Nostalgia for older Sony phones? The Xperia M5 and Xperia U represent different eras of Sony's smartphone journey. But which one holds up better today? We'll dive deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia M5 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful processor, superior camera capabilities, and better sunlight display performance make it a far more capable device, despite the Xperia U's slightly better nominal contrast ratio. The U is a relic of a simpler time.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - ST25i |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - ST25a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2012, February. Released 2012, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 112 x 54 x 12 mm (4.41 x 2.13 x 0.47 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 110 g (3.88 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 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.5 inches, 33.8 cm2 (~55.8% 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) | NovaThor U8500 |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | Mali-400 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 8GB (4GB user available), 512MB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| 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 | VGA |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 62 h 30 min | Up to 45 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) | Up to 260 h (2G) / Up to 472 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 36 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 36 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Removable Li-Ion 1320 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | Black, White/ exchangeable bottom caps in white, black, pink, yellow |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 1.62 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.1dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
Noise -87.3dB / Crosstalk -87.7dB |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 839 (nominal), 2.69(sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 930:1 (nominal) / 1.758:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 68dB
|
Voice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 72dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 860Basemark X: 7780 | - |
Sony Xperia M5
- Significantly faster performance
- Superior camera quality
- Better sunlight display
- Longer battery life (likely)
- More modern design
- Older device, limited software updates
- May lack some modern features
Sony Xperia U
- Slightly higher nominal contrast ratio
- Compact size
- Retro design
- Extremely slow performance
- Poor camera quality
- Short battery life
- Outdated software
- Difficult to find in good condition
Display Comparison
The Xperia M5 boasts a noticeably better display experience, especially in direct sunlight. While the Xperia U has a slightly higher nominal contrast ratio (930:1 vs 839:1), the M5's sunlight readability (2.69:1) is significantly better than the U's (1.758:1). Both phones likely use IPS LCD panels, but the M5's display is generally brighter and more vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5 has a much more advanced camera system. While both are listed as 'Photo / Video', the M5 is known for its 13MP main camera with autofocus and image stabilization, and a front-facing camera. The Xperia U's camera is likely a basic 8MP setup. Expect significantly better image quality, low-light performance, and video recording capabilities from the M5.
Performance
This is where the M5 truly shines. Its Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 chipset are vastly superior to the Xperia U's Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 and NovaThor U8500. The M5 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The U will struggle with modern apps and even basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Xperia M5 likely has a larger battery capacity (around 2600mAh) compared to the Xperia U (around 1700mAh). This translates to longer battery life on the M5, especially given its more power-efficient processor. While both phones are outdated, the M5 will likely last longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia M5? Users seeking a capable camera and decent performance for everyday tasks. Who should buy the Sony Xperia U? Collectors of vintage Sony phones or those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget device (though finding one in good condition will be challenging).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Spare parts for both phones are becoming increasingly difficult to find, especially for the Xperia U. The Xperia M5 might have slightly better availability, but it's still limited.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia M5 is significantly better for gaming due to its powerful processor and more capable GPU. The Xperia U will struggle to run even basic games smoothly.
