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Sony Xperia M2 Aqua review

8.1/10 AVG.
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Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
...


8.1/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua currently has an Informr score of 8.1 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 4 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Excellent water resistance
  • Respectable battery life
  • Omnibalance design

What's bad

  • Weak camera
  • Tricky waterproofing flaps
  • Lackluster display

Sony has been overhauling some of its previous models recently and it seems its time to reboot the M2. The M2 Aqua now sports an impressive IP68 waterproof rating and a few minor tweaks, but is this enough to remain competitive in a quickly growing mid-tier market? Let’s check out what the reviews have to say.

At first glance, the M2 Aqua looks just like its predecessor thanks to Sony’s Omnibalance design. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that means you’re either going to love or hate the way the phone looks. Reviews were generally positive, noting that the matte finish on the rear of the phone was great at deflecting scuffs and scratches. Unfortunately, a lack of treatment on the glass on front found many reviews complaining about fingerprints and smudges.

Behind the glass is a 4.8-inch IPS display. Certainly on par with the current trends in larger displays. However, the resolution on the screen is 960-by-540. A stat that many reviews were quick to point out is rather low for today’s mid-tier market. GSM Arena called the screen “decent, even if hardly spectacular” while Wired UK said that the screen looked “a tad out of place” with the design of the phone.

The phone relies on a quad-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 with 1GB of RAM to keep Android KitKat running smoothly. Performance reviews are generally positive with Wired UK saying the experience is “consistently smooth and it never seemed to lag unduly.” and GSM Arena noting the phone does “an okay job” with both gaming and daily tasks.

While 8GB of storage space might not offer a ton of room for your apps, movies and music, microSD support allows you to affordably add up to 32 additional GB of storage if you wish.

Thanks the the Aqua’s firmly mid-tier specs, it pulls respectable battery life from its 2300mAh battery pack. This is good as the battery is non-removable, unlike many other Sony handsets. Reviews found a full day’s use with mixed usage on a single charge and even better life when taking advantage of Sony’s Stamina mode and other power saving features.

Unfortunately, not everything is pristine for the device. While it touts an IP68 water and dustproof rating, the rating hinges on an array of flaps and plugs. The headphone jack, microSD slot, SIM slot and charge port all have rubber flaps to keep them sealed. TechRadar described it as “flap-tastic.” They also pointed out that if one flap is loose, the IP68 rating is irrelevant. So if you plan to take your phone for a swim, be sure to check your flaps. Recombu found another issue with the waterproofing. The capacitive screen doesn’t play well with water. They noted, “As soon as the screen gets wet, the handset goes completely mental.”

Finally, the 8MP rear-facing camera with dedicated shutter button received mixed reviews. While the camera app offers the usual bounty of Sony options, TechRadar called the camera’s image quality and performance “quite disappointing” and “a bit slow.” On the other hand, Beta News though that “in general the camera copes well.” This was similar in other reviews, with some noting issues and other applauding the camera.
In the end, this same mixed feeling was found in many review verdicts. While TechRadar called the Aqua a “decent value,” Wired UK thought the handset “just doesn't seem all that attractive.” In the end, it appears that if you’re looking for a waterproof mid-tier smartphone, the Aqua offers a dependable choice, albeit with a few tradeoffs in performance and display quality.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.2 GHz
4.8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4.8"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
2330 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Beta News
Beta News

It's key to stress that this is in no way a new smartphone in its own right. The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua is just that: a slightly upgraded, waterproofed version of the original M2.Still, while it's by no means going to make headlines, the handset is sure to make waves in the midrange market as a decent...

- Alysia Judge, Beta News
Coolsmartphone
Coolsmartphone

I have read in other reviews that the flaps were “awkward”. Now, whilst this may need a bit of getting used to if you’re regularly using the 3.5mm audio port, it wasn’t a great problem for me just to slip my nail under the flap and charge it each night. I don’t think it...

- Leigh Geary, Coolsmartphone
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

Owners of an Xperia M2 certainly do not have to buy an Aqua because the technical specs of both devices are virtually identical. The screen size, resolution, and performance hardly differ, and the battery life of both devices is also very good.The review sample also excels with an excellent Wi-Fi ra...

- Daniel Schmidt, Notebookcheck
GSMArena
GSMArena

A waterproofed version of one of their mass-market models is hardly the biggest thing to come out of Sony's labs this season. There's a new super-mini to look forward to and the next flagship generation, plus a couple of wearables just broke cover ahead of the IFA show. Yet, the one thing all these...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia M2 Aqua user manual here.


Sony backs up the Xperia M2 Aqua with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia M2 Aqua has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
4.8"

The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua's screen size is 4.8 inches with 540 x 960 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 Quad core 1.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 5.1.1 Lollipop) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with VGA (640 x 480) resolution.

Storage
8 GB

Internal memory is 8 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2330mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2330 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 731 minutes, 518 minutes Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia M2 Aqua Specs

Overview
Release Date September 30, 2014
Regions Available Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.4 KitKat (Update Available: 5.1.1 Lollipop)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 Quad core 1.2 GHz
Internal Storage 8 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.69 W/kg
Body: 1.25 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Micro-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
4x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Panorama, Red-eye reduction, HDR, Scene recognition
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
VGA (640 x 480)+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Pixel Density 230 pixels
Size 4.8 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2330 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 484 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 518 minutes
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 731 minutes
Standby Time Up to 26.7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14 x 7.2 x 0.9 cm (5.5 x 2.8 x 0.4 in)
Weight 149 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Water Resistant
Rugged design No
IP Rating IP 68
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Sony D2403, D2406
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
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