Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the OnePlus 12. These two devices approach the smartphone landscape from different angles, and understanding those differences is key to making an informed choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a structured breakdown of the key specifications and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | OnePlus 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Physical Size | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm | The OnePlus 12 is noticeably larger, which may impact single-handed use. The Xperia 5 IV is more compact and pocketable, ideal for those who prefer a smaller device. |
| Weight | 172g | 220g | The Xperia 5 IV is significantly lighter, which will be more comfortable for extended periods of use. The OnePlus 12 is heavier, which can feel more substantial but might be less comfortable to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.82" | The OnePlus 12's larger screen provides a more immersive experience, great for media consumption and gaming. The Xperia 5 IV's smaller screen is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1440x3168 | The OnePlus 12 has a much sharper display, providing crisper text and images. This is noticeable when viewing detailed content. |
| PPI | 449 | 510 | The higher pixel density of the OnePlus 12 means the image will appear sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both displays are excellent, with vivid colors and deep blacks. The slight difference in technology is mostly negligible in everyday use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones have a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering fluid scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | The OnePlus 12 is dramatically brighter, making it much better for outdoor use in direct sunlight. The Xperia 5 IV's brightness data isn't listed but is likely not as high as the OnePlus. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The OnePlus 12’s newer chipset is significantly more powerful, offering better performance in apps and games. The Xperia 5 IV’s chipset is still capable but is noticeably older. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 2,110,808 | The OnePlus 12 shows a drastically higher benchmark score indicating a major performance leap. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The OnePlus 12’s newer GPU delivers significantly better graphics performance, crucial for demanding games and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5400mAh | The OnePlus 12 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The OnePlus 12's incredibly fast charging will significantly reduce downtime, charging fully much quicker than the Xperia 5 IV. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging, 50W Wireless Charging | Both phones offer reverse charging, letting you charge other devices. The OnePlus 12 also offers much faster wireless charging, adding convenience, while the Xperia offers bypass charging, a great feature for gamers. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.43" | The OnePlus 12’s main camera has a higher resolution and larger sensor, resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2" | The OnePlus 12 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, allowing for better zoom capabilities and portrait photography. The Xperia 5 IV lacks a dedicated lens for this function. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | The OnePlus 12 has a higher resolution selfie camera, meaning better detail in selfies. The Xperia has a wider aperture which is theoretically better for low light, but is likely outperformed by the OnePlus sensor size. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | None | The Xperia 5 IV includes a telephoto lens offering zoom capabilities. The OnePlus does not offer a dedicated telephoto lens, but uses the telephoto/portrait camera for telephoto photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | The Xperia 5 IV includes a wide angle lens offering more flexibility for photography. The OnePlus does not offer a dedicated wide angle lens, but uses the Wide Angle + Macro camera for wide-angle photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2" | The OnePlus 12 has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens allowing for creative wide-angle shots and detailed close-ups. The Xperia does not offer this function. |
| Video | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 1080p@480fps | The OnePlus 12 supports up to 8K video and much higher framerates in slow motion recording, great for professional video. The Xperia 5 IV is still very capable with 4k at 120fps. |
| DxOMark | 119 | Not Listed | The Sony Xperia 5 IV is DxOMark tested, giving some data-backed performance. The OnePlus 12 does not have public DxOMark scores which does not allow for direct comparison with the data provided. |
| Features | RAW, OIS, EIS | 8K Video, Flicker Sensor, Noise Reduction, Manual focus, Night mode, OIS, EIS | The OnePlus 12 offers some additional modes like 8K Video, flicker sensor, noise reduction and night mode while the Xperia allows for RAW image capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | The OnePlus 12 has a much newer version of Android with more future upgrades, meaning it will receive the newest features and security updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The OnePlus 12 supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, which is better for crowded networks and offers much higher speeds, lower latency, and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The OnePlus 12 supports Bluetooth 5.4, which is more energy-efficient and offers improved range compared to Bluetooth 5.2 of the Xperia. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The OnePlus 12 supports more satellite systems which should give better location accuracy, especially in urban areas with limited sky view. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both phones support dual SIM capabilities, with the OnePlus supporting a second nano sim or an eSIM, and the Xperia supporting one nano sim and an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | The OnePlus 12 has much larger storage options, offering more room for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB/24GB | The OnePlus 12 offers a much larger RAM which means better multitasking and less slowdown, particularly when running demanding apps or games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, meaning you are limited by your chosen internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer great audio, with the OnePlus offering a noise cancellation microphone while the Xperia offers Hi-Res Audio for better audio fidelity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Xperia's side-mounted sensor will be very fast and convenient, while the OnePlus' is basic. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both phones offer durable glass protection; the OnePlus 12 has the newer version which might be more scratch and drop resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB | The Xperia 5 IV includes additional sensors like a compass and barometer which may be useful for navigation and weather tracking. The OnePlus includes extra sensors like gravity and geomagnetic, which may be more useful for gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Strengths:
- Compact and Lightweight: Excellent for one-handed use and portability.
- Hi-Res Audio: Appeals to audiophiles who value high-quality sound.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Fast and convenient.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a compass and barometer which can be useful for certain users.
- RAW capture: Great for photography enthusiasts.
- OnePlus 12 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a huge performance leap.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 100W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduce downtime.
- Much Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors with multiple camera functions including telephoto and macro lenses.
- More Storage and RAM: Great for heavy users, multitasking, and gaming.
- Newer Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 offer more capabilities.
- Trade-offs:
- Xperia 5 IV: The older processor and camera mean performance isn't cutting edge in 2024.
- OnePlus 12: The larger size and weight make it less comfortable for prolonged single-handed use, and not as pocketable as the Xperia.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Users who prefer a compact device: Ideal for those who prioritize portability and one-handed use.
- Audiophiles: The Hi-Res Audio will appeal to users with a keen ear.
- Those who appreciate a more traditional smartphone experience: Sony doesn't tend to deviate too far from a "stock Android" feel.
- Users who appreciate a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens.
- OnePlus 12:
- Power Users: Great for gamers and those who need top-tier performance and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: The large, bright, high-resolution display is ideal for watching videos and enjoying games.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system offers great results in various conditions.
- Users who like the latest tech: The latest chipset, charging, and Wi-Fi standards make this a very modern smartphone.
- Price-to-Value Ratio:
- If the OnePlus 12 is priced considerably higher, the value proposition depends on whether you need the cutting-edge performance and features it provides. The Xperia is less powerful, but might be more appealing for those who don't need those extra features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide:
How important is portability and one-handed use? If you want something pocketable and easily handled with one hand, the Xperia 5 IV is the clear choice. If not, the OnePlus 12 may be a better fit.
How much do you prioritize performance and display quality? If performance is paramount for gaming, multitasking, and the best visuals, the OnePlus 12 is a must. If these are less important, the Xperia 5 IV could work fine.
Do you value cutting-edge features, or would you rather save some money? If you want the newest connectivity, charging and camera features, the OnePlus is for you. If you want to save a bit of money, the Xperia might be the right choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Mobile Professional:
- OnePlus 12: The superior performance, fast charging, and modern connectivity make it ideal for those who need to rely on their phone throughout the day for work.
- For the Casual User:
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Its compact size, great audio capabilities, and solid everyday performance make it a good choice for casual users who want a smaller, pocketable smartphone with good multimedia features.
- For the Gaming Enthusiast:
- OnePlus 12: With it's powerful processor, larger screen, and enhanced audio/visual capabilities, the OnePlus 12 is the better choice for mobile gamers.
- For the Photography Enthusiast:
- OnePlus 12: With multiple dedicated camera lenses and higher resolution sensors, the OnePlus is the clear winner for those interested in mobile photography.
- For the Audiophile:
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: The dedicated Hi-Res Audio capabilities make it the better choice for those who want the highest quality in audio playback.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd personally go with the OnePlus 12. The sheer leap in performance offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is compelling, and the much brighter display would make a huge difference in daily use, particularly when I'm out and about. The faster charging, much better cameras and bigger battery is also a big plus. While the Xperia 5 IV has its charm with its compact design and focus on audio, the OnePlus 12 is simply a more capable device for my needs. The smaller size and the side-mounted fingerprint scanner of the Xperia are very appealing, but in the grand scheme of things, the OnePlus wins in terms of all other features. Although it is a bigger device, the benefits it offers outweigh the size difference.
