Sony Xperia 5 III 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 III is a high-end smartphone released in October 2021. Featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, and a triple-camera setup, it has all the hallmarks of a flagship device. However, what sets the Xperia 5 III apart is its unique 21:9 aspect ratio, making it ideal for cinematic experiences on the go.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design and build quality, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a sleek and stylish device that's sure to turn heads. The phone's physical appearance and aesthetics are impressive, with a glass front and back that's protected by Gorilla Glass 6, and an aluminum frame that adds to its premium look and feel. The phone is also IP65/IP68 dust and water-resistant, which means it can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5m for 30 minutes, making it perfect for those who are prone to accidents.

In terms of ergonomics and comfort, the Xperia 5 III fits comfortably in the hand, thanks to its 157 x 68 x 8.2mm dimensions and lightweight 168g build. The buttons and ports are all within easy reach, and the fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the side of the device, making it easy to unlock the phone with one hand. The phone's durability and construction are also impressive, with its sturdy build ensuring that it can withstand everyday wear and tear.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 III's design and build quality are top-notch, making it a great choice for those who value style and durability in their mobile devices.

Display

The Sony Xperia 5 III boasts a stunning 6.1-inch OLED display with 1B colors and HDR BT.2020 support. With a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio, the screen provides a pixel density of around 449 ppi, delivering sharp and vivid visuals. The Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection ensures that the display is scratch-resistant and durable.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the Xperia 5 III's display are exceptional, making it a delight for media consumption. The OLED technology also provides deep blacks and high contrast, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience. The display is also capable of a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother animations and scrolling.

The brightness levels of the display are impressive, making it easy to use even in direct sunlight. Additionally, the touch sensitivity and responsiveness are top-notch, making navigation and use of the phone intuitive and seamless.

Overall, the Xperia 5 III's display is a standout feature, offering a stunning visual experience that is hard to match in the smartphone market. Whether it is for gaming, streaming, or browsing, the display is sure to impress even the most discerning users.

Performance

The Sony Xperia 5 III boasts an impressive performance, thanks to its Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and octa-core processor. The smartphone comes with two storage options: 128GB and 256GB, both of which are paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination ensures smooth and efficient multitasking, even when running performance-intensive applications.

In terms of gaming, the Xperia 5 III does not disappoint. Its Adreno 660 GPU delivers high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay, making it perfect for gamers who prefer to play on their smartphones. Moreover, the device's 120Hz OLED display provides an immersive gaming experience, with fast and responsive touch sensitivity.

The smartphone's benchmark scores are impressive, with an AnTuTu score of 708394 and GeekBench score of 3549. In real-world usage, the Xperia 5 III performs exceptionally well, with minimal lag or stuttering when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a performance powerhouse, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency. Whether you are a gamer or a power user, this smartphone is sure to impress with its powerful chipset, ample RAM, and excellent graphics capabilities.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia 5 III runs on Android 11, with an upgradeable option to Android 13. The user interface is easy to navigate, and customization options are plentiful. The phone comes with several pre-installed apps, including Sony's own suite of media apps such as Music and Video, as well as Google apps, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Maps.

The Xperia 5 III has a user-friendly interface that can be customized to suit individual preferences. It also has a feature called Side Sense that allows users to access frequently used apps and settings by tapping on the edge of the screen. The phone's software is optimized for multitasking, and users can open multiple apps at once without experiencing lag or slowdowns.

However, some users may find the number of pre-installed apps overwhelming, and there is a limited option to uninstall them. The phone also lacks a dedicated app drawer, forcing users to organize apps on the home screen or create folders to keep them organized.

Sony has a good track record of providing software updates, and the Xperia 5 III is no exception. The phone is expected to receive software updates for at least two years after its launch, ensuring that users get the latest security and performance features.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Sony Xperia 5 III are well-designed and user-friendly, with plenty of customization options. The phone's optimization for multitasking and its expected software updates make it a good choice for users who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lives.

Camera

The Sony Xperia 5 III boasts a triple rear camera setup that includes a 12 MP wide-angle lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. The camera system is equipped with Zeiss optics and T* lens coating, which contribute to the exceptional image quality produced by this phone.

In daylight conditions, the Xperia 5 III performs exceptionally well, capturing images with excellent color reproduction and sharp details. The phone’s autofocus system is fast and accurate, ensuring that your shots are always in focus. The telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom and 4.4x digital zoom, which is perfect for capturing distant subjects with clarity.

In low-light conditions, the Xperia 5 III’s camera system continues to impress. The phone’s image processing algorithms work effectively to reduce noise in low-light images, resulting in clear and sharp photos. The phone’s optical image stabilization (OIS) system also helps to steady the camera in low-light conditions, which is particularly useful when shooting handheld.

The Xperia 5 III’s video recording capabilities are also impressive, with the ability to shoot 4K footage at up to 120fps, ensuring smooth and detailed footage. The phone’s 5-axis gyro-EIS and OIS features also work together to produce stable footage, even when shooting while in motion.

The front-facing selfie camera is an 8 MP lens with an f/2.0 aperture, which is capable of capturing detailed and well-lit selfies. The HDR feature is particularly useful for ensuring that your selfies are well-balanced and vibrant.

Overall, the Xperia 5 III’s camera system is a standout feature of this phone. It excels in both daylight and low-light conditions, with the ability to capture stunning images and videos with ease. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just looking for a phone that can capture great images, the Xperia 5 III is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia 5 III offers a range of connectivity options that are essential for modern smartphones. It supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks, ensuring that you can stay connected to the internet no matter where you are. Additionally, the device has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA capabilities, which ensures that you can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, work, or public places.

Furthermore, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, aptX HD, and LE technologies allow you to connect your headphones, speakers, or other Bluetooth devices seamlessly. The phone also supports GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, and QZSS for accurate navigation and location tracking.

NFC is also available on the Xperia 5 III, allowing you to make contactless payments using Google Pay or other mobile payment options. Unfortunately, the device does not have a radio, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 III has all the necessary connectivity options for a modern smartphone. It offers excellent network coverage, fast Wi-Fi speeds, and accurate location tracking. The lack of a radio may be a downside for some users, but the phone's other features make up for this.

Additional Features

The Sony Xperia 5 III comes with a host of additional features that set it apart from other smartphones on the market. For starters, the device is IP65/IP68 dust and water-resistant, making it a reliable choice for those who are always on the go.

The Xperia 5 III also offers expandable storage options with a microSDXC slot that uses a shared SIM slot. This means that you can easily store all of your favorite photos, videos, and apps without having to worry about running out of space.

When it comes to audio, the device boasts 24-bit/192kHz audio and a dynamic vibration system that delivers an immersive audio experience. Additionally, the phone comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows you to plug in your favorite wired headphones.

The Xperia 5 III also features a loudspeaker with stereo speakers that produce rich and clear sound quality. This makes it a great choice for watching movies, listening to music, or making hands-free calls.

One of the standout features of the Xperia 5 III is its native Sony Alpha camera support. This means that you can use the phone as a remote control for your Sony Alpha camera, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos with ease.

Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a wide range of additional features that make it a top contender in the smartphone market. From its water and dust resistance to its expandable storage and audio capabilities, this device is sure to impress.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparisons with other related phones, the Sony Xperia 5 III has some fierce competition in the market. One of its closest competitors is the Samsung Galaxy S21. Both devices feature the latest Snapdragon 888 processor which offers lightning-fast performance and 5G capabilities. However, the Xperia 5 III has a slightly smaller screen size at 6.1 inches compared to the S21's 6.2 inches.

Another competitor of the Xperia 5 III is the iPhone 12 Pro Max from Apple. While the iPhone does not have expandable storage options like the Xperia 5 III, it makes up for it with its powerful A14 Bionic chip and impressive camera system. The Xperia 5 III, on the other hand, has a more versatile camera system with its triple lens setup and offers more customization options on its Android operating system.

One more device that is worth comparing to the Xperia 5 III is the Google Pixel 5. Both devices have a similar screen size and resolution, but the Pixel 5 has a slightly smaller battery capacity compared to the Xperia 5 III. However, the Pixel 5 offers a more streamlined user experience with its Google-centric operating system and has a more affordable price point compared to the Xperia 5 III.

Overall, the Xperia 5 III holds its own against its competitors with its impressive camera system, expandable storage options, and powerful processor. Its unique features, such as its native Sony Alpha camera support and dynamic vibration system, make it stand out in the crowded smartphone market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a well-balanced and impressive device that delivers exceptional performance, excellent camera capabilities, and remarkable durability. Its sleek and ergonomic design, combined with its water and dust resistance, make it an ideal device for anyone seeking a stylish yet sturdy smartphone. The device's display is also a standout feature, with its OLED technology providing vivid colors, excellent brightness, and touch sensitivity. Its powerful Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of RAM ensure smooth multitasking and gaming capabilities, while its 4500mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage. While the lack of a headphone jack and slightly steep price point may pose an issue for some users, the Xperia 5 III is still a fantastic device that offers a lot of value for its price. Overall, we highly recommend the Sony Xperia 5 III to anyone looking for a premium smartphone that delivers exceptional performance, durability, and camera capabilities.