▷Sony Xperia 5 review: ergonomics and originality 🥇

Unveiled a very short time ago to IFA 2019, Sony Xperia 5 it is the compact version of Xperia 1, but compact - we guarantee it - it has only the dimensions. But no more chatter, let's start immediately with our review!

Sony Xperia 5 review: the technical sheet

Let's start with the usual technical of this device, which surprises us for its form factor and for the care in the finishes.

Dimensions: 158 x 68 x 8.2 mm
Weight: 164 g
Display: 6.1 ”1080 x 2520 Oled FHD + with a density of 449 ppi
CPU: Snapdragon 855
GPU: Adreno 640
RAM: 6 GB
Memory: 128 GB expandable, Combined SIM / MicroSD slot with Micro SD Up to 512 GB
Network: 4G LTE – 5G – Dual SIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP/LE/aptX, USB Type-C 3.1, A-GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo
Battery: 3140 mAh
Rear camera: 12 MP f/1.6 + 12MP f/2.2 + 12MP f/2.4
Front Camera: 24 MP f / 2.0
Videos: posteriore 4K (30fps), anteriore Full HD (30fps)
Operating system: Android 9.0 Pie

Packaging and aesthetics

The packaging is very simple and without frills, completely white with the name of the device in the center. Inside we find, besides the phone, the charger from 18W, the data cable USB-C/USB-C and in-ear headphones with 3.5mm jack output; together, however, there is also its 3.5 to USB-C adapter, in fact there is no jack input on our Xperia 5.

The smartphone is in steel on the profiles and in glass Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and back. On the front we do not have a notch, but a not too evident upper band. With this space available, I would have liked a 3D facial recognition unlock sensor. On the back we find the three cameras arranged in a traffic light on the left side. It has the certification IP 68 which gives us greater safety in daily use.

It is available in 4 colors, black, blue, gray (light) and red, all quite elegant, no light effects or strange effects. All the keys are arranged on the right side of the device, which could make left-handers turn up their noses. On the right then the volume rocker, the fingerprint reader, the power button and finally, on the lower part almost at an angle, the button to take pictures. At the bottom the USB type C port, on the left the trolley for the sim / micro SD manually removable, without pin, thanks to a small pocket.

Screen and form factor

What undoubtedly characterizes this device is the format, the only one from Sony. Xperia 5 is really handy, it will rarely get out of your hands or tire you. Convenient to keep in your pocket or on long phone calls without headphones, it packs a defined screen CinemaWide. It slightly decreases the pixel density compared to its big brother, Xperia 1, but you will hardly notice it with the naked eye. It is really nice to be able to watch our favorite Netflix series or videos on Youtube, the quality and fluidity of the image surprises us and does not disappoint, even though it is not 4K. We can also set a manual "color profile", setting it according to our needs.

This screen also allows us a comfortable split-screen mode, we can in fact keep open and view at the same time two applications. We will decide how much space to dedicate to each of them, choosing between half the screen or two thirds.

Performance and autonomy

Lo Snapdragon 855 is a confirmation and a guarantee, the smartphone has no lag or slowdown, even with different applications open at the same time and in split-screen mode. However with intensive use tends to heat up a little, in fact there is little room for a proper cooling system.

La battery is perhaps one of the painful points of this device. 3140 mAh they struggle to bring us in the evening, around 17 pm we are already at 25% with standard use (social, short session with navigator, some messages on whatsapp and email). In stand-by, on the other hand, it gives its best, the Snap 855 is not very energy-intensive and consumption is reduced to the bone. However, Sony guarantees that over time, the adaptive battery should improve performance once it gets in tune with the owner. Refill available fast by cable a 18W which saves us a minimum from the not very large battery, the wireless one is absent.

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The performances from the point of view audio instead they have us convinced in half. Audio is stereo, well balanced between the two speakers. Also in call the sound is soft, until we activate the speakerphone: this is where the donkey falls. Volume is really disappointing, it goes mono, uses only the lower speaker and croaks every now and then.

Sony Xperia 5 review: let's talk about photos

Here Sony plays at home. The camera sector was also borrowed from 2x.

In low light, the shots remain of good quality only using the main sensor, the other two lose appeal (the sensors are in fact different) and I would avoid using them. You can comfortably take pictures from the physical button at the bottom right side of the device, and I must say that it often comes in handy, especially with one of the two hands busy.

To help us budding photographers, comes an eye tracking software function AF / EF, which allows you to keep faces always in focus in the frame. This feature, already present on the Xperia 1, has been further refined and improved for this new model.

For videos instead the application returns Cinema Pro, a dedicated application that emulates the interface and some options of Sony Venice, the latest generation cinema camera. This app will not transform you into the new Tarantinos, however, it only gives you some additional controls and filters that will be enough to entertain you a little and maybe start your career as a videomaker!

The front camera, on the other hand, is a separate matter. The resolution, in my opinion, is not top of the range. The poor definition then worsens with backlit shots and in general the photographs are often unnatural.

Here is a brief rundown of shots taken with Xperia 5.

Sony Xperia 5 Review: buy it or not?

Sony Xperia 5 we liked it, it is perhaps the best smartphone that the Japanese company currently has on the market. Balanced, with a few small flaws (battery and selfie-camera side) that will make more "social" users turn up their noses. However, those who find themselves wrong with the trend of "frying pans" will find in the Xperia 5 a valid element that will meet their expectations. The price itself is perhaps high, €799 they are certainly not few, given the competition. A few days after launch, however, a bundle with cover and Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones worth € 249: just add € 50 to the base price to take everything home. In these terms, it's really worth it!