Sony Xperia 5 vs Xperia 1: A Detailed Showdown

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers unique features and a focus on photography. The Xperia 5 and Xperia 1 are both compelling options, but cater to slightly different users. This comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 offers significantly better battery life and a slightly more compact design, making it ideal for everyday use. The Xperia 1 boasts a larger, more immersive display and potentially superior camera capabilities (though both are excellent), justifying its higher price for photography enthusiasts and those prioritizing screen real estate.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 Sony Xperia 1
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, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, September 05. Released 2019, October 052019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
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 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)178 g (6.28 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 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR BT.2020OLED, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos display X-Reality EngineRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
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-EIS)1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.018W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlue, Red, Black, GreyBlack, Gray, Purple, White
ModelsJ8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01MJ8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 500 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM$ 409.99-
RENEWED$ 674.00-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 96h Endurance rating 79h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.1 LUFS (Good) -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5

  • Exceptional battery life
  • More compact and pocketable
  • Excellent performance
  • Great camera

  • Smaller display compared to Xperia 1
  • Potentially slightly less advanced camera system

Sony Xperia 1

  • Larger, more immersive display
  • Potentially superior camera capabilities
  • Premium design and build quality
  • 120Hz refresh rate

  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price
  • Larger size may not be ideal for everyone

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 takes the lead here with its larger 6.5-inch OLED display compared to the Xperia 5's 6.1-inch screen. While both offer excellent contrast (infinite nominal), the Xperia 1's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience. Both displays have a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and animations. The Xperia 1 measures 665 nits max brightness, slightly higher than the Xperia 5's 630 nits.

Camera Comparison

While both phones have excellent camera systems, the Xperia 1 is generally considered to have a more advanced setup. The Xperia 1 typically features a triple-lens system with a wider range of focal lengths and potentially better low-light performance. The Xperia 5 also has a triple-lens system, but with potentially slightly smaller sensors. Both offer excellent image quality and Sony's signature manual controls.

Performance

Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and CPU configuration, meaning performance will be very similar in everyday tasks and gaming. You shouldn't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness. However, the Xperia 1's larger size might allow for slightly better thermal management during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

This is where the Xperia 5 shines. It boasts a significantly better endurance rating of 96 hours compared to the Xperia 1's 79 hours. This translates to noticeably longer battery life for the Xperia 5, making it a more practical choice for users who don't want to worry about charging frequently.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 is perfect for users who want a powerful, compact phone with exceptional battery life and a great camera, without breaking the bank. The Sony Xperia 1 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

❓ Is the Xperia 1 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize a larger display, advanced camera features, and don't mind the higher price and shorter battery life, then the Xperia 1 is worth the investment. Otherwise, the Xperia 5 offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 855. The Xperia 1's larger size might allow for slightly better thermal management, but the difference is likely minimal.