The Sony Xperia E5 and E1 were both budget-friendly Android smartphones aiming to deliver a reliable experience without breaking the bank. But which one offers the better value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia E1 edges out the E5 primarily due to its superior battery life and slightly better sunlight display contrast. While the E5 boasts a quad-core processor, the E1's longer endurance makes it the more practical choice for users prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3311 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - D2004 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3311 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 - F3313 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - D2005 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, June | 2014, January. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) | 118 x 62.4 x 12 mm (4.65 x 2.46 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~61.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), Timescape UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 3.15 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | SVGA@20fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 65 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 511 h (2G) / Up to 518 h (3G) | Up to 498 h (2G) / Up to 454 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 13 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 41 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, White | Black, Purple, White |
| Models | F3311, F3313, C1604 | D2004, D2005 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | 0.65 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
Noise -83.3dB / Crosstalk -80.1dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
| Endurance rating 56h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1243 (nominal), 2.386 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1.372 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 69dB
|
Voice 63dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 575 | - |
Sony Xperia E5
- Faster Processor (Quad-Core)
- Video Recording Capability
- Higher Nominal Contrast Ratio
- Shorter Battery Life
- Lower Sunlight Contrast Ratio
- Entry-Level Performance
Sony Xperia E1
- Longer Battery Life
- Better Sunlight Display Contrast
- Simple and Reliable
- Slower Processor (Dual-Core)
- No Video Recording
- Lower Nominal Contrast Ratio
Display Comparison
The Xperia E5 has a significantly better nominal contrast ratio (1243) compared to the E1 (1.372), suggesting richer blacks and more vibrant colors indoors. However, in direct sunlight, the E1's contrast ratio of 2.386 is notably better than the E5's 1.372, making it easier to see the screen outdoors. Both phones likely feature similar resolution displays, likely around 854 x 480.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras, but the E5 has a dedicated video recording capability, which the E1 lacks in the provided specs. Image quality on both will be basic, typical of budget phones of their era. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The Xperia E5's quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 processor offers a performance advantage over the E1's dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7. This translates to smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the E5. However, both phones are entry-level devices and shouldn't be expected to handle demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
The Xperia E1 takes a clear lead in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 56 hours compared to the E5's 47 hours. This difference is significant and makes the E1 a more appealing choice for users who need a phone that can last a long time between charges.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia E5 is a decent option for users who need a slightly faster processor for basic tasks and appreciate a higher resolution display (though contrast is lower). The Xperia E1 is ideal for users who prioritize battery life above all else and need a phone that can last through a full day or more on a single charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia E5's quad-core processor gives it a slight edge for basic gaming, but neither phone is designed for demanding titles.
❓ Can I record videos with the Xperia E1?
No, the Xperia E1 does not appear to have video recording capabilities based on the provided specs.
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in [current year]?
Given their age, these phones are best suited for very basic use cases or as secondary devices. Modern smartphones offer significantly better performance, features, and security.
