Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Honor 90. Here's a structured breakdown that goes beyond the spec sheet, focusing on real-world implications for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side look at the key specs, along with what they mean for you day-to-day:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm, 172g | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm, 183g | Sony is more compact and lighter for easier one-handed use; Honor is larger and might feel heavier. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | Unknown | Sony's screen has known enhanced scratch and drop resistance for greater peace of mind. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Honor provides a larger canvas for media, gaming, and multitasking. Sony fits better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 | 1200 x 2664 | Both are sharp, but Honor has more pixels, potentially offering slightly crisper visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 449 PPI | 435 PPI | Both offer similar sharpness; difference is minor. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both are similar; expect deep blacks and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor has much brighter display, a game-changer for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Sony is unknown but likely lower and less usable in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated (4nm) | Sony's chipset offers higher performance, resulting in smoother app loading and gaming; Honor's is also fast, but Sony is noticeably more powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 701,227 | Sony is the clear winner for performance-heavy tasks like gaming, video editing, or intense multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 644 | Sony's more powerful GPU ensures higher frame rates and better graphics in demanding apps and games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance during regular usage. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 66W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Honor charges much faster, reducing downtime considerably. Sony offers reverse charging. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | None | Sony has extra battery management features. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Honor has drastically higher resolution (200MP vs 12MP) and a larger sensor, likely resulting in more detailed and brighter images. Sony has slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor takes higher resolution selfies with more detail. Sony slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | Sony has a dedicated telephoto lens that will provide better zoom capabilities, whereas Honor relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Sony's wide-angle lens captures expansive scenes, which you won't get on the Honor 90. |
| Depth Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor will create better bokeh for portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP f/2.2 | Honor 90 will offer macro photography, with a close up feature for small objects. |
| Video Recording | 4K up to 120fps, EIS, OIS | 4K up to 30fps, EIS | Sony captures 4k video at 120fps and has both EIS & OIS. |
| DxOMark | 119 Mobile / 121 Photo / 113 Video | 122 Mobile / 128 Photo / 126 Video | Honor appears to have better overall camera performance in DxOMark tests, especially for photos and video. |
| Features | OIS, Ultra-stable, Continuous AF | Front flash, Night mode | Sony excels in video, while Honor offers enhanced features for night photography and selfies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 13 | Honor has a more current OS. Sony will receive an update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer fast Wi-Fi; Honor supports MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, Extensive Audio Codec Support | 5.2, Common Audio Codec Support | Sony offers wider support for advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a, QZSS | L1, E1, B1 | Sony uses more satellite systems for possibly greater accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Sony's eSIM is ideal for flexibility. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor offers more internal storage. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB | Honor has a higher RAM option for demanding tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Sony offers great built in audio features, whereas Honor focuses on microphone quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Sony's side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a more advanced design. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass | Sony includes additional environmental sensors such as Barometer. |
2. Key Insights
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: Exceptional performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, superior video capabilities with OIS & EIS, premium audio with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res, more accurate GPS, extra features like Bypass & Reverse Charging, and great design and build quality.
- Competitive Advantages: Ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, excellent video, and a compact form factor, as well as users who rely on high quality audio.
- Trade-offs: The camera is not as high resolution, less bright display, and lacks a few portrait and macro features that Honor offers.
- Honor 90:
- Strengths: High-resolution camera, significantly brighter display, faster charging, and a larger screen.
- Competitive Advantages: Geared towards users who prioritize a large, bright screen, fast charging, and a high-resolution main camera. Offers portrait and macro capabilities that Sony doesn't.
- Trade-offs: Lower chipset performance compared to the Sony and reduced video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Best Suited For: Power users, mobile gamers, content creators focused on video and audio, users who prioritize performance, audio quality, and a compact build.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, video recording and editing, mobile video editing, audiophiles, users who need a device for quick, powerful tasks on the go.
- Honor 90:
- Best Suited For: Social media enthusiasts, photography buffs who like taking high resolution and high detail photos, users who love watching videos on a large and bright screen, people who need fast charging.
- Use Cases: Photography, video streaming, social media use, casual gaming, users who value a large screen and need their phone to charge quickly.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What is your main priority for performance?
- If you prioritize top-tier performance, a premium audio experience, and excellent video recording capabilities, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better choice.
- If you want a good device, but are not concerned about getting the absolute best performance, then the Honor 90 may be a better choice.
- How important is camera and display quality to you?
- If you love taking photos and videos with great detail and brightness, and want a bright display for outdoor use, the Honor 90 is more suitable.
- If you are okay with a less-bright display, but prioritize video recording capabilities and a dedicated zoom lens, then the Sony Xperia 5 IV would be the better choice.
- What is your budget?
- If you don't want to spend a fortune on your device, then the Honor 90 will likely be the cheaper option between the two. If budget is not a concern, then both devices are good choices.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are a mobile gamer, who needs a powerful phone with high performance, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is clearly the better option.
- Scenario 2: The Social Media/Photography Enthusiast: If you enjoy taking pictures with your phone and posting them on social media, then the Honor 90 is the better choice, with its higher resolution camera.
- Scenario 3: The Casual User: If you need a phone for everyday use, then both devices can do the job, but the Honor 90 will likely offer you a more budget-friendly experience.
What I Would Choose
If it were me, I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. As someone who appreciates a device with a compact build, but powerful internals, the Sony is perfect. The video recording capabilities and audio enhancements also speak to me personally, as I do both very frequently. While the Honor 90 has a few features that are appealing, especially the higher resolution main camera and brighter display, I still feel like Sony's strengths outweigh the Honor's. The Sony's chipset, extra battery features, audio quality, and video recording capabilities make it a clear winner for me, someone who needs a device that can keep up with power-user needs while maintaining a compact form factor.
