Lately we walk in our comparative reviewing the most interesting mid and high-end phablets of the moment and we have yet to include in them the one who left us Sony en the last IFA in Berlin, with at least one aimed at clarifying the differences that distinguish it from the other phablet of the company, launched a little earlier and with a very similar name: Xperia XA1 Ultra vs Xperia XA1 Plus.
Designer
In the design section they are virtually identical and a simple glance is enough to recognize any of them as a member of the family. Xperia, with very pronounced angular lines and fairly wide frames, especially in the upper and lower part, although it is true that we can appreciate that the side frames of the XA1 Ultra they are even smaller. In both cases, we will also be able to enjoy the metal casing and, which is another hallmark of the Japanese, a fingerprint reader located on the side.
Dimensions
Taking into account how similar they are in design, it is easy to deduce that the notable difference in size that can be seen that exists between the two (16,5 x 7,9 cm against 15,5 x 7,5 cm), has to do above all with that of their respective screens, as we will see below. It should be noted, however, that it does not reproduce in terms of weight, where they are practically tied (188 grams against 189 grams) and that in the thickness, in fact, the XA1 Ultra takes advantage8,1 mm against 8,7 mm).
Screen
Indeed, if the XA1 Ultra is larger is due to the fact that its screen is also larger (6 inches against 5.5 inches) and, although not the only one, this is probably the biggest difference between the two. The resolution is in the two Full HD (1920 x 1080) but, logically, the pixel density goes up in the XA1 Plus, smaller (PPI 367 against PPI 401).
Unlimited
Where the tie is practically absolute is in the performance section, since the two ride a Mediatek Helio P20, eight-core and 2,3 GH of frequency. There is a small difference, however, and that is that the minimum amount of RAM in the XA1 Ultra is 3 GB, although it is available with 4 GB also, like the XA1 Plus. The two also arrive with Android Nougat, there is no difference in this regard despite the most recent release of the second.
Storage capacity
Yes, we do not have anything since it allows us to tip the balance from one side or the other in the section of storage capacity: both arrive with 32 GB of internal memory and they give us the option to save space externally in case we run out of space through the card micro-SD.
Cameras
In the section of cameras they are tied with regard to the main one, which is in the two of 23 SM, with f / 2.0 aperture. There is again another point where the XA1 Plus goes back to the front and it is the front camera, which in the XA1 Ultra It is from some already respectable 8 SM, but that in the most recent model it reaches nothing less than 16 SM.
Autonomy
In the autonomy section we find a piece of information that may be unexpected if we think that the largest phablets are usually the champions in this area, but that it will not surprise us so much if we remember that despite being smaller the XA1 Plus It is thicker and as heavy as the XA1 Ultra: indeed, your battery has more capacity ( 2700 mAh against 3430 mAh) and if we add to that the fact that its screen is smaller, its crushing victory in independent tests (68h moderate use vs. 102h, in the tests of gsmarena) seems inevitable.
Xperia XA1 Ultra vs Xperia XA1 Plus: final balance of the comparison and price
At first glance it may appear that the XA1 Plus it's just a smaller version of the XA1 Ultra, but keep in mind that size is not the only thing that differentiates them. In fact, the second one may be smaller but it is just as heavy and thicker. In return, along with a better selfie camera and more RAM in the standard version, the most recent model will offer us much better autonomy.
Despite this, the Xperia XA1 Ultra continues to have a higher starting price (as always happens with the largest phablets), since it was launched for 400 euros while the second will do so for 350 Euros. The point is that the older model can already be easily discounted, with prices very similar to those of the new model, so that we can ignore this factor when choosing.
Here you can consult the complete technical sheet of the Xperia XA1 Ultra and the Xperia XA1 Plus yourselves