Okay, let's dive deep into a detailed comparison between the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the OnePlus 12R, focusing on the practical implications of their specs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up against each other, presented in an easily digestible format:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | OnePlus 12R | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | 163.3 × 75.3 × 8.8 mm | Xperia 5 IV is significantly more compact, easier to handle one-handed, while the OnePlus 12R is larger and might require two hands for comfortable use. |
| Weight | 172g | 207g | The Xperia 5 IV is lighter and more comfortable to hold for extended periods; OnePlus 12R feels noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | OnePlus 12R has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better multitasking; Xperia 5 IV offers a more compact viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1264x2780 | OnePlus 12R has a higher pixel density and sharper text/images; The difference in daily use is not as big given the slight difference in PPI. |
| PPI | 449 | 450 | Practically identical pixel density, meaning similar sharpness |
| Technology | OLED | Information Missing | The OLED screen in the Xperia 5 IV will provide richer colors, deep blacks, and better contrast, especially compared to an unknown panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both devices offer smooth scrolling and animations; gaming will feel more fluid on both. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12R boasts significantly higher brightness, excelling in outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Xperia 5 IV lacks brightness information so a comparison can not be made. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12R offers a newer, more powerful chipset for snappier app launches, better multitasking, and higher gaming performance. The older gen 1 is still very competent for day-to-day tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,743,901 | OnePlus 12R scores considerably higher, indicating much better raw performance, especially noticeable in gaming and resource-intensive applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 12R's Adreno 740 provides better graphics capabilities, ideal for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus 12R has a larger battery, likely to provide longer battery life, especially on days with heavy usage; 500mAh is not that significant difference. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus 12R charges considerably faster, allowing for a quick top-up; Xperia 5 IV charging speed is comparatively slow. |
| Charging Features | Bypass, Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | Sony has the bypass charging feature which allows you to charge while not impacting the battery health as much. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" Sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sensor | OnePlus 12R has a higher resolution and a slightly larger sensor with a slightly smaller aperture, potentially capturing more details in bright light, where Xperia 5 IV excels in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm | OnePlus 12R higher resolution selfie for more detail. Xperia 5 IV better in low light with bigger aperture and pixel size. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | Absent | Xperia 5 IV features a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom; OnePlus 12R lacks this, depending on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Xperia 5 IV has a higher resolution wide-angle camera for wider shots with more detail. |
| Macro Lens | Absent | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | OnePlus 12R includes a macro lens for close-up photography; Xperia 5 IV lacks a dedicated macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xperia 5 IV offers higher frame rate video recordings, up to 120fps at 4K; OnePlus 12R has slower frame rate recordings with 60fps at 4K. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 119 | Not Available | Sony's Camera has been scored at 119 overall, meaning it should be a more consistent camera. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom | Flicker sensor, Gimbal | Xperia 5 IV offers optical zoom capability; OnePlus 12R offers flicker sensor, and gimbal stabilization. Both have RAW support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Android 14, upgradable to 17 | OnePlus 12R ships with a newer version of Android and will get further support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | OnePlus 12R supports newer WiFi, faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | OnePlus 12R features a slightly newer Bluetooth version; Both have LE support. Sony has more supported profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5) | OnePlus 12R supports more systems for enhanced accuracy in diverse conditions. |
| SIM | Nano + eSIM | Nano + Nano | Xperia 5 IV offers eSIM, allowing easier digital carrier switching, while OnePlus 12R only offers dual physical nano-SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both provide ample storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/16 GB | OnePlus 12R offers a 16GB RAM variant for smoother multitasking; Xperia 5 IV only offers 8GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | Xperia 5 IV offers Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support for superior audio; OnePlus 12R provides adequate stereo speaker quality. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | side-mounted | basic fingerprint sensor | Xperia 5 IV offers a more secure and convenient side-mounted sensor; OnePlus 12R has a standard sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | OnePlus 12R features a slightly newer generation for better protection; both should be durable against normal wear and tear. |
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer, Hall | Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB | Sony offers environmental sensors like a barometer; while OnePlus has RGB, gravity, and geomagnetic. Both have the main fingerprint sensor, and motion detection sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Strengths: Compact design, excellent OLED display, versatile camera system with optical zoom, better audio with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, and bypass charging.
- Competitive Advantages: A great choice for users who value portability, high-fidelity audio, and a more flexible photography experience with a telephoto lens.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, comparatively slow charging, and might not be the best choice for heavy gamers.
OnePlus 12R
- Strengths: Powerful performance with a newer chipset, brighter display, longer battery life with faster charging, macro lens, and modern software.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior performance for demanding tasks, ideal for gamers, long battery life, and a large, bright display for multimedia consumption.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, bigger than the Xperia 5 IV, lacks the telephoto lens, and has a basic fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Best for: Users who prioritize compact size, high-quality audio, a flexible camera system with a telephoto lens, and a top-notch OLED display.
- Use Cases: Perfect for on-the-go content creation (audio/video), photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom, or anyone who prefers a more pocketable device for everyday use.
- OnePlus 12R:
- Best for: Users who require top performance, long battery life, fast charging, a large and bright screen, and are heavily into gaming or intensive multitasking.
- Use Cases: Ideal for gaming, media consumption, productivity-focused users who need a reliable, powerful phone for everyday tasks, or anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prefer a compact and lightweight design, or are you comfortable with a larger phone?
- If compact, choose the Xperia 5 IV.
- If larger with a focus on a bigger screen and more power, go with the OnePlus 12R.
- Do you prioritize a versatile camera with optical zoom, or a larger screen with higher brightness?
- For optical zoom, choose the Xperia 5 IV.
- For brighter display and long battery, go with the OnePlus 12R.
- Is gaming performance and future proofing a critical factor, or is a balance of usability more important?
- For high gaming performance, choose the OnePlus 12R.
- For balanced usability with versatile camera and better audio, choose the Xperia 5 IV.
Buying Decision Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Content Creator (Audio/Video Focused): The Sony Xperia 5 IV is better, offering a flexible camera, great audio, and compact design with the added bonus of the bypass charging.
- Hardcore Gamer/Multitasker: The OnePlus 12R delivers superior performance, a larger, brighter display, and faster charging speeds.
- Everyday User Seeking Balance: Consider what is more important: If the camera and high-quality audio are important to you, go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV. If long battery life and brightness for outdoor visibility are important, go with the OnePlus 12R.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a telephoto lens, a more consistent camera, and is more suitable for low-light photography.
Final Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV. My reasoning is based on a few key factors. The most important for me is the telephoto lens and the higher overall photo quality given the higher DXOMark score. The compact design of the Sony phone also appeals to me as I prefer a lighter and less bulky device. Finally, the Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support will make media consumption more enjoyable. The only sacrifice is in raw gaming performance, but I am not a hardcore gamer, so this is not as much of a factor. While the OnePlus 12R's specs are undeniably impressive, the Xperia 5 IV's unique focus on media capabilities and compact design is where my preferences lie.
