Alright, let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Honor X8b. These two phones, while both striving for smartphone supremacy, take very different paths to get there. Here's a breakdown designed to help you see what they offer in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Honor X8b | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm, 172g | 161.1 × 74.6 × 6.8 mm, 166g | The Xperia is more compact and thicker, while the X8b is larger but thinner and slightly lighter. The Xperia is easier for one-handed use, the X8b might feel more expansive but less convenient to hold. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus screen | Unknown screen protection | The Xperia's Gorilla Glass screen offers superior scratch and shatter resistance, adding to its longevity. The Honor’s screen protection is unknown, raising potential durability questions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | The X8b's larger screen makes it better for media consumption, while the Xperia is more pocketable and comfortable for single-handed operation. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp images, but the Xperia's slightly higher resolution and pixel density may provide a slightly crisper experience, especially for small text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 449 | 394 | The Xperia's higher PPI means sharper text and detailed graphics on the smaller display, better for viewing high resolution images and reading fine print. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; you would be hard-pressed to notice any real-world difference in quality between them. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Xperia's smoother 120Hz refresh rate translates to more fluid scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience in daily tasks. The Honor with 90Hz is also smooth, but not as much. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Honor X8b's much higher maximum brightness makes it far better for use in direct sunlight. The Xperia's brightness is unlisted, so it would likely be much harder to read in bright light. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Xperia's flagship chipset ensures incredibly fast app loading, seamless multitasking, and top-tier gaming capabilities. The Honor's mid-range chip is fine for everyday tasks but will show its limits with intensive applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 250,000 | The Xperia offers significantly higher performance, translating to smoother gameplay, snappier app performance, and a more fluid overall experience. The X8b can handle most daily tasks, but struggles on resource-heavy apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 610 | The Xperia's more powerful GPU delivers superior graphics for demanding games and applications. The X8b's GPU can handle casual gaming but may struggle with more intensive 3D titles. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.7, 1/1.7” sensor | 108MP f/1.75 | The Xperia focuses on image quality with a larger sensor and wider aperture, excelling in low light. The Honor prioritizes high-resolution images, potentially useful for cropping and large prints, but is not as good in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | None | The Xperia has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing closer photos with less image quality loss. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | The Xperia's ultrawide lens offers higher resolution shots for more detailed wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Honor’s Macro lens is good for close up shots, while the Xperia omits a macro lens in favour of better overall camera quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/2.1 | The Honor X8b has a much higher resolution front facing camera, good for social media use. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 120fps w/ HDR, OIS, EIS | 1080p 30fps | The Xperia's video capabilities are vastly superior, with much higher resolutions, image stabilization, and frame rate options. The X8b's video is much more basic and is missing stabilization features. |
| DXOMark Score | 119 (Mobile), 121 (Photo), 113 (Video) | N/A | The Xperia’s validated score from DXOMark shows that the camera performs well for both photos and videos, especially when compared to phones without a score. The lack of a DXOMark score for the Honor makes it hard to tell how well the camera performs in comparison. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Xperia’s larger battery should translate to a slightly longer battery life on average usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | The Honor charges slightly faster, but the difference is minor. |
| Charging Features | Bypass, Reverse | None | The Xperia offers bypass charging for gaming while plugged in and reverse charging to give other devices a charge. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12, upgrade to 13 | Android 13 | The X8b ships with a slightly newer version of Android out of the box, but the Xperia will be upgradeable to that version as well. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi Versions | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | 802.11ac (WiFi 5) | The Xperia’s support for the WiFi 6 standard means faster network speeds and better congestion management in busy areas. The Honor is limited to WiFi 5 standards. |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | The Xperia has a slightly newer and more power-efficient version of Bluetooth, offering potential advantages for audio quality and connection stability with compatible devices. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, Multiple Satellite Systems | Dual-band GPS | The Xperia uses more satellite systems to provide more accurate location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Xperia offers more versatility with eSIM support, allowing for easy switching between networks, and supports using two SIMs at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The X8b offers a larger storage option, useful for storing more photos and videos. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | Both devices have 8GB of RAM which is good for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion; choose your storage tier carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The Xperia provides a much richer audio experience with its enhanced audio, while the Honor offers only basic audio. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner | Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner | Both devices are similar in this regard, offering convenient and secure biometric authentication. |
| Sensors | |||
| Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Hall, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint | The Xperia has a slightly more comprehensive sensor suite including a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure and a gyroscope for better gaming performance. The X8b has a less comprehensive suite for less advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Strengths: The Xperia 5 IV is a performance powerhouse with its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. It shines in areas that matter to power users: display clarity, camera quality, advanced video recording capabilities, high-quality audio and advanced connectivity options like WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. The inclusion of an eSIM slot is also a nice touch. Its compact design makes it a good choice for those who prefer a smaller form factor with top-tier performance.
Competitive Advantages: Its strengths lie in its flagship-level performance, superior camera quality and video recording (including slow-mo capabilities), Hi-Res audio output, and advanced features like bypass and reverse charging, making it a good choice for content creators and power users. Its water and dust resistance adds additional durability.
Trade-offs: It is older by a bit, the display is smaller, and it is thicker than the X8b. It has lower maximum screen brightness, making it potentially harder to use under direct sunlight.
Honor X8b
Strengths: The Honor X8b excels with its larger, brighter AMOLED display, providing a good visual experience for media consumption, and has a high-resolution main and selfie camera that is good for social media usage. The Honor also has an impressive 512GB storage option.
Competitive Advantages: Its strengths are in its screen size, high maximum brightness, and high resolution cameras. The larger display is excellent for media consumption and the higher brightness is good for use outdoors.
Trade-offs: The X8b sacrifices raw performance, the advanced video capabilities, audio quality, and high resolution on the ultrawide lens compared to the Xperia 5 IV. It also lacks a telephoto lens and advanced features like bypass charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Ideal for:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who need maximum performance for intensive tasks and gaming.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos and advanced video features.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize the newest technologies and a wide range of connectivity options.
- Content Creators: Those who need high quality video recording with lots of options.
- Audio lovers: People that love listening to music with enhanced audio.
- Users who prefer smaller devices: People who want performance in a smaller, more manageable size.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games with high frame rates.
- Shooting high-resolution videos with stabilization.
- Listening to hi-res music with low-latency wireless headphones.
- Working with demanding apps while multitasking.
- Travelling, as the eSIM gives you the ability to easily change networks.
Honor X8b
Ideal for:
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize screen size and brightness for watching videos and browsing the web.
- Social Media Users: People who want high resolution front facing and back cameras for selfies and social media posts.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a modern smartphone with a big screen and large storage capacity at a more affordable price point.
- Everyday Users: People who mainly perform basic tasks like browsing the internet, checking emails, and using social media.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Browsing social media and shopping online.
- Taking lots of high resolution photos and selfies.
- Using the phone in bright daylight with good visibility.
- Storing large libraries of media.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you make the right choice, here are three practical questions:
What do I prioritize more, performance or screen experience? If you need the best performance and camera capabilities, the Xperia 5 IV is the obvious choice. If you prioritize a larger, brighter screen and a high resolution selfie camera for media consumption and social media, the X8b is more suitable.
How important are advanced features and build quality? If you value higher video recording capabilities, better audio quality, and a more robust build with Gorilla Glass, the Xperia 5 IV is the better choice. If you are ok with the basics, the X8b is a much cheaper alternative.
What is my budget, and what is my main use case? The Xperia 5 IV is a more premium phone, so if you are on a budget, the X8b offers a more affordable option. If you need maximum performance for gaming and content creation, the Xperia 5 IV is worth the investment. If your main focus is media consumption and social media with a large display, the X8b will fit your needs at a much lower price point.
Final Verdict
If I were to choose between these two, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The raw power offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, coupled with its impressive camera capabilities, makes it a much more versatile and capable device for my needs. I am a power user that will benefit from the extra speed, the advanced video options, and the higher audio quality and the smaller size would be more convenient to carry around. While the Honor X8b has a brighter, bigger screen, the trade off in raw performance and image/video quality is too big for me personally to justify. I would rather have a device that can handle anything that I throw at it, and the Sony Xperia 5 IV is a powerhouse for that. I understand that the Honor X8b is a much better option for a user on a budget who will mostly browse social media and watch videos, but for me the extra performance and quality of the Xperia is important enough to justify paying more.
