Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Realme C61. I'll break down the specs, offer real-world insights, and help you decide which phone might be the right fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the key specs, with a focus on what they mean for real-world usage:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Realme C61 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2024-07-25 | Realme C61 is a much newer device, potentially offering updated software features and design trends. |
| Dimensions | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | 167.3 × 76.7 × 7.8 mm | The Xperia 5 IV is smaller and more compact, likely better for one-handed use; the C61 is larger, providing more screen real estate. |
| Weight | 172g | 188g | The Xperia 5 IV is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown | Xperia 5 IV is likely more durable due to the Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.74" | The Realme C61 offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption; the Xperia 5 IV is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 | 720 x 1600 | The Xperia 5 IV has a significantly sharper display, providing clearer text and more detail; the C61 has a lower pixel density, potentially looking less sharp. |
| PPI | 449 | 260 | The Xperia 5 IV will show finer details due to much higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The Xperia 5 IV has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, and better contrast; the C61's display might appear less vibrant and have poorer blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Xperia 5 IV has slightly smoother animations, making scrolling and gaming more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are likely to have similar outdoor visibility and performance as peak brightness is identical. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Unisoc Tiger T612 | The Xperia 5 IV has a much more powerful processor, delivering significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance; the C61 is designed for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 252,597 | The Xperia 5 IV has a much faster performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Xperia 5 IV's GPU is vastly superior for graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm | 32MP, f/1.8 | While the C61 has higher resolution, the Xperia's larger sensor and wider aperture often lead to better low-light performance and image quality; the difference in pixel size between the sensors may also affect the quality of captured images. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm | 5MP, f/2.0 | The Xperia 5 IV's selfie camera has much higher resolution for clearer and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | N/A | The Xperia 5 IV offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing you to get closer to subjects without losing detail; the C61 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | N/A | The Xperia 5 IV allows you to capture more of the scene; the C61 lacks this feature. |
| Portrait Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Realme C61 can capture portrait images with more blur, while the Xperia lacks a dedicated depth sensor but should achieve portrait mode using computational photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 120fps | 1080p @ 30fps | The Xperia 5 IV offers much higher video quality and frame rates; the C61 is limited to basic HD recording. |
| DxOMark | 119 | N/A | The Xperia 5 IV's camera has been tested and scored well for image quality, while the C61 lacks official ratings. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The Realme C61 charges faster, reducing downtime; the Xperia 5 IV charges at a reasonable pace, but slower. |
| Features | Bypass & Reverse Charging | N/A | The Xperia 5 IV has additional useful battery features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | The Realme C61 has a newer version of Android out of the box, which may offer newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Xperia 5 IV supports a faster Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | The Xperia 5 IV has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better connectivity and efficiency. |
| GPS | Multiple Satellites | Fewer Satellites | The Xperia 5 IV offers better location accuracy with support for more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Nano + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | Xperia 5 IV has the versatility of an eSIM and nano-sim, while Realme only has a dual nano-sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 64/128/256GB | Both offer up to 256 GB of storage |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both phones offer the same maximum amount of RAM for better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | The Xperia 5 IV provides a superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, while C61 provides a standard Stereo experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side fingerprint | side fingerprint | Both phones use standard biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | The Xperia 5 IV includes more advanced sensors such as a gyroscope and barometer, which can be useful for gaming and fitness apps. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
Strengths:
- Premium Display: Superior OLED panel with higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Flagship Performance: Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for top-tier performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile triple-lens setup with great video capabilities and high DxOMark score.
- Superior Audio: Enhanced spatial audio experience through Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio.
- Compact Design: More pocketable and lighter.
Trade-offs:
- Older model: Launched in late 2022, with older software.
- Slower Charging: 30W charging might feel slow compared to newer devices.
- Higher Price: Typically more expensive than budget-friendly options.
Realme C61:
Strengths:
- Larger Screen: A bigger display for better media consumption.
- Fast Charging: 45W charging for quick battery top-ups.
- Newer Software: Launched with Android 14, which will likely get more updates.
- Affordable: Generally priced lower, making it a good budget-friendly option.
Trade-offs:
- Basic Display: Lower resolution, IPS LCD, lower refresh rate.
- Lower Performance: Unisoc chip is less powerful than flagship processors.
- Basic Camera: Limited capabilities compared to the Xperia.
- Heavier: Bulkier to carry.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Ideal for: Power users, photographers, videographers, gamers, and those who value a premium media experience.
- Use Cases: High-quality gaming, content creation, professional photography and videography, immersive media consumption.
Realme C61:
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users, casual users, people who value a large display, everyday use.
- Use Cases: Basic day-to-day tasks, social media, web browsing, media consumption at a budget.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide:
- What's your budget? If you are budget conscious the Realme C61 is a better option, for those willing to invest in performance the Xperia is a better option.
- How important is performance and camera quality? If you're looking for a flagship experience and top-tier camera quality, then the Xperia is worth the investment. If performance is not as important, the C61 will satisfy basic use cases.
- What size of phone do you prefer? If you like a compact design that is easy to use one-handed the Xperia is better. If you prefer a larger display for media consumption the C61 is a better fit.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would personally opt for the Sony Xperia 5 IV, despite its older release date. The superior display quality, significantly faster performance, and the camera system are too enticing for my personal needs. I value having a smartphone that excels in every key performance area. While the Realme C61 is a solid budget option, my use case requires the extra power, imaging capabilities, and the premium experience the Xperia 5 IV offers.
