Sony's Xperia line has always offered a blend of unique features and solid performance. Today, we're pitting two popular models against each other: the Xperia M5 and the Xperia Z3+ Dual. Which one delivers the best experience for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z3+ Dual takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful processor and overall premium feel. While the M5 boasts a decent camera, the Z3+ Dual's Snapdragon 810 offers a smoother, faster experience for demanding users. It's a clear upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E5603, E5653 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - E5603 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40 - E5653 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, September | 2015, May. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm (5.71 x 2.83 x 0.30 in) | 146 x 72 x 6.9 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 142.5 g (5.04 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6795 Helio X10 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6200 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 5.0.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21.2 MP, f/2.2, PDAF | 20.7 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 62 h 30 min | Up to 81 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 671 h (2G) / Up to 656 h (3G) | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 510 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 49 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 21 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2930 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Gold | White, black, copper, aqua green |
| Models | E5603, E5606, E5653 | E6533 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 320 EUR |
| SAR | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 0.40 W/kg (body) | 0.43 W/kg (head) 0.36 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
- Excellent camera for its price
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good contrast ratio display
- Water resistant
- Less powerful processor
- Lower resolution display
- Shorter battery life
- Older chipset
Sony Xperia Z3+ dual
- Powerful Snapdragon 810 processor
- Premium design and build quality
- Water and dust resistant
- Better display quality
- Longer battery life
- Snapdragon 810 can throttle under sustained load
- Design is a bit dated now
- Price (when new) was higher
Display Comparison
The Xperia Z3+ Dual features a 5.2-inch TRILUMINOS display with a higher resolution (1920 x 1080) and better color accuracy compared to the M5's 5.0-inch display. While the M5's contrast ratio is impressive (839 nominal, 2.69 sunlight), the Z3+ Dual's overall visual quality is superior.
Camera Comparison
The Xperia M5 was marketed for its camera, featuring a 21MP main sensor and 13MP front camera. While capable, the Z3+ Dual's camera (20MP main, 5MP front) benefits from Sony's image processing and often produces more consistent results, especially in low light. Both record video, but the Z3+ Dual generally offers better stabilization.
Performance
This is where the Z3+ Dual truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset with Cortex-A57 cores provides a substantial performance boost over the M5's Mediatek Helio X10. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Z3+ Dual.
Battery Life
The Xperia Z3+ Dual has a larger 3000mAh battery compared to the M5's 2600mAh. Combined with its more efficient processor, the Z3+ Dual typically offers longer battery life, easily lasting a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia M5 is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize camera capabilities and a compact design. The Xperia Z3+ Dual is ideal for those seeking a premium experience with flagship-level performance, a better display, and water resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z3+ Dual still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, the Z3+ Dual remains a capable phone, especially if you can find it at a good price. Its performance and features still hold up well, and its water resistance is a bonus.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xperia Z3+ Dual is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and dedicated GPU.
