Sony's compact phone lineup has always been a favorite for those seeking power in a pocketable form factor. The Xperia Z4 Compact and Z5 were both strong contenders, but which one truly delivers the better experience? Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z5 edges out the Z4 Compact thanks to its superior camera and slightly improved design. While both share the same Snapdragon 810 chipset, the Z5's refinements make it the more compelling choice, especially if photography is a priority. Both offer excellent battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - E6603, E6653 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40 - E6603, E6653 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps (E6603), LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps (E6653) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2015, Q3 | 2015, September 02. Released 2015, October 02 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm (5.75 x 2.83 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 154 g (5.43 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~469 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 | 5.2 inches, 73.2 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20.7 MP, 1/2.3", AF | 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5.1 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.1, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted; EU model only), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 87 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 520 h (2G) / Up to 540 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | White, Graphite Black, Gold, Green, Pink |
| Models | - | E6653, SO-01H, SOV32, E6603, 501SO |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 48h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 986 (nominal), 2.88(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1580Basemark X: 24941 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 48h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 986 (nominal), 2.88(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 65dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 66dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1580Basemark X: 24941 |
Sony Xperia Z4 Compact
- Extremely compact size
- Excellent battery life
- Powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset
- Water and dust resistant
- Camera not as good as Z5
- Design feels slightly dated
- Potential for thermal throttling
Sony Xperia Z5
- Superior camera with fast autofocus
- Refined design
- Excellent battery life
- Water and dust resistant
- Slightly larger than Z4 Compact
- Snapdragon 810 chipset (potential thermal issues)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.2-inch Full HD (1080p) display, offering sharp visuals. The Z5 boasts a slightly better contrast ratio (986 nominal, 2.88 sunlight) compared to the Z4 Compact, making it marginally better in bright conditions. However, the difference is subtle and likely not noticeable to most users.
Camera Comparison
This is where the Z5 shines. It features a 20.7MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus, resulting in faster and more accurate focusing. The Z4 Compact has a 13MP camera, which is still capable but lacks the Z5's advanced autofocus system. Video recording is also improved on the Z5.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset and Octa-core CPU. Performance is generally comparable, though the Z5 might exhibit slightly better thermal management due to design tweaks. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading on both.
Battery Life
Both phones offer exceptional battery life, with an endurance rating of 48 hours. This is a significant advantage for users who need a phone that can last through a full two days of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z4 Compact is ideal for users prioritizing a truly compact size and a slightly lower price point. The Xperia Z5 is better suited for those who value a better camera, a more refined design, and a slightly more modern feel, even with the shared chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 810 chipset still good?
While not the latest, the Snapdragon 810 is still capable of handling most tasks smoothly. However, it can be prone to thermal throttling under sustained heavy load.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Both the Z4 Compact and Z5 are water and dust resistant (IP65/IP68), offering similar levels of durability.
❓ Are replacement parts readily available for these phones?
Finding replacement parts for both models can be challenging as they are older devices. Availability may vary depending on your region.
