Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the vivo iQOO 12. As a tech journalist, I aim to cut through the marketing fluff and provide you with clear, actionable insights. I'll focus not just on specs, but on what these specs mean for your everyday experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two phones, highlighting the real-world implications of each specification:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | vivo iQOO 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | 163.2 × 75.9 × 8.1 mm | The iQOO 12 is noticeably larger and slightly wider, which might be better for media consumption, but less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 172g | 198.5g | The Xperia 5 IV is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | The iQOO 12 offers a significantly larger display, better for media consumption and gaming, while the Xperia 5 IV has a compact form factor. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1260x2800 | The iQOO 12's higher resolution results in a sharper, more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density | 449 PPI | 453 PPI | Both have similar pixel densities, making images sharp on both devices. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use quality display technologies, providing great contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The iQOO 12 offers a slightly smoother experience due to its higher refresh rate, ideal for gamers and fast-paced scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 3000 nits | The iQOO 12 has dramatically higher brightness, making it far superior in bright sunlight. The Xperia 5 IV's brightness specs were not provided, which is unusual. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The iQOO 12’s newer chipset provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, and is ideal for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 1,021,542 | 2,020,000 | The iQOO 12 demonstrates a near 98% increase in processing capabilities for the iQOO 12, meaning a better user experience across the board when doing heavy processing tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The iQOO 12’s newer GPU will give you better graphical capabilities, improving the gaming experience and graphically intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.3" | The iQOO 12's main sensor should capture more detail and perform better in low light due to its higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45 | The iQOO 12 has slightly higher resolution, but the Xperia 5 IV has a wider aperture which translates to better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2" | The iQOO 12’s telephoto lens will offer far more detail and superior zoom capabilities, due to its higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | No dedicated lens | The Xperia 5 IV includes a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No dedicated lens | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | The iQOO 12 features a wide-angle lens which can also be used to take macro images. |
| Video | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR | Up to 8K@30fps | The iQOO 12 has a higher maximum video resolution for professional use. Both have good video stabilization. |
| DXOMark (Main Camera) | 119 main, 121 photo, 113 video | Not Tested | The Xperia 5 IV scores 119, 121, and 113 in DXOMark’s main camera, photo and video scores, respectively. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Tracking AF, Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | vivo iQOO 12 has extra features like Tracking AF, Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, 8K Video, Manual focus, Laser AF, Night Mode. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities, which usually provide a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 120W fast charging | The iQOO 12 charges significantly faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | Sony Xperia 5 IV offers features like Bypass and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgrade to 13 | Android 14, upgrade to 16 | The iQOO 12 has a more up-to-date operating system and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The iQOO 12 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, giving it faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The iQOO 12 has a newer version, which offers better connection stability and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The iQOO 12 supports more satellite systems, which should provide more reliable GPS performance, particularly in urban areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Sony offers eSIM support, which makes it easier to switch between mobile plans, or use a digital sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024GB | The iQOO 12 offers far more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | The iQOO 12 has more RAM, offering smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Sony Xperia 5 IV includes Hi-Res Audio for a better listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Sony Xperia 5 IV uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the iQOO 12's sensor is not as specific. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Sony Xperia 5 IV has better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Gravity | Sony Xperia 5 IV has more sensors like a barometer. vivo iQOO 12 has gravity, which may be more suitable for gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: The Xperia 5 IV excels with its compact size, making it perfect for one-handed use. Its Hi-Res Audio, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor are also notable advantages. It comes with a solid camera setup including a dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lens. The additional sensors like the barometer provide detailed real-world information.
- Competitive Advantages: The primary advantages of the Xperia 5 IV are its premium audio features, its dedicated physical camera button, and its compact size. Additionally, it has better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Trade-offs: It falls behind the iQOO 12 in terms of display size and brightness, performance, and charging speeds. It also does not have expandable storage or as much built-in storage and RAM.
vivo iQOO 12:
- Strengths: The iQOO 12 shines with its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, its high brightness display, and its 120W fast charging. It also has a very large internal storage capacity and a large amount of RAM.
- Competitive Advantages: The iQOO 12 boasts a newer processor, much faster charging, a larger, brighter display, and a higher-resolution telephoto camera, making it a top performer for both gaming and multimedia.
- Trade-offs: It’s noticeably larger and heavier, and lacks some of the premium audio features found in the Sony. It also lacks a dedicated ultrawide lens, opting for a wide angle + macro lens instead.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: This phone is best for users who prioritize portability, premium audio experiences, and a more traditional smartphone design with advanced camera capabilities. It’s ideal for those who value one-handed use, and those who are focused on photography and videography with a solid set of software and hardware features.
- vivo iQOO 12: This phone is ideal for gamers, media enthusiasts, and users who need top-tier performance. The combination of a high refresh rate screen, fast charging, and the latest Snapdragon chipset makes it a powerhouse for demanding applications and tasks.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you value compact size and one-handed use? If yes, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better option.
- Do you prioritize top-tier performance and the best possible screen for gaming and media consumption? If yes, the vivo iQOO 12 is the clear winner.
- Do you need the fastest charging speeds and are you happy to trade that off for the loss of a few features? If yes, then the vivo iQOO 12 is a much better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: Choose the vivo iQOO 12 for its superior performance, higher refresh rate display, and faster charging.
- For Media Consumption: The vivo iQOO 12 is a better fit for its larger, brighter screen.
- For Everyday Use: If portability is key, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better choice.
- For Photography: The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a more versatile camera system, especially if you need an ultrawide lens. If you require more zoom, and don't need a dedicated ultrawide, the vivo iQOO 12 might be more suited to your needs.
- For Audiophiles: The Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better choice, due to its Hi-Res audio capabilities.
Conclusion: My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I'd lean towards the vivo iQOO 12. While the Xperia 5 IV has its strengths, particularly its compact size and Hi-Res audio, the iQOO 12's sheer performance advantages and future-proofed technology, such as Wi-Fi 7, are just too compelling for my use cases.
My primary use for a smartphone revolves around multitasking, media consumption, and the occasional gaming session. The iQOO 12's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, its higher refresh rate display, and the dramatically better display brightness makes it far superior in a variety of real-world use cases that are essential to my use patterns.
The significantly faster charging times is another huge plus, and the larger, more expansive display makes it more suitable for watching videos. While the Xperia 5 IV is an excellent phone in its own right, the iQOO 12 offers a more cutting-edge experience. While the Xperia has features like the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a barometer for real-world information, I value the advantages that come with better performance and charging.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs and preferences, but based on my experience as a tech journalist and what I see as the most important considerations for most users, the iQOO 12 takes the win.
