Choosing between older smartphones can be tricky. The Sony Xperia M5 and Xperia E1 both offer a taste of Sony's design and features, but cater to different budgets and priorities. This comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly better display, a more powerful processor, and a superior camera. While the E1 offers impressive battery life for its age, the M5's overall performance and features make it the more compelling 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 850 / 1900 / 2100 - D2004 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - D2005 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2014, January. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 118 x 62.4 x 12 mm (4.65 x 2.46 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | 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 (~61.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat), Timescape UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | 3.15 MP, f/2.5 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, HDR | SVGA@20fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| 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 | No |
| 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 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 498 h (2G) / Up to 454 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 13 min (2G) / Up to 8 h 41 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, Purple, White |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | D2004, D2005 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.65 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
Noise -83.3dB / Crosstalk -80.1dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 56h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1.372 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 63dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 75dB |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 | - |
Sony Xperia M5
- Superior Display
- Faster Performance
- Better Camera
- Video Recording
- Older Model
- Potential Software Support Issues
- Battery Life Not as Long as E1
Sony Xperia E1
- Excellent Battery Life
- Budget-Friendly
- Compact Size
- Slow Performance
- Basic Camera
- Dim Display
- Outdated Software
Display Comparison
The Xperia M5's display shines with a significantly higher contrast ratio (839 nominal, 2.69 in sunlight) compared to the E1 (1.372 in sunlight). This translates to richer colors, deeper blacks, and better visibility in bright conditions. The E1's display is adequate but noticeably less vibrant and sharp.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5's camera is a major advantage. While specific megapixel counts aren't provided, the M5's 'Photo / Video' designation suggests more advanced features and better image quality than the E1's 'Photo' only camera. The M5 likely offers video recording capabilities and potentially features like autofocus and image stabilization.
Performance
The M5's Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 chipset provide a substantial performance boost over the E1's Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the M5.
Battery Life
The Xperia E1 holds a slight edge in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 56 hours. However, keep in mind this rating is for an older device and real-world usage may vary. The M5's battery capacity is likely smaller, but its more efficient processor could still provide reasonable battery life.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M5 is ideal for users who prioritize camera quality, a vibrant display, and smoother performance. It's a good option for those seeking a mid-range experience without breaking the bank. The Xperia E1 is best suited for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a reliable phone for calls, texts, and basic tasks, and value long battery life above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M5 still worth buying in [current year]?
The Xperia M5 is an older device, so software updates may be limited. However, if you can find it at a very low price, it still offers a good value for its performance and camera capabilities.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia M5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities.
