Sony Xperia 5 III vs Xperia 5 IV: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia 5 IV emerges as the clear winner, offering a significantly brighter display, a newer Snapdragon chip, and improved battery life. While the 5 III remains a capable device, the 5 IV's upgrades justify its price premium for most users seeking a top-tier compact Android experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Sony Xperia 5 III | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 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 - USA | 1, 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 bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 14 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 08 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in) | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm (6.14 x 2.64 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 168 g (5.93 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density) | 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.X | UFS 3.X | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm |
| Triple | 12 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 PDAF | 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 |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system | 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Native Sony Alpha camera support | Native Sony Alpha camera support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, PD, 50% in 30 min | Wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Pink | Green, Black, Ecru White |
| Models | XQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53B | XQCQ62B-GC, XQCQ62G.GC, XQ-CQ72/B2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/C2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/G2TWCX0, XQCQ54C0B.YD, XQCQ54C0G.YD, XQCQ54C0C.YD, XQ-CQ54, XQ-CQ72, A204SO |
| Price | € 431.90 / £ 199.99 | € 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 | -26.7 LUFS (Good) | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 835038 (v9) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 63fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia 5 III
- Excellent camera performance
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Good value for money
- Proven track record
- Dimmer display compared to competitors
- No wireless charging
- Slightly older chipset
Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Newer and faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
- Improved battery life
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Enhanced telephoto lens
- Higher price point
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Xperia 5 IV boasts a substantial upgrade in display brightness, reaching 979 nits compared to the 5 III's 590 nits. Both feature excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the 5 IV's increased brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor visibility. Color accuracy remains a Sony strength on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer excellent camera capabilities, but the 5 IV introduces a new telephoto lens with improved zoom capabilities. The 5 IV also benefits from Sony's latest image processing algorithms, resulting in slightly better image quality, especially in low light. Video recording is excellent on both, with Sony's signature cinematic features.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 5 IV provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the 5 III. While both handle everyday tasks with ease, the 5 IV excels in demanding games and multitasking. The newer chip also offers improved efficiency.
Battery Life
The Xperia 5 IV shows a slight improvement in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 116 hours compared to the 5 III's 100 hours. While not a massive difference, it contributes to the 5 IV's overall advantage. Both support PD fast charging, and the 5 IV adds wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5 III? Users prioritizing value and a proven track record, who don't need the absolute latest features and are comfortable with a slightly dimmer display. Who should buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV? Photography enthusiasts, power users needing the latest performance, and those who appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display and wireless charging.