Review: Sony Xperia XZ2
The Xperia XZ2 sees Sony bringing its hardware and feature set to the modern smartphone era. It's no longer trailing the competition by leaving out the latest design trends and camera functions. I can't help but think Sony still managed to fall short with the XZ2, which stumbles in a few places.
First up, the hardware. I genuinely appreciate the artistic curves of the liquid glass design. The colors are striking and the glass is smooth like none other I've handled. It's a shame the phone is a bit bulkier than competing devices and doesn't sit well on flat surfaces. The screen is great, as is the phone performance, cellular performance, and secondary radio performance. The battery is acceptable, though it can fall short under heavy use.
The software is mostly fine. Sony's skin on top of Android lets you make plenty of tweaks to the home screen. Sony's camera app is simpler than ever, and more powerful than it has been in the past. I'm glad to see the results catching up with competing phones.
I wish the XZ2 were fully waterproof, but at least it offers rapid wireless charging and support for memory cards.
Unlocked, the Sony Xperia XZ2 costs a painful $800. It's not available from carriers, nor with any sort of payment plan, so you'll have to eat the entire cost at once. The Galaxy S9+ costs about the same price and is an easier purchase thanks to carrier support. If you're in the market for an $800 Android phone, I'd only recommend the Xperia XZ2 to those specifically seeking something off the beaten path.
Our Ratings
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Sony Xperia XZ2
