Sony Xperia M5 vs. Motorola XOOM Media Edition: A Clash of Generations

Reliving the past of mobile technology, we pit the Sony Xperia M5, a mid-range smartphone from 2015, against the Motorola XOOM Media Edition, a tablet released in 2011. Both devices represent a snapshot of their respective eras, but which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia M5 wins overall. While the XOOM was groundbreaking for its time, the M5's superior processing power, camera capabilities, and more modern Android experience make it the better choice for most users today. The XOOM's legacy is undeniable, but the M5 offers a more usable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia M5	Motorola XOOM Media Edition MZ505

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	N/A
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653	-
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603	-
EDGE	-	No
GPRS	-	No
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	No cellular connectivity
	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653	-

Launch
Announced	2015, August. Released 2015, September	2011, October. Released 2012, January
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)	260 x 177 x 11.4 mm (10.24 x 6.97 x 0.45 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	No
Weight	142.5 g (5.04 oz)	650 g (1.43 lb)
	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)	800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio)	10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	TFT

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53	Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9
Chipset	Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm)	Nvidia Tegra 2 T20
GPU	PowerVR G6200	ULP GeForce
OS	Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)	Android 3.1 (Honeycomb), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 3GB RAM	16GB 1GB RAM
	eMMC 5.0	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash
Single	21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF	5 MP, AF
Video	4K@30fps, HDR	720p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, AF	1.3 MP
Video	1080p@30fps	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX	2.1, A2DP, EDR
NFC	Yes	-
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, A-GPS
Radio	FM radio, RDS	No
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 b/g/n, hotspot

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	HDMI port MP3/WAV/WMA/AAC+ player MP4/WMV/H.264 player Document viewer Photo viewer/editor Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input

Battery
Music play	Up to 62 h 30 min	-
Stand-by	Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G)	Up to 336 h
Talk time	Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G)	Up to 10 h
Type	Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable	Non-removable Li-Ion battery (24.8 Wh)

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Gold	Black
Models	E5603, E5606, E5653	-
Price	About 110 EUR	About 230 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	-

OUR 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

Better Performance
Superior Camera
Modern Android Experience
Good Sunlight Visibility

Older Device
Limited Software Updates

Motorola XOOM Media Edition MZ505

Historical Significance
Compact Size
Early Android Tablet Experience

Outdated Processor
Poor Performance
Limited App Compatibility
Low Resolution Display

Display Comparison

The Xperia M5 boasts a significantly better display. Its contrast ratio of 839:1 (nominal) and 2.69:1 in sunlight is impressive for its time, offering vibrant colors and good visibility. The XOOM's display, while adequate for its era, lacks the same level of brightness and color accuracy. The M5's screen is also larger and more modern.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia M5's camera is a clear winner. It features a dedicated Photo/Video camera system, likely offering higher resolution and better image processing than the XOOM's front-facing camera. The XOOM's camera was primarily for video conferencing and basic snapshots.

Performance

The Xperia M5's Mediatek Helio X10 chipset with an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor provides a substantial performance advantage over the XOOM's dual-core 1.0 GHz Nvidia Tegra 2. The M5 handles multitasking and demanding apps much more smoothly. The XOOM struggles with modern apps and can feel sluggish.

Battery Life

While specific battery capacities are difficult to confirm definitively, the Xperia M5 likely has a larger battery and more efficient power management due to its newer chipset. The XOOM's battery life was decent for its time, but it would struggle to keep up with modern usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia M5 is ideal for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with a decent camera and reliable performance for everyday tasks. The Motorola XOOM Media Edition might appeal to collectors or those interested in experiencing early Android tablet technology, but its limitations are significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Motorola XOOM still usable in 2024?

While technically usable, the Motorola XOOM's outdated hardware and software severely limit its functionality. App compatibility is a major issue, and performance is slow.

❓ Can I find software updates for the Xperia M5?

Official software updates for the Xperia M5 have ceased. However, custom ROMs might be available for users comfortable with flashing firmware.