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

Sony continues to carve its niche with unique, enthusiast-focused smartphones. The Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 IV both offer premium features, but cater to slightly 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 1 V boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a brighter display, making it the performance leader. However, the Xperia 5 IV offers a slightly more compact design and comparable battery life. Ultimately, the 1 V is for power users, while the 5 IV is a great choice for those prioritizing portability.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 V 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
Announced2023, May 112022, September 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 28Available. Released 2022, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 71 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.33 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
Weight187 g (6.60 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 Victus 2Corning 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
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 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
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, 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, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF12 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@30/60fps, 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
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, 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, tri-band, 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, Khaki Green, Platinum SilverGreen, Black, Ecru White
ModelsXQDQ62/B, XQ-DQ72, XQ-DQ54XQCQ62B-GC, XQCQ62G.GC, XQ-CQ72/B2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/C2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/G2TWCX0, XQCQ54C0B.YD, XQCQ54C0G.YD, XQCQ54C0C.YD, XQ-CQ54, XQ-CQ72, A204SO
Price€ 684.00 / $ 1,409.99 / £ 519.99€ 248.89 / $ 999.00 / £ 189.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h Endurance rating 116h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.4 LUFS (Very good) -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1127931 (v9) GeekBench: 4916 (v6) GFXBench: 96fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 835038 (v9) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 63fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 V

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Brighter Display
  • Advanced Camera Features
  • Larger Display for Immersive Viewing

  • Higher Price
  • Larger Size/Less Pocketable
  • Active use battery life slightly lower

Sony Xperia 5 IV

  • More Compact Design
  • Excellent Camera System
  • Competitive Battery Life
  • Slightly Lower Price

  • Older Chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
  • Lower Peak Brightness
  • Less Advanced Camera Features

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 V takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 936 nits, significantly brighter than the Xperia 5 IV's 979 nits. Both feature excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal) and OLED technology, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The 1 V's larger size (6.5-inch vs 6.1-inch) also provides a more expansive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer excellent camera systems, but with slightly different approaches. The Xperia 1 V is geared towards more advanced users with its Pro mode and advanced video recording capabilities. The Xperia 5 IV provides a more streamlined and user-friendly experience while still delivering high-quality results. Both have excellent image processing, but the 1V's larger sensor potentially allows for better low-light performance.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xperia 1 V provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 5 IV. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. While both phones are capable, the 1 V's chipset is demonstrably more powerful.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 IV edges out the Xperia 1 V slightly in endurance rating (116h vs 115h), but real-world usage with the 1 V shows an active use score of 12:24h. Both phones support 30W wired charging and wireless charging, with reverse wireless charging capabilities. Charging speeds are comparable.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 V is ideal for photography enthusiasts, videographers, and users who demand top-tier performance and a large, immersive display. The Xperia 5 IV is a better fit for those seeking a more pocketable phone with excellent camera capabilities and a balanced feature set, without needing the absolute highest performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 V worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, a brighter display, and advanced camera features, the Xperia 1 V is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget and prefer a more compact phone, the Xperia 5 IV offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
The Xperia 1 V has more advanced video recording features, including 4K 120fps recording and more manual controls, making it a better choice for videographers.