Sony Xperia 5 II vs Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Released in late 2020, both the Sony Xperia 5 II and the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro represented top-tier Android experiences. However, they approached the flagship space with different philosophies. The Xperia 5 II doubled down on a compact, creator-focused design, while the Mi 10 Pro aimed for a more conventional, feature-packed experience. With price drops making both phones relevant today, a direct comparison is crucial for discerning buyers.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro offers a better value proposition. Its significantly faster 50W wired and 30W wireless charging, coupled with a brighter display, outweigh the Xperia 5 II’s more compact form factor. However, users prioritizing a pocketable design and Sony’s refined camera software will find the Xperia 5 II compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 II Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 77, 78 Sub6 - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2020, September 172020, February 13. Released 2020, February 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 12Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions158 x 68 x 8 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)162.5 x 74.8 x 9 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight163 g (5.75 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ)
 Triluminos display X-Reality Engine-
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 13, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLaser AF, Triple-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm
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 PDAF-
Video4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p, 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min50W wired, PD3.0 30W wireless 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Grey, Blue, PinkAlpine White, Solstice Grey
ModelsSO-52A, XQ-AS52, XQ-AS62, XQ-AS72, A002SO, SOG02M2001J1G
PriceAbout 650 EURAbout 930 EUR
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.69 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM$ 695.00-
RENEWED£ 239.00-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 102h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 532655 (v8) GeekBench: 3301 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 595246 (v8) GeekBench: 3331 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5 II

  • Compact and pocketable design
  • Sony’s refined camera software and video features
  • Excellent build quality and IP68 water resistance

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Dimmer display compared to the Mi 10 Pro
  • Higher price point for comparable features

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

  • Faster 50W wired and 30W wireless charging
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • More affordable price

  • Larger and heavier form factor
  • Xiaomi’s image processing may not appeal to all users
  • Software experience can be more cluttered

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display at 858 nits measured, compared to the Xperia 5 II’s 600 nits. This translates to better outdoor visibility for the Mi 10 Pro. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the brightness difference is a key differentiator. While both are excellent, the Mi 10 Pro’s panel is more usable in direct sunlight. The Xperia 5 II’s smaller 6.1-inch screen, however, contributes to its overall more manageable size.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but approach image processing differently. While both are capable of capturing excellent photos and videos, the Mi 10 Pro’s camera system is more geared towards vibrant, saturated images, while Sony typically aims for more natural color reproduction. The Mi 10 Pro’s larger sensor size (not specified in the data, but known to be 108MP) provides an advantage in low-light scenarios, capturing more detail. Both phones offer video recording capabilities, but Sony’s expertise in video processing, particularly with features like Eye AF, gives the Xperia 5 II an edge for videographers.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). Therefore, raw processing power is virtually identical. The real-world performance difference will likely come down to thermal management and software optimization. While neither phone is known for significant throttling, the larger chassis of the Mi 10 Pro *may* offer slightly better sustained performance under heavy load. Both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the specific speed isn't specified, making it a negligible difference.

Battery Life

The battery endurance ratings are remarkably close, with the Xperia 5 II scoring 102 hours and the Mi 10 Pro at 101 hours. However, the charging capabilities are where the Mi 10 Pro truly shines. Its 50W wired charging can replenish the battery to 50% in approximately 30 minutes, significantly faster than the Xperia 5 II’s 21W charging. Furthermore, the Mi 10 Pro adds 30W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Xperia 5 II. This makes the Mi 10 Pro far more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 5 II if you need a truly compact flagship phone that fits comfortably in one hand and prioritize Sony’s established camera processing for video and stills. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G if you prefer a larger display with higher brightness, faster charging speeds (both wired and wireless), and don't mind a larger device. The Mi 10 Pro is ideal for media consumption and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro’s 108MP camera significantly outperform the Xperia 5 II in all lighting conditions?
While the Mi 10 Pro’s 108MP sensor excels in low-light scenarios due to its ability to capture more detail, the Xperia 5 II’s image processing often produces more natural-looking results in good lighting. The difference isn’t always dramatic, and depends heavily on personal preference.
❓ Is the 21W charging on the Xperia 5 II slow enough to be a major inconvenience in 2024?
Compared to modern charging standards, 21W is relatively slow. While it can still provide a usable charge overnight, users accustomed to 50W or faster charging will find the Xperia 5 II’s charging speed noticeably slower. It's a significant trade-off for the compact form factor.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Xperia 5 II and the Mi 10 Pro?
The Xperia 5 II offers a cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience with Sony’s customizations, focusing on camera controls and audio features. The Mi 10 Pro runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, which is heavily customized and includes numerous features, but can also feel more cluttered and include pre-installed bloatware.