In-Depth Review
Sony Xperia 5 II Review
By MobGadgets Editorial Team
Updated October 07, 2026 • 12 min read
I Introduction
The Sony Xperia 5 II is a high-end smartphone designed for multimedia enthusiasts who want a device that can deliver exceptional video, audio, and photography experiences. Priced at the higher end of the market, this phone boasts top-of-the-line features and hardware, making it a serious contender in the smartphone market. Its compact and sturdy design, along with its 6.1-inch OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, HDR support, and 120Hz refresh rate, makes it perfect for consuming high-quality multimedia content. With a Snapdragon 865 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, this phone runs smoothly and can handle demanding applications and games with ease. The Sony Xperia 5 II also boasts a triple-camera setup, which includes a 12-megapixel primary camera, 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, making it ideal for capturing high-quality images and videos. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the Sony Xperia 5 II and evaluate its design, performance, camera capabilities, software, and features to help you decide if it's the right smartphone for you.
II Design and Display:
The Sony Xperia 5 II has a sleek and compact design, measuring 158 x 68 x 8 mm and weighing in at 163g. The device has a glass front and back with a metal frame that gives it a sturdy feel. The phone is available in black, blue, and gray colors, and the matte finish on the back gives it a premium look and feel.
The 6.1-inch OLED display is the standout feature of this phone, with its 21:9 aspect ratio, HDR support, and 120Hz refresh rate. The display's color accuracy, contrast, and visibility in bright sunlight are all excellent. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating the device feel incredibly smooth, and the HDR support ensures that movies and videos look amazing.
The Xperia 5 II's display also has a Cinema Pro mode, which allows for professional-grade color calibration and adjustment. This feature is perfect for aspiring filmmakers or anyone who wants to tweak their display settings to their liking. Additionally, the phone's size and aspect ratio make it ideal for watching movies and TV shows in landscape mode, with no black bars on the sides.
One of the few downsides of the phone's design is its lack of water resistance, which may be a dealbreaker for some users. However, overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II's design and display are top-notch, making it a great choice for users who want a high-quality multimedia experience.
III Performance and Battery Life:
Under the hood, the Sony Xperia 5 II is powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor, which is one of the most powerful processors available in smartphones today. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card. This combination of hardware makes the phone run smoothly and handle demanding applications with ease.
The phone's performance is further boosted by its 120Hz display, which makes the user interface feel incredibly smooth and responsive. Additionally, the Xperia 5 II's 5G support ensures that users can enjoy fast download and upload speeds, as long as they have access to a 5G network.
In terms of battery life, the Sony Xperia 5 II comes with a 4,000mAh battery, which is decent but not exceptional. However, the phone's power-saving features and adaptive charging technology help extend the battery life, and users can easily get through a full day of moderate to heavy usage on a single charge. The phone also supports fast charging and wireless charging, which is a nice touch.
One area where the Xperia 5 II falls short is its lack of IP rating for water and dust resistance. This means that users need to be careful when using the phone in wet conditions, as it is not waterproof.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II offers top-of-the-line performance and decent battery life, making it a great choice for users who demand speed and power from their smartphones. However, its lack of water resistance may be a concern for some users.
IV Camera:
The Sony Xperia 5 II boasts a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. The main camera has an f/1.7 aperture and features optical image stabilization (OIS), while the ultra-wide camera has a 124-degree field of view, and the telephoto camera has 3x optical zoom.
The phone's camera performance is excellent, especially in good lighting conditions. The images captured by the camera are sharp, detailed, and vibrant, with accurate colors and a good dynamic range. The OIS helps ensure that images captured in low-light situations are also clear and sharp, with minimal blur.
The Xperia 5 II's camera app is feature-rich, with plenty of manual controls and settings to adjust. The phone also has a dedicated camera shutter button, which is a nice touch for users who prefer a physical button to take photos.
One of the standout features of the Xperia 5 II's camera is its ability to shoot 4K video at up to 120fps. This allows for incredibly smooth and cinematic footage, perfect for aspiring filmmakers or anyone who wants to capture high-quality video on their smartphone. The phone also has a Cinema Pro mode, which allows for professional-grade video capture and editing.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II's camera is one of its strongest features, offering excellent performance and plenty of features and settings to play around with. Whether you're a casual photographer or a serious enthusiast, this phone's camera is sure to impress.
V Software and Features:
The Sony Xperia 5 II runs on Android 10 with Sony's own custom user interface layered on top. The interface is clean and minimalistic, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. However, some users may find the UI to be a bit too simplistic, with limited customization options compared to other Android devices.
One of the most notable software features of the Xperia 5 II is the Side Sense feature, which allows users to access frequently used apps and settings by double-tapping the sides of the phone. This feature is especially useful for one-handed use, as it allows users to access important features without having to stretch their fingers across the screen.
The Xperia 5 II also comes with a range of Sony-specific features, such as the 360 Reality Audio feature, which allows for immersive audio experiences through compatible headphones. Additionally, the phone comes with Sony's Game Enhancer feature, which allows for optimized gaming performance and customizable settings for individual games.
Another feature that sets the Xperia 5 II apart from other smartphones is its physical fingerprint sensor, which is located on the power button on the side of the phone. This feature provides an extra layer of security and is also very convenient to use.
Overall, while the Xperia 5 II's software may not be the most feature-packed, it offers a clean and simple user interface that is easy to use and navigate. Additionally, the phone comes with a range of Sony-specific features that add value to the device and make it stand out from the competition.
VI Conclusion:
The Sony Xperia 5 II is an impressive smartphone that excels in several areas, particularly its camera and display. The 120Hz refresh rate on the OLED display makes for a smooth and seamless user experience, and the triple-camera setup on the back provides excellent image quality and plenty of features to play around with.
The phone's performance is also top-notch, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and 8GB of RAM providing plenty of power and speed for even the most demanding users. Additionally, the phone's battery life is decent, with the 4000mAh battery providing enough juice to last through a full day of use.
While the Xperia 5 II's software may not be the most feature-packed, it offers a clean and simple user interface that is easy to use and navigate. The phone also comes with a range of Sony-specific features, such as Side Sense and Game Enhancer, that add value to the device and make it stand out from the competition.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II is a fantastic smartphone that offers a lot of bang for your buck. If you're looking for a high-end device with a great camera, stunning display, and solid performance, the Xperia 5 II is definitely worth considering.
The Sony Xperia 5 II is a high-end smartphone designed for multimedia enthusiasts who want a device that can deliver exceptional video, audio, and photography experiences. Priced at the higher end of the market, this phone boasts top-of-the-line features and hardware, making it a serious contender in the smartphone market. Its compact and sturdy design, along with its 6.1-inch OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, HDR support, and 120Hz refresh rate, makes it perfect for consuming high-quality multimedia content. With a Snapdragon 865 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, this phone runs smoothly and can handle demanding applications and games with ease. The Sony Xperia 5 II also boasts a triple-camera setup, which includes a 12-megapixel primary camera, 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, making it ideal for capturing high-quality images and videos. In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the Sony Xperia 5 II and evaluate its design, performance, camera capabilities, software, and features to help you decide if it's the right smartphone for you.
II Design and Display:
The Sony Xperia 5 II has a sleek and compact design, measuring 158 x 68 x 8 mm and weighing in at 163g. The device has a glass front and back with a metal frame that gives it a sturdy feel. The phone is available in black, blue, and gray colors, and the matte finish on the back gives it a premium look and feel.
The 6.1-inch OLED display is the standout feature of this phone, with its 21:9 aspect ratio, HDR support, and 120Hz refresh rate. The display's color accuracy, contrast, and visibility in bright sunlight are all excellent. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating the device feel incredibly smooth, and the HDR support ensures that movies and videos look amazing.
The Xperia 5 II's display also has a Cinema Pro mode, which allows for professional-grade color calibration and adjustment. This feature is perfect for aspiring filmmakers or anyone who wants to tweak their display settings to their liking. Additionally, the phone's size and aspect ratio make it ideal for watching movies and TV shows in landscape mode, with no black bars on the sides.
One of the few downsides of the phone's design is its lack of water resistance, which may be a dealbreaker for some users. However, overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II's design and display are top-notch, making it a great choice for users who want a high-quality multimedia experience.
III Performance and Battery Life:
Under the hood, the Sony Xperia 5 II is powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor, which is one of the most powerful processors available in smartphones today. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card. This combination of hardware makes the phone run smoothly and handle demanding applications with ease.
The phone's performance is further boosted by its 120Hz display, which makes the user interface feel incredibly smooth and responsive. Additionally, the Xperia 5 II's 5G support ensures that users can enjoy fast download and upload speeds, as long as they have access to a 5G network.
In terms of battery life, the Sony Xperia 5 II comes with a 4,000mAh battery, which is decent but not exceptional. However, the phone's power-saving features and adaptive charging technology help extend the battery life, and users can easily get through a full day of moderate to heavy usage on a single charge. The phone also supports fast charging and wireless charging, which is a nice touch.
One area where the Xperia 5 II falls short is its lack of IP rating for water and dust resistance. This means that users need to be careful when using the phone in wet conditions, as it is not waterproof.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II offers top-of-the-line performance and decent battery life, making it a great choice for users who demand speed and power from their smartphones. However, its lack of water resistance may be a concern for some users.
IV Camera:
The Sony Xperia 5 II boasts a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. The main camera has an f/1.7 aperture and features optical image stabilization (OIS), while the ultra-wide camera has a 124-degree field of view, and the telephoto camera has 3x optical zoom.
The phone's camera performance is excellent, especially in good lighting conditions. The images captured by the camera are sharp, detailed, and vibrant, with accurate colors and a good dynamic range. The OIS helps ensure that images captured in low-light situations are also clear and sharp, with minimal blur.
The Xperia 5 II's camera app is feature-rich, with plenty of manual controls and settings to adjust. The phone also has a dedicated camera shutter button, which is a nice touch for users who prefer a physical button to take photos.
One of the standout features of the Xperia 5 II's camera is its ability to shoot 4K video at up to 120fps. This allows for incredibly smooth and cinematic footage, perfect for aspiring filmmakers or anyone who wants to capture high-quality video on their smartphone. The phone also has a Cinema Pro mode, which allows for professional-grade video capture and editing.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II's camera is one of its strongest features, offering excellent performance and plenty of features and settings to play around with. Whether you're a casual photographer or a serious enthusiast, this phone's camera is sure to impress.
V Software and Features:
The Sony Xperia 5 II runs on Android 10 with Sony's own custom user interface layered on top. The interface is clean and minimalistic, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. However, some users may find the UI to be a bit too simplistic, with limited customization options compared to other Android devices.
One of the most notable software features of the Xperia 5 II is the Side Sense feature, which allows users to access frequently used apps and settings by double-tapping the sides of the phone. This feature is especially useful for one-handed use, as it allows users to access important features without having to stretch their fingers across the screen.
The Xperia 5 II also comes with a range of Sony-specific features, such as the 360 Reality Audio feature, which allows for immersive audio experiences through compatible headphones. Additionally, the phone comes with Sony's Game Enhancer feature, which allows for optimized gaming performance and customizable settings for individual games.
Another feature that sets the Xperia 5 II apart from other smartphones is its physical fingerprint sensor, which is located on the power button on the side of the phone. This feature provides an extra layer of security and is also very convenient to use.
Overall, while the Xperia 5 II's software may not be the most feature-packed, it offers a clean and simple user interface that is easy to use and navigate. Additionally, the phone comes with a range of Sony-specific features that add value to the device and make it stand out from the competition.
VI Conclusion:
The Sony Xperia 5 II is an impressive smartphone that excels in several areas, particularly its camera and display. The 120Hz refresh rate on the OLED display makes for a smooth and seamless user experience, and the triple-camera setup on the back provides excellent image quality and plenty of features to play around with.
The phone's performance is also top-notch, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and 8GB of RAM providing plenty of power and speed for even the most demanding users. Additionally, the phone's battery life is decent, with the 4000mAh battery providing enough juice to last through a full day of use.
While the Xperia 5 II's software may not be the most feature-packed, it offers a clean and simple user interface that is easy to use and navigate. The phone also comes with a range of Sony-specific features, such as Side Sense and Game Enhancer, that add value to the device and make it stand out from the competition.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 II is a fantastic smartphone that offers a lot of bang for your buck. If you're looking for a high-end device with a great camera, stunning display, and solid performance, the Xperia 5 II is definitely worth considering.
