Sony Xperia 5 III Review | Stick with the Mark 2?

Reviewing the Sony Xperia 5 III after a week of personal use, including my thoughts on the camera tech, gaming performance, battery life and beyond. While last year's Mark 2 was one of my favourite smartphones, the Mark 3 doesn't feel enough of an upgrade, with some issues. Here's my final verdict on the Xperia 5 III and check out my unboxing for a full tour.

Sony's latest 2021 phone is a rival to flagships like the Pixel 5, Samsung's Galaxy S21 and that Xperia 1 III. The media chops are strong thanks to the sharp OLED screen with full-view design and impressive software smarts in backup. Likewise, Sony's Camera here on the Xperia 5 III is impressively flexible thanks to that Photo Pro app with DSLR-style control.

However, I did notice some heating issues and not even when gaming on Genshin Impact, but with everyday use. Battery life should suit everyone but the most demanding users who rack up scores of over five hours of screen on time per day.

Check out my reviews of other premium 2021 smartphones for more ideas!

Sony Xperia 5 III Chapters:
0:00 - Blah blah
0:48 - Design
1:38 - Features
3:15 - Display & audio
5:38 - Performance & gaming
7:13 - Battery life
8:01 - Camera
10:33 - Verdict

[HSNG]

Xperia 5 III has graphene heat dissipation in place of the wireless charging coil. So it'll feel hot because it is dissipating heat more efficiently than other phones with wireless charging coils. It's by design and that's why even if it feels hot, the games will not stutter, unlike other phones that stutters once you feel it heating up

[chancelord]

Your reviews are honestly my fave cuz of your humor, keep it up mate, cheers from Michigan, US

[Nimbushurl]

I was an Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra user (I bought this in 2017, the time you reviewed it in Recombu) since July 2021 and wanting to get another Xperia but there are so much competition in the budget realm of phones. Plus having their handsets pulled out from the Philippines, making it even more difficult to get one.

I moved to using Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro. Very satisfied with this phone.

[alpineassault]

Will always love the humor and wit in your fun reviews. Sometimes I feel like I'm just watching a livestreamed review. That's the vibe I get haha.

[AlexLee-lmmc]

As someone who bought the mark ii based on your previous review of that, i approve of this video

[abcun]

I’m sorry to say but in this instance I think it is warranted. The asking price for this phone is astronomical, especially for the specs and design. You can literally find either the same specs or better on phones that were released 6 months to a year ago and are now selling for a fraction of the price this phone costs. Nevermind other more current alternatives.

[martinlavare]

Awesome review! I am still holding out for the next Sony XZ2 Compact....I just can't seem to find anything that is as small other than the iPhone 12 mini...the Sony boggles the minds of my friends and family....they can't believe how small it is and also thick...heavy. Keep up all the amazing work mate! Just incredible videos.

[Stevenx]

Give me the Xperia 5 IV with wireless charging, 3+ years of support, better heat management, and I'm in

[isaiahwp]

I'll stick with my Xperia 5 II for quite a while longer. So far the upgrades for the 5 III are minimal. Plus, I don't think a hardware upgrade will fix Sony's slow camera processing

[TienTran-uqto]

I want to buy Xperia 5 III but damn the price is really overkill for me. In my country even used xperia 5 II is more expensive than used galaxy s21

[Cuky_]

I usually change my phone every 2 years. I got myself the original Xperia 5 and now I am getting Xperia 5 III... Xperias are becoming quite hard to actually get here where I live lately. When I first got into smartphone market most carriers had them bundled on discount with 2-year contracts, but in last few years none of them have Xperia phones on offer. And stores usually have Xperia 10 phones on stock, while 5 and 1 get very small number available. I just ordered mine 11 days ago and even then I have to wait for full 10 working days for them to even send it to me because they are only getting them from supplier after order is placed. But still, got a nice one bundled with WH-H910N/B headphones (which are also going to be my first headphones with active noise canceling) so I think it will be worth the wait. Xperia 5 II can't even be found here where I live anymore.

[niprbmw_]

Chris your going well with those reviews
Nice video chris ;)
Im still an big fan of your yt channel

[HDUnfatalLife]

I like the Xperia phones alot but being able to get a basically new OnePlus 7 Pro for around $250 or less on OfferUp or FB marketplace if you shop around is just the best deal going right now. 8gb ram, 90hz fluid AMOLED display, Snapdragon 855 chipset, pop up camera so full display, can't beat it.

[toysupra]

Great phone. Disappointed not getting 5g in the U.S. but the phone still feels just as fast as my old 5g OnePlus 8T. Battery life is great as well.

[gideonwhibble]

I'm still limping along with my Z5 Compact waiting for a premium compact to replace it, so anything small is getting looked at these days

[anime_hydra]

You reviews are the best because they your own opinion and I like that

[paulgraves]

Your review of the 5 mk2 was spot on! Watching this review on it now!

[Matt-kfec]

A late comment; I do have the Xperia 5ii and I'm very happy with it; I got it on the black Friday for 599€; an upgrade doesn't make sense for me
Waiting for an eventual 5IV. Great review as always and greetings from Germany.👍

[deanthompson]

Chris, With your reviews on the Sony Xperia line, I have a decision to make, do I go with the Pixel 6 Pro, or the Xperia I Mark III? The two years of updates compared to five or six years is a big question mark. Has Sony provided any more information about refreshes and updates? I may just wait to the end of the year, and let more of each phone go out, and then see we are at. Thanks as always.

[stans]

Toasting your Marshmallows is bad.
My Note 7 occasionally grilled my sausage.