Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Tecno Spark Go 2023 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 22, 2022 January 24, 2023
Release Year 2022 2023

Physical

Volume 85.71 cm³ 110.13 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g N/A
Weight 172 g 0 g
Height 156 mm 163.9 mm
Width 67 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Green
  • Ecru White
  • Nebula Purple
  • Endless Black
  • Uyuni Blue
  • Skin Orange

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2520 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 21:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.2 % 85 %
Pixel Density 449 PPI 267 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 134.37 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 58.34 mAh/cm³ 45.4 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU Adreno 730 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Video Output USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 12
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's break down the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Tecno Spark Go 2023. These two phones are clearly targeting different markets and users, so understanding their differences is key to making an informed decision.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here’s a detailed look at their specs, with a focus on what they mean for real-world usage:

FeatureSony Xperia 5 IVTecno Spark Go 2023Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions156 × 67 × 8.2 mm, 172g163.9 × 75.5 × 8.9 mmXperia is more compact and pocketable; Tecno is larger and slightly thicker.
Weight172g0gXperia feels substantial; Tecno's weight data appears to be missing.
Display
Size6.1"6.6"Tecno has a noticeably larger screen for media consumption.
Resolution1080 x 2520 (FHD+)720 x 1600 (HD+)Xperia's display is significantly sharper and more detailed.
Pixel Density (PPI)449267Xperia provides much clearer text, images, and overall visual clarity.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDXperia offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HzXperia’s screen is much smoother, particularly noticeable in animations and gaming.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBoth phones are unable to provide any useful real world data in nits.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1MediaTek Helio A22Xperia is significantly faster and more responsive in all tasks.
Antutu Score1,021,54292,140Xperia offers dramatically higher performance in apps, multitasking, and gaming.
GPUAdreno 730PowerVR GE8320Xperia has a much more powerful GPU, handling demanding games and graphics better.
Camera
Main Camera12MP, f/1.713MP, f/1.85Xperia has a wider aperture, typically better in low light conditions.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.05MP, f/2.0Xperia takes much higher resolution, detailed selfies.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.4Not AvailableXperia offers optical zoom capabilities, enhancing photo versatility.
Wide-Angle Lens12MP, f/2.2Not AvailableXperia can capture broader scenes.
VideoUp to 4K @ 120fps1080p @ 30fpsXperia excels in video quality with higher resolution, framerate, and stabilization.
Camera FeaturesOIS, EIS, RAW, etc.Basic FeaturesXperia provides more sophisticated and creative photographic capabilities.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth have similar battery capacity, but real world battery life will vary with usage.
Charging30W Fast Charging10W Fast ChargingXperia charges much faster, reducing downtime.
FeaturesBypass, Reverse chargingNon-removableXperia offers additional charging versatility and battery management.
Software
OSAndroid 12 (upgradable to 13)Android 12Xperia can get official updates to Android 13
Connectivity
WiFiWi-Fi 6, Dual bandWi-Fi nXperia supports the latest WiFi standards for faster and more reliable connections.
BluetoothBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 4.2Xperia supports newer standards for better sound quality and power efficiency.
GPSMultiple Satellite SystemsBasic GPS SystemsXperia has significantly higher accuracy in geolocation.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMXperia offers an eSIM option for flexibility; Tecno supports Dual SIMs simultaneously.
Storage
Internal Storage128/256 GB64 GBXperia offers much larger storage space for apps, media, and files.
RAM8GB3 GBXperia provides smoother multitasking and faster app performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither supports expandable storage, so choose an adequate storage capacity.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Hi-Res AudioBasic audio featuresXperia offers enhanced and more immersive audio quality.
Security
Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorrear-mounted fingerprint sensorXperia provides enhanced security with a more user-friendly placement.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusUnknownXperia's screen is more resistant to scratches and drops.
Sensors
SuiteComprehensive suite including BarometerBasic AccelerometerXperia is a more comprehensive suite with all the environmental sensors.

2. Key Insights

  • Sony Xperia 5 IV: This is a premium smartphone designed for users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and audio excellence. It offers a top-tier chipset, a high-resolution OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, versatile cameras with advanced features, fast charging, and a robust audio setup. The compact design is great for single-handed use.
  • Tecno Spark Go 2023: This is an entry-level device focused on affordability. It provides a larger display for media consumption, a basic camera setup, and a good battery. However, it lacks the processing power, display sharpness, camera quality, and additional features found in the Xperia. The most significant trade-off is the noticeable drop in overall performance.

Strengths & Competitive Advantages:

  • Xperia 5 IV: Superior performance, display quality, camera versatility, enhanced audio, advanced connectivity, compact design, premium build, and fast charging.
  • Spark Go 2023: Larger screen, affordable price, and acceptable basic performance for everyday tasks.

Trade-offs & Limitations:

  • Xperia 5 IV: Expensive, limited storage options, no expandable storage.
  • Spark Go 2023: Significantly lower performance, lower display quality, basic camera, no advanced audio, slower charging, and limited features.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Sony Xperia 5 IV:
    • Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts, content creators, mobile gamers, multimedia consumers, and anyone wanting a premium experience in a more compact form factor.
    • Use Cases: High-performance gaming, professional-quality photography and videography, watching HDR content, and demanding multitasking.
  • Tecno Spark Go 2023:
    • Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, and users who only need basic functionality.
    • Use Cases: Casual web browsing, social media, basic messaging, and light media consumption.

4. Buying Decision Framework

To help you choose between these devices, ask yourself the following:

  1. What's your budget? If your primary concern is affordability, the Tecno is the obvious choice.
  2. How important is performance? If you need a device that can handle demanding games, multitasking, and multimedia editing, then you absolutely must choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
  3. What are your display and camera priorities? For users who value a sharp, smooth, and vibrant display and a more advanced camera system, the Sony is a much better fit.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • The Casual User (Minimal Demands, Budget-Oriented): If you only need a basic phone for everyday tasks, the Tecno Spark Go 2023 is a sensible choice.
  • The Mobile Gamer/Content Creator (Performance, Features, Quality): You need the power and features of the Sony Xperia 5 IV to fulfill your needs.
  • The Multi-Tasker/Premium User (Everything): You are going to appreciate the premium design, top-tier performance, and overall quality that comes with the Sony Xperia 5 IV.

My Choice

If I had to choose, I would absolutely go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The raw performance difference is astronomical. The improved screen, camera, and audio quality would be a huge step up. I value high-quality photography and videos, smooth gaming experiences, and a phone that can keep up with my fast-paced lifestyle. The price difference is significant, but for my specific needs, the Xperia is the device that would allow me to get more out of the device. In contrast, the Tecno Spark Go 2023 simply wouldn't meet my demands, and would likely frustrate me with its slow speeds. For a professional or power user, it is an easy decision.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.