Review: Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
The XZ2 Compact represents a wholly different value for mobile phone shoppers. There are very few — if any — premium flagship phones that are also compact and truly one-handed. That makes the XZ2 Compact stand out in a sea of thin slates that seem super-size by comparison.
I'm glad to see Sony has updated its hardware and feature set to keep up with the times. The XZ2 Compact has a 2:1 screen and reduced bezels compared to older Sony phones. The materials and manufacture are great, but I prefer the liquid glass and slimmer profile of the XZ2. The screen is fantastic, as is voice performance, cellular performance on Verizon's network, and secondary radio performance. Battery life is average.
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 U.S. variant of the XZ2 Compact were fully waterproof, but at least it offers rapid charging and support for memory cards.
Unlocked, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact costs $649. It's not available from carriers, nor with any sort of payment plan, so you'll have to eat the entire cost at once. It's much cheaper than the Galaxy S9, and iPhone 8, which are close in size/features.
Sony's Xperia XZ2 Compact is for people seeking a very specific experience. This pint-sized flagship delivers vast value.
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