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

Sony consistently delivers unique smartphones, and the Xperia 5 and Xperia 10 II are prime examples. Both offer distinct features and cater to different user needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 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 II offers a more budget-friendly option with decent battery life and a focus on photography, making it a solid choice for casual users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 5 Sony Xperia 10 II
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, September 05. Released 2019, October 052020, February 24
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, May 05
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frame
Dimensions158 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)151 g (5.33 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)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 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR BT.2020OLED
 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 610
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 RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
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", 1.0µm12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"
Video4K@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"
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
RadioNoNo
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-Po 3600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Red, Black, GreyBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry Blue
ModelsJ8210, J8270, J9210, SOV41, SO-01MXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41A
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 92h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.1 LUFS (Good) -28.8 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 334809 (v7), 416601 (v8) GeekBench: 10941 (v4.4), 2825 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 5

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 855)
  • Brighter and More Vibrant Display
  • Excellent Camera Capabilities
  • Premium Build Quality

  • Higher Price
  • Potentially Shorter Battery Life than Xperia 10 II (though still excellent)
  • No Headphone Jack

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • More Affordable
  • Long Battery Life
  • Decent Camera for Casual Use
  • Headphone Jack

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 665)
  • Less Bright Display
  • Less Detailed Camera

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 boasts a significantly brighter display at 630 nits compared to the Xperia 10 II's 520 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Xperia 5's higher brightness makes it more visible in sunlight. The Xperia 5 also likely has a slightly more accurate color profile, typical of Sony's displays.

Camera Comparison

While both offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Xperia 5's superior processing power and likely better sensors give it an edge in image quality, especially in low light. The Xperia 10 II's camera is perfectly adequate for casual photography, but it won't match the Xperia 5's detail and dynamic range. Both likely feature Sony's image processing algorithms.

Performance

The Xperia 5's Snapdragon 855 is a powerhouse, offering vastly superior performance compared to the Xperia 10 II's Snapdragon 665. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience on the Xperia 5. The 855 also handles demanding tasks with ease.

Battery Life

Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the Xperia 5 achieving a remarkable 96h endurance rating and the Xperia 10 II a respectable 92h. In real-world usage, the Xperia 10 II might slightly outperform the Xperia 5 due to the less power-hungry chipset, but the difference will be minimal.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 5 is ideal for power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance and a premium display. The Xperia 10 II is a great pick for budget-conscious buyers, those who value long battery life, and users who want a reliable camera for everyday snapshots.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 5 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance, a great display, and a capable camera, then yes. The Xperia 5 offers a significant upgrade over the Xperia 10 II in these areas.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos?
The Xperia 5 generally produces better photos due to its more powerful processor and likely superior camera sensors. However, the Xperia 10 II is still capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions.