The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua and M5 were popular budget smartphones offering a taste of Sony's premium features. But which one is the better choice today? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and camera capabilities to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 generally edges out the M4 Aqua thanks to its superior processor, improved camera, and slightly better display. However, the M4 Aqua remains a solid option if you prioritize water resistance and a more compact design, especially at a lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E2303, E2353 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E2303 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 |
| 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 - E5653 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2015, August. Released 2015, September |
| 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 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 136 g (4.80 oz) | 142.5 g (5.04 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) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | PowerVR G6200 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM (E2306) | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 64 h 40 min | Up to 62 h 30 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 681 h (2G) / Up to 685 h (3G) | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 13 h 20 min (3G) | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Coral, Silver | Black, White, Gold |
| Models | E2303, E2353, E2306 | E5603, E5606, E5653 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 |
Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent water resistance (IP67)
- Decent camera for the price
- Good build quality
- Slower processor
- Less impressive camera compared to M5
- Display could be brighter
- Limited software updates
Sony Xperia M5
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Superior camera with better image quality
- Slightly better display contrast
- Good video recording capabilities
- Larger than the M4 Aqua
- Battery life not significantly better than M4 Aqua
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5-inch display, but the M5 boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (839 nominal, 2.69 sunlight) compared to the M4 Aqua. While both are adequate, the M5's display offers marginally better visibility in bright conditions. Resolution is likely similar (720p), so sharpness won't be a major differentiator.
Camera Comparison
The M5's camera is a clear winner. While both offer decent photo and video capabilities, the M5 typically features a higher resolution main camera (likely 13MP vs M4 Aqua's 13MP, but with better image processing) and often includes features like phase detection autofocus for faster focusing. Video recording capabilities are also generally improved on the M5.
Performance
The Xperia M5's Mediatek Helio X10 (2.0 GHz) significantly outperforms the M4 Aqua's Snapdragon 615 (1.5 GHz/1.0 GHz). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the M5. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 2400mAh battery. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but the M5's more efficient processor *might* offer slightly better endurance, though real-world differences are likely minimal.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua? Users seeking a compact, water-resistant phone for basic tasks and photography on a tight budget. Who should buy the Sony Xperia M5? Those prioritizing a faster processor, better camera performance, and a slightly larger display, willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M4 Aqua still worth buying?
Yes, if you prioritize water resistance and a compact size and find it at a significantly lower price than the M5. However, be aware of its performance limitations.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Neither phone receives extensive software updates. Both are likely running older versions of Android, so factor that into your decision.
❓ What is the difference in camera resolution?
While both are often 13MP, the M5's camera sensor and image processing are generally superior, resulting in better image quality and faster autofocus.
