Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm keen to go beyond the spec sheets and explore how these phones truly perform in everyday life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specs, along with what they mean for you:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | The Sony is more compact and easier to handle, while the iPhone offers a larger screen in a bigger body. |
| Weight | 172g | 201g | The Sony is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown Front | Sony has a more durable front screen |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | The iPhone provides a larger, more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1290x2796 | The iPhone has a sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 449 PPI | 460 PPI | Both offer very sharp visuals, though the iPhone is slightly sharper. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use vibrant OLED panels with excellent colors and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Sony has smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone is much better for outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The iPhone's A16 chip generally outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, offering faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone is significantly faster in benchmarks, with smoother app performance and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (5-core) | Different GPU architectures, with the Apple GPU generally offering superior graphics performance. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | The Sony has more RAM for multitasking, although Apple's RAM optimization is very efficient |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (Rear) | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" sensor | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5" sensor | The iPhone captures higher-resolution images and has a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/1.9 | Both offer good quality selfies, with the iPhone having a wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | The Sony has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, something the iPhone lacks in this configuration. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | The Sony has a dedicated ultra-wide camera; The iPhone uses the Wide Angle + Macro for ultra-wide photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.4 | The iPhone has an ultra-wide with macro capabilities |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both offer high-quality video, with the Sony offering higher frame rates. The iphone supports slow motion at 240fps vs 120 fps on the sony |
| DxOMark Score | 119 | 145 | The iPhone's camera has significantly higher scores for overall quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4383 mAh | The Sony has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Sony can charge faster, making it quicker to get back up and running. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | The iPhone offers convenient wireless charging options, including MagSafe. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | Different ecosystems, so your preference will determine your experience |
| Other | |||
| Storage Options | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | The iPhone offers more storage options for users with extensive media collections. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Features | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, 3 Mic, Noise cancellation | Both have good sound but different special features. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security features | The Sony has a fingerprint sensor; The iPhone has basic security features |
| Connectivity | Wifi 6, BT 5.2 | Wifi 6, BT 5.3 | Both feature latest Wifi and Bluetooth standards. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | The Sony supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Strengths: The Xperia 5 IV shines with its compact form factor, making it comfortable to hold and use one-handed. Its 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience. It also boasts a larger battery and faster wired charging, and the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens is great for photography enthusiasts. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a plus for audiophiles and also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The Xperia also has more satellite systems for location data.
- Competitive Advantages: For multimedia and advanced features it excels with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and bypass charging.
- Trade-offs: Its display brightness is not the best for outdoor use and the benchmark scores for performance are slightly lower than the iPhone. Camera scores are lower than the iphone although it provides a more versatile photography system.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Strengths: The iPhone 15 Plus excels with its large, vibrant display, high performance, and excellent camera quality. The A16 Bionic chip provides smooth app performance and gaming. The screen is also notably brighter for visibility in harsh lighting conditions. It also includes more storage options. The inclusion of wireless charging is a great feature. The camera excels in image quality and video performance.
- Competitive Advantages: It is far more performant, with an improved camera system and has better brightness for sunlight use.
- Trade-offs: It's larger and heavier and has a lower refresh rate, and its battery is smaller than the Sony. The lack of a telephoto and wide angle camera is a notable trade off.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 5 IV: Ideal for users who value compactness, multimedia, and versatility in photography. It is suitable for those who prefer a more traditional approach to phone design, want an easy to use, good camera experience and who are also audiophiles.
- Use Cases: Watching movies and listening to music on the go, traveling and utilizing the advanced GPS and satellite systems, photography and videography enthusiasts who want control over their images.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus: Perfect for users who prioritize performance, a large and bright screen, and high-quality photos. This phone is best for those deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and want the ease of use of the Apple OS.
- Use Cases: Gaming, content consumption, casual photography, work and productivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- Do you prefer a compact design or a larger display? If compactness is key, the Sony is your go-to. If you want a larger screen for content, then the iPhone is the better option.
- How important is camera versatility vs. overall image quality? If you want a telephoto and ultrawide lens, the Sony is better. However, if you prefer superior image quality and video performance, then the iPhone is the better choice.
- How important is the refresh rate? If you prefer smooth scrolling, then the 120hz of the Sony is better, but if that is not a large factor for you the iPhone's 60hz is great.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Mobile Gamer: The iPhone 15 Plus is the superior choice due to its faster chipset and higher performance.
- The Content Creator: The Sony Xperia 5 IV’s versatile camera system with telephoto, and wide-angle lens paired with the headphone jack for audio capture, may be preferable. However, the iPhone 15 Plus will be slightly better for overall video quality.
- The Casual User: If you prefer a compact, lightweight phone with a good camera, then the Sony Xperia 5 IV is a great pick. If you prefer a larger screen for media consumption, and a premium camera system, then the iPhone 15 Plus is better for you.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two, I would personally lean towards the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While I admire the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its compact design, headphone jack, and photographic versatility, the raw performance advantage of the A16 Bionic chip and the superior camera image quality of the iPhone, make it a more appealing choice. The brighter screen also means a lot to me personally as I do like taking photos on sunny days. The iPhone's streamlined iOS experience, coupled with a better camera and more performant hardware means I would choose it for my needs.
However, if I were a music or film enthusiast who wanted more photography controls, I would go for the Sony, as both are great choices.
