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

Sony continues to carve its niche with unique, enthusiast-focused smartphones. The Xperia 5 III and Xperia 1 V represent different tiers within that strategy. But which one offers the best value and features for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 V is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a brighter display, and incremental camera improvements. While the 5 III remains a capable device, the 1 V’s upgrades justify its higher price for users prioritizing performance and a premium experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 III Sony Xperia 1 V
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, 66, 71 - USA1, 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA1, 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
Announced2021, April 142023, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 08Available. Released 2023, July 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)165 x 71 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)187 g (6.60 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 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
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 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS
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
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm-
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF48 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 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
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 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, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-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
ChargingWired, PD, 50% in 30 min30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Green, PinkBlack, Khaki Green, Platinum Silver
ModelsXQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53BXQDQ62/B, XQ-DQ72, XQ-DQ54
Price€ 431.90 / £ 199.99€ 684.00 / $ 1,409.99 / £ 519.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 115h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.7 LUFS (Good) -25.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1127931 (v9) GeekBench: 4916 (v6) GFXBench: 96fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5 III

  • More compact size
  • Excellent camera system
  • Competitive price
  • Good battery life (Endurance Rating)

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Lower display brightness
  • No wireless charging

Sony Xperia 1 V

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Improved camera performance
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price
  • Larger size
  • Charging speed not significantly improved

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 V’s 6.5-inch OLED display shines with a measured peak brightness of 936 nits, significantly brighter than the 5 III’s 590 nits. Both offer a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy, but the 1 V’s increased brightness provides better outdoor visibility. Both have a nominal infinite contrast ratio.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but the Xperia 1 V introduces improvements to its image processing and video capabilities. The 1 V's Exmor T sensor and improved AI processing result in better low-light performance and more natural-looking photos. Both offer 4K video recording, but the 1 V has enhanced stabilization.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xperia 1 V delivers a substantial performance leap over the 888 in the 5 III. Expect noticeably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the 1 V. The 1 V's newer CPU architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

While the Xperia 5 III boasts an impressive endurance rating of 100h, the Xperia 1 V’s active use score of 12:24h and endurance rating of 115h demonstrate efficient power management despite its more powerful processor and brighter display. Both support PD charging, with the 1 V adding wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 III is ideal for users seeking a more compact, affordable Sony flagship with a strong camera and solid performance. The Xperia 1 V is for photography enthusiasts and power users who demand the best possible performance, a larger, brighter display, and advanced features like reverse wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 V worth the upgrade from an Xperia 5 III?
If you prioritize performance, a brighter display, and improved camera capabilities, then the Xperia 1 V is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're happy with the 5 III's performance and prefer a more compact size, the upgrade might not be necessary.
❓ What is the battery life like on the Xperia 1 V?
The Xperia 1 V offers solid battery life, with an active use score of around 12:24 hours. While not exceptional, it's efficient enough to last a full day for most users.