Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Motorola Moto G55 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 22, 2022 September 6, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 85.71 cm³ 96.6 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g 3.63 "/g
Weight 172 g 179 g
Height 156 mm 161.6 mm
Width 67 mm 73.8 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 8.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Green
  • Ecru White
  • Forest Grey
  • Smoky Green
  • Twilight Purple

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.49 "
Resolution 1080 x 2520 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 21:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.2 % 85.3 %
Pixel Density 449 PPI 405 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 134.37 mAh/in² 118.71 mAh/in²
Battery Density 58.34 mAh/cm³ 51.76 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 7025 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 730 IMG BXM-8-256

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Video Output USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 14
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive deep into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Motorola Moto G55. I'm going to break down these phones, not just by the numbers, but by what those numbers mean for you, the user.

1. Specifications Breakdown

First, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty with a detailed comparison table.

FeatureSony Xperia 5 IVMotorola Moto G55Real-World Implications
Design
Launch Date2022-09-222024-09-06The Moto G55 is newer by about a year, meaning it has potentially more up-to-date software and features.
Dimensions156 × 67 × 8.2 mm, 172g161.6 × 73.8 × 8.1 mm, 179gThe Xperia 5 IV is more compact and lighter, better for one-handed use; the G55 is slightly larger and heavier.
FoldableStandardStandardBoth are traditional smartphones with no folding capabilities.
Display
Size6.1"6.49"The G55 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1080x25201080x2400The Xperia 5 IV has a slightly sharper display with slightly higher pixel density.
Pixel Density (PPI)449405The Xperia 5 IV's display will be sharper.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDThe Xperia 5 IV's OLED panel will offer much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations, making them responsive.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsNeither of the phones has a specified peak brightness, which may be an oversight or a limitation in provided data.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7025 (6nm)The Xperia 5 IV’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is significantly more powerful, leading to better performance.
AnTuTu Score1,021,542470,000The Xperia 5 IV offers dramatically faster performance for intensive tasks and gaming.
GPUAdreno 730IMG BXM-8-256The Xperia 5 IV has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in games and other graphic intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth should offer all-day battery life, depending on use.
Charging30W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingBoth offer quick top-ups but are not at the forefront of fast charging capabilities.
FeaturesBypass Charging, Reverse ChargingReverse ChargingThe Xperia 5 IV allows charging while gaming or video editing without impacting the battery lifespan, which the G55 cannot do.
Camera
Main Camera12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", Sony IMX55750MP, f/1.8The G55 has a higher resolution but the Xperia 5 IV has a larger sensor size and wider aperture, leading to better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor RS16MP, f/2.4The G55 has a higher resolution camera, while the Xperia 5 IV has a wider aperture, which will perform better in low-light.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", Sony IMX650NoneThe Xperia 5 IV has optical zoom capabilities, which the G55 lacks.
Wide-Angle Lens12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX3638MP, f/2.2The Xperia 5 IV has a better wide angle camera.
VideoUp to 4K@120fps HDR, OIS, EISUp to 1080p@60fpsThe Xperia 5 IV allows for higher resolution videos with HDR capabilities and stabilization, making it great for content creators.
DXOMark ScoreMobile: 119, Photo: 121, Video: 113Not TestedThe Xperia 5 IV excels in overall camera quality according to DXOMark tests, a metric not yet available for the G55.
Camera FeaturesTriple, OIS, EIS, RAW, Optical ZoomDual, OIS, EIS, RAW, Night Mode, Front FlashThe Xperia 5 IV offers a more versatile camera setup with optical zoom and triple lens. The G55 has dual lenses and features front flash and night mode, the Xperia does not.
Software
OSAndroid 12 (upgradable to 13)Android 14The G55 has the most current version of Android, though the Xperia should get security updates for an extended period.
Connectivity
WiFiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)The Xperia 5 IV supports a more modern WiFi standard, which provides faster internet speeds in compatible networks.
Bluetooth5.2 LE5.3 LEThe Moto G55 has the slightly more updated bluetooth protocol.
GPSGPS L1+L5, Galileo E1+E5aGPS L1+L5, BeiDou B1Both offer good GPS capabilities; The Xperia has better Galileo support, the G55 better Beidou support for positioning.
SIMDual SIM (Nano+eSIM)Dual SIM (Nano+eSIM)Both support dual SIM capabilities.
Storage
Internal128GB/256GB128GB/256GBBoth come in similar storage options.
RAM8GB8GBBoth are good for multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoNeither supports expandable storage, which is a negative.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, StereoDolby Atmos, Stereo, 2 MicsThe Xperia 5 IV has an advantage with hi-res audio support; the G55 is a better choice for voice recording due to its two microphones.
Security
FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprintSide-mounted fingerprintBoth offer the basic level of security with fingerprint sensors.
Build Quality
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5The Xperia 5 IV has better screen protection.
Sensors
FeaturesGyro, BarometerNoneThe Xperia 5 IV comes with additional sensors that may be required for gaming, VR, and navigation applications.

2. Key Insights

Sony Xperia 5 IV: Strengths

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
  • Exceptional Display: The OLED screen offers far superior contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks, creating a much more immersive viewing experience.
  • Versatile Camera System: The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens, higher resolution ultrawide, and advanced video recording capabilities with up to 4K@120fps video, alongside HDR, makes it great for photography enthusiasts and content creators.
  • Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio provides a superior audio experience for music lovers.
  • Better Screen Protection: The device uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better durability.
  • Advanced Sensor Suite: A broader array of sensors, including a barometer, provide additional functionalities for various applications.
  • Bypass Charging: This helps to keep the battery healthy when gaming and using the device plugged in.

Motorola Moto G55: Strengths

  • Larger Display: The 6.49" screen is beneficial for those who prefer a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
  • Newer Android OS: The G55 ships with Android 14, providing access to the latest features and security updates.
  • Higher Main and Selfie Resolution: 50MP primary and 16MP selfie cameras offer high-resolution images, though they are not necessarily better in quality.
  • Dual Microphones: better choice for voice recording.
  • Front Flash: Provides better selfies and overall images in low-light environments.
  • Lower Price Point: Generally, Moto G series phones are more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.

Trade-offs and Limitations

  • Xperia 5 IV: Older operating system, no expandable storage, more expensive
  • Moto G55: Significantly lower performance, lesser display quality, basic camera features, basic sensor suite, no telephoto lens.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Sony Xperia 5 IV

  • Power Users: Ideal for those who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications.
  • Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system, including the telephoto lens and 4K video, makes it a perfect fit for those who want to create high quality content.
  • Media Consumers: The OLED screen provides a great viewing experience for watching videos and movies, also combined with high resolution audio.
  • Those Who Value Premium Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus display and general build will have better durability.
  • Gamers: The combination of high performance, higher refresh rate and various sensors make this device perfect for gaming.

Motorola Moto G55

  • Budget-Conscious Users: The G55 is a great option for users looking for an affordable smartphone.
  • Casual Users: Ideal for those who need a phone for basic tasks like browsing the web, social media, and light app usage.
  • Users Who Value a Large Display: The bigger display size provides an immersive experience for media consumption and reading.
  • Voice Recording: Better choice for voice recording.
  • Low Light Selfies: Better choice for selfies and overall images in low light environments.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three crucial questions to guide your decision:

  1. How important is performance? If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and gaming, the Xperia 5 IV is the clear winner. If you’re looking for basic functionality, the Moto G55 will suffice.
  2. Do you need a high-quality camera and video experience? The Xperia 5 IV offers a more advanced camera setup with optical zoom and better video features. If photo and video quality are not a high priority, the G55 is okay.
  3. What is your budget? If your budget is tight, the Moto G55 is a more affordable option. If you're willing to invest more for premium features and performance, go for the Xperia 5 IV.

Scenario-Based Recommendations

  • Scenario 1: The Content Creator - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The advanced camera, video, high performance, and quality display will make your content creation experience significantly better.
  • Scenario 2: The Casual User - Choose the Motorola Moto G55. It offers good enough functionality at a lower price, and the larger screen can be a boon for media consumption and text readability.
  • Scenario 3: The Mobile Gamer - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. Its powerful chipset, advanced GPU, higher refresh rate, and gyroscope make it significantly better for gaming.
  • Scenario 4: The Audiophile - Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. Hi-Res audio is available, making your audio consumption better.
  • Scenario 5: Low light selfies - Choose the Motorola Moto G55. Front flash can assist with image brightness and overall better images in low light conditions.

My Choice

If I had to choose, I'd go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While it's older and more expensive, its performance, superior display quality, versatile camera system, and premium build provide a far better experience, aligning with my needs as someone who values technology and content creation. The OLED panel, robust camera features, powerful processor, and advanced audio make it a versatile, top-tier device.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.