Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Xperia 1 V, two very capable but distinctly positioned smartphones from Sony. As always, I'll be breaking down the specs and translating what they mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a comprehensive look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Sony Xperia 1 V | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm | Xperia 1 V is noticeably larger, impacting pocketability and one-handed use; Xperia 5 IV is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 172g | 187g | Xperia 5 IV is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.5" | Xperia 1 V's larger screen provides a more immersive experience, especially for media consumption; Xperia 5 IV is great for one-handed usage. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2520 | 1644 x 3840 | Xperia 1 V's higher resolution results in a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 449 ppi | 643 ppi | Xperia 1 V delivers a much sharper, clearer image, noticeable when reading text or viewing high-res images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, standard in high-end phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No Brightness data available; likely both will get reasonably bright |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Xperia 1 V is noticeably faster, providing better performance in demanding apps, games and general usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,365,441 | Xperia 1 V scores 34% higher in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | Xperia 1 V has a more advanced GPU, providing better gaming performance and overall graphics processing capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Xperia 1 V's main sensor has significantly higher resolution, capturing more detail, while the larger sensor size gives better light sensitivity and dynamic range in low light, and wider aperture in the Xperia 5 IV allow for more light and shallow depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93" | Similar performance for selfies on both phones. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5" | Similar zoom capabilities, with a very slight edge in brightness for the Xperia 1 V |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Similar performance for wide-angle shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 120fps | Up to 4K 120fps | Both capable of high-quality, professional-level video. |
| DXOMark Score | 119 Mobile, 121 Photo, 113 Video | N/A | Xperia 5 IV shows good camera performance when tested by DXOMark |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, PDAF, HDR, RAW | OIS, EIS, PDAF, CDAF, HDR, RAW, Night Mode | Xperia 1 V offers more advanced camera features including PDAF & CDAF, and Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life, likely providing a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Both support relatively quick charging, though not class-leading. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | Xperia 1 V is capable of wireless reverse charging, and both can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 14) | Xperia 1 V comes with a newer version of Android with more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, WiFi Display | WiFi 6 | Both offer high-speed WiFi. Xperia 5 IV also offers WiFi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Xperia 1 V uses a newer version, but both support almost all Audio codecs; Xperia 1 V may provide better power efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | L1+L5, Galileo (E1+E5a) | L1+L5 | Both are very accurate and fast GPS modules, but the Xperia 5 IV has an edge with dual-band GPS & Galileo |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality, making them suitable for international travelers or users with multiple lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Xperia 1 V has more storage options for storing more content. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Xperia 1 V's higher RAM capacity will result in better multitasking and overall system performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage; so, choose wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Xperia 5 IV has Hi-Res Audio for audio enthusiasts, but both have great stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both provide basic biometric security through side-mounted fingerprint scanners. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both offer premium protection for their screens, with the Xperia 1 V being slightly more durable with the newer Victus 2 glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Comprehensive, Pedometer | Both come with all the essential sensors, and the Xperia 1 V adds a pedometer for step counting. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths:
- Compact Design: Lighter and easier to handle one-handed, making it great for users who prioritize portability.
- Hi-Res Audio: A bonus for audiophiles.
- Slightly better GPS: Dual-band GPS & Galileo provides better accuracy in some areas.
- Good camera: A decent set of lenses and DXOMark Scores are great
- Limitations:
- Older Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is still capable but is a step behind in performance.
- Smaller Display: Less immersive for media consumption.
- Less RAM: 8 GB is ok, but 12 GB is better
- Less Storage: Maximum storage available is only 256 GB.
Sony Xperia 1 V:
- Strengths:
- Performance: Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for top-tier performance.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, which is perfect for content creators, photographers and movie lovers.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can be used to charge accessories, which is handy.
- Larger Main Sensor: 48MP sensor with larger size offers superior low-light performance and more detail.
- More Storage/RAM: 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB storage is great for multi-tasking and storing media.
- Newer Camera Features: New features such as noise reduction and night mode.
- Newer Build: Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Limitations:
- Larger and Heavier: Less comfortable for one-handed use, and harder to fit into pockets.
- Lacks Hi-Res Audio: Audio is still great, but it's a missed opportunity.
- No DXOMark Score: Unable to get a true objective score on the camera performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Ideal for: Users who prefer a smaller, more manageable phone without compromising on essential high-end features, those who value Hi-Res Audio, and those who prefer a lightweight phone.
- Use Cases: Daily commuters, one-handed users, and users that want a smaller phone that is good at photography.
- Sony Xperia 1 V:
- Ideal for: Power users who need the best performance, content creators and photographers, media consumers who love the higher resolution screen, and those who don't mind a larger, heavier phone.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, photo editing, watching 4K HDR video, multitasking across heavy apps.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- How important is the phone's size and weight to you? If portability is key, the Xperia 5 IV is a better choice. If you prefer a larger display and don’t mind a bigger device, the Xperia 1 V is superior.
- Do you need the absolute best performance and a bigger screen for content creation or media consumption? The Xperia 1 V’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and its high resolution display provide a faster user experience than the Xperia 5 IV, although the latter can certainly provide a solid experience too.
- Are you a power user or audiophile, and which are you more? Both phones are capable, but the Xperia 5 IV is good for users who enjoy listening to Hi-Res audio with great accuracy, whilst the Xperia 1 V is designed for those who need more storage, RAM, higher quality photographs and more efficient performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you want a reliable Sony smartphone with a good camera, a smooth display, and a more compact size, the Xperia 5 IV is a great pick.
- For the Content Creator/Photographer: The Xperia 1 V, with its more powerful processor, higher resolution display, superior primary camera, and larger storage/RAM, is the better option.
- For the Power User/Gamer: The Xperia 1 V is the superior choice because of its larger screen, significantly faster processor, more RAM, and larger capacity battery.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 V. While I appreciate the more compact design of the Xperia 5 IV, the improvements in performance, screen quality and camera in the Xperia 1 V are too significant to pass up. The larger sensor on the main camera, along with a more powerful chipset and a much sharper display make it an experience that is far more valuable to me. And although it lacks Hi-Res audio, I don't consider that an important requirement in my usage of a phone. Additionally, the newer Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is also more likely to withstand accidental falls. The extra RAM and storage also make it a better multi-tasker and the newer build also makes it the better, albeit more expensive choice. It also comes with a newer version of Android, allowing for more compatibility, security and software updates.
