Has Sony Done Enough? Xperia 5 III Review & Verdict

After 2 weeks with the 5 III I'm happy to report that it delivers very successfully on its promise to give you a full flagship experience but in a smaller form factor.... in every area except one (in my humble opinion). I just wish it had that premium matte finish and squared of sides with narrower bezels, as we see on the 1 III this year. I feel like the gap between the 1 III and the 5 III is wider than I would like. Sure, there's a good cost saving here with etc Xperia 5 III, but I'd still like to feel I was getting a full thoroughbred Sony Xperia flagship. Plus, overall the 5 III does feel a bit too similar to last year's 5 II. That's not the end of the world, and I suspect for most people who want Sony latest and greatest (kind of) compact flagship - this will deliver the goods!

Certainly, nothing put me off the device and for those who want one of the most pocket-friendly, monstrously fast Android phones out there - this is awesome. And then there's the Alpha-inspired camera tech, headphone jack, expandable storage, notification light etc. So much to love here.

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[tuuchen]

I love how honest you are on your reviews!

[izo]

Hello. I unpacked a 5 III Sunday evening. There has been a vertiginous battery depletion since then. It was at 60% when switched on, I put it at 80%. Maybe I should have gone 100%. It immediately wanted a software update. Anyway, the screen is not at 120, no games or videos have been played, there are no identified energy hungry apps running in the background. And yet, the battery melts away, even in stamina mode. Even in stamina + aeroplane over night! So I charged it at 100%. It charges (too?) fast and heats up. After the charging at 100% the battery loss seems less acute, but I don't even dare go on YouTube. My previous 5 years old Xperia has still more juice, it's ridiculous. Anyone having a similar problem? Is it software, or a bad battery batch? Sony is of no help, of course. Will I have to do a factory reset 3 days after purchase? Thanks for your advice.

[luttrell]

I really don't see the point in having a button for what is essentially a voice assistant. You're right about Sony's software support it really could be better. Great video thanks

[markfriedman]

I understand that you cannot remap the Google button, But can you shut it off so nothing happens if hit the Google button? Thx

[vidthreenorth]

Here's a tip for making your videos. You can reduce the "echo-y" sound simply by bringing a coat rack into the room (with a couple of coats or other clothes) and positioning it off camera. One on each side is even better. If you want to play with the setup, a good location is to put one in the direction you are talking, which is probably behind the camera.

[rockabye_baby]

I have already thought about getting the 1 mark 3. It looks awesome. 5 mark 3 is to me the same phone. Sony wants us to believe they're different. I can deal with not as long lasting battery or a slightly slower processor or the spiffy matte finish. I can accept that! Im getting it for the camera of course.

[jhclee]

Hi Tom, Tks a lot for your review. I love to do water sports during summer and often take photos under the sun. I am worried about the overheating problem of both 5iii and 1iii. Do you have any comment on this? Would both phones be scorching hot and which one might be dealing with this better?

[alancrane]

Thank you for a great review. Just purchased another 1iii and the new 1000 m4 headphones. My son needs a phone and headphones. I still have the 1ii so he is getting that and the headphones. My wife still has the compact z3 but love's the 1iii with the narrow screen. She can use the 1iii without to much difficulty due to her hands issues and she loves photography. Thank you for your reviews we do enjoy them and find them very helpful for our purchasing. I've just subscribed please keep up the great work and thank you.

[Dizzy]

I'm watching this on my Xperia 1 III, two things i don't like about this phone, there's no more album application, it's only Google photos, i tried getting one on the play store and the albums applications have ads, real bummer. The other thing is the phone does heat up, I've been on only YouTube and what's app and the phone is hot, besides those two things i love my phone and the ear buds too, the typing, speed of phone, display, battery life, feel of the phone, finger print sensor, the sounds, and camera are beyond great!!!!

[freediverhd]

Hi Tom, could we get a review on the Xperia Ace II ? It's the most compact phone sony makes at the moment.

[mgp]

Got a super duper deal for a like new 5 Mark II for $677 + tax from B&H. Saved me over $650 after cancelling my 1 Mark 3 preorder. Love the form factor, battery life and gorgeous camera photos. Of course it would be nice to have wireless charging and 4K like in my Xperia XZ2 Premium but not a must have. Oh and most of the bugs have been eliminated with almost 8 months worth of updates.

[lykandubby]

Thanks a lot Tom ! I'm glad you did this . If you have a 5ii, would you upgrade to the 5iii ?

[gordy]

Tom have you noticed when people do camera comparisons with the Sony Xperia v Apple or Samsung they use the auto mode and don't even bother with the Pro mode. Have you any videos to show the difference between the auto and pro mode v other top end phones. 👍

[mrbond]

Hi, can I ask the community a question, I have this phone, and love it, but I have a issue with screen. And that is colour banding I've only just noticed it. If I play Apple music you can see it in the background of the album art. As you play music. As a good test if you play running by Beyonce. Which I just did (And I used this test with TV ) you can clearly see the lines of colour in the sea. I was hoping someone else could run this test on there phone to see if this is a bigger problems. Or just mine many thanks.

[MrShiv]

Sir want to buy sony 1 mark 3 where to buy l am living in india anyone help

[allantapiwasibanda]

I love how Sony build their phones, however I'm worried that if I'm to purchase a 5iii now I won't get support next year around October . Is there a probability of them extending the support, or rather if I'm to keep it beyond Oct 2023 what could I be facing in terms of updates and security

[blackpearl]

Hi. I am following you from Egypt. I want you to explain to me which is better for games and speed of performance 5 iii or 1 ii

[obscurazone]

Ordered this damn thing ages ago here in the Netherlands, still waiting as per usual. What is it with Sony and supply chains? Hopeless. Also, you mention the photo gallery thing? So are you saying there’s literally no included app to view images???? Also also, I think I saw somewhere, that you can prevent COD installing when setting up the device. I don’t know how though.

[heinzforster]

I still have a galaxy s 10. I dont really like the s21. Which one is better s 21 oder xperia 5 III? and why?

[jfernando]

My personal verdict on the Sony Xperia 1iii I've had this phone a lil over 2 months from 1 to 10 rating id give it an 8 outta 10 . Pros super fast, great camera, refresh rate is awesome with some Disadvantages. My cons with this phone Is as follows, battery life sucks, in order to reduce the drainage turn off 120hz, phone over heats when on videos calls so I wouldn't recommend u use zoom FB etc, i did notice the internet comes and goes i find myself restarting the phone. If u get a case be warned finger print sensor is not the best with case. That's about it any advice !??