Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. As always, I'm focusing on how these specs translate to your everyday experience, not just the numbers.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key specs, and what they mean for you:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The Zenfone is noticeably larger and will feel more substantial in your hand. The Xperia is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 172g | 224g | The Xperia is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both offer excellent scratch and impact resistance, but the Zenfone has the slightly newer generation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | The Zenfone’s larger display is better for media consumption and gaming, while the Xperia is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp images, with the Xperia being slightly sharper due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 449 | 388 | Xperia's higher pixel density translates to a visibly sharper display, particularly for text and fine details. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both technologies offer deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. The difference is very subtle. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone's higher refresh rate offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, a marginal difference in practice. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone is much brighter, providing dramatically better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The Zenfone boasts a significantly newer and more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading and better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone scores 50% higher meaning better overall performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone’s newer GPU offers better graphics performance, especially noticeable in demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | Zenfone captures more detail. The Xperia trades detail for bigger pixels, better in low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | The Zenfone has a larger sensor. A bigger sensor typically means better light gathering, better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.9 | Xperia's wider aperture may allow for slightly better low light photography. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 12MP | 32MP | Zenfone produces high resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Res | 12MP | 32MP | Zenfone's telephoto camera should capture more detail at zoom levels. |
| Wide Res | 12MP | 13MP | The Zenfone offers slightly higher resolution in the ultrawide lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K 120fps | Up to 8K 24fps | Zenfone can record in 8K which is better for professional users. Xperia trades resolution for higher framerate. |
| DXOMark Score | 119 (Photo:121, Video:113) | 125 (Photo:131, Video:115) | The Zenfone edges out the Xperia in both overall score and specific photo and video performance. |
| Features | Optical Zoom, Ultra Stable Video | 8K Video, Gimbal, PDAF Omnidirectional | Both offer a range of features, the Zenfone with Gimbal and higher video capabilities and the Xperia with Ultra Stable Video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh | The Zenfone has a larger battery, likely offering more hours of use between charges. |
| Charging | 30W wired charging | 65W wired charging | The Zenfone charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wired | The Zenfone offers wireless charging and reverse wired charging, while the Xperia has bypass charging for gaming. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 13) | Android 14 (Up to 16) | Zenfone comes with newer software with better updates for the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | The Zenfone supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and reduced latency, especially beneficial for future tech. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Zenfone has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth for better range and stability. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone supports a broader range of satellite systems, enhancing location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | Xperia has the advantage of an eSIM, good for digital carrier switching. Zenfone supports two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Zenfone comes with higher storage options, which is helpful if you store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16GB | Zenfone's higher RAM options allows for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so pick the right option based on your need. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos | Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Zenfone offers superior audio input, Xperia with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Xperia offers more advanced fingerprint sensor, typically faster, more convenient. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | Gravity | Xperia offers additional barometer for environmental measuring while the Zenfone has a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: Its compact form factor is a big plus for those who prefer one-handed use and pocketability. It also has a sharper display and more advanced fingerprint sensor. The camera excels in low light due to wider aperture and larger pixel size, and bypass charging is great for gaming.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior portability, very sharp screen, camera that shines in low light, eSIM support and a more comprehensive set of Bluetooth profiles.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, lower AnTuTu score, lower maximum display brightness, slower charging speed, less storage.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths: Top-tier performance due to the latest Snapdragon chip, much brighter display, larger battery, significantly faster charging, and more versatile camera system with 8K video. Higher storage and RAM are also great.
- Competitive Advantages: Cutting-edge chipset, dramatically better display brightness for outdoor use, faster charging, higher DXOMark camera scores and significantly larger battery for heavy users.
- Trade-offs: Bulkier and heavier design, less sharp screen, no eSIM, and basic fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 5 IV is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize portability: Those who value a smaller phone that's easy to handle and fits comfortably in pockets.
- Low-light photography enthusiasts: Individuals who frequently take photos in challenging lighting conditions and value a wider aperture and larger pixels for light intake.
- Gamers who need specific features: Those who need bypass charging for long gaming sessions.
- Users who prefer a clean, no-frills interface: Those who prefer a more stock Android experience.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is ideal for:
- Power users and gamers: Those who demand the absolute best performance and speed for demanding apps, and are not concerned about the device being bulky.
- Media consumption enthusiasts: Those who watch videos, browse the web, and play games and appreciate a large, vivid, and bright screen with a fast refresh rate.
- Heavy photographers and videographers: Those who want a versatile camera system that performs well across all scenarios, especially with the 8K option and gimbal support.
- Users who need long battery life: Those who need a phone that can last all day with heavy usage.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself:
- How important is size and weight to you? Do you value a smaller, lighter phone that’s easy to handle, or are you okay with a larger device for a bigger screen and better battery?
- How do you plan to use the camera? Do you prioritize low-light performance and do you need optical zoom, or do you need high resolution for selfies and telephoto images along with more advanced features?
- Do you need the absolute best performance? Are you looking for the latest chip and highest benchmark scores, or are you happy with reliable performance with the previous generation chip?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user who needs a reliable device with a good camera for everyday use, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is more affordable and has very good low-light performance.
- For the mobile gamer and power user who needs the best performance and battery life, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner due to the latest Snapdragon chipset, bigger battery, and faster charging.
- For photographers and videographers who need the highest versatility and quality, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra with its better camera system, larger sensor and 8k capabilities makes it the go-to device.
- For users who want an eSIM, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the only option.
- For users who need to see in bright sunlight, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra stands out.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While I appreciate the compactness of the Sony Xperia 5 IV, the significant improvements in performance, display brightness, battery life, and camera quality on the Zenfone 11 Ultra are just too compelling. The slightly larger size and weight are a reasonable trade-off for the overall advancements, and I would prefer the modern chip, large battery, bright screen and the most versatile camera. As someone who uses their phone heavily for various tasks, from media consumption and gaming to photo and video creation, the Zenfone 11 Ultra’s capabilities better align with my needs.
