Sharp Aquos Zero 2 vs Sony Xperia 5: A Detailed Comparison of Compact Powerhouses

The smartphone landscape is dominated by large-screen devices, but the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 and Sony Xperia 5 cater to a shrinking, yet dedicated, audience craving powerful performance in a pocketable form factor. Both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, but diverge in their approach to display technology, battery endurance, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right compact flagship.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and a consistently bright display, the Sony Xperia 5 emerges as the better choice. Its 96-hour endurance rating and 630 nits peak brightness provide a more reliable experience, despite the Aquos Zero 2 offering a similarly powerful chipset at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos Zero 2 Sony Xperia 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 41 - Taiwan1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, May 22. Released 2020, May 222019, September 05. Released 2019, October 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight141 g (4.97 oz)164 g (5.78 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 240Hz, HDR10, Dolby VisionOLED, HDR BT.2020
 -Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple-12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.018W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Ion 3130 mAhLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlueBlue, Red, Black, Grey
ModelsSH-Z20, SHV47, 906SHJ8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01M
PriceAbout 670 EURAbout 500 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 409.99
RENEWED-$ 674.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 96h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos Zero 2

  • Potentially lower price point for Snapdragon 855 performance
  • Compact form factor for one-handed use
  • Minimalist design aesthetic

  • Limited information on display brightness and camera capabilities
  • Uncertain battery life compared to the Xperia 5
  • Charging speed not explicitly stated

Sony Xperia 5

  • Exceptional 96-hour battery endurance
  • Bright 630 nits display for outdoor visibility
  • Refined camera system with cinematic video features

  • Higher price compared to the Aquos Zero 2 (potentially)
  • Compact size may not appeal to all users
  • Software updates may be less frequent than some competitors

Display Comparison

Both devices feature OLED displays, but the Sony Xperia 5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 630 nits, suggesting a more visible screen outdoors compared to the Aquos Zero 2 (brightness data unavailable). While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), the Xperia 5’s display is known for its color accuracy, crucial for media consumption. The Aquos Zero 2’s display specifications are less detailed, making a direct comparison difficult, but its focus on minimizing bezels suggests a strong emphasis on maximizing screen real estate within its compact form factor.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for the Aquos Zero 2 are scarce. The Xperia 5, however, features a triple-lens camera system with a focus on cinematic video recording. While sensor sizes and apertures aren't provided for either device in the context data, the Xperia 5’s image processing is geared towards natural color reproduction and dynamic range. The absence of detailed camera information for the Aquos Zero 2 makes a meaningful comparison challenging, but it’s likely the Xperia 5 offers a more versatile and refined camera experience.

Performance

Both the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 and Sony Xperia 5 are powered by the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). This means comparable processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. However, thermal management is a key differentiator. While data is limited for the Aquos Zero 2, Sony’s thermal design in the Xperia 5 is generally regarded as effective, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. Both support PD2.0 charging, but the Xperia 5’s 18W charging speed is explicitly stated, while the Aquos Zero 2’s charging speed is simply listed as 'wired'.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 5 stands out with an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. While the Aquos Zero 2’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its reliance on a Snapdragon 855 suggests similar power consumption. However, the Xperia 5’s 18W wired charging with PD2.0 support provides a faster and more efficient charging experience. The 96-hour endurance rating of the Xperia 5 translates to real-world benefits for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 if you prioritize finding the absolute lowest price for a Snapdragon 855-powered device and are comfortable potentially sacrificing some battery longevity. Buy the Sony Xperia 5 if you value a consistently bright, high-quality display, exceptional battery endurance, and a more refined software experience, even at a slightly higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Sony Xperia 5's 18W charging feel slow in 2024?
While 18W isn't the fastest charging available today, the Xperia 5's exceptional battery life mitigates this concern. The 96-hour endurance rating means you'll likely need to charge less frequently, reducing the impact of the slower charging speed. Furthermore, PD2.0 support ensures efficient power delivery.
❓ Is the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 a good option for gaming, given its Snapdragon 855?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 is still a capable chipset for gaming, even in 2024. However, the Aquos Zero 2’s thermal management is unknown. If sustained gaming is a priority, the Xperia 5’s more established thermal design may offer a smoother experience with less throttling.
❓ How does the size difference between these two phones affect usability?
Both phones are designed for one-handed use, but the Xperia 5 is slightly taller. The Aquos Zero 2's focus on minimizing bezels might result in a slightly wider grip. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your hand size and preference for screen size versus overall device width.