HDR technology, increased color gamut and all sorts of software features to improve the image and fine-tune it. With a diagonal of 5.7 inches, we get a pixel density of 424 ppi - the pixel grid will not be seen with all desire.

Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review showed that the screen is ideal for playing HDR content, which is now starting to gain popularity. Along with this, proprietary dynamic image processing technology works, which even pulls up standard videos to the HDR level. Such a display was indispensable in a smartphone that itself can shoot video in HDR format. The black color is very deep, which is unusual for IPS technology. Also, the advantages of the matrix include maximum viewing angles, natural color reproduction and high contrast. The glass has an oleophobic coating. Thanks to him, it will be easy to get rid of prints.

The backlight of the matrix does not flicker, which is ensured by the use of high-quality components in the design. So even when working with the phone for a long time, the eyes will not get tired. The margin of brightness is enough so that the eyes do not experience any discomfort in pitch darkness and the information remains readable when exposed to direct sunlight.

A review of Sony X Z 2 introduces you to the fact that in the settings you can find a blue filter that minimizes eye strain. You can also customize the color reproduction by changing it depending on your personal preferences. There are several presets in the settings, from natural to oversaturated colors. Everyone will find the best option for themselves. Among the features - a proprietary technology for video enhancement. Initially, the display picture was shifted to cold tones, which was corrected using the slider in the calibration menu. Those who live in cold regions will appreciate the ability to operate with gloves.

Performance

The Sony Xperia XZ2 specifications are based on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which will be the top solution until at least the end of 2018. It delivers the most power available today, delivering a fast interface and maximum gaming performance. They did not regret the RAM - as much as 6 GB, and the user memory - 64 GB. As graphics accelerator Adreno 540 is used.

Sony Xperia XZ2 test in Antutu

So far, there are no such tasks in which the performance of a smartphone would be insufficient. The Sony Xperia XZ2 easily plays HDR videos from 60 fps on YouTube, everything is fine in games too - the case practically does not heat up, fps is close to the maximum values. The fingerprint scanner works quickly and recognizes the owner without errors.


Sound

The Sony Xperia XZ 2 review makes it clear that things are going great with the sound in it. There is no talk of any dedicated DAC, but despite this, in a wired headset connected using the included adapter, the sound is of perfect quality and clear. If you use proprietary software to improve the sound, you can also customize it to your taste. The variety of available sound effects will pleasantly surprise even avid music lovers. The Sony XZ2 has a convenient graphic equalizer, a sound simulation system in different spaces and other algorithms designed to improve the quality of musical compositions.

The external speaker plays in stereo, but leaves a double impression. No, it sounds high quality and clean, but there is no volume margin at all. The Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review showed that it has a peculiar feature - a vibration response that is synchronized with the sound. As a result, when playing music, the case shakes as if you put your hand on the subwoofer. This effect gives you maximum enjoyment when listening to music, but its scope is not limited to this. For example, a smartphone will vibrate when firing a firearm in games. In some ways, this resembles the response of a gamepad when playing .

Interface

The Sony Xperia XZ2 smartphone runs on current version Android - 8.0 with Sony's proprietary shell. There are few differences and they are primarily custom. Some standard Android applications have been replaced by branded ones, but this is rather a plus, because they are even more convenient to use. What is the world-famous Walkman music player, gallery, many advanced settings and improvers. It is a fast and stable shell that is a pleasure to use.

Wireless communications

Sony XZ2 is a real flagship that has an NFC chip on board, Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz with support for MIMO technology, Bluetooth 5th generation and domestic LTE frequencies. Pages in the browser are loaded instantly, modern communication frequencies have never been superfluous. But as the review of the Sony XZ2 Pro showed, not everything is so good with navigation on the ground. When you are in a closed area, it finds few satellites, otherwise everything is fine. A cold start takes about 10 seconds, and reconnection takes no more than 5 seconds.

Sony XZ2 battery life

Autonomy is forte smartphone, because on average it breaks out at 7-8 hours of screen activity. And this despite the fact that the proprietary power saving modes - Stamina and Ultra Stamina - were not involved. Throughout the day, you can not limit yourself to anything and not worry that the phone will sit down at the most inopportune moment. And this is an excellent result, because the battery capacity is small - 3180 mAh, which is a merit of good system optimization and the use of an energy-efficient processor.

Sony XZ 2 is capable of playing FullHD video at maximum brightness for 18 hours. This is more than a worthy result, to which only the flagship has come close. But in games, everything is not so smooth - 19% of the charge went away in an hour of playing Tanks, which allows you to count on 5 hours of active play.

It takes 2 hours and 19 minutes to fully charge from zero to one hundred percent. There is fast charging, but as you can see from the test results, it works much worse than competitors. There is a smart function that turns off fast charging when 90% charge is reached. This is necessary in order for the Sony XZ2 battery to last longer.

Sony XZ2 camera review

The flagship uses a 19-megapixel Sony IMX400 main camera, but do not forget that the manufacturer produces cameras itself, so it differs from a similar module supplied by competitors. Its capabilities are complemented by the presence of buffer memory, which opens up the possibility of shooting spectacular slow-mo with 960 frames per second. This makes it possible to consider what is happening in the smallest detail and not lose sight of anything.

Other, no less interesting feature It became possible to shoot 4K video in HDR mode. Often, when shooting videos, the image turns out to be overexposed or, on the contrary, the details are hidden in the shadows, but HDR corrects this annoying misunderstanding by capturing more objects in the frame and aligning the color rendition.

For shooting, it is suggested to use manual or intelligent auto mode. In the first case, you have the opportunity to set the shutter speed to your liking, change the white balance, exposure, ISO settings and manually control the focus.

By the way, even though the main camera is represented by a single module, this does not prevent it from making beautiful bokeh using software algorithms.

The quality of the picture is pleasantly surprising if you shoot in good lighting. Photos are obtained with excellent detail and natural color reproduction. By the way, there are no problems with color reproduction at all, which is due to the presence of a color correction sensor. Thanks to it, you can forget about the need to manually move the slider, trying to select the optimal parameters.








Sony Xperia XZ2 2018 review makes it clear that the situation with the camera is just as good when night shooting. Yes, as the lighting conditions worsen, the detailing deteriorates, but nevertheless it remains at a decent level. Pleased with the variety of additional shooting modes. One of them adds AR effects, allowing you to get an original frame against the backdrop of a dinosaur, beautiful fish, and natural landscapes. There are a lot of options, and if you wish, you can download new ones from the application store.

The 5 MP front camera takes decent pictures, but the result is highly dependent on lighting conditions.

The smartphone can shoot video in 4K, and in HDR mode. The video turns out really great, it stands out with good color reproduction and detail. Sony XZ2 is one of the best options for video shooting. He also knows how to record videos in FullHD with 60 fps. Several options for electronic stabilization, SteadyShot and other proprietary features are available to help you get the best result.

The last but not the least feature was the 960 fps slow motion mode. If in last year's flagship the function worked only with HD quality, now slow-mo is filmed in FullHD quality, which gives a positive result.

Conclusion

Sony XZ2 turned out to be a very controversial device, offering a wide range of advantages. At the same time, choosing it, one has to put up with some shortcomings, many of which are related to the fact that the manufacturer is in no hurry to follow the trends that competitors have long been armed with. The flagship is good, but it is still very far from the title of ideal. The glass case quickly loses its presentable appearance and becomes covered with prints. Not everyone will appreciate the change in design either, you can't argue with only one - finally got rid of sharp corners, the case has become more comfortable.

The smartphone is distinguished by high build quality, powerful hardware that can handle even the most demanding games, clear and surround sound, as well as advanced photo and video capabilities. As in the case with

The era of square "Xperia" has come to an end. I wouldn’t call it the “golden era”, but it was at least not bad - the design annoyed someone, pleased someone, but it was simply impossible to confuse a Sony smartphone with anything else. In 2018, Sony decided to change everything at once - now Xperia is no longer square, but streamlined, the fingerprint scanner is no longer on the side, but on the back, and the screen has acquired a fashionable elongated shape (18: 9). The frames are still quite large.

However, we’ll talk about the charms (and sorrows) of design a little lower, because the matter is not limited to them: the Xperia XZ2, of course, is noticeably updated in technical terms. And it does not matter that a little more than six months have passed since the release. Here stands the fresh flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform, the audio jack has disappeared, and another front camera has been used. And the main one, despite the same characteristics, was redesigned programmatically - at least the developers say so. By the way, this is still a single module - yes, the mobile division of Sony had the courage to radically change the design, but the Japanese company considered the installation of a double module to be something superfluous. Perhaps this is correct - the more interesting it is to talk about this smartphone.

⇡ Specifications

Sony Xperia XZ2 Samsung Galaxy S9
Display 5.7 inches, IPS, 2160 × 1080, 424 ppi, capacitive multi-touch 5.2 inches, IPS, 1920 × 1080, 424 ppi, capacitive multi-touch 6.1" OLED
2240 × 1080 dots, 408 ppi, capacitive multi-touch		 5.8", Super AMOLED, 2436×1125, 458 ppi, capacitive multi-touch, TrueTone technology 5.8", Super AMOLED, 1440×2960, 570 ppi, capacitive multi-touch
Protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Corning Gorilla Glass 5 No information No information Corning Gorilla Glass 5
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 845: Quad-core Kryo 385 Gold @ 2.7GHz + Quad-core Kryo 385 Silver @ 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 835: Four Kryo cores @ 2.45GHz + Four Kryo cores @ 1.9GHz HiSilicon Kirin 970: four ARM Cortex A73 cores, 2.4GHz + four ARM Cortex A53 cores, 1.8GHz; HiAI architecture Apple A11 Bionic: six cores (2 × Moonsoon + 4 × Mistral) Samsung Exynos 9810: eight cores (4 × M3, 2.7GHz + 4 × Cortex-A55, 1.8GHz)
Graphics controller Adreno 630, 710 MHz Adreno 540, 710 MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP12, 850 MHz Apple GPU (3 cores) Mali-G72 MP18, 900 MHz
RAM 4 GB 4 GB 6 GB 3 GB 4 GB
Flash memory 64 GB 64 GB 128 GB 64/256 GB 64/128/256 GB
Memory card support There is There is Not Not There is
Connectors USB Type-C USB Type-C, mini-jack 3.5 mm USB Type-C Lightning USB Type-C, mini-jack 3.5 mm
SIM cards Two nano-SIMs Two nano-SIMs Two nano-SIMs One nano-SIM One nano-SIM
Cellular 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Cellular 3G HSDPA 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz DC-HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 MHz HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz
Cellular 4G LTE Cat.18 (up to 1200 Mbps): bands not specified LTE Cat.16 (up to 1024 Mbps): bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 LTE Cat. 18 (up to 1200 Mbps), bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 LTE Cat. 12 (450 Mbps): bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40 , 41, 66 LTE Cat. 18 (1200/200 Mbps), bands 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41
WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth 5.0 5.0 4.2 (aptX HD) 5.0 5.0
NFC There is There is There is Yes (Apple Pay) There is
Navigation GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
Sensors Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) Light, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), IR sensor Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass)
The fingerprint scanner There is There is There is Not There is
Main camera 19 MP, ƒ/2.0 OIS, hybrid autofocus, LED flash 19 MP, ƒ/2.0 OIS, laser autofocus, LED flash Triple module, 40 + 20 + 8 MP, ƒ / 1.8 + ƒ / 1.6 + ƒ / 2.4, hybrid autofocus, optical stabilization, dual LED flash Dual module: 12 MP, ƒ / 1.8 + 12 MP, ƒ / 2.4, autofocus, four-LED flash, optical stabilizer in both cameras 12 MP, f/1.5/2.4 variable aperture, autofocus, LED flash, optical image stabilization
Front-camera 5 MP, ƒ/2.2, no autofocus, no flash 13 MP, ƒ/2.0, contrast autofocus, no flash 24 MP, ƒ/2.0, fixed focus, no flash 7 MP, ƒ/2.2, no flash 8 MP, ƒ/1.7, no flash
Food 12.08 Wh non-removable battery (3180 mAh, 3.8 V) 10.26 Wh non-removable battery (2700 mAh, 3.8 V) Non-removable battery: 15.2 Wh (4000 mAh, 3.8 V) Non-removable battery: 10.26 Wh (2716 mAh, 3.8 V) Non-removable battery: 11.55 Wh 3000 mAh, 3.8 V)
The size 153×72×11.1mm 148×73×7.4mm 155×73.9×7.8mm 143.6×70.9×7.7mm 147.7×68.7×8.5mm
Weight 198 grams 156 grams 180 grams 174 grams 163 grams
Hull protection IP65/68 IP65/68 IP67 IP67 IP68
Operating system Android 8.0 Oreo, Sony Xperia skin Android 8.0 Oreo, EMUI shell iOS 11 Android 8.0 Oreo, native skin
Current price 46 990 rubles 49 990 rubles 54 990 rubles from 70,990 to 81,990 rubles 51 990 rubles

⇡ Design, ergonomics and software

When you try to highlight the first thing that catches your eye when looking at the Sony Xperia XZ2, you immediately start listing. This very "first" - a full wallet. There is also a glossy body - Sony designers could not abandon the main trend of recent years and made it from polished glass. Here and the combination of thin edges with a curved back - at first glance, the smartphone seems thin, but in fact its thickness is 11.1 mm. This is the thickest modern flagship, and if only the flagship. Here and the unusual location of the camera on the back, shifted almost to its center.

Sony Xperia XZ2 turned out to be both relatively banal - in terms of the general concept and screen format (inevitable 18: 9), and unusual. It is still impossible to confuse it with the next Xiaomi. The breed has changed, but the "self" has been preserved. Another thing is how good it looks. In a black case, the XZ2 looks, let's say, debatable. The lighter versions are more pleasant, but for some reason, Sony's design triumph is out of the question.

By the way, there are only four versions of these, and each, of course, has its own name: black obsidian, cold silver, dark emerald and ash pink. One could once again be ironic about the naming of colors, but in this case I don’t want to. At least the black Sony Xperia XZ2 looks real especially black. Probably Sony managed to do the most black smartphone in history - although the iPhone 7 Jet Black will argue with that.

There are also questions about the ergonomics of the new Xperia. The mini-jack has disappeared - in this case it is a frank tribute to fashion, without even trying to justify this act with some additional protection of the case. In my sony time one of the first to learn how to combine a mini-jack with water resistance - and here you are. The protection class here is exactly the same as that of the Sony Xperia XZ1, which, let me remind you, had a mini-jack. At the same time, the note that the warranty disappears if you dip the smartphone entirely in water has not disappeared from the Xperia XZ2. Alas, there is no audio jack here simply because the developers of the smartphone wanted it that way. Without further explanation.

The glass body of the Xperia XZ2 was made not too easily soiled - a really effective oleophobic coating is used, both in front and behind. At least the black version does not require wiping itself every hour and retains its presentation even without a cover. It is worth taking a closer look - and you will notice a lot of micro-scratches, but they are not accessible to a cursory glance. The hull has another problem - it is very slippery. And it’s scary not so much to drop the gadget in transport, because in the hand it holds quite tightly due to its shape, but to find it crawled off the table or sofa. It is strongly recommended to keep it on all surfaces with the screen down - otherwise, falling sooner or later cannot be avoided.

Sony Xperia XZ2: the left side is devoid of functional elements

Sony consistently installs sleds for SIM cards and memory cards without a pin lock in its smartphones - this time the slot for them is on the top edge. Another nice example of consistency is the separate camera shutter button on the right side. family signs.

I have already mentioned the thickness of the Xperia XZ2. Otherwise, the device is no larger than its predecessor, the XZ1, with a display that has formally grown by half an inch. Due to the use of an elongated format, it takes up about a large area of ​​the front surface, but the frames around it are still large. Particularly surprising is the solid empty space under the screen, where Sony reminds of itself with a company logo. In this case, the navigation bar is virtual and is on the screen. But the decision to bring one of the stereo speakers into a thin slot under the bottom panel is not without grace.

The planetary system on the rear panel also looks good. The main role here is the camera lens, above which there is a whole galaxy of satellites: a flash and various sensors. The second planet is a fingerprint scanner. Its location looks strange even in the photographs - and practice, unfortunately, confirms the fears. Firstly, in order to use it, you need to move your thumb down relative to its natural position and slightly intercept the smartphone - this is fraught with the fact that the device can be dropped. Secondly, to the touch, the scanner almost does not differ from the camera lens - it is minimally recessed into the body, the shape and dimensions are the same. As a result, for every two successful unlocking of the gadget, there is one greasy print on the lens. You will definitely notice this in your pictures, but it will most likely be too late.

The scanner itself works fine - better than on the previous Xperia, where it frankly did not have enough working surface area. The percentage of unsuccessful recognitions is minimal. Using the scanner, you can only unlock the device or confirm purchases in Google Pay.

Screen unlocking using face recognition is also available - it can be configured in the Smart Lock section. This is a mandatory feature for smartphones on Android 8.1 Oreo, a regular front camera is used for recognition - both the accuracy and reliability of this method are lame to one degree or another depending on the smartphone. In this case, a strong average.

Sony Xperia XZ2: Screenshot

The smartphone is running Android 8.1 Oreo in the company with a proprietary shell Xperia UI. It is almost impossible to say something new about it compared to what we have already said in the Sony Xperia XZ1 and t reviews. Stylish enough, but not the fastest and tailored for real fans of Sony technology (who will like a wide range of branded applications) shell. Of the curious things, I note the ability to manually configure the application grid on the screen and the way to switch between these screens, a chat assistant that introduces you to the different capabilities of the smartphone, as well as a number of interesting applications rewritten in comparison with the standard ones for Android. In general, there are a lot of different settings here - it has always been interesting to delve into Sony smartphones.

⇡ Display and sound

LCD screen on a flagship smartphone in 2018? Sony, are you serious? The question is rhetorical, the answer to it is yes, seriously. Moreover, the "real" flagship, Premium, is also equipped with an LCD display - only with a higher resolution (4K) and with HDR support. The regular XZ2 has a 5.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2160 × 1080 pixels. The pixel density is 424 ppi, the figure is quite normal, albeit not too solid. The picture is smooth. But all competitors are switching to OLED en masse - childhood illnesses of technology have long been defeated, there is no point in remaining on LCDs even for the most stubborn ones. Sony, as usual, has its own atmosphere.

I already wrote about the high-quality oleophobic coating above, here I must say about the obligatory polarization layer, which improves the situation with possible glare. However, without a high level of brightness, his efforts would still be in vain, but with this, the display of the Xperia XZ2 is doing great. The maximum measured brightness level is 587 cd/m 2 . You can use your smartphone in any weather.

The contrast level is 1357:1 - for an LCD display, it’s even nothing, but I won’t compare it with organic LED screens in this review, that’s enough.

Color rendition, brightness (with the help of a perfectly working system for adjusting to external lighting), automatic switch on night mode and other things can be configured through the menu - what the Xperia does well (and always has) is with the flexibility of smartphone settings. Very detailed, there is a feeling of complete control. We measured color rendering in two modes - standard, with an extended color space (close to the DCI-P3 template), and professional, with a space that is extremely close to the sRGB generally accepted today.

Sony has always been “famous” for setting up the displays of its smartphones in a very peculiar way, preferring a deliberately cold range - one might even say extremely cold, justifying this with concern for the user, who allegedly loves not natural, but cold colors. Well, there is logic in this, at least this approach is honest and someone may like it. But times are changing, including in terms of Sony's approach to customizing Xperia screens. XZ2 shows the picture more or less close to the truth. In standard mode, the average gamma is 2.19 with a fairly calm behavior of the curves, the temperature fluctuates around 8,500 K, which is noticeably colder than the norm, but the average DeltaE deviation for the extended Color Checker palette (grayscale + wide range of color shades) is 5.10 with the maximum allowable rate for professional screens of 3. For a smartphone, this is an acceptable level.

Sony Xperia XZ2, color gamut in professional color mode. Gray triangle - sRGB coverage, white triangle - XZ2 coverage

When switching to professional mode, the color space is almost the same as sRGB, but the overall behavior of the screen, oddly enough, does not change. Both gamma and color temperature remain almost unchanged, and the average DeltaE deviation according to the Color Checker table is even slightly worse - 5.42. If you want to achieve a more comfortable display of the picture for you personally, you should use manual setting color temperature.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 sounds good - if we talk specifically about the performance of the speakers. For multimedia purposes, both are used - both the main one and the conversational one, adding both volume and pressure to the sound. It is also worth mentioning the proprietary Dynamic Vibration System technology, which makes the phone vibrate in time with the sound emitted at the moment. In part, this even creates a "cinema" effect when we sit in an armchair in a dark hall and shake our whole body, surrounded by powerful sound from all sides.

One might complain that this feature is useless, but in games it really creates a half-forgotten “wow effect” from a smartphone. At a time when they all became almost indistinguishable from each other, and in a good way, such things are especially valuable.

But as far as sound transmission to headphones is concerned, everything is not so simple. On the one hand, there is no mini-jack in the Xperia XZ2 - to work with wired headphones, you need to use the adapter that comes with the kit. This is, of course, a major shortcoming. On the other hand, even with an adapter, the sound quality is quite high: there is support for DSEE HX technology, which allows you to slightly improve the sound of MP3 files, and Clear Audio + technology, the device is ready for playback sound files high definition. Can it transmit high-resolution audio wirelessly - LDAC and aptX HD technologies work here. So if you are a happy owner of cool wireless headphones, then you can rejoice - the Sony Xperia XZ2 will “shake” them perfectly. If you are used to using wired models, you will have to suffer a little with the connection, but then also enjoy good sound.

Sony Xperia XZ2 is a smartphone with the most powerful hardware to date, a "high" screen and great sound, capable (for the first time in the history of smartphones) to shoot HDR-video. We tested a Japanese novelty that is completely different from its predecessors and are ready to tell you in this Sony Xperia XZ2 review why you should take this device, and what can make you refuse to buy.

As conceived by the developers, in the Xperia XZ2, which was announced simultaneously with the compact version of the Xperia XZ2 Compact, the main focus is even more shifted towards supporting multimedia content, or, more simply, entertainment. At the same time, the upgrade affected not only the characteristics of the 5.7-inch screen (now also with a "fashionable" aspect ratio - 18: 9), but also the rear Motion Eye photo module. New flagship at the same time, it possesses not only “musical”, but also “tactile” superpowers: the Dynamic Vibration System (DVS) allows you to literally feel what is happening in a movie or game, as well as interact with the interface.

Sony Xperia XZ2 review: specifications

  • Model: H8266
  • OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo) with proprietary Xperia shell
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) 8-core, 64-bit, ARMv8 architecture, 4-core Kryo 385 Gold (2.8GHz) + 4-core Kryo 385 Silver (1.8GHz), Hexagon 685 DSP co-processor
  • Graphics subsystem: Adreno 630
  • RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X
  • Storage: 64 GB UFS, hybrid microSD/HC/XC slot (up to 400 GB)
  • Screen: 5.7 inches, HDR10, Full HD + (2160x1080 pixels, 18:9), IPS Triluminos, X-Reality, Dynamic Contrast Enhancement, pixel density per inch 424 ppi, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Motion Eye main camera: 19 MP Exmor RS (1/2.3" optical size, 1.22 μm pixel), G Lens, 25 mm EFR, f/2.0 aperture, 8x digital zoom, predictive hybrid autofocus , LED flash, 960 fps super slow motion video, 4K HDR video
  • Front camera 5 MP, Exmor R (optical size 1/5 inch), EFR 23 mm, aperture f/2.2
  • Interfaces: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac / b / g / n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, DLNA, NFC, USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen. 1, 5 Gb / s , OTG)
  • Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+(3G), LTE (4G) Cat.18 (up to 1.2 Gbps)
  • Hybrid slot: nanoSIM (4FF) + nanoSIM (4FF)/microSD
  • Audio: LDAC, aptX HD, DSEE HX, High-Resolution Audio, Clear Audio+, S-Force Front Surround
  • Navigation: GPS/GLONASS/BDS/Galileo/QZSS, A-GPS
  • Sensors: accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, gyroscope, compass (Hall sensor), fingerprint scanner
  • Battery: non-removable, 3180 mAh, Smart Stamina, Quick Charge 3.0, Qnovo adaptive charging, Battery Care, wireless charging
  • Features: dustproof and waterproof (IP65/IP68)
  • Dimensions: 153x72x11.1 mm
  • Weight: 198 grams
  • Color: black obsidian, cold silver, dark emerald, ash pink

Sony Xperia XZ2 review: design, ergonomics

In the "Video" mode, next to the record button, there is an icon that is used to activate super slow (960 fps) or just slow (120 fps) shooting, both in HD quality (1280x720 pixels) and Full HD (1920x1080 pixels).

The 3D Model Builder application, using Sony's proprietary algorithm, offers four scanning modes (head, face, food, and freeform). The 3D face scanning function to create a three-dimensional avatar now works not only with the rear, but also with the front camera, which eliminates the need for third-party assistance.

Review Sony Xperia XZ2: stuffing, performance

The new flagship is based on the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) chipset, made to 10 nm design standards. Eight computing cores Kryo 385 are divided into two clusters, while the first quartet is clocked at up to 2.8 GHz, and the second - up to 1.8 GHz. Since the main focus is on artificial intelligence, cameras and security, this chip, in addition to the Adreno 630 graphics accelerator (Open GL ES 3.2, Open CL 2.0, Vulkan, DirectX 12), also integrated high-performance signal processors Hexagon 685 DSP and Qualcomm Spectra 280 ( ISP). The new LTE modem X20 (LTE Cat.18) allows you to receive data in cellular networks with a maximum speed of 1.2 gigabits per second. Among the "chips" of the chipset were also support for Wi-Fi 802.11ad, Bluetooth 5.0 and Quick Charge 4/4+. The manufacturer notes faster (by 30%) rendering and increased, again by 30%, energy efficiency, while the increase in overall performance compared to the predecessor Snapdragon 835 is estimated at 25%. Xperia XZ2 configuration is complemented by 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM.

TestingSonyXperiaXZ2 . Results in the AnTuTu benchmark

TestingSonyXperiaXZ2. GeekBench results

TestingSonyXperiaXZ2 . Results in the 3DMark benchmark

The results of the main tests for the new smartphone turned out, of course, flagship.

The amount of fast built-in memory type UFS reaches 64 GB. Storage can be expanded with a microSD/HC/XC memory card up to 400 GB, for which space is provided on the combo tray. In addition, USB-OTG technology allows you to connect ordinary flash drives to the device.

The new flagship in fourth generation networks works, in particular, on frequency bands LTE-FDD - b3 (1800 MHz), b7 (2600 MHz) and b20 (800 MHz). Support for gigabit mobile Internet (Cat. 18, 1.2 Gb/s), of course, pleases, but so far it is not so significant, especially for Russian regions. The set of wireless communications also includes Wi-Fi 802.11 ac / b / g / n / (2.4 and 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, DLNA, Bluetooth 5.0 (LDAC, aptX HD) and NFC.

The NFC interface will be useful not only for data exchange between smartphones or the Android Pay payment service. Together with the corresponding application, for example, it will tell you the balance of Strelka and Troika transport cards.

Five satellite systems, including GPS and GLONASS, can be used for positioning and navigation. Wi-Fi coordination mode is also available and cellular networks(A-GPS).

Sony Xperia XZ2 review: autonomy

The non-removable battery capacity of the Xperia XZ2 is 3,180 mAh, which is slightly larger than its predecessor (2,700 mAh). The smartphone comes with an 18-watt Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging adapter, thanks to which it is possible to fill the battery “up to the neck” in about an hour and a half.

As for the energy efficiency of the new flagship, the AnTuTu Tester program rated it at a modest 6,277 points. A set of test videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD-quality at full brightness spun continuously for about 6.5 hours. In general, nothing special.

To increase the autonomy of the Xperia XZ2, the "smart" power saving modes Stamina and Ultra Stamina are used, the first of which limits, in particular, background data transfer, and the second also limits the number available applications. The Smart Stamina feature will tell you in advance when to activate Stamina mode. Qnovo's adaptive charging technology and Battery Care function almost double the battery life (according to the manufacturer).

The benefits of wireless charging can be experienced using, for example, a special 9-watt docking station WCH20 (sold separately), which supports the Qi (Wireless Power Consortium) standard.

Sony Xperia XZ2 Review: Software Features

The Xperia XZ2 smartphone is running an operating system Android systems 8.0 (Oreo) with a proprietary shell. Like stock Android, there is an application menu and separate screens with program shortcuts. For the notification curtain, a standard solution is also used.

In the settings, it is easy to change not only the theme or wallpaper, but also the icon grid, as well as determine the type of transition between screens. Tap and hold on an app icon brings up a menu quick access(if supported) with frequently used (up to four) features of this app.

The fingerprint scanner allows you to use fingerprints for additional protection of your smartphone (together, for example, with entering a PIN code). The location of the round capacitive pad - almost in the center of the rear panel - seemed less convenient than, for example, when the scanner was built into the power / lock button. In the SmartLock settings section, you can also add face unlock.

Given the 5.7-inch screen size, the Xperia XZ2 has a one-handed operation mode in the settings.

Sony Xperia XZ2 review: purchase, conclusions

Externally, the Xperia XZ2 stands out among its "comrades-in-arms" with a new design. At the same time, the ergonomic glass-to-metal body was provided with reliable protection against water and dust. In addition, the flagship from Sony for the first time received a "high" HDR Full HD + screen. But the record performance is provided by the most powerful processor at the time of the announcement. One of key features is the advanced Motion Eye, the world's first smartphone camera with 4K HDR recording. Among other "chips" it is worth noting high-quality sound, as well as support for Dynamic Vibration System technology.

However, in the new design, the body of the Xperia XZ2 still seemed somewhat bulky. And if you can already get used to the alternative installation of a second nanoSIM and a microSD memory card, then the absence of a 3.5 mm audio connector does not cause positive emotions at all.

The price of a premium model, by definition, cannot be low. So, at the start of sales in large retail chains for Xperia XZ2 asked for 59,990 rubles. For exactly the same money in the same place (and on the Internet, of course, cheaper) you could buy (our review of the Samsung Galaxy S9 +). At the same time, the "galactic" smartphone is not only thinner and lighter. For example, the resolution of a 5.8-inch screen is also higher (2960x1440 pixels versus 2160x1080 pixels). In addition, the main chamber duet of the new Samsung flagship looks a little cooler (at least due to the aperture ratio of the optics, the larger sensor pixels, and the presence of optical stabilization). True, shooting slow motion video 960 fps is only possible in HD quality. And recording a 4K HDR video will no longer work.

Review results Sony smartphone Xperia XZ2

Pros:

  • New ergonomic design
  • "High" HDR Full HD+ screen
  • Flagship performance
  • Advanced Motion Eye Camera
  • Quality sound
  • Dynamic Vibration System Technology
  • Dustproof housing (IP65/IP68)

Minuses: