66 ANDROID ADVISOR • ISSUE 50
REVIEW
Beyond that, Sony has moved both the camera
and fingerprint sensor to the centre of the phone’s
rear – and the fingerprint sensor is now always on,
so is quicker to use than before. Previously, it was
mounted in the power button on the side. Although
it’s faster, we prefer the old method. The natural
way to hold the XZ2 means your finger rests on the
camera lens, not the scanner. It’s far too low down
the phone, as is the power button on the side.
You’ll get the IP65/68 waterproofing we’ve all
come to expect from Sony. However, the firm has
sadly, and shockingly, finally given in and joined
the most of the industry in dropping the 3.5mm
headphone jack, so it’s USB-C or Bluetooth only
when it comes to audio.
The XZ2 will launch in a selection of four colours
(with the usual colour-coded UI to match): Liquid
Black, Liquid Silver, Petrol Blue, and Ash Pink.Display
As mentioned, the XZ2 is Sony’s first phone with an
18:9 display. The firm is playing catch-up here and
the change means the display has jumped from 5.2-
to 5 7in, a more average size for a 2018 flagship. If
you want a smaller phone, then Sony has the XZ2
Compact and we’re glad that it is still making ‘mini’
versions for those that still want one.
The new 5.7in screen comes at the cost of chunky
dimensions though, as the XZ2 has a screen-to-body
ratio of 76 percent, a fair amount short of the Galaxy
S9’s 83 percent. Those bezels are still holding the
design back. We are glad Sony hasn’t gone down the