Sony Xperia 5 vs Xperia 10: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Sony offers a range of smartphones catering to different needs and budgets. The Xperia 5 and Xperia 10 are two compelling options, but which one delivers the best overall experience? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key features to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 is the clear winner for performance and display quality, thanks to its Snapdragon 855 chipset and brighter screen. However, the Xperia 10 offers a more budget-friendly option with decent battery life and a respectable camera, making it suitable for casual users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 Sony Xperia 10
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3113, I4113, I4193
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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 - I3113, I4113
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - I4193
Launch
Announced2019, September 05. Released 2019, October 052019, February 25. Released 2019, February 27
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)156 x 68 x 8.4 mm (6.14 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)162 g (5.71 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~79.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR BT.2020IPS LCD
 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 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 508
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11Android 9.0 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLED flash, HDR, panorama
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", 1.0µm-
Video4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
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
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.018W wired, PD, QC3
TypeLi-Ion 3140 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2870 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlue, Red, Black, GreyBlack, Navy, Silver, Pink
ModelsJ8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01MI3113, I4113, I4193, I3123
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 280 EUR
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM$ 409.99-
RENEWED$ 674.00-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.4dB Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -97.1dB
Battery life Endurance rating 96h Endurance rating 65h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1517:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.1 LUFS (Good) -30.2 LUFS (Below average)
Performance AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 89697 (v7), 112198 (v8) GeekBench: 3985 (v4.4), 990 (v5.1) GFXBench: 4.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 855)
  • Brighter and More Color-Accurate Display
  • Likely Better Camera Quality
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life (compared to 10)

Sony Xperia 10

  • More Affordable
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • Compact Size

  • Slower Performance (Snapdragon 630)
  • Less Bright Display
  • Lower Camera Quality

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 boasts a significantly brighter display at 630 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. While both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite for the 5, 1517:1 for the 10), the 5's brightness gives it a noticeable edge. The 5 also likely has a more color-accurate display, typical of Sony's flagship offerings.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the Xperia 5's superior chipset and likely better image processing algorithms should result in higher-quality photos and videos, especially in low light. The Xperia 5 likely has more advanced camera features and potentially better video stabilization.

Performance

The Xperia 5's Snapdragon 855 is a powerhouse compared to the Xperia 10's Snapdragon 630. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 5. The 5's 6GB of RAM also contributes to its superior performance.

Battery Life

The Xperia 10 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, with a rated 65 hours compared to the Xperia 5's 96 hours (though this is an older rating and real-world usage may vary). However, the Xperia 5's more efficient chipset may mitigate this difference in practice.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 is ideal for power users, photographers, and those who prioritize a premium display and fast performance. The Xperia 10 is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable smartphone with a good battery and a solid camera for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 5 worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, a great display, and a better camera, the Xperia 5 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and primarily need a reliable phone for everyday tasks, the Xperia 10 is a solid choice.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia 5 is significantly better for gaming due to its powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset and ample RAM. It will handle demanding games with ease.