Alright, let's dive deep into the Sony Xperia 5 IV and Xperia 10 V, two phones that, while both bearing the Xperia name, target very different users. As always, we'll go beyond the specs sheet and talk about what these numbers mean in your hands.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Sony Xperia 10 V | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-06-21 | The 10 V is newer by 8 months, meaning it'll likely have longer software support. |
| Size | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 155 x 68 x 8.3 mm | Practically identical size; both should feel similar in hand. |
| Weight | 172g | 159g | The 10 V is noticeably lighter; good for long holding periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | Identical screen size for both phones. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1080x2520 | Sharp displays on both devices. |
| Pixel Density | 449 PPI | 449 PPI | Both displays are equally sharp; no significant difference in clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The 5 IV is significantly smoother, enhancing animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness figures are missing in the data, so a practical comparison is not possible here. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | The 5 IV’s chip is vastly more powerful, leading to faster apps, gaming, and multi-tasking. |
| Antutu Score | 1,021,542 | 437,860 | Huge performance difference; the 5 IV will feel significantly snappier, especially for demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 619 | The 5 IV’s GPU is much better for gaming, and heavy graphics. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery size should provide comparable battery life, all other things being equal. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Lithium | The 5 IV charges faster and uses a more modern battery construction; the 10V is missing fast-charging. |
| Features | Bypass, Reverse | Non-removable | The 5 IV can bypass charging, and reverse charge, both absent in the 10 V. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | The 10 V’s main camera has a higher megapixel count, but the 5 IV’s larger sensor and wider aperture will likely capture more light and better detail in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" | The 5 IV has higher resolution and larger pixel size for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | 8MP, f/2.2 | The 5 IV has more resolution here; the 10 V's aperture is slightly wider here. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | The 5 IV has higher resolution and a larger sensor for better wide-angle shots. |
| Video | 4K@120fps | 1080p@30fps | The 5 IV is far superior for video; 4K HDR video, higher frame rate and great stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 119 | 78 | The 5 IV has a much better camera experience overall as per DxOMark. |
| Features | Extensive | Good | The 5 IV has more advanced video features; great for videographers and creators. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 13) | Android 13 (Up to 14) | The 10 V has a more recent operating system at launch and is projected to get more updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi ac | The 5 IV has faster WiFi; great for high-bandwidth activities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | The 5 IV has a more recent version for better connection and energy management |
| GPS | L1+L5 Dual Band | L1 | The 5 IV has more GPS channels for better location accuracy in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Both allow for using multiple phone lines and digital SIMs. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128GB | The 5 IV provides more internal storage for media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6/8GB | The 5 IV ensures smooth multi-tasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | Noise Cancellation | The 5 IV offers superior audio fidelity; The 10V has a noise-canceling microphone for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Similar security implementation; both phones offer a basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones feature the same screen protection; both phones are durable |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Advanced | Basic | The 5 IV offers additional environmental and motion sensors |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths:
- Performance Beast: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers top-tier performance, excelling in gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz OLED panel delivers much smoother animations and scrolling compared to the 10 V's 60Hz display.
- Advanced Camera System: The 5 IV's camera system is much more capable, offering better low-light performance, more advanced video features, and superior image quality overall, as reflected by its DxOMark score.
- Premium Audio: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support for a more immersive audio experience.
- Faster WiFi and Bluetooth: Modern connectivity standards.
- Competitive Advantages: The 5 IV is designed for users who prioritize performance, multimedia consumption, and mobile photography.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Older software out of the box; missing the new features of the newer Android version available in the Xperia 10V; No expandable storage.
Sony Xperia 10 V:
- Strengths:
- Lightweight Design: It's noticeably lighter than the 5 IV, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Newer OS out of the Box: It ships with a more recent version of Android, and is therefore expected to receive more future updates than the 5 IV.
- Decent Main Camera: High resolution in good lighting for those who don't need telephoto or wide-angle.
- Better Battery Life: It might provide slightly better battery life due to the less power-hungry chipset
- Competitive Advantages: The 10 V targets users who prioritize battery life, a lightweight design, and the latest Android version on a budget.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Significantly less powerful than the 5 IV, a basic display; inferior camera system, lacks advanced features, and does not support 4K recording.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Target User: Power users, mobile gamers, videographers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and multimedia capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Enjoying high-fidelity audio.
- Capturing professional-quality video.
- Sony Xperia 10 V:
- Target User: Everyday users, budget-conscious consumers, users who need a long-lasting battery, and people who prefer a lighter phone.
- Use Cases:
- Daily social media and communication.
- Web browsing and content consumption.
- Casual photography in well-lit environments.
- Reliable, long-lasting battery life.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If you need a phone that can handle anything you throw at it (games, heavy apps, video editing) the 5 IV is the clear winner. If you are more of a casual user, the 10 V will likely be more than enough.
- Do you heavily rely on your phone's camera? For high-quality photos and videos in challenging conditions, the 5 IV is the better option. If you mostly take casual snapshots in good lighting, the 10 V will do just fine.
- Are you okay with a thicker device for better performance? If you prefer lighter, more comfortable phone for longer use, then 10 V will be the better bet. If you are okay with a slightly bulkier but more powerful option, the 5 IV is for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming: Xperia 5 IV - Its powerful chipset, 120Hz display, and advanced GPU make it ideal for mobile gaming.
- Photography: Xperia 5 IV - Superior camera system with larger sensors, better low-light performance, and 4K video.
- Budget-Conscious User: Xperia 10 V - It offers a balance of performance and features at a more affordable price.
- Long Battery Life: Xperia 10 V - Its less power-hungry chipset should offer slightly longer battery life, and if you can live without fast charging, the 10V will be just fine.
- Latest Android Features: Xperia 10 V - Ships with Android 13 out of the box and is projected to receive one major update (Android 14).
My Choice?
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The performance difference is night and day. As someone who frequently edits videos on the go and plays resource-intensive games, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is a must. Plus, the 120Hz display is a game-changer for smooth and responsive interactions. While the Xperia 10 V is lighter and has a more recent Android OS out of the box, these benefits don't outweigh the superior power and camera capabilities of the 5 IV for my specific needs. The missing fast charging is also a downside I would struggle with. I also appreciate the higher-quality audio options offered by the 5 IV. The slightly older software is a trade-off I am willing to make. Ultimately, it's about choosing the right tool for the job, and the 5 IV is the sharper, more versatile instrument for my needs.
