Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Sony Xperia M5 and Lenovo K14 Plus are both contenders, offering decent features at an affordable price. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 generally edges out the K14 Plus thanks to its superior camera capabilities and potentially better display. However, the K14 Plus might offer a more modern chipset and potentially better software support, depending on current updates. It's a close call, heavily influenced by your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2022, February 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) | Unisoc T700 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | Mali G52 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Music play | Up to 62 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, Gold |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB | - |
| Camera |
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 M5
- Superior Camera Quality
- Better Contrast Ratio Display
- Potentially Smoother Performance
- Premium Build Quality (typical of Sony)
- Older Chipset
- Potentially Slower Software Updates
- Battery Capacity Unknown
Lenovo K14 Plus
- More Modern Chipset (Unisoc T700)
- Potentially Longer Software Support
- Affordable Price
- Less Powerful Performance
- Unknown Display Quality
- Basic Camera
- Slow 10W Charging
Display Comparison
The Xperia M5 boasts a significantly better contrast ratio (839 nominal, 2.69 in sunlight) compared to the K14 Plus, suggesting a more vibrant and readable display, especially outdoors. While the K14 Plus's display details are scarce, it likely utilizes a standard IPS panel. Resolution and size are likely similar, but the Xperia M5's contrast gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5's camera is a major selling point. It's known for its 21MP main camera and capable video recording. The Lenovo K14 Plus's camera specifications are less clear, but it's likely a more basic setup. The Xperia M5 is the clear winner in this category.
Performance
The Xperia M5's Mediatek Helio X10 chipset, while older, is a capable octa-core processor. The Lenovo K14 Plus utilizes a Unisoc T700, which is a newer but potentially less powerful chipset. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization, but the Xperia M5 might offer a smoother experience in demanding tasks. Both phones likely handle everyday tasks without issue.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is missing for both devices. The Xperia M5 likely has a battery around 2600mAh. The Lenovo K14 Plus has 10W charging, which is relatively slow. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and software optimization.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M5 is ideal for photography enthusiasts on a budget who prioritize camera quality and a slightly more premium feel. The Lenovo K14 Plus is a good choice for users seeking a reliable, everyday smartphone with a focus on affordability and potentially longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M5 still worth buying in 2024?
It depends. If camera quality is your top priority and you can find it at a very low price, it's still a decent option. However, consider newer budget phones with more modern chipsets and software.
❓ What is the Lenovo K14 Plus primarily designed for?
The Lenovo K14 Plus is designed as a basic, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use.
