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

Sony's Xperia line offers a unique blend of premium features and a distinct design philosophy. The Xperia 5 II and Xperia 1 II are both excellent devices, but cater to different user needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect Sony smartphone.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 II offers a more compact design, slightly better battery life, and a more competitive price. The Xperia 1 II boasts a larger, more immersive display, and a more refined camera experience, particularly for video. For most users, the 5 II provides better value, but photography enthusiasts will appreciate the 1 II.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 II Sony Xperia 1 II
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, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, September 172020, February 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 12Available. Released 2020, May 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)181.4 g (6.38 oz)
 IP65/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 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos display X-Reality EngineRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps (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
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min21W wired, PD 11W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Grey, Blue, PinkBlack, Purple, Mirror Lake Green
ModelsSO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02XQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42
PriceAbout 650 EURAbout 700 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM$ 695.00-
RENEWED£ 239.00-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 102h Endurance rating 83h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 532655 (v8) GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5 II

  • Excellent battery life
  • More compact and pocketable
  • Competitive price
  • Good camera performance
  • 120Hz display

  • Less advanced camera features than 1 II
  • FHD+ resolution display (vs 4K)
  • Slower charging (21W)

Sony Xperia 1 II

  • Stunning 4K OLED display
  • Advanced camera system with more features
  • Better video recording capabilities
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Wireless charging

  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Larger size may not suit everyone

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 II features a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate (though it dynamically adjusts), offering stunning visuals and smooth scrolling. The Xperia 5 II has a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While both are excellent, the 1 II's higher resolution and larger size provide a more immersive experience, especially for media consumption. The brightness is comparable, with the 1 II measuring 611 nits and the 5 II 600 nits.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 II has a more advanced camera system, featuring a 12MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It also offers more manual controls and professional video recording features. The Xperia 5 II has a 12MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom. While both offer excellent image quality, the 1 II's versatility and advanced features give it an edge for serious photographers.

Performance

Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and demanding games. There's virtually no difference in processing power between the two devices. However, the Xperia 1 II's larger size allows for potentially better thermal management during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 II demonstrates superior battery endurance, boasting an impressive 102h rating compared to the Xperia 1 II's 83h. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the 5 II, making it a better choice for users who prioritize all-day power.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5 II? Users seeking a pocketable, powerful phone with excellent battery life and a great camera at a more accessible price point. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 1 II? Photography enthusiasts, videographers, and those who prioritize a large, high-quality display for media consumption and creative work.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 II worth the extra money?
If you're a serious photographer or videographer, the Xperia 1 II's advanced camera features and 4K display justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Xperia 5 II offers excellent value for most users.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 865 chipset. The Xperia 1 II's larger size might offer slightly better thermal management, but the difference is likely minimal.