Sony Xperia Z LTE vs. Xperia 5 III: A Generational Showdown

Sony's Xperia line has always offered a unique blend of design and features. Today, we're pitting two generations against each other: the Xperia Z LTE, a tablet-sized powerhouse from 2013, and the more recent Xperia 5 III. Let's see how these devices stack up.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 5 III is the clear winner. While the Z LTE boasts a large display, the 5 III's modern chipset, significantly improved camera, brighter display, and faster charging make it a far more compelling choice for most users. It's a substantial upgrade in almost every area.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE	Sony Xperia 5 III

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - SGP321	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SGP321	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	4 - SGP351	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia

Launch
Announced	2013, February. Released 2013, May	2021, April 14
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2021, October 08

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions	266 x 172 x 6.9 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.27 in)	157 x 68 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.68 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	495 g (1.09 lb)	168 g (5.93 oz)
	IP57 dust proof and water resistant	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Shatter proof glass	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)	1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)
Size	10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 320	Adreno 660
OS	Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot); microSDHC (SGP351)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.X

Main Camera
Features	HDR, panorama	Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single	8.1 MP, AF	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple	-	12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF
Video	1080p@30fps, HDR	4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	2.2 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	3D surround sound	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
USB	microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out)	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
	-	Native Sony Alpha camera support

Battery
Charging	-	Wired, PD, 50% in 30 min
Music play	Up to 110 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 1230 h (2G) / Up to 1270 h (3G)	-
Talk time	Up to 10 h (multimedia)	-
Type	Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, Green, Pink
Models	SGP321, SO-03E, SGP351	XQBQ62/G, XQBQ52G.UKCX, XQBQ52B.UKCX, XQ-BQ52, XQ-BQ72, XQ-BQ42, XQ-BQ62, SO-53B
Price	About 350 EUR	€ 431.90 / £ 199.99
SAR EU	1.69 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB	-
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 100h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB	-26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB	-
Battery (old)	-	Endurance rating 100h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal)	590 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB	-26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 708394 (v9) GeekBench: 3549 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE

Large display
LTE connectivity
Relatively compact for a tablet

Outdated chipset
Poor performance
Low brightness display
No fast charging
Limited camera capabilities

Sony Xperia 5 III

Powerful Snapdragon 888 5G
Bright and vibrant display
Excellent camera
Fast charging (PD)
5G connectivity
Modern design

Can be expensive
Camera bump

Display Comparison

The Xperia 5 III's display is a significant upgrade. It boasts a measured 590 nits of brightness, making it far more usable outdoors. While the Z LTE's 996:1 contrast ratio is respectable, the 5 III's 'infinite' contrast (likely a marketing term, but indicative of superior panel technology) and higher brightness provide a much better viewing experience. The 5 III also likely has better color accuracy and HDR support.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices, but the Xperia 5 III's Snapdragon 888 includes a much more advanced image signal processor (ISP) and likely features improved sensors. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the 5 III. The Z LTE's camera is likely adequate for basic photos and videos, but it won't compete with the 5 III.

Performance

The Xperia 5 III's Snapdragon 888 5G chipset is worlds ahead of the Z LTE's Snapdragon S4 Pro. The 5 III's octa-core CPU and 5nm manufacturing process deliver significantly faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The Z LTE, while capable for its time, will struggle with modern apps and games.

Battery Life

Both devices are claimed to have 100h endurance ratings, but this is likely under very specific, light usage scenarios. The Xperia 5 III's modern power management and more efficient chipset will likely result in better real-world battery life. Furthermore, the 5 III supports PD fast charging, allowing for a 50% charge in just 30 minutes – a feature absent in the Z LTE.

Buying Guide

The Xperia Z LTE might appeal to those seeking a large-screen device for media consumption on a tight budget, or those nostalgic for older Sony hardware. However, the Xperia 5 III is the better buy for anyone prioritizing performance, camera quality, and modern features like 5G connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Z LTE still worth buying?

Only if you specifically need a large-screen device on a very tight budget and don't require modern performance or features. Otherwise, the Xperia 5 III is a much better investment.

❓ What is the biggest difference between these two phones?

The biggest difference is the chipset. The Xperia 5 III's Snapdragon 888 5G offers significantly better performance, camera capabilities, and power efficiency compared to the Z LTE's older Snapdragon S4 Pro.