Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. These two phones represent very different philosophies in the smartphone world, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses is key to choosing the right one.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a breakdown of the key specifications, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Xperia 5 IV is significantly more compact and pocketable. ROG Phone 8 Pro is larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 172g | 225g | Xperia 5 IV is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a larger display for immersive viewing, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2400 | Xperia 5 IV has slightly higher resolution, which may provide better sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 449 PPI | 388 PPI | Xperia 5 IV has higher pixel density and a sharper display. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers smoother animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-scrolling content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers exceptional outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly newer and faster chipset for better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers drastically better performance for demanding applications, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is more capable for graphically intensive tasks and high refresh rate gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a higher resolution main sensor for more detailed images. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | ROG Phone 8 Pro main camera has larger sensor for better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 12MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro has higher resolution for improved zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | Xperia 5 IV has dedicated wide angle camera for ultra-wide shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Yes | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a Wide Angle + Macro lens for wide or close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro has higher video recording quality for professional content. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger battery for extended usage. |
| Charging Speed | 30W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Charging Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | None | Xperia 5 IV can bypass battery while charging for optimal temperature, and charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has the latest version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers faster and more reliable WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers slightly better audio quality and power consumption with Bluetooth 5.3 |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Xperia 5 IV offers an eSIM for easy switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 512/1024 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more internal storage, especially for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16/24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD card. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV Strengths:
- Compact and Lightweight Design: Ideal for one-handed use and portability.
- Sharp Display: Excellent pixel density for crisp visuals, although a bit small.
- Unique Camera Features: Offers wide angle lens, and a more diverse set of video features, catering to creative content creators.
- Bypass Charging: Allows the phone to run directly off of the power adapter without charging the battery for less thermal wear and tear.
- eSIM Support: Great for travelers and users who need to switch between networks.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Strengths:
- Top-Tier Performance: The latest Snapdragon chipset and plenty of RAM for unmatched speed and responsiveness.
- Large, High Refresh Rate Display: Excellent for gaming, media consumption, and multitasking.
- Superior Outdoor Visibility: With the super high brightness, great for outdoor usage under bright sunlight.
- Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Ideal for heavy users who need all-day power.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3 provide state-of-the-art wireless connections.
- Ample Storage: Massive storage options for all your games, media, and files.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xperia 5 IV: Lower processing power and smaller display might not satisfy heavy gamers or power users.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: Large size and weight may be less convenient for some users who prioritize portability.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Best suited for:
- Users who value a compact and lightweight phone.
- Photography enthusiasts who appreciate a diverse array of video recording features and a good camera setup.
- Those who need a phone with eSIM capabilities for seamless carrier switching.
- Anyone who appreciates the Sony brand and its creative focus.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Best suited for:
- Hardcore mobile gamers who demand the highest levels of performance.
- Users who consume a lot of media and enjoy large, vibrant displays.
- Power users who multitask heavily and need plenty of RAM and storage.
- Those who need a phone with long-lasting battery life and fast charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is my primary use case?
- If portability and photography are the priority, the Xperia 5 IV is the better choice.
- If gaming and demanding tasks are the priority, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the better choice.
- How important is size and weight?
- If you prefer a compact device for comfortable one-handed use, go for the Xperia 5 IV.
- If you don't mind a larger, heavier phone for a bigger screen and enhanced features, choose the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- What level of performance and battery life do I need?
- If your needs are for a balanced performance for general usage with good battery life, the Xperia 5 IV is adequate.
- If you need maximum processing power and long-lasting battery life for intensive use, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Mobile Gamer: If you're a hardcore gamer, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the only option. Its performance, display, battery life, and cooling are tailored for gaming.
- The Creative Content Creator: The Xperia 5 IV offers unique camera features with wide angle lens, a suite of video capabilities, but if needing the highest quality recording, the ROG Phone 8 Pro wins with 8K recording.
- The Everyday User: If you want a balanced experience with good performance, great camera and a compact form, choose the Xperia 5 IV, or if your main need is more performance, larger screen, and more battery, go with the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- The Traveler: If you need eSIM support and compact design, the Xperia 5 IV is the more convenient choice, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro would still be usable.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd go with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. Here's why:
As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates cutting-edge performance, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s sheer power is simply too compelling. The latest Snapdragon Gen 3 chipset paired with massive RAM and storage is just unbeatable. While I appreciate the Xperia 5 IV’s compactness and camera features, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger screen, higher refresh rate, faster charging, longer battery life, and overall performance advantage make it more attractive to me. The higher resolution main camera and video recording also makes it more appealing.
While the ROG Phone 8 Pro is bulkier, I’m willing to trade that off for the performance gains it provides. My use-case requires a device that handles heavy multitasking, gaming, and media consumption seamlessly, and the ROG Phone 8 Pro does that in spades.
