We've got all the information you need to decide which Sony phone is right for you.
Fast Sony phone facts
- Sony's history in the mobile phone market extends all the way back to the early 2000s, when it sold pre-smartphone handsets under the Sony Ericsson brand.
- Since buying out Ericsson in 2012, Sony has focused its mobile business solely on the Xperia smartphone line.
- Much of the hardware used in Xperia handsets is based on other Sony technology like its BRAVIA TV line and its Cyber-shot cameras.
What to consider when choosing a Sony phone
Shopping for a high-end smartphone can be daunting. Complex jargon and slick-sounding buzz terms make every handset seem like a miracle of technology. Parsing fact from fiction can be tricky for even the most tech-savvy consumer, so we've run down the key features you'll want to focus on when comparing Sony smartphones:
Which Sony phone is best?
First things first: there is no one "best" phone for everybody. Factors like how you use your phone, what your budget is and your love (or hatred) for big screens all influence what phone is most likely to meet your needs. Nevertheless, we've spent a lot of time testing and reviewing phones over the years, and we feel this puts us in a position to recommend handsets worth your time and money.
Just remember to weigh our recommendations against your specific needs before making a buying decision.
finder's pick
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
A pint-sized premium phone without compromise
A slim exterior hides plenty of power in Sony's Xperia XZ2 Compact smartphone.
While we had a few gripes with Sony's Xperia XZ2 smartphone, we were far more impressed by its smaller sibling, the Xperia XZ2 Compact. Comfortable to hold and packing excellent performance on par with many larger, more-expensive handsets, the XZ2 Compact represents top value for those after a smaller smartphone that doesn't short-change you on performance.
Read our full review of the Xperia XZ2 Compact here
Best Sony phone for photography
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
A premium experience across the board
A powerful and feature-packed camera is just one of the impressive features that justifies the Premium in Sony's Xperia XZ Premium smartphone.
Despite being a year old at this point, the Xperia XZ Premium still represents the best option for photography enthusiasts keen on a Sony smartphone. Its 19MP front-facing camera exhibits none of the wonkiness we experienced with the more recent Xperia XZ2, and its support for 4K video recording and HDR photo capture remains a standout feature even among the latest competing handsets.
Read our full review of the Xperia XZ Premium here
Best cheap Sony phone
Sony Xperia XA2
Great performance at an affordable price
With the Xperia XA2, Sony delivers a capable mid-range handset with top-notch battery life and a price tag that won't send you broke.
Sony doesn't exactly make "cheap" phones, but by smartphone standards, the Xperia XA2 is quite affordable – especially if you shop around. Affordability doesn't come at the expense of quality, either, as the Xperia XA2 combines solid performance and a powerful 23MP camera with a high-capacity battery that leaves competing handsets in the dust.
Read our full review of the Xperia XA2 here
Looking for a Sony phone on a plan?
Dropping several hundreds of dollars on a new phone all at once isn't always an option, so it's fortunate that plenty of mobile providers offer contract plans that let you pay off a handset over the course of two years or more. Sony's Xperia handsets are available through many of these providers, and you can compare their plans in the table below:
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