Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. I've always been fascinated by how different manufacturers approach the same problems, and these two phones offer a fantastic study in contrasts.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the specs, focusing on what they mean in the real world:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm | The Sony is more compact and easier to hold one-handed, while the Motorola has a larger footprint but might be preferable for those who prioritize a bigger display. |
| Weight | 172g | 199g | The Sony is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | The Motorola provides a more immersive experience with its larger screen, great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2400 | The Sony is negligibly sharper; both have good pixel density for crisp images. |
| PPI | 449 | 394 | The Sony has a higher pixel density, offering slightly crisper text and images, but you'd be hard-pressed to notice without looking closely. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios characteristic of OLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The Motorola’s higher refresh rate will offer significantly smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable when gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | The Motorola display is drastically brighter, making it much more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | The Motorola's newer chipset delivers a notable performance increase in terms of speed, app loading, and thermal efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,532,500 | The Motorola will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease, and is a significant improvement over the Sony. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | The Motorola’s more powerful GPU ensures smoother gaming performance at higher graphical settings. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | The Sony's slightly larger battery may give it an edge in overall battery life, but real-world usage varies. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 125W fast charging | The Motorola charges incredibly fast, going from 0-100% much faster than the Sony. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse | 15W wireless, 5W reverse, Reverse charging | The Motorola offers the convenience of wireless charging, while the Sony has a unique bypass charging feature for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55" | The Motorola’s higher resolution sensor captures more detail, but the Sony's wider aperture can be better in low light, both are very capable. |
| Selfie Lens | 12MP f/2.0 | 60MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | The Motorola takes higher-resolution selfies; both are very capable for video calls and casual selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.4, 1/3.5" | 12MP f/1.6, 1/2.93" | The Motorola's wider aperture telephoto lens could perform slightly better in low light with its larger sensor, but it's not going to be a night and day difference. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" | The Motorola has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, but the Sony's slightly larger sensor should perform better in low light. |
| Video | 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | The Motorola is more versatile with 8K video, and the Sony has great 4K video capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 119 | 130 | Motorola performs better in real-world testing. |
| Features | Optical zoom, Ultra stable video | Time-Lapse, 8K Video, Manual focus, Dual capture, Night Mode | The Motorola packs in a few more additional features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 16) | The Motorola offers a newer Android version with likely longer software support, although the Sony is still great here. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The Motorola has the latest WiFi version for faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth version, but the Sony has more included profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | The Sony supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | The Motorola offers higher capacity options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | The Motorola's higher RAM will offer better multitasking performance and responsiveness. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | The Sony provides Hi-Res Audio support, while the Motorola has 4 microphones for better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Sony's side-mounted sensor is generally considered more convenient than in-display fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both use high-quality glass for scratch and damage resistance. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Sony offers a slightly more robust sensor array with a barometer for environmental data. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: The Sony's strength lies in its compact design, comfortable one-handed use, and slightly higher pixel density for sharper visuals. It also boasts a slightly larger battery, potentially longer battery life, and bypass charging for uninterrupted gaming sessions. It also has a more traditional side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which can be preferable to under display scanners. It has the unique and often desired feature of Hi-Res Audio.
- Competitive Advantages: It's the choice for users who prioritize ergonomics, and a more traditional smartphone experience while still getting excellent performance. The camera system offers flexibility and pro-level video features.
- Trade-offs: Its older chipset means it is less performant than the Motorola. The display is dimmer, especially outdoors, and the phone lacks wireless charging.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro:
- Strengths: The Motorola shines with its top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, blazing-fast 125W charging, smoother 165Hz display, and brighter screen, especially for outdoor visibility.
- Competitive Advantages: It is designed for users who demand peak performance, a superior display experience, fast charging, and excellent video capabilities. It also offers wireless charging. It also scored 11 points higher on DxOMark.
- Trade-offs: It is larger and heavier, may be less comfortable for one-handed use, and has a slightly smaller battery. It also has a basic fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Ideal for: Users who value a compact, easily handled device, with good camera options and excellent video capabilities. Also gamers who appreciate bypass charging and great audio through Hi-Res Audio support.
- Use Cases: Photography enthusiasts, video content creators, daily users seeking a comfortable, pocketable phone with reliable performance and battery life.
- Motorola Edge 40 Pro:
- Ideal for: Power users, gamers, and media consumers who demand top-tier performance, a smooth high refresh rate display, and ultra-fast charging.
- Use Cases: Mobile gamers, professionals who rely on their phone for productivity, anyone who needs excellent video recording and bright outdoor screen visibility.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize one-handed comfort and ergonomics or a larger, more immersive screen? The Sony is more compact, while the Motorola is larger.
- Is peak performance and ultra-fast charging a must-have? The Motorola is significantly faster and charges much quicker.
- How important is the camera system, and video capture to you? Both offer capable camera systems and great video quality, but the Motorola's higher resolution sensors offer different results than the Sony.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: The Sony is the better choice if you want something ergonomic and are not particularly demanding with your device's capabilities.
- Mobile Gamer: The Motorola is the way to go if you value performance and ultra-smooth gameplay.
- Content Creator: The Motorola could be better due to its great video capture capabilities, but the Sony will also do fine for video capture.
- Outdoor Enthusiast: The Motorola's brighter display wins for outdoor visibility.
Which Would I Choose?
Personally, I'd lean towards the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. While I appreciate the Sony's compact design and Hi-Res Audio, the performance boost from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is just too compelling for me, especially given that I do some mobile gaming. Plus, the brighter display and ultra-fast charging are huge conveniences that fit my use case. While the Motorola is a bit more bulky, the boost in performance and overall modernity tips the scale in its favor. It really comes down to what you value most and which compromises are acceptable. If you do not need the newest and best performance available, the Sony Xperia 5 IV can still be an excellent option for its more traditional form factor and additional features.
