Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Motorola Edge 50 Neo. Buckle up, because we're about to explore the nuances of these two very different smartphones.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specifications, focusing on how they translate to real-world experiences:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Motorola Edge 50 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm, 172g | 154.1 × 71.2 × 8.1 mm, 171g | The Sony is a touch taller and narrower, the Motorola is a tad shorter and wider, with both being very similar in weight and thickness making them both very pocketable and easy to handle. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass 3 front | The Sony's screen is much more durable, offering significantly better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | Motorola offers a noticeably larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 (449 PPI) | 1256x2760 (474 PPI) | Motorola has a sharper display with higher resolution and pixel density, resulting in clearer text and crisper images. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer great contrast and deep blacks, but P-OLED may have slightly different color characteristics. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | The Motorola Edge 50 Neo offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, making it much easier to see the screen in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | The Sony's chip provides significantly higher performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 675,000 | The Sony is considerably faster, making it suitable for more intense tasks and provides a more snappy performance experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G615 MC2 | Sony’s Adreno GPU is more powerful, offering better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP (f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | Motorola’s main sensor captures more detail with a higher resolution, though the Sony’s larger pixels and aperture will perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/3.5", 1.0µm) | 10MP (f/2.0) | Sony's telephoto has a slight advantage in resolution but a narrower aperture compared to Motorola. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 13MP (f/2.2, Wide Angle + Macro) | Sony has a dedicated wide-angle; Motorola combines wide-angle with macro, offering more versatile close-up shots and a higher resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP (f/2.0, 1.25µm) | 32MP (f/2.2) | Motorola has much higher resolution for selfies, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Video | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Sony has a more advanced video capabilities, offering higher frame rates and OIS which enhances stabilization. |
| DXOMark Scores | Main: 119 (Photo: 121, Video: 113) | Main: 115 (Photo: 118, Video: 107) | The Sony generally has better camera performance, particularly in video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4310mAh | Sony’s larger battery should provide longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging, Bypass & Reverse Charging | 68W fast charging, 15W wireless charging | Motorola’s faster charging will get you back up and running much faster and offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 19) | Motorola has a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | Motorola offers a more advanced WiFi standard, making it more future-proof and offering potentially faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE with advanced audio codecs | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Sony features the more modern Bluetooth version and more audio codecs for higher quality audio output to wireless devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), etc. | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Sony’s GPS features are more advanced for increased location accuracy. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB | Motorola offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB / 12GB | Motorola's 12 GB RAM option will provide smoother multitasking and better performance with intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage, so choosing the correct internal storage from purchase is paramount. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Sony offers a slightly enhanced audio experience with additional codecs and Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Sony provides a more advanced and practical fingerprint sensor (side-mounted). |
| Sensors | |||
| Environmental Sensors | Barometer, Hall | No | The Sony features additional environmental sensors that can be beneficial for specialized apps. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: This is a powerhouse in a compact form. Its superior performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, shines through in demanding tasks and gaming. The advanced camera system, with its rich feature set, OIS, EIS and 4K@120fps video recording, combined with excellent still images, will appeal to photography and videography enthusiasts. The enhanced audio quality and more comprehensive connectivity options are the cherry on top. It boasts a much more durable screen for better damage protection against scratches and drops.
- Competitive Advantages: Its high-performance chipset, advanced camera with comprehensive video features, superior audio and connectivity features are where the Sony really shines.
- Trade-offs: The Sony has a smaller display, doesn't offer expandable storage and lacks the super fast charging of the Motorola. The battery, although larger, is not easily recharged with 30w charging.
Motorola Edge 50 Neo:
- Strengths: The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is a great all-rounder. It offers a larger, high-resolution display with great brightness for outdoor use, more flexible storage options, fast charging and wireless charging. Its versatile camera system with a higher resolution main and selfie cameras is attractive for general photography. It ships with a newer Android version out-of-the-box which is useful for long term support.
- Competitive Advantages: The faster charging, wireless charging, larger and higher resolution display, and higher storage options at an attractive price make this a very appealing mid-ranger.
- Trade-offs: It lacks the processing power of the Sony, is not as good at low light photography and videography, and it has an older version of bluetooth, limiting some of the audio quality you may get on compatible devices.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Best suited for power users, gamers, photography/videography enthusiasts and those that value robust build quality and advanced tech features. This is a phone for those who prioritize performance, high-fidelity media and want the most advanced tech they can get.
- Motorola Edge 50 Neo: Ideal for mainstream users who value a great display, fast charging, flexible storage, an up-to-date operating system, and good all-around performance. A good choice for media consumption and general photography.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Are top-tier gaming performance and advanced camera features your main priority?
- If yes, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the way to go.
- Do you prioritize a larger, brighter screen, fast charging, wireless charging, and a more modern OS?
- If yes, the Motorola Edge 50 Neo is your better bet.
- Do you value comprehensive connectivity and the best audio quality when using wireless headphones or earbuds?
- If yes, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is superior in its features.
Scenario-based recommendations:
- The Gamer: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its higher performance and GPU.
- The Media Buff: The Motorola Edge 50 Neo with its larger, brighter and higher resolution display and fast charging, is perfect for prolonged media consumption.
- The Everyday User: If you just want an all round phone the Motorola Edge 50 Neo is a very balanced device.
- The Content Creator: The Sony Xperia 5 IV has much more advanced features for videography and also has a more reliable camera.
My Choice:
If I had to pick one for myself, it would be the Sony Xperia 5 IV. As someone who values performance, enjoys mobile gaming and takes a lot of photos and videos, the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the advanced features of the camera system are critical. While I do appreciate the bigger display, fast and wireless charging of the Motorola, the enhanced durability, audio quality and much better connectivity features of the Sony make it a much more compelling and feature-rich device. I personally think the trade-off is well worth it for a much more capable smartphone.
Ultimately, both phones are great choices. It all comes down to your individual needs and how you use your smartphone every day.
Let me know if you have more questions or want to dive deeper into other aspects!
