Sony's mid-range lineup offers compelling options, but choosing between the Xperia M5 and L4 can be tricky. Both phones aim to deliver a solid experience, but they cater to different priorities. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 generally wins due to its superior camera and brighter display. However, the Xperia L4 boasts a more modern chipset and USB Power Delivery. If photography is key, the M5 is the better choice; if you prioritize newer tech and charging, the L4 has an edge.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2020, February 20. Released 2020, April 28 |
| 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) | 159 x 71 x 8.7 mm (6.26 x 2.80 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 178 g (6.28 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 1680 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~79.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | USB Power Delivery |
| 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-Ion 3580 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, Blue |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | XQ-AD52, XQ-AD51 |
| 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 Performance
- Brighter and More Contrast-Rich Display
- More Powerful Processor
- 4K Video Recording
- Older Chipset
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- May Lack Latest Software Updates
Sony Xperia L4
- Modern Chipset (Helio P22)
- USB Power Delivery
- Larger Screen (likely)
- Potentially Better Battery Life
- Less Powerful Processor
- Inferior Camera Performance
- Less Vibrant Display
- Fewer Features
Display Comparison
The Xperia M5 features a contrast ratio of 839 (nominal) and 2.69 in sunlight, suggesting excellent visibility even outdoors. The Xperia L4's display details are less readily available, but it's generally considered to be a decent, though not exceptional, display. The M5 likely offers a more vibrant and contrast-rich viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5 is heavily marketed for its camera capabilities, featuring a 21MP main camera and a 13MP front camera. It supports 4K video recording. The Xperia L4's camera specs are less impressive, typically featuring a 12MP main camera and an 8MP front camera. The M5 is the clear winner in this category.
Performance
The Xperia M5's Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 chipset, while older, is generally more powerful than the Xperia L4's MT6762 Helio P22. Both feature octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPUs, but the X10's architecture and manufacturing process (28nm vs 12nm) give it an advantage in sustained performance. Expect smoother multitasking and gaming on the M5.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is missing for both devices. However, given the M5's more powerful processor, it may consume more power. The L4's more efficient chipset could potentially offer slightly better battery life, but this is speculative without concrete data.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia M5? Photography enthusiasts and users who value a vibrant display and a more powerful processor will appreciate the M5. Who should buy the Sony Xperia L4? Budget-conscious buyers seeking a modern chipset, USB Power Delivery, and a larger screen for media consumption will find the L4 appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia M5 still worth buying in [current year]?
The Xperia M5 remains a viable option for photography enthusiasts on a budget. However, consider that it's an older device and may not receive the latest software updates.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia M5's more powerful processor makes it the better choice for gaming, although both phones are likely to struggle with demanding titles.
