Sony Xperia XA2

amazon Sony Xperia XA2 reviews

Design

Sony almost retains its familiar design language. Specifically, the Xperia XA2 remains faithful to Sony’s traditional Omnibalance design style with monolithic metal frames, lightweight corners, 16: 9 aspect ratio screen and has a thick, overhanging bezel.

Overall, the look of the Xperia XA2 looks a bit shorter than the XA1 but is wider due to its larger screen size than its predecessor (5.2 vs. 5 inches). This product also has a fairly thick body (9.7 mm), but thanks to the back design is curved slightly bent to two edges so the handle on the hand is not too uncomfortable.

In addition, there is a new point on the Xperia XA2 compared to the previous mid-range equipment from Sony is the appearance of a touch sensitive fingerprint sensor. However, it is integrated in the back, placed underneath the rear camera, like most smartphones on the market today rather than integrated into the power button located on the right edge like other Sony phones.

5.2 inch screen, Full-HD sharp

As mentioned in the design, on Xpeira XA2, Sony retains the traditional aspect ratio of 16: 9 rather than following the trend of non-polar displays like other brands. The Xperia XA2 features a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display, Full-HD resolution (1,920×1,080 pixels), a pixel density of 424 ppi and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.

According to Sony, the screen on the Xperia XA2 has a brightness of up to 500nit, so users can see clearly when it is sunny, despite the blue haze that has appeared on Sony LCDs. The resolution is also increased to Full HD compared to HD on XA1, so the display quality of the Xperia XA2 promises to be much better than its predecessor and meet the multimedia needs of the user.

Performance

Hardware Specifications:

Under the hood, the Sony Xperia XA2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, an octa-core chipset based on the 14nm process. The processor consists of eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz, paired with the Adreno 508 GPU for graphical tasks. The device comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 256GB.

Processor Performance:

The Snapdragon 630 is a capable mid-range chipset that offers a good balance between performance and power efficiency. In day-to-day usage, the Xperia XA2 handles most tasks with ease, including web browsing, social media, and multitasking. Apps open quickly, and switching between them is smooth, with minimal lag or stuttering. The 3GB of RAM is sufficient for most users, though heavy multitaskers might occasionally experience slowdowns when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.

Gaming Performance:

The Adreno 508 GPU provides decent gaming performance for a mid-range device. Casual games like “Candy Crush” and “Clash Royale” run smoothly, while more demanding titles like “Asphalt 8” and “PUBG Mobile” are playable at medium settings. High-end games may require lowering the graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate, but overall, the Xperia XA2 is capable of delivering a satisfying gaming experience for most users.

Storage and Expandability:

The Xperia XA2 comes with 32GB of internal storage, which is a reasonable amount for a mid-range device. After accounting for the operating system and pre-installed apps, around 20GB of storage is available to the user. This should be sufficient for most users, but those who need more space can take advantage of the microSD card slot. The device supports adoptable storage, meaning that the microSD card can be used as an extension of the internal storage, allowing for seamless app and data management.

Powerful upgrade configuration

Unlike the design, the hardware of the Xperia XA2 has improved dramatically when Sony switched to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor instead of the Mediatek chip on its predecessor. This important change will help Xperia XA2 users to battle most Google Play games without worrying about the lag. In addition, the device also owns 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory and supports MicroSD memory card slot up to 256GB.

Sony has also equipped the Xperia XA2 with a 3,300 mAh battery, much higher than the 2.300mAh on the XA1, which promises to bring users a comfortable, high-intensity day. In particular, the new mid-range smartphone Sony is also equipped with Quick Charge 3.0 technology, along with two features Battery Care and Qnovo Adaptive Charging to extend the time as well as increase the battery life.

Camera enhancements

Along with the configuration, the camera is also one of the improvements of the Xperia XA2 compared to the previous generation. Although the rear camera resolution does not change, still 23MP but now, Xperia XA2 was able to shoot video quality 4K at 120 frames per second. Finally, users can even set the ISO (sensitivity) level on the rear camera of the XA2 to 12,800 to easily capture images in dimly lit environments.

Meanwhile, the front camera of the machine is very good quality with 8MP resolution and wide angle, up to 120 degrees. Thanks to that, users can easily selfie groups.

Battery Life

Battery Specifications:

The Sony Xperia XA2 is equipped with a 3,300mAh non-removable battery, which is a decent capacity for a device of this size and specification. The battery is paired with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology, which allows for faster charging times, a feature that is particularly useful for users who are often on the go.

Battery Performance:

In real-world usage, the Xperia XA2 delivers solid battery life, easily lasting a full day on a single charge with moderate use. This includes a mix of activities such as browsing, social media, watching videos, and occasional gaming. Even with more intensive usage, such as extended gaming sessions or video streaming, the device manages to hold up well, requiring a top-up only towards the end of the day.

For lighter users, the battery life can extend into a second day, making the XA2 a reliable companion for those who don’t want to be tethered to a charger. The Snapdragon 630’s power efficiency, combined with Sony’s software optimizations, plays a significant role in achieving this impressive battery performance.

Charging Speed:

Thanks to Quick Charge 3.0, the Xperia XA2 can go from 0% to about 50% in approximately 30 minutes, which is ideal for quick top-ups during the day. A full charge takes around 90 minutes to two hours, which is relatively standard for a device with this battery capacity. The device does not support wireless charging, which might be a downside for some users, but this is common in the mid-range segment.

Battery-Saving Features:

Sony has included several battery-saving features in the Xperia XA2, such as Stamina Mode and Ultra Stamina Mode. Stamina Mode limits background processes and reduces performance to extend battery life when the charge is running low. Ultra Stamina Mode takes it a step further by restricting access to only essential apps and functions, significantly extending the battery life in emergency situations. These features are particularly useful for users who need their phone to last through a long day or when they’re traveling without easy access to a charger.

Software Experience

Operating System and User Interface:

The Sony Xperia XA2 originally shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, with a promise of future updates. Sony’s approach to Android is relatively light, with the Xperia UI offering a near-stock experience while adding some useful features and customizations. The interface is clean and intuitive, with minimal bloatware, which is a welcome change compared to some other OEMs that overload their devices with unnecessary apps.

Software Features:

• Side Sense: One of the standout software features on the Xperia XA2 is Side Sense, which is a feature that allows users to access shortcuts and apps by double-tapping the sides of the screen. This feature can be customized to include frequently used apps, making it easier to access them without navigating through the home screen or app drawer.
• Sony Apps: Sony has included a few proprietary apps, such as Xperia Lounge, which provides access to exclusive content and offers, and Music and Album apps, which are well-designed alternatives to Google’s offerings. The Music app, in particular, is a highlight, offering features like an equalizer, ClearAudio+, and support for Hi-Res audio files, which will appeal to audiophiles.
• Theme Engine: The device also includes a theme engine that allows users to customize the look and feel of the interface with different themes, wallpapers, and icon packs. This level of customization is appreciated by users who like to personalize their devices to reflect their style.

Software Updates:

Sony has a decent track record when it comes to software updates, and the Xperia XA2 has received several updates since its launch, including a major update to Android 9.0 Pie. The update brought several new features, such as gesture navigation, adaptive battery, and improved notifications. However, users looking for the latest Android versions might find the update cycle slower compared to some other manufacturers.

Security:

The Xperia XA2 comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and accurate. It’s positioned conveniently for easy access and works reliably in most situations. Additionally, the device supports basic facial recognition, though it’s not as advanced or secure as dedicated 3D facial scanning systems found in higher-end models. Sony also includes regular security patches, which is a positive aspect of their software support.

Connectivity and Audio

Connectivity Options:

The Sony Xperia XA2 supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and USB Type-C. The inclusion of NFC is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for easy pairing with other devices and supports mobile payments via services like Google Pay.

• Dual SIM Support: The device comes with a hybrid SIM slot, which can either accommodate two SIM cards or one SIM card and one microSD card. This is a useful feature for users who travel frequently or need to manage work and personal numbers on the same device.
• Audio Quality: Sony has a reputation for delivering high-quality audio, and the Xperia XA2 continues this trend. The device features a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers loud and clear audio, though it lacks the stereo effect found in some competing models. For the best audio experience, users are encouraged to use headphones, and the XA2 does not disappoint in this regard.
• Headphone Jack: The Xperia XA2 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. The headphone output is excellent, with support for Hi-Res audio and Sony’s DSEE HX technology, which upscales compressed audio files to near high-resolution quality. Additionally, the device supports LDAC, which allows for high-quality wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth when paired with compatible devices.
• FM Radio: The inclusion of an FM radio is a nice touch, especially for users who enjoy listening to local radio stations without using data. The radio app is straightforward and easy to use, with support for RDS (Radio Data System) that displays station information on the screen.

Conclude

Overall, the Xperia XA2 is a beautiful smartphone with Sony’s own quality. The most significant upgrade of this phone is the move to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipset offering more powerful and stable performance than the previous generation. Along with that is the camera cluster with impressive 4K video recording capabilities.

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