1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme GT 5G and Sony Xperia 1 IV, focusing on their real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 158.5 × 73.3 × 8.4 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Xperia 1 IV is taller and narrower, while Realme GT 5G is wider and slightly thicker. Impact: Xperia 1 IV may feel more comfortable for one-handed use while Realme GT 5G might feel more stable |
| Weight | 186g | 185g | Practically identical weight. Minimal impact on portability. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | Xperia 1 IV offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.43" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen real estate. Both offer immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 IV has a much sharper display with visibly more detail. Impact: Noticeable difference in text clarity and media viewing. |
| PPI | 409 | 643 | Xperia 1 IV provides a significantly sharper display. Impact: Images and text will appear crisper on Xperia 1 IV. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Very similar quality display technologies. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both are rated as 0 nits for peak brightness. This is a clear error, and actual brightness would vary based on the phone's hardware and software. We are missing brightness info. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 IV has a newer and slightly more powerful chip. Impact: Snappier app launching, better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 912,342 | 1,076,100 | Xperia 1 IV scores higher, translating to slightly better real-world performance, especially in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 1 IV has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance. Impact: Higher framerates and better visual fidelity in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 12MP f/1.7 | Realme GT 5G has higher resolution, but Xperia 1 IV has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and larger pixel size. Impact: Xperia 1 IV generally offers higher image quality thanks to superior light gathering and processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.5 | 12MP f/2.0 | Realme GT 5G has higher resolution but Xperia 1 IV has a wider aperture. Impact: Xperia 1 IV selfie camera will capture more light in low-light conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP f/2.3 | Xperia 1 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots, offering better optical zoom capabilities. Impact: Realme GT 5G can't do optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.3 | 12MP f/2.2 | Xperia 1 IV has a wider resolution and aperture. Impact: Superior wide-angle photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | Present | Xperia 1 IV has better depth perception. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme GT 5G allows for taking very close macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps (EIS) | Up to 4K@120fps (HDR, OIS, EIS) | Xperia 1 IV can record much higher quality videos, especially in terms of smoothness and dynamic range. |
| DXOMark | Not tested | 105 (Mobile) | Xperia 1 IV has a much higher camera score, indicating its superior camera performance. |
| Features | Triple Camera, Laser AF, Night Mode | Quadruple Camera, Optical Zoom, OIS, Exposure Compensation | Xperia 1 IV has more versatile camera features. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 IV has a larger battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Realme GT 5G charges significantly faster. Impact: Faster top-ups for those frequently on the go. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 IV has a bypass charging feature which could extend battery health over long periods of time. |
Software
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Realme GT 5G will be updated to the latest Android OS. Xperia 1 IV won't see the latest Android OS. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Xperia 1 IV has newer Wi-Fi technology for faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both have Bluetooth 5.2, but Xperia 1 IV supports more Bluetooth profiles. Minimal practical difference for most users. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Similar GPS capabilities with slight differences in supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Xperia 1 IV adds eSIM support for flexibility. Impact: Easier to switch between digital carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Xperia 1 IV offers more storage. Impact: Better for storing more photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 12/16GB | Xperia 1 IV offers more RAM for better multitasking and smoother app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer high-quality audio, but Realme GT 5G has 2 microphones which could enhance voice capture for calls or voice notes. |
Security
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xperia 1 IV has a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
Sensors
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall | Xperia 1 IV has a more comprehensive sensor suite, suitable for advanced features and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme GT 5G Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster than the Xperia 1 IV's 30W.
- Practical Impact: Quick top-ups, ideal for users who are always on the go.
- Lower Price: The Realme GT 5G is likely to be more affordable.
- Practical Impact: Better value for users on a budget.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- Practical Impact: Additional versatility in photography, especially for those who enjoy exploring details.
- Better software support: Will be updated to the latest Android OS.
- Practical Impact: Better security and long-term software experience.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display.
- Practical Impact: Better visual experience for media consumption and detailed work.
- Better Camera System: More versatile cameras with telephoto lens, wider apertures and superior video quality with OIS.
- Practical Impact: More advanced camera capabilities and higher image quality.
- More Powerful Chipset & GPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Practical Impact: Snappier performance, smoother gaming experience.
- More RAM & Storage: Up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage for better multitasking and storage.
- Practical Impact: Smooth operation even with many apps, plenty of space for files.
- Better screen protection
- Practical Impact: Better protection from scratches and falls.
- Additional Features: ToF sensor, bypass charging, optical zoom, and Wi-Fi 6 support.
- Practical Impact: Improved depth sensing, battery health, and faster Wi-Fi.
- Better build quality: Features Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection.
- Practical Impact: More durable phone that can better withstand daily wear and tear.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Suitable for advanced features and gaming.
- Practical Impact: More immersive experience in games and apps.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Realme GT 5G sacrifices camera quality and screen resolution for faster charging and lower price.
- The Sony Xperia 1 IV sacrifices faster charging for better camera, performance and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme GT 5G:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking good performance at a lower price.
- Gamers: Who prioritize fast charging for longer gaming sessions.
- Everyday users: Who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and casual photography.
- Users who prioritize software support: Will be updated to the latest Android OS.
Ideal User for Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Photography enthusiasts: Who want a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Media consumers: Who value a sharp and detailed display for watching videos and movies.
- Power users: Who need top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Professionals: Who rely on advanced features and superior camera for work.
- Users that need to store a large amount of data: Offering more internal storage and higher RAM.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme GT 5G: Ideal for mobile gaming due to its fast charging and solid performance, good enough for most everyday tasks such as social media, and casual photography.
- Sony Xperia 1 IV: Excels in professional photography and videography, media consumption due to the sharp display and premium audio quality, and intensive tasks like video editing thanks to the powerful chipset and ample RAM.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Realme GT 5G is a better option if you are budget conscious.
- How important is camera quality and display sharpness? The Sony Xperia 1 IV is superior if these are a priority.
- Do I prioritize faster charging over a superior display and camera? If faster charging is more important the Realme GT 5G is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget and fast charging priority: Choose the Realme GT 5G.
- Scenario 2: Camera and Display quality priority: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV.
- Scenario 3: Need a premium all-rounder: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV
- Scenario 4: Need the latest software: Choose the Realme GT 5G
My Choice:
I would personally choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While the faster charging of the Realme GT 5G is appealing, the superior display, more advanced camera system, and overall better performance of the Xperia 1 IV are more critical for my use case. I value a premium media consumption experience and high-quality photography and am willing to sacrifice faster charging for these benefits. Furthermore, the additional RAM and storage offer better long-term performance, ensuring the phone remains smooth and responsive for years to come.
