Sony Xperia XZ2 (4GB + 64GB) Review | 197 Data compared

According to Android Central, the is a high-performance phone with processor, smooth software, MP camera with a useful physical shutter button. However, the device has significant drawbacks, including a "disastrously slippery" glass body, an unusually thick and heavy design, a dated camera app, and a lack of modern software features like face unlock. Ultimately, despite its strong internal components and unique features like the Dynamic Vibration Engine, the phone's design flaws, including awkward fingerprint sensor placement, led the reviewer to conclude it offered "too little value".

Wired reviewed the Sony Xperia XZ2, rating it 7/10, describing it as a speedy but somewhat awkward Android phone that struggles against competitors. While it has high-end specs and a redesigned curved glass back (a pro), its thickness, weight, slippery surface, and poorly placed fingerprint sensor are notable cons. Key pros include a good display without a notch, a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, expandable storage, and a camera capable of 4K HDR video and 960fps slow-motion. Cons include the lack of a headphone jack, lower display resolution than some rivals, noisy low-light photos, and mediocre battery life without an included fast charger.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 features a new "Ambient Flow" design, departing from previous models with a curved glass build, but its arched back is slippery and the low fingerprint sensor placement is awkward. It boasts a rigid build, a vivid 5.7-inch HDR10 display, and a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, but lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and its highly reflective screen hinders outdoor visibility. The phone's camera offers world-first 4K HDR video and 1080p 960fps slow-motion recording with a dedicated button, yet the 5MP selfie camera is lackluster and the slow-motion feature is difficult to time.

According to CNET, the Sony Xperia XZ2 is a phone with powerful features like the Snapdragon 845 processor, a 5.7-inch HDR display, and advanced camera capabilities, but it suffers from a chunky design, poorly placed fingerprint sensor, disappointing battery life, and the absence of a headphone jack. While it offers unique features like 4K HDR video recording and a "Dynamic Vibration System," its flaws and high price point make it difficult to recommend over competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 or Huawei P20 Pro.

PCMag describes the Sony Xperia XZ2 as a powerful phone with a new design direction but notes it is overshadowed by competitors due to feature omissions and design quirks. Pros include its waterproof design, fast processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 5.7-inch Full HD+ HDR display capable of upscaling content. Cons include its heavy and thick build, poorly placed fingerprint sensor, removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, gimmicky 3D scanning, non-essential dynamic vibration system, and poor battery life.

TechRadar describes the Sony Xperia XZ2 as a powerful flagship phone with excellent multimedia capabilities, including the ability to record 4K HDR video and 1080p super slow-motion video, and a sharp 5.7-inch Full HD+ HDR display. However, the review notes several drawbacks, such as a polarizing "Ambient Flow" design that attracts fingerprints and still features noticeable bezels, the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, and awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor. These cons, despite high-end specs, make it a challenging competitor against other leading smartphones.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 debuts a curvier "Ambient Flow" design, offering a premium feel and a quality 5.7-inch HDR display, though the device is notably slippery and features an awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor. While the Snapdragon 845 processor provides exceptional, fast performance, the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and features a questionable "Dynamic Vibration System". Despite solid battery life and good 4K HDR video, the camera suffers from a lack of OIS, resulting in inconsistent low-light performance.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 introduced a curvier "Ambient Flow" design, which improves ergonomics but results in a thick, heavy, and slippery device with a poorly placed fingerprint sensor. While it boasts a fast Snapdragon 845 processor and a solid, HDR-capable 5.7-inch display, the "Dynamic Vibration" feature is considered a gimmick. Camera performance is strong in video, offering 4K HDR and 960fps slow-motion, though it lacks top-tier still photo quality and the 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 marks a significant design shift for the brand, replacing the "OmniBalance" look with a curved "Ambient Flow" aesthetic featuring 3D Gorilla Glass 5 and a modern 18:9, 5.7-inch display. While the design is a notable improvement, the device is heavy (198g), thick (11.1mm), and prone to sliding. Performance is top-tier, with the Snapdragon 845 chipset providing a fast experience, complemented by a sharp Full HD+ HDR display and improved stereo speakers. However, the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, a major drawback noted in the review. Camera capabilities include 4K HDR recording and 960fps slow-motion, though low-light performance still lags behind competitors. The 3180mAh battery offers decent, if not market-leading, longevity.

The Sony Xperia XZ2, reviewed by Ubergizmo, features a significant design shift to a curved Gorilla Glass 5 body and a 5.7-inch Full HD+ IPS display that supports 4K HDR. Powered by a Snapdragon 845 processor with 4GB of RAM, the device delivers high-end performance for gaming and multitasking. Camera capabilities are a highlight, featuring 4K HDR video recording and 960FPS super slow-motion at 1080p, complemented by loud, clear dual front-facing speakers. UbergizmoDespite its strengths, the review notes drawbacks including the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack and a rear fingerprint sensor placed too low, which often causes lens smudging. The 3,180 mAh battery charges slowly compared to competitors, and the curved back makes the device prone to sliding off surfaces. Overall, the XZ2 is deemed a multimedia-focused, albeit flawed, flagship. Ubergizmo

The Tom’s Guide review labels the Sony Xperia XZ2 as a significant design improvement, featuring a modern, thinner-bezel 5.7-inch 18:9 HDR display. Key pros include the stylish glass-and-aluminum build, the addition of Qi wireless charging, and top-tier performance from the Snapdragon 845 processor. Tom' However, cons include an awkward, low-positioned rear fingerprint sensor that often leads to smudged cameras, along with a "Dynamic Vibration" feature deemed a gimmick. Furthermore, the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack is a drawback, especially given the phone's 11.1mm thickness. Tom' While the camera introduces advanced 4K HDR recording and 960 fps slow-motion, low-light performance remains weaker than competitors like the Pixel 2. Ultimately, the review concludes that despite being a strong contender, the XZ2 falls just short of the best Android devices of its time. Tom'

The Sony Xperia XZ2 debuts a curved "Ambient Flow" design, offering improved ergonomics over previous models, yet it suffers from a thick, heavy build (11.1mm, 198g) and a poorly positioned rear fingerprint scanner. While the Snapdragon 845 processor provides top-tier performance, this is marred by buggy software and an outdated user interface, although the battery life consistently lasts a full day with fast charging support. The camera stands out with 4K HDR video recording, but its software-driven bokeh mode is subpar and the app can be unstable.

The Sony Xperia XZ2 review by Tech Advisor notes the device's modern 18:9 aspect ratio and curved design but criticizes its thick (11.1mm) and heavy (198g) build. Key cons highlighted include the awkwardly placed fingerprint scanner, which often leads to smudging the camera lens, and the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack despite the phone's size. Pros include its Snapdragon 845 processor for top performance, a 5.7-inch HDR display with Bravia TV HDR upscaling, loud front-facing stereo speakers, Qi wireless charging, and IP68 water resistance. However, the review finds the average battery life and slippery design make it less competitive than rivals.

According to a Gizmodo review, the Sony Xperia XZ2 represents a significant design shift with a curvy glass back and a powerful vibration motor that syncs with audio, though it remains somewhat chunky compared to competitors. The phone offers flagship-level performance with a Snapdragon 845 processor and a 5.7-inch HDR LCD display capable of 4K HDR video recording, but key cons include an awkwardly placed fingerprint reader and the removal of the headphone jack.