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

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers unique features and a focus on photography. The Xperia 5 IV and Xperia 1 IV are both flagship contenders, but cater to slightly different users. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect Sony device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 IV offers a more compact design, slightly better battery life, and a brighter display, making it ideal for everyday use. The Xperia 1 IV boasts a larger, more immersive screen, a more versatile camera system with continuous optical zoom, and a more premium feel, appealing to photography enthusiasts and those prioritizing screen real estate. It's a close call!

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 IV Sony Xperia 1 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
Announced2022, September 012022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 22Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions156 x 67 x 8.2 mm (6.14 x 2.64 x 0.32 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)185 g (6.53 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 VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
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 (~83.2% 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
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 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
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple12 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 PDAF12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, 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, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
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@30fps, 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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, 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, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), 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, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGreen, Black, Ecru WhiteBlack, Violet, White
ModelsXQCQ62B-GC, XQCQ62G.GC, XQ-CQ72/B2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/C2TWCX0, XQ-CQ72/G2TWCX0, XQCQ54C0B.YD, XQCQ54C0G.YD, XQCQ54C0C.YD, XQ-CQ54, XQ-CQ72, A204SOXQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
Price€ 248.89 / $ 999.00 / £ 189.99$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 116h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.9 LUFS (Good) -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 835038 (v9) GeekBench: 3448 (v5.1) GFXBench: 63fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5 IV

  • More compact and pocketable
  • Brighter display (979 nits)
  • Slightly better battery life (116h)
  • Excellent camera performance

  • Less versatile camera than 1 IV
  • No continuous optical zoom
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Larger, more immersive 4K OLED display
  • Versatile camera system with variable telephoto zoom
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Dedicated shutter button

  • Lower peak brightness (602 nits)
  • Shorter battery life (100h)
  • Larger and heavier than 5 IV
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 IV features a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering stunning visuals and vibrant colors. Its brightness, however, is measured at 602 nits. The Xperia 5 IV has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a significantly brighter peak brightness of 979 nits, making it easier to see outdoors. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal). The 1 IV's larger screen provides a more immersive experience, while the 5 IV's brightness is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 IV's camera system is more versatile, featuring a triple-lens setup with a variable telephoto lens offering 3x and 5.2x optical zoom. It also includes a dedicated shutter button and advanced photography features. The Xperia 5 IV has a triple-lens setup as well, but lacks the continuous optical zoom of the 1 IV. Both phones capture excellent photos and videos, but the 1 IV's zoom capabilities give it an edge for photography enthusiasts. Both offer excellent video recording capabilities.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, ensuring flagship-level performance. While both have the same CPU configuration, real-world performance differences are minimal and depend on software optimization. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless handling of demanding applications on both devices. Thermal management can be a concern with the 8 Gen 1, but Sony's software helps mitigate this.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 IV has a slight advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 116 hours compared to the Xperia 1 IV's 100 hours. Both phones support 30W wired charging and wireless charging, with reverse wireless charging capabilities. While the difference isn't massive, the 5 IV's slightly better battery life can be a deciding factor for some users.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 IV is perfect for users who want a powerful, compact phone with excellent camera capabilities and good battery life for daily tasks. The Xperia 1 IV is best suited for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and those who value a large, high-quality display for media consumption and professional workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which Xperia is better for photography?
The Xperia 1 IV is the better choice for photography due to its variable telephoto lens and dedicated camera features.
❓ Is the Xperia 5 IV worth the price?
The Xperia 5 IV offers excellent value for its price, providing flagship performance, a great camera, and a compact design.
❓ Does the Xperia 1 IV have a headphone jack?
Yes, both the Xperia 5 IV and Xperia 1 IV retain the 3.5mm headphone jack.