Sony Xperia 5 vs Xperia 1 II: The Ultimate Showdown

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers a unique blend of premium hardware and a focused user experience. The Xperia 5 and Xperia 1 II, while both excellent devices, cater to slightly different needs. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your pocket.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 II offers a superior camera system and a newer Snapdragon 865 chipset, making it the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those prioritizing performance. However, the Xperia 5 boasts significantly longer battery life and a slightly more compact design, making it a compelling option for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 Sony Xperia 1 II
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, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2019, September 05. Released 2019, October 052020, February 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, May 22
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)165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)181.4 g (6.38 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 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020
 Triluminos display X-Reality EngineRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 650
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11Android 10, upgradable to Android 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, color 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/1.7, 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 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)4K@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", 1.12µm8 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 NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
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, LE5.1, 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/6, 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, PD2.021W wired, PD 11W wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Red, Black, GreyBlack, Purple, Mirror Lake Green
ModelsJ8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01MXQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 700 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM$ 409.99-
RENEWED$ 674.00-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 96h Endurance rating 83h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.1 LUFS (Good) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5

  • Exceptional battery life
  • More compact and pocketable
  • Slightly more affordable
  • Excellent OLED display

  • Older chipset (Snapdragon 855)
  • No 120Hz refresh rate
  • Less versatile camera system

Sony Xperia 1 II

  • Superior camera system with variable telephoto
  • Newer Snapdragon 865 5G chipset
  • 120Hz refresh rate display
  • Larger, more immersive display

  • Shorter battery life
  • Larger and heavier
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent OLED displays with infinite contrast ratios. The Xperia 1 II has a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the Xperia 5's 6.1-inch screen. While the Xperia 1 II's brightness is slightly lower (611 nits vs 630 nits), the difference is minimal in real-world usage. The Xperia 1 II also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and animations, a feature absent in the Xperia 5.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 II’s camera system is a significant upgrade. It features a variable telephoto lens, allowing for greater flexibility in framing shots. While both phones offer excellent image quality, the 1 II’s advanced features and processing algorithms result in superior photos and videos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Xperia 5's camera is still very capable, but it lacks the versatility of the 1 II.

Performance

The Xperia 1 II’s Snapdragon 865 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Xperia 5’s Snapdragon 855. The 865 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, especially beneficial for demanding games and multitasking. Both phones have ample RAM (6GB), ensuring smooth operation, but the newer chipset in the 1 II gives it an edge.

Battery Life

The Xperia 5 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 96 hours, significantly outperforming the Xperia 1 II's 83 hours. This difference translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges, making the Xperia 5 a more practical choice for users who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, a more manageable size, and a slightly more affordable price point. The Xperia 1 II is perfect for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and those who demand the latest processor and a larger, more immersive display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 II worth the extra money?
If you're a serious photographer or videographer, the Xperia 1 II's superior camera system and faster processor justify the higher price. Otherwise, the Xperia 5 offers excellent value with its long battery life and compact design.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia 1 II's Snapdragon 865 and 120Hz display provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. However, both phones are capable of handling most mobile games.