Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro. Both phones pack a punch, but they're clearly designed with different user priorities in mind. I'll break down the specs, highlight the differences, and help you figure out which one might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the specs, presented in a format that highlights their real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Physical Size | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | 160.9 x 75 x 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 IV is more compact, while the F6 Pro is taller and wider. Thickness is the same. |
| Weight | 172g | 209g | Xperia 5 IV feels significantly lighter and easier for extended use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Sony's use of Gorilla Glass Victus offers better screen scratch and impact protection. |
Display
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | Poco F6 Pro has a larger display, great for media consumption and gaming; Xperia 5 IV is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2520 | 1440x3200 | Poco F6 Pro's display is significantly sharper with more detail due to much higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 449 | 526 | The Poco F6 Pro delivers crisper text and images, resulting in superior clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use similar technologies, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones; no advantage for one over the other. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4000 nits | The Poco F6 Pro offers dramatically better visibility in bright outdoor conditions and sunny days. |
Performance
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F6 Pro's Gen 2 chip offers better CPU/GPU performance, leading to faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 1,021,542 | 1,642,770 | Poco F6 Pro provides significantly higher overall performance, especially for resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in Poco F6 Pro offers much more powerful graphics processing for gaming and other GPU-heavy tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", Sony IMX557, 1.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50E, 1.00µm pixels | Xiaomi's 50MP sensor captures more detail. Sony's larger pixels could offer better low-light performance due to larger individual pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", Sony IMX650 Exmor RS, 1.00µm pixels | None | Xperia 5 IV's dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities, which the F6 Pro lacks. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 Exmor RS, 1.40µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm pixels | Xperia 5 IV's wide-angle lens has a higher resolution and larger sensor, likely offering better image quality than the F6 Pro's. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm pixels | The F6 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the Xperia 5 IV lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor RS, 1.25µm pixels | 16MP, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q, 1.00µm pixels | F6 Pro's selfie camera has more resolution. |
| Video | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS; Slow-motion 120 fps | Up to 8K@24fps with EIS, 1080p@960fps with EIS, 720p@1920fps with EIS; Slow-motion 1920 fps | Poco F6 Pro offers higher resolution video (8K), but the Xperia 5 IV's video output is more mature. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 119, Photo: 121, Video: 113 | Not Listed | Sony Xperia 5 IV camera scores well, while the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro's camera has not been tested. |
Battery Life
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery sizes, so similar battery endurance should be expected. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 120W fast charging, Li-Ion | The Poco F6 Pro charges much faster; a game changer for users on the go. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | Reverse charging, Xiaomi P2 fast charging chip, Xiaomi G1 battery management chip | Both have reverse charging capabilities. The F6 Pro boasts additional charging chips for optimal efficiency. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 17) | Poco F6 Pro has a much newer OS and will receive more updates. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | F6 Pro supports the latest WiFi 7 standard, offering faster speeds and reduced latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE (with various profiles) | 5.3 LE | Poco F6 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version; both support LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC. Sony has more Bluetooth profiles supported. |
| 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), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F6 Pro supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better location accuracy in diverse environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Sony offers eSIM support for easier carrier switching. |
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | The Poco F6 Pro offers much more storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | The Poco F6 Pro offers more RAM, ideal for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No expandable storage on either device. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have high audio quality. |
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
Sensors
| Feature | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Biometric | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Proximity | Proximity | Proximity | Both have proximity sensors. |
| Motion | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have common motion sensors. |
| Environmental | Barometer | RGB | Sony's Barometer helps with advanced features, Xiaomi has a RGB sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Strengths: More compact design with premium build quality, a very complete camera system with telephoto zoom, great video capabilities, and a more mature software experience. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a plus. It's a "complete package" phone with features that go beyond just the spec sheet.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, less impressive screen, lower brightness, slightly less capable camera sensors, and slower charging. The lack of expandability might also be a deal-breaker for some.
- Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro:
- Strengths: Significantly better performance, brighter and higher-resolution display, faster charging, latest software and connectivity standards, and much larger storage options with great RAM. It's designed for power users who demand the best performance and visual experience.
- Trade-offs: Larger and heavier design, no telephoto camera, basic fingerprint sensor, and potentially a less refined user experience.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Best for: Users who prioritize a compact, well-built phone with a great camera setup. It's ideal for those who value balanced performance, excellent video capabilities, and a more streamlined software experience.
- Use Cases: Photography enthusiasts, content creators, users who prefer one-handed operation and a smaller profile, and those who prefer a more mature, less flashy design.
- Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro:
- Best for: Power users who demand top-tier performance, gamers, media consumers, and those who prefer faster charging. Great for users who need a larger screen, more storage, and don't mind a bigger phone.
- Use Cases: Heavy multitasking, resource-intensive gaming, binge-watching content, and those who value performance above all else.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize a compact, premium design or raw performance? If you want a smaller phone that feels premium, go for the Xperia. If you want the fastest performance, choose the Poco F6 Pro.
- How important is the camera's telephoto zoom? If optical zoom is crucial, go with the Sony. If not, the Poco’s main camera will do a fine job.
- Are you okay with a slightly less refined user experience for faster charging and cutting-edge performance? The Poco F6 Pro might require more tweaking out of the box, but its performance is unmatched. The Sony will likely offer a very mature user experience, but not the same performance and features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Photographer: If you value a complete camera system with a proper telephoto lens, go with the Sony Xperia 5 IV due to its optical zoom.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: The Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro is the clear winner for gaming due to its powerful chipset, better display, and higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: The Sony Xperia 5 IV is the better choice if you prefer a smaller device with a balanced performance, and the Poco F6 Pro, if you want the fastest experience, and don't care about a bigger screen.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: This will depend on pricing differences in your region, but the Poco F6 Pro often offers top-tier performance for less.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro. As a tech journalist and engineer, I value performance and cutting-edge technology. The Poco's vastly superior chipset, brighter display, and blazing-fast charging are significant advantages for my daily workflow. While I appreciate the Xperia's compact design and mature camera experience, the sheer power of the Poco F6 Pro is what I would value the most. I also like having the latest connectivity standards and a battery that charges in a blink. The F6 Pro's compromises are acceptable to me since my main goal is performance and the best possible experience for gaming and daily multitasking.
