Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Samsung Galaxy A54. Both are compelling devices, but they target slightly different user needs. As usual, I'm going to break down what all these specs mean for you in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specs, translated into practical implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Samsung Galaxy A54 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm | Sony is noticeably slimmer & narrower, better for one-hand use; Samsung is larger, more immersive. |
| Weight | 172g | 202g | Sony feels lighter and more comfortable in hand for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus, Aluminum Frame | Gorilla Glass 5, Plastic Frame | Sony has a more premium and robust build on the screen. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | Samsung offers a larger screen for media consumption, while the Sony is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 | 1080 x 2340 | Sony has slightly sharper detail, however both are excellent. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 449 | 403 | Sony's display is marginally sharper due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and deep blacks, very similar in quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No information provided here but both displays should be very usable, even in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | Sony has a significantly more powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 578,600 | Sony offers noticeably faster performance, better multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Sony has a superior GPU for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP (f/1.7, 1/1.7") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56") | Samsung captures more detail; Sony has better low-light performance due to wider aperture and larger pixels on the sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP (f/2.0, 1.25µm) | 32MP (f/2.2, 0.80µm) | Samsung captures more detailed selfies; Sony may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/2.4, 1/3.5") | Not available | Sony has dedicated optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | 13MP (f/2.2, 1/3.1") | Both take good wide-angle shots; Sony may have a larger field of view thanks to larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 5MP (f/2.4) | Samsung includes a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | 4K @ 30fps, EIS | Sony offers higher framerates for smoother video capture. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 119, Photo: 121, Video: 113 | Mobile: 107, Photo: 106, Video: 115 | Sony performs better overall with superior photos but Samsung is better at video. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, RAW, etc. | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video, DOL HDR, etc. | Sony has more professional photography features, Samsung has more modern software features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under normal use. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Sony charges faster, gets you topped up quicker. |
| Features | Bypass, Reverse Charging | None | Sony has more battery control and sharing options |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 17) | Samsung will get more OS upgrades. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-Band, MIMO | Both support fast Wi-Fi; Samsung includes more advanced Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, LE, APT-x, LDAC | Bluetooth 5.3, APT-x, LDAC, Adaptive | Samsung has the newest Bluetooth version for better performance with accessories. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS | Sony provides additional GPS bands, leading to better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both offer dual-SIM functionality. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer good storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6GB or 8 GB | Both can handle multitasking, Sony has slightly more base RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No way to expand storage on either phone. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Both have excellent audio features. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Sony's sensor is more convenient than the Samsung's. |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Sony has the latest screen protection, which is more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Proximity, etc. | Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic Proximity, etc. | Sony has more environmental sensors; Samsung has an advanced ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV
- Performance King: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset in the Sony makes it a powerhouse for gaming and heavy-duty apps.
- Pro-Level Photography: Its camera system, including the telephoto lens and RAW support, caters to photography enthusiasts. The larger pixel size allows more light to enter and makes it ideal for low light settings.
- Compact Design: The slimmer profile and lighter weight of the Sony make it much more pocketable and usable with one hand.
- Enhanced Battery Features: Bypass and reverse charging add to its versatility and power management.
- Superior GPS: Dual band GPS that leads to more precise tracking for all users.
- More Durable: The Victus glass offers more protection over the Galaxy's Gorilla Glass 5.
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Larger, Immersive Display: The Galaxy A54’s bigger display makes it better for media consumption and gaming.
- Feature-Rich Camera: Samsung offers a versatile camera system with a higher-resolution main and selfie cameras. The added macro lens will also appeal to some users.
- Modern Software Experience: The Galaxy A54 ships with the latest Android version and receives longer-term updates.
- Latest Bluetooth: The newest version of Bluetooth offers more efficient connections to accessories.
- Lower Cost: The A54 is a more budget-friendly offering.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 5 IV is best for:
- Power Users: Gamers, video editors, and anyone who needs top-tier performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value manual controls, optical zoom, and a professional-grade camera system.
- Users Who Value Compactness: Those who prefer a smaller phone for one-handed use and portability.
Samsung Galaxy A54 is best for:
- Casual Users: People who consume a lot of media, enjoy casual gaming, and want a reliable phone with a great display.
- Social Media Sharers: Users who take a lot of selfies and enjoy sharing images and videos with friends and family.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking excellent value and long-term software support without breaking the bank.
- Users Who Want a Macro Lens: If you take many up-close, focused images.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is top-tier performance to you? If gaming and heavy multitasking are priorities, the Sony is a better choice. If performance is less of a concern, the Samsung is fine.
- What are your camera priorities? If you want a versatile, high-resolution camera for everyday shots, the Samsung is ideal. If you need the best photography tools and features, the Sony is better.
- Do you value a compact design or a larger display? The Sony is more pocketable, while the Samsung offers a larger, more immersive experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer: Go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its superior performance and GPU.
- For the Casual User: The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a more well-rounded experience for everyday use.
- For the Photographer: The Sony Xperia 5 IV provides higher quality photography tools, and is overall slightly better for this application.
- For the Budget-Conscious User: The Samsung Galaxy A54 is the better value for its price point.
My Choice
After carefully considering all factors, I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Here's why:
As a tech journalist and analyst, I value performance, photography capabilities, and the engineering details of these phones. The Xperia 5 IV's superior processing power, pro-level camera features (telephoto lens, RAW, 4K @ 120fps), and more compact design make it the superior choice for my needs. While the Samsung Galaxy A54 is an excellent value and provides a good all-around user experience, it simply does not match the Xperia's strengths in critical areas that are important to me. I don't mind trading a larger screen for a more premium build and superior hardware. I do find the size of the Xperia to be more comfortable for one handed use, a feature I highly value. Additionally, the added durability of the Gorilla Glass Victus is a nice to have.
Ultimately, it comes down to priorities, but for my needs, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the clear winner.
