Sony Xperia 1 IV vs Xperia 5 IV: The Ultimate Showdown

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers unique features and a premium experience. The Xperia 1 IV and 5 IV are both excellent choices, but cater to different users. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 IV edges out the 1 IV thanks to its superior brightness and slightly better battery life, despite sharing the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The 1 IV offers a larger screen and potentially more advanced camera features, but the 5 IV provides a more compelling overall package for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 IV Sony Xperia 5 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2022, May 112022, September 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 11Available. Released 2022, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)156 x 67 x 8.2 mm (6.14 x 2.64 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)172 g (6.07 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 125mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-5.2x continuous optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Native Sony Alpha camera supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wirelessWired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Violet, WhiteGreen, Black, Ecru White
ModelsXQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51CXQCQ62B-GC, XQCQ62G.GC, XQ-CQ72/B2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/C2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/G2TWCX0, XQCQ54C0B.YD, XQCQ54C0G.YD, XQCQ54C0C.YD, XQ-CQ54, XQ-CQ72, A204SO
Price$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00€ 248.89 / $ 999.00 / £ 189.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 116h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.6 LUFS (Good) -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 835038 (v9) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 63fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Larger 6.5-inch display
  • Potentially more advanced video recording features
  • Premium build quality
  • Excellent audio quality

  • Lower display brightness
  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Bulky design

Sony Xperia 5 IV

  • Brighter display
  • Better battery life
  • More compact and pocketable
  • Competitive price

  • Smaller display
  • Potentially less advanced video features
  • Less premium feel compared to 1 IV

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 IV boasts a significantly brighter display at 979 nits compared to the 1 IV's 602 nits. While both offer excellent contrast (infinite nominal), the 5 IV's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The 1 IV has a larger 6.5-inch screen, while the 5 IV has a 6.1-inch screen. Both use OLED technology.

Camera Comparison

Both offer excellent camera systems, but with slightly different approaches. The 1 IV is rumored to have more advanced video recording capabilities and potentially better zoom capabilities. Both have a triple-lens setup with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. Image processing is a key differentiator, with Sony's focus on natural-looking results.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, ensuring flagship-level performance. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless handling of demanding applications. Real-world performance differences will be minimal, though the 5 IV's slightly more efficient design *might* lead to marginally better sustained performance under heavy load.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 IV takes the lead in battery life, offering an endurance rating of 116 hours compared to the 1 IV's 100 hours. Both support 30W wired charging and wireless charging, with reverse wireless charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is ideal for photography enthusiasts, videographers, and those who prioritize a large, immersive display. The Xperia 5 IV is a better fit for users who want a more compact, pocketable phone with excellent battery life and a vibrant display, without sacrificing performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 IV worth the extra money?
If you're a serious videographer or need the largest possible display, the 1 IV's potential video features and larger screen might justify the higher price. Otherwise, the 5 IV offers a better balance of features and value.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both phones feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The 5 IV's smaller size might make it slightly less prone to accidental drops, but overall durability is comparable.