Looking for a reliable and affordable Android phone from Sony? The Xperia E5 and Xperia J were popular budget options, but which one holds up best today? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia J edges out the E5 thanks to its slightly better display contrast and marginally longer battery life. While both are dated, the J offers a marginally superior experience, especially considering its similar price point when new. However, availability and condition will be key factors now.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3311 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - ST26i |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3311 | - |
| EDGE | - | Class 10 |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 - F3313 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - ST26a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, June | 2012, August. Released 2012, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) | 124.3 x 61.2 x 9.2 mm (4.89 x 2.41 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | 124 g (4.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~58.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB (2GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 entries |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 480p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS |
| 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 607 h (2G) / Up to 618 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 5 h 36 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable | Removable Li-Ion 1750 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, White | Black, White, Gold, Pink |
| Models | F3311, F3313, C1604 | ST26i |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | 0.63 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | 0.73 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
Noise -80.8dB / Crosstalk -80.8dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
|
Endurance rating 50h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1243 (nominal), 2.386 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1359:1 (nominal) / 1.932:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 69dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 72dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 575 | - |
Sony Xperia E5
- Slightly more modern chipset
- Potentially better camera (video recording)
- Generally more readily available (though still old)
- Lower display contrast
- Shorter battery life (on paper)
- Performance still very limited
Sony Xperia J
- Better display contrast
- Longer battery life (on paper)
- Compact size
- Older chipset
- Limited camera functionality (photo only)
- Potentially harder to find in good condition
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology, but the Xperia J boasts a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio (1359:1 vs 1243) and a better sunlight readability score (1.932 vs 2.386). This suggests the J's screen will appear slightly more vibrant and easier to view outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Camera capabilities are limited on both devices. The Xperia E5 has a slight edge with its 'Photo / Video' designation, implying video recording capabilities, while the Xperia J is listed as 'Photo' only. Image quality on both will be basic by today's standards.
Performance
The Xperia E5's Mediatek MT6735 chipset and quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU offer a small performance advantage over the Xperia J's Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 and single-core Cortex-A5 CPU. However, both are significantly slower than modern smartphones and will struggle with demanding apps or multitasking.
Battery Life
The Xperia J claims a slightly better endurance rating (50h vs 47h), suggesting it might offer a bit more battery life under typical usage. However, battery health on older devices will vary significantly.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia E5 is a decent choice if you prioritize a slightly more modern chipset (though still dated) and are finding a particularly good deal. The Xperia J is a better pick if you value a slightly better display and longer battery life, and can find one in good condition. Both are best suited for basic users needing calls, texts, and light app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying in 2024?
Both phones are quite old and their performance is limited. They are only suitable for very basic tasks and users on a very tight budget. Consider refurbished modern smartphones instead.
❓ What operating system do these phones run?
Both the Xperia E5 and Xperia J originally shipped with older versions of Android (likely KitKat or Lollipop). Updates are no longer available, so they will be running outdated software.
