The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua was a popular mid-range phone known for its water resistance and decent features. But the 'Dual' variant introduced a key difference: dual SIM support. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each model to help you determine which one best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is the clear winner for users needing dual SIM functionality. Both phones share the same core hardware, offering similar performance and camera quality. If dual SIM isn't a priority, the standard M4 Aqua might be slightly easier to find and potentially cheaper.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2303, E2353 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2333, E2363 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2303 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2333 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E2353 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E2363 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2015, March. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm (5.73 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm (5.73 x 2.86 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 136 g (4.80 oz) | 135 g (4.76 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2306) | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2333,E2363) |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h 40 min | Up to 64 h 40 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 681 h (2G) / Up to 685 h (3G) | Up to 493 h (2G) / Up to 488 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Coral, Silver | Black, White, Coral, Silver |
| Models | E2303, E2353, E2306 | E2312, E2333, E2363 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
- Water resistant design
- Compact size
- Decent camera for the price
- Good battery life for its size
- Limited storage (typically 8GB, expandable via microSD)
- HD display resolution
- Performance can struggle with demanding games
- No dual SIM support
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual
- Water resistant design
- Dual SIM support
- Decent camera for the price
- Good battery life for its size
- Limited storage (typically 8GB, expandable via microSD)
- HD display resolution
- Performance can struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (HD). Expect similar viewing experiences in terms of color accuracy and brightness. Neither display is exceptional, but adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones boast a 13MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. The front-facing camera is a 5MP unit. Image quality is comparable, with decent detail in good lighting conditions but struggles in low light. The camera app offers standard features like HDR and panorama.
Performance
Powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset and Octa-core CPU, performance is virtually identical between the two models. Expect smooth multitasking and adequate performance for most apps and games, though demanding titles may require lower graphics settings. RAM is typically 2GB in both models.
Battery Life
Both models are equipped with a 2400mAh battery. Battery life is generally sufficient for a full day of moderate use, but heavy users may need to top up before the end of the day. Water resistance contributes to battery longevity by protecting it from accidental spills.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua is ideal for users who prioritize water resistance and a compact design, and don't require dual SIM capabilities. The Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is perfect for travelers, business users, or anyone needing to manage two phone numbers on a single device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the main difference between the Xperia M4 Aqua and the M4 Aqua Dual?
The primary difference is the dual SIM support offered by the M4 Aqua Dual, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
❓ Is the Xperia M4 Aqua waterproof?
Yes, both the Xperia M4 Aqua and M4 Aqua Dual are IP67 certified, meaning they are dustproof and can withstand immersion in fresh water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both models support microSD cards up to 128GB, allowing you to expand the internal storage.
