Google Pixel 5 vs Sony Xperia 5 III: A Deep Dive into Compact Android Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing software, value, and consistent performance, the Google Pixel 5 emerges as the winner. Its lower price point and excellent software experience outweigh the Xperia 5 III’s raw power, especially considering the Xperia’s higher initial cost. However, power users and content creators will find the Xperia 5 III’s Snapdragon 888 a compelling advantage.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 5 | Sony Xperia 5 III |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQ | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9Q | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 30 | 2021, April 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 15 | Available. Released 2021, October 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in) | 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 151 g (5.33 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.X | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm | - |
| Features | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| - | Native Sony Alpha camera support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired | Wired, PD, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4080 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Just Black, Sorta Sage | Black, Green, Pink |
| Models | GD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6 | XQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53B |
| Price | € 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00 | € 431.90 / £ 199.99 |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | $ 194.84 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 253.00 | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 95h | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.7 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 5
- Exceptional software experience with timely updates.
- Excellent camera software and computational photography.
- More affordable price point.
- Less powerful processor compared to the Xperia 5 III.
- Slower charging speeds.
Sony Xperia 5 III
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor for demanding tasks.
- Faster charging speeds (50% in 30 minutes).
- Advanced camera features and manual controls.
- Higher initial cost.
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load.
Display Comparison
Both the Pixel 5 and Xperia 5 III feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, the Pixel 5 boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 699 nits compared to the Xperia 5 III’s 590 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight for the Pixel 5. While both offer a smooth experience, the Xperia 5 III’s 120Hz refresh rate (not specified in the data, but standard for the device) provides a more fluid visual experience than the Pixel 5’s 90Hz panel. The Xperia 5 III’s aspect ratio is also more cinematic, catering to video consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are capable cameras, but approach image capture differently. The provided data doesn’t detail sensor sizes, but the Pixel 5 excels in computational photography, leveraging Google’s software algorithms to produce stunning images, particularly in low light. The Xperia 5 III, with its Snapdragon 888’s image signal processor, offers more manual control and video-centric features, appealing to content creators. Sony’s emphasis on real-time tracking and dedicated camera buttons provides a more professional shooting experience. The Xperia 5 III’s video capabilities are likely superior, given Sony’s expertise in imaging technology.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xperia 5 III’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Pixel 5’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, delivers significantly faster single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. The 5nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, though the 888 is known to run hot under sustained load. The Pixel 5’s 765G is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and intensive applications. The 8GB of RAM in the Pixel 5 is adequate, but the Xperia 5 III’s RAM configuration (not specified in the data, but typically 8GB or 12GB) could offer a slight edge in multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve a similar endurance rating of around 100 hours, despite the Pixel 5 having a smaller battery (implied). This suggests the Pixel 5’s more efficient chipset and software optimization contribute to comparable battery life. However, the Xperia 5 III offers significantly faster charging – 50% in 30 minutes with PD – compared to the Pixel 5’s 18W wired charging. The Pixel 5 also supports 12W wireless and 5W reverse wired charging, features absent on the Xperia 5 III. The faster charging on the Xperia 5 III is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone with a clean Android experience, excellent camera software, and long-term software support. It’s ideal for everyday users, photographers who value computational photography, and those seeking a compact form factor without breaking the bank. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 III if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming or video editing, demand faster charging speeds, and appreciate Sony’s multimedia features like dedicated camera controls and audio enhancements.