Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra Review

Sony has announced three new smartphones at CES 2018, called the Xperia L2, Xperia XA2 and Xperia XA2 Ultra. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra is a mid-range smartphone and we got the chance to spend a little time with this device. So let’s walk through the Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra review below:

Performance

The Xperia XA2 Ultra has a fairly common configuration, such as the Snapdragon 630 with 4GB of RAM and 32GB / 64 GB of ROM for native storage for a good performance experience in the mid-range segment. We have quick dots with performance testing software, you can check it out the image below.

It can be said that the switch from Helio P20 to Snapdragon 630 that gives the XA series two advantages. First of all, stable performance, good GPU and most compatible applications. The second comes from the communication effect from the use of Qualcomm chip is also better than MediaTek.

When testing the game is more interested, the frame is always stable at 30fps and brings a smooth experience with a good display. Xperia XA2 Ultra is currently running on the latest Android 8.0 Oreo platform, which we say is one of the first mid-range device sold with this operating system.

Battery

So far, the Ultra variant has been rated by the consumer as being a miser in terms of battery life, both generations below 3,000mAh battery. However, when it comes to XA2 Ultra, Sony has more favor with battery capacity up to 3580mAh, so no more worry about battery drain.

On average, one day experience with web browsing, Facebook, FB messenger, taking pictures, Youtube, music listening, online music on Soundcloud along with continuous on 3G network, XA2 Ultra easy to meet for a comfortable day with more than 5 hours on-screen time.

The plus points of the Xperia XA2 Ultra also come with the QuickCharge 3.0 fast charger support to shorten the charging time. The battery lasts for more than 2 hours and you have charged more than 3580mAh.

Camera

This year, Xperia XA2 Ultra is geared more towards selfie lovers as it has a 16-megapixel primary front-facing camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) as well as an 8-megapixel sensor with a wide 120-degree lens.

Impressed by its 16MP camera sensor along with selfie features such as autofocus and image stabilization when shooting. High-sensitivity, high-contrast, bright-dark areas, impressive reproduction details are phrases to describe the dual selfie camera on the Xperia XA2 Ultra. The camera is 88 degrees wide angle and is not distorted like other cameras with a wide angle.

Moving on to the back, the XA2 Ultra has a 23-megapixel main camera sensor with f/2.0 aperture, and as far as we know, the XA2 Ultra sensor almost identical to its predecessors.

Unfortunately, there’s no OIS but we’re told that the rear camera does benefit from Sony’s SteadyShot stabilization feature. So the quality of the picture makes us quite surprised.

The details are extremely good, contrasting with the same volume, the subject is separated with a very clear background. A pretty annoying point of the recent Xperia device is the very poor close-up, the camera focuses themselves so we don’t have to change to manual focus every time.

In addition to automatic HDR, everything just raised and taken, the algorithm will help balance the best light.

When moving into the indoor, where light tends to decrease, of course, it’s not entirely dark, but it’s where most people capture their photos, for example, in a room, home, restaurant etc. However, in the lack of light, we noticed that the camera of the XA2 Ultra is the sharpest in the center and gradually blurred at the edge of the image.

Moving into an almost dark area to test the reproducibility of detail and noise reduction. Really better than expectations. We do not know why Sony only emphasized selfie in the premiere while the main camera of the Xperia XA2 Ultra impressed us most.

The Camera app interface is similar to XA1 or XA1 Ultra, allowing manual adjustments such as manual focus, ISO, white balance and light exposure for 1 second.

Design

Starting with the build quality and design, Xperia XA2 Ultra isn’t very different from Sony’s existing lineup. It still feature the smooth, seamless “loop surface” design language and lacks trendy 18:9 display. It has a metal frame which looks and feel really nice when you hold them. The back is plastic, but Sony has given it a metallic treatment so it blends in with the metal frame.

The Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra is noticeably thicker and heavier. and honestly, it is quite cumbersome to deal with in one hand. Even though there is traditional 16:9 display, Sony has managed to reduce the borders on the sides quite a bit, so the phone doesn’t look too dated. We have USB Type-C ports (with fast charging support) on the bottom of the phone, along with a single speaker grille. The device also has a flap on the left for the SIM tray and a microSD card slot, while on the right, we have Sony’s trademark little circular power button and a volume rocker. Both phones retain the 3.5mm headphone socket.

Around the back, we have a circular fingerprint sensor and a 23-megapixel camera. The rear fingerprint sensor is definitely more accessible compared to side faced. There is no any sort of waterproofing certification for the Xperia XA2 Ultra.

Display

As traditional XA, the screen border of the Xperia XA2 Ultra is also very thin and attractive to look. The XA2 Ultra has a 6-inch Full HD display and still has a 16:9 aspect ratio. It seems that Sony has not intended to join 18:9 trend. The display quality is unquestionable, the IPS panel and Sony’s technology provide a good viewing angle, clear color and bright display for outdoor use.

Final line

Currently, Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra is available on Amazon with a price tag of $449.99 for 32GB storage version and comes in Black, Silver, and Gold color options – so you could buy this phone and be fairly happy with it.

There’s a lot to like about the Sony Xperia XA2 – it has a good display, excellent performance, decent battery life, a camera that’s good enough for many people, and Android Oreo backed by what has so far been a decent record of regular updates.

What this phone really lacks is a current feature – like 18:9 FullView display, that could help it grab attention in an extremely crowded market. As we’ve said several times now, the Xperia design language is crying out for a refresh.

So, what did you think of Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra review? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.