Sony Xperia 5 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Sony Xperia 5 is a smartphone that was released in October 2019. It is a mid-range device that boasts of a triple camera setup, a high-quality OLED display, and a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor. The phone has received mixed reviews from users and tech enthusiasts alike. While some praise its compact design and excellent camera performance, others criticize its battery life and lack of a headphone jack.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design and build quality, the Sony Xperia 5 is a sleek and stylish device that is sure to catch the eye of any gadget enthusiast. The phone has a slim profile, with dimensions of 158 x 68 x 8.2 mm, and weighs in at a light 164g, making it comfortable to hold and easy to carry around.

The Xperia 5 is built with premium materials, featuring a glass front and back that are both protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, and an aluminum frame that adds to the device's durability. The phone is also IP65/IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, making it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures.

In terms of ergonomics and comfort, the Xperia 5 is designed to be a pleasure to use. The phone's slim form factor makes it easy to grip, and the placement of the power button and fingerprint sensor on the side of the device ensures that they are easily accessible with one hand.

When it comes to durability, the Xperia 5 is built to last. The phone's glass front and back are both scratch-resistant, and the aluminum frame adds an extra layer of protection against bumps and drops. Overall, the Xperia 5 is a well-built device that is sure to stand the test of time.

Display

The Sony Xperia 5 boasts a stunning 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6 and features HDR BT.2020 technology, which enhances the color gamut and delivers a more dynamic viewing experience. The Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine also contribute to the high-quality visuals on this device.

The Xperia 5's display is bright and vivid, making it easy to view content even in direct sunlight. The touch sensitivity is also very responsive, allowing for smooth and accurate navigation. The phone's slim bezels and tall display make it perfect for watching movies or playing games.

In terms of color accuracy, the Xperia 5 hits the mark with natural and balanced tones. It also has a dynamic range that allows for deep blacks and bright whites. Overall, the display is a standout feature of the phone, offering an immersive visual experience that is sure to impress.

One downside to the display is its lack of a high refresh rate. While many flagship phones offer 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, the Xperia 5 sticks with the standard 60Hz. However, this is not a major issue, as the display still delivers smooth and seamless visuals.

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia 5's display is a highlight of the device, providing an immersive and vibrant viewing experience. With its high resolution, HDR technology, and color accuracy, the display is sure to impress even the most discerning users.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Sony Xperia 5 definitely delivers. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, this phone is more than capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. With its octa-core processor, which is made up of one 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 core, three 2.42 GHz Kryo 485 cores, and four 1.78 GHz Kryo 485 cores, you can expect snappy performance and smooth multitasking. The Adreno 640 GPU also ensures that the Xperia 5 can handle even the most graphics-intensive games with ease.

The Xperia 5 also boasts 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users. It's worth noting that storage can be expanded via a microSD card if needed. In terms of real-world usage, the Xperia 5 performs admirably. Apps open quickly and run smoothly, and multitasking is a breeze. Even with several apps running at once, the phone doesn't show any signs of lag or slowdown.

In terms of gaming, the Xperia 5 is a true powerhouse. With its powerful processor and GPU, even the most demanding games run smoothly and without any issues. The phone also stays relatively cool during extended gaming sessions, thanks in part to its advanced cooling system.

Overall, the performance of the Sony Xperia 5 is truly impressive. Whether you're using it for work or play, this phone is more than capable of handling whatever you throw at it. If you're looking for a high-performance phone that won't let you down, the Xperia 5 is definitely worth considering.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia 5 runs on Android 9.0 Pie, which can be upgraded to the latest version of Android, Android 11. Sony has customized the user interface to be user-friendly, and it feels smooth and intuitive to use. The Xperia 5 UI is easy to navigate, with a clean layout. The device comes with a range of pre-installed apps, but these can be uninstalled if not needed. The device also features a range of customization options, from changing the color scheme to the placement of icons on the home screen. Overall, the software and user interface of the Xperia 5 is impressive, and it's clear that Sony has put a lot of thought into making it user-friendly. One downside is that the device does not come with a lot of bloatware, which may be a disappointment for those who enjoy having a lot of pre-installed apps. However, this is a minor issue, and it can be easily remedied by downloading additional apps from the Google Play Store. In terms of updates and software support, Sony has a good track record of providing timely updates and security patches. This means that users can expect to receive regular updates to their device, ensuring that it stays up-to-date and secure.

Camera

The Sony Xperia 5 boasts a powerful triple camera setup consisting of a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. This camera system is packed with impressive features such as predictive Dual Pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS, and 2x optical zoom capabilities. The camera app is intuitive and easy to navigate, and it offers a range of settings and modes for users to customize their shooting experience.

The Xperia 5's camera performance is exceptional in daylight conditions, producing sharp and vivid images with accurate color reproduction. The telephoto lens also performs well, producing clear and detailed shots with impressive zoom capabilities. The ultrawide lens is perfect for capturing panoramic landscapes and group shots, and it produces great results with minimal distortion.

In low light conditions, the Xperia 5's camera system continues to impress. The Night mode feature works effectively, producing bright and detailed shots with minimal noise. The camera app also offers a range of manual settings for users to tweak their exposure and ISO levels, giving them greater control over their shots.

Video recording on the Xperia 5 is equally impressive, with the camera system offering 4K HDR recording capabilities. The camera's image stabilization technology works well, producing smooth and stable footage even when moving. The front-facing camera is an 8-megapixel lens that delivers good quality selfies with natural skin tones and sharp details.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5's camera system is a standout feature of the device, delivering excellent performance in a range of conditions. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a casual user, this camera system is sure to impress.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia 5 offers a wide range of connectivity options to keep you connected to the world around you. With GSM, HSPA, and LTE capabilities, this device is compatible with most cellular networks, ensuring that you can stay connected wherever you go.

In addition, its Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac connectivity, dual-band support, and Wi-Fi Direct capabilities make it easy to connect to wireless networks and share data with other devices. It also supports DLNA, allowing you to stream media to your compatible devices seamlessly.

The Xperia 5 also comes equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, which provides high-speed data transfer and low energy consumption. Its aptX HD and LE features enhance the audio quality and reduce latency, making it perfect for music streaming and gaming.

This device also features NFC technology, meaning that you can quickly and easily connect to other devices, transfer data, or make payments, all with just a tap.

When it comes to navigation and location services, the Xperia 5 is equipped with GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO, ensuring accurate and reliable positioning. The device also has a variety of sensors, including a fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, barometer, and color spectrum sensor, which add to its functionality and versatility.

Overall, the Xperia 5 offers an impressive range of connectivity options and sensors, making it a versatile device that can keep you connected to the world around you.

Additional Features

The Sony Xperia 5 boasts several additional features that make it stand out from the competition. Firstly, its IP68 rating makes it water and dust resistant, perfect for those who live an active lifestyle or work in harsh environments. Additionally, the phone has expandable storage options, allowing users to increase their storage capacity with a microSD card.

Audio quality is a key selling point for the Xperia 5. The phone comes equipped with a dynamic vibration system, providing haptic feedback that enhances the audio experience. The phone also supports 24-bit/192kHz audio, ensuring that music is played at the highest possible quality. Unfortunately, the Xperia 5 doesn't have a headphone jack, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.

The Xperia 5's speaker performance is also impressive, with stereo speakers delivering clear and crisp audio. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos, providing immersive sound that brings movies and music to life.

Other unique features of the Xperia 5 include a color spectrum sensor, which analyzes the color temperature of the environment to optimize the display's white balance, and the Side Sense feature, which allows users to access frequently used apps and settings with a simple swipe.

Overall, the Xperia 5's additional features make it a compelling option for those who prioritize audio quality and durability, though the lack of a headphone jack may be a drawback for some users.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparing the Sony Xperia 5 with other phones in its category, there are a few devices that immediately come to mind. One such device is the Samsung Galaxy S10e, which is a similarly sized and priced phone with a focus on high-end specs and performance. While the Xperia 5 has a slightly larger screen, they both offer OLED displays and similar resolutions. In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 855 chipset found in the Xperia 5 is comparable to the Exynos 9820 found in the Galaxy S10e.

Another phone that could be compared to the Xperia 5 is the Google Pixel 4, which also features a 5.7-inch OLED display and a high-end Snapdragon 855 processor. However, the Pixel 4 lacks expandable storage options, which may be a deal-breaker for some users. Additionally, the Xperia 5's triple camera setup may be more appealing to photography enthusiasts than the Pixel 4's dual camera setup.

Finally, the iPhone XR could also be considered in the same category as the Xperia 5, as both devices offer similar screen sizes and price points. However, the Xperia 5 has a higher resolution display and expandable storage options, while the iPhone XR offers a more user-friendly interface and a larger app ecosystem. Ultimately, the decision between these devices will likely come down to personal preference and which features are most important to the individual user.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia 5 is a solid smartphone that offers a great balance of features and performance. Its sleek and stylish design, combined with its water and dust resistance, make it a durable and practical choice for those who are always on the go. The OLED display is sharp and vibrant, with excellent color accuracy and outdoor visibility. The performance is smooth and snappy, with plenty of power to handle multitasking and demanding apps.

The camera setup is impressive, with three lenses that offer a versatile range of options for capturing stunning photos and videos. The battery life is decent, with support for fast charging and wireless charging options. The only downside is the lack of a headphone jack, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality smartphone that offers great value for money. Its competitive pricing, combined with its impressive features and performance, make it a strong contender in the market. If you're in the market for a new smartphone, the Sony Xperia 5 is definitely worth considering.