Introducing the Xperia 5 V, Sony’s latest compact flagship. In this article, you can learn about the smartphone and the improvements that have been made.
Sony Xperia 5 V Officially Announced
The Xperia 5 V is the fifth smartphone in Sony’s Xperia 5 line. The new device follows last year’s Xperia 5 IV and is again distinguished by its compact design. The Xperia 5 V is slightly heavier and thicker than its predecessor, but the difference is minimal.
The phone features a 6.1-inch screen with full HD resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz, providing sharp and smooth images, as expected from a flagship device. Sony has once again opted for thin borders at the top and bottom of the screen, ensuring uninterrupted visuals.
- 6.1-inch OLED screen: full HD and 120Hz refresh rate
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage
- Fingerprint scanner on the side, integrated into the power button
- 5000mAh battery with fast charging and wireless charging
- New main camera with 2x zoom capability
- Headphone jack and improved speakers
- IP68 certification: waterproof
- Android 13 with two major Android updates
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects against scratches
Under the hood of the Xperia 5 V is the fastest mobile processor currently available, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It is more powerful and efficient than the chip in the Xperia 5 IV. The phone, similar to the Xperia 1 V released earlier this year, remains cool even during intensive use. Previous Sony devices had issues with overheating. Sony has also included 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable with a micro SD card.
The smartphone is IP68 certified, making it dust and water-resistant. The stereo speakers have been improved, offering a more dynamic and spacious sound, perfect for watching series or films on Netflix.
According to Sony, speakers are the most widely used audio component when consuming media. Additionally, the Xperia 5 V includes a headphone jack for wired earphones or headphones.
Improved Cameras
Sony has made significant improvements to the cameras of the Xperia 5 V. The noticeable change is the removal of the telephoto lens, leaving the smartphone with two lenses on the back. However, the main camera has a higher resolution of 48 megapixels and the ability to zoom in 2x, resulting in better image quality compared to digital zoom.
Although the removal of the zoom camera is unfortunate, the Xperia 5 V compensates with a new 48-megapixel main camera featuring an improved sensor that captures more light. This results in better low-light photography. By default, the camera compresses pixels to produce high-quality 12-megapixel photos.
Sony has also enhanced the portrait mode, delivering better results in low-light conditions. Additionally, the 12-megapixel wide-angle lens allows for capturing wider shots such as landscapes or architecture. For selfies and video calls, there is a 12-megapixel front camera.
Sony has introduced filters in the camera app that add vibrancy to photos, capturing colors more vividly or producing saturated photos. The Video Creator app has also been included for easy video editing, with edited videos saved to Google Photos.
Large Battery and Update Policy
As for the battery, the Xperia 5 V is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that supports fast charging up to 30 Watts and wireless charging. However, the charging speed is not exceptional, with half an hour of charging providing only half the battery capacity. Wireless charging is slower, reaching a maximum of 18 Watts. Sony, like some other manufacturers, does not include a charger in the box.
Sony promises to provide two major Android upgrades for the Xperia 5 V. The smartphone comes with Android 13 out of the box and will be updated to Android versions 14 and 15. Security patches will be provided for three years. Sony’s update policy falls behind those of many other manufacturers, such as Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, who offer longer support for their phones.
Sony Xperia 5 V Release and Price
The Sony Xperia 5 V is set to be released this month in the Netherlands for 999 euros. This makes the smartphone slightly cheaper than last year’s Xperia 5 IV, which was priced at 1049 euros. The device is available in three colors: black, blue, and silver.
If you order the smartphone within two weeks, you will receive a complimentary Sony WH-CH720N wireless headphones with noise cancellation. These headphones are normally sold for around 100 euros.
Source: Android Planet