Looking for a reliable and affordable Android phone? The Sony Xperia M5 and Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 were popular choices in their time. But which one holds up best today? We'll break down their key features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 generally wins due to its significantly more powerful processor and superior camera capabilities. While the Galaxy Ace 3 boasts impressive battery life, the M5's performance and camera quality make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - S7270, S7272 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | 3, 7, 8, 20 - S7275 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2(14.4 - 3G)/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - S7275 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2013, June. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 121.2 x 62.7 x 9.8 mm (3G) / 121.2 x 62.7 x 10 mm (LTE) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 115 g (3G) / 119.5 g (LTE) (4.06 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) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 (3G) / Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait (LTE) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) | Broadcom BCM21664 (3G) / Qualcomm MSM8930 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) (LTE) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | Broadcom VideoCore IV (3G) / Adreno 305 (LTE) |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM (3G), 8GB 1GB RAM (LTE) |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, HDR | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | VGA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (LTE model only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 62 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1800/1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, White, Dark Red |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | GT-S7272, GT-S7275, GT-S7275R, GT-S720, GT-S7270, GT-S7278, GT-S7270L |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.67 W/kg (head) 0.45 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.35 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB | - |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 34h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 879:1 (nominal) / 1.622:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 | - |
Sony Xperia M5
- More powerful processor
- Better camera quality
- Superior sunlight readability
- Octa-core CPU
- Likely shorter battery life
- Older model - software support may be limited
Samsung Galaxy Ace 3
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable
- Compact size (likely)
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
- Outdated chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones offer decent displays for their time, but the Xperia M5's contrast ratio (839:1 nominal, 2.69:1 sunlight) is slightly better than the Galaxy Ace 3's (879:1 nominal, 1.622:1 sunlight). Sunlight readability is a key advantage for the M5. Screen resolution and size are likely similar, though specific details are missing from the provided specs.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5 is expected to have a superior camera experience. While both are listed as 'Photo / Video', the M5's chipset and likely sensor technology would provide better image quality, especially in low light. The Ace 3's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots, but won't compete with the M5.
Performance
The Xperia M5's Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor is a clear winner over the Galaxy Ace 3's Dual-core 1.0-1.2 GHz Cortex-A9/Krait chips. The M5 will offer significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. The Snapdragon 400 in the LTE Ace 3 is a modest improvement over the 3G version, but still lags behind the M5.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Ace 3 shines in this category, boasting an endurance rating of 34 hours. The Xperia M5's battery life is likely shorter, though specific figures are unavailable. If battery longevity is your absolute top priority, the Ace 3 has an edge.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M5 is ideal for users who prioritize camera quality and smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is a good option for those primarily focused on long battery life and basic smartphone functionality, especially if budget is a major constraint.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M5 still worth buying?
If you can find one in good condition, the Xperia M5 offers a good balance of features for the price, especially if camera quality and performance are important to you. However, be mindful of its age and potential software limitations.
❓ Which phone is better for basic tasks like calls and texting?
Both phones are capable of handling basic tasks. The Galaxy Ace 3's longer battery life might be preferable for users who primarily use their phone for calls and texts.
