diff --git a/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.cpp b/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.cpp
index b63582c4..754c5d9a 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.cpp
@@ -226,9 +226,7 @@ void KOReaderSyncActivity::performSync() {
     return;
   }
 
-  // Defer remote EPUB mapping until user chooses Apply. Upload only needs the
-  // precomputed local XPath, so this avoids post-fetch inflate churn and keeps
-  // the GET session reusable for PUT.
+  // Prepare remote mapping state for the next step.
   hasRemoteProgress = false;
   remotePositionMapped = false;
   remotePosition.spineIndex = -1;
@@ -266,6 +264,18 @@ void KOReaderSyncActivity::performSync() {
 
   // Compare intent keeps the legacy chooser flow (apply vs upload), which is
   // still useful for manual conflict decisions.
+  // Pre-map remote progress now so compare UI always shows concrete chapter/
+  // page data. The mapped result is cached and reused if Apply is chosen.
+  if (!ensureRemotePositionMapped(false)) {
+    {
+      RenderLock lock(*this);
+      state = SYNC_FAILED;
+      statusMessage = tr(STR_SYNC_FAILED_MSG);
+    }
+    requestUpdate(true);
+    return;
+  }
+
   // Local progress was precomputed before network; keep using the cached value.
   releaseEpubForMapping();
 
@@ -442,15 +452,13 @@ void KOReaderSyncActivity::render(RenderLock&&) {
 
     // Remote progress - chapter and page
     renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, contentRect.x + 20, 160, tr(STR_REMOTE_LABEL), true);
-    if (hasRemoteProgress) {
-      char remoteChapterStr[128];
-      snprintf(remoteChapterStr, sizeof(remoteChapterStr), "  %s", remoteChapter.c_str());
-      renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, contentRect.x + 20, 185, remoteChapterStr);
-      char remotePageStr[64];
-      snprintf(remotePageStr, sizeof(remotePageStr), tr(STR_PAGE_OVERALL_FORMAT), remotePosition.pageNumber + 1,
-               remoteProgress.percentage * 100);
-      renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, contentRect.x + 20, 210, remotePageStr);
-    }
+    char remoteChapterStr[128];
+    snprintf(remoteChapterStr, sizeof(remoteChapterStr), "  %s", remoteChapter.c_str());
+    renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, contentRect.x + 20, 185, remoteChapterStr);
+    char remotePageStr[64];
+    snprintf(remotePageStr, sizeof(remotePageStr), tr(STR_PAGE_OVERALL_FORMAT), remotePosition.pageNumber + 1,
+             remoteProgress.percentage * 100);
+    renderer.drawText(UI_10_FONT_ID, contentRect.x + 20, 210, remotePageStr);
 
     if (!remoteProgress.device.empty()) {
       char deviceStr[64];
@@ -547,14 +555,17 @@ bool KOReaderSyncActivity::ensureEpubLoadedForMapping() {
   return true;
 }
 
-bool KOReaderSyncActivity::ensureRemotePositionMapped() {
+bool KOReaderSyncActivity::ensureRemotePositionMapped(const bool closeSessionBeforeMapping) {
   if (remotePositionMapped) {
     return true;
   }
 
-  // Apply needs remote->local mapping, which triggers EPUB inflate work.
-  // Release HTTP/TLS session first so mapping has maximum heap headroom.
-  KOReaderSyncClient::endPersistentSession();
+  // Mapping remote->local can trigger EPUB inflate work. For apply/pull paths,
+  // release HTTP/TLS first to maximize heap headroom. Compare pre-map keeps
+  // the warmed session alive so Upload can reuse it without a fresh handshake.
+  if (closeSessionBeforeMapping) {
+    KOReaderSyncClient::endPersistentSession();
+  }
 
   {
     RenderLock lock(*this);
diff --git a/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.h b/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.h
index 0389276a..da7eb124 100644
--- a/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.h
+++ b/src/activities/reader/KOReaderSyncActivity.h
@@ -115,5 +115,5 @@ class KOReaderSyncActivity final : public Activity {
   void releaseEpubForMapping();
   bool computeLocalProgressAndChapter();
   void computeRemoteChapter();
-  bool ensureRemotePositionMapped();
+  bool ensureRemotePositionMapped(bool closeSessionBeforeMapping = true);
 };