Google Pixel (2016) vs Sony Xperia XZ
A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel (2016) and the Sony Xperia XZ, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.
Head to head
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Price | $169 | $52 |
| Our rating | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Battery | 2,770 mAh | 2,900 mAh |
| Wired charging | 18W | — |
| RAM (max) | 4 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage (max) | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Screen size | 5 in | 5.2 in |
| Main camera | 12.3 MP | 23 MP |
| Weight (lower is lighter) | 143 g | 161 g |
| Released | Oct 2016 | Oct 2016 |
Summary: Google Pixel (2016) is ahead on ram (max), weight (lower is lighter). Sony Xperia XZ is ahead on battery, storage (max), screen size, main camera.
★ Which should you buy? Sony Xperia XZ is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs.
Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.
Display
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~424 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Features | — | TRILUMINOS display, X-Reality Engine, Dynamic Contrast Enhancement |
Platform
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 | — |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 |
| CPU | Quad-core (2x 2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x 1.6 GHz Kryo) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| GPU | Adreno 530 | Adreno 530 |
Memory
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Card slot | No | — |
| Internal | 32GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM (UFS 2.0) | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| Card Slot | — | microSDXC (dedicated slot for single SIM model, shared for dual SIM model) - up to 256GB |
Main Camera
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Single | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, PDAF, Laser AF | — |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Predictive Hybrid Autofocus, RGBC-IR sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS) |
| Modules | — | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF, Laser AF |
Selfie Camera
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.4µm | — |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Modules | — | 13 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.06" |
| Features | — | HDR |
Battery
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2770 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18W wired (Power Delivery) | Fast charging Quick Charge 3.0 |
Body
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Dimensions | 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.5 mm (5.66 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) | 146 x 72 x 8.1 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, plastic frame |
| Protection | Water-repellent coating | — |
| SIM | — | Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Durability | — | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
Comms
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.2, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0 | USB Type-C 2.0; USB On-The-Go |
Launch
| Google Pixel (2016) | Sony Xperia XZ |
|---|
| Announced | October 4, 2016 | September 2016 |
| Status | Released October 20, 2016. Discontinued. | Released October 2016 |
| OS | — | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better battery, Google Pixel (2016) or Sony Xperia XZ?
Sony Xperia XZ — 2,770 mAh for the Google Pixel (2016) versus 2,900 mAh for the Sony Xperia XZ.
Which has more RAM, Google Pixel (2016) or Sony Xperia XZ?
Google Pixel (2016) — 4 GB for the Google Pixel (2016) versus 3 GB for the Sony Xperia XZ.
Which is lighter, Google Pixel (2016) or Sony Xperia XZ?
Google Pixel (2016) — 143 g for the Google Pixel (2016) versus 161 g for the Sony Xperia XZ.
Which is newer, Google Pixel (2016) or Sony Xperia XZ?
Google Pixel (2016) — Oct 2016 for the Google Pixel (2016) versus Oct 2016 for the Sony Xperia XZ.
Is the Google Pixel (2016) or the Sony Xperia XZ rated higher?
We rate the Google Pixel (2016) 7/10 and the Sony Xperia XZ 7/10.
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