Sony Xperia 5 IV full review

The Sony Xperia 5 IV has just been announced and it's expected to launch later this month for around 1000 dollars/pounds/euros. It introduces a few updates over the Xperia 5 III - a brighter display, an updated design, a faster chipset, a better selfie experience, longer battery life, wireless charging but a any smartphone is more than the sum of its features.
Check out our video review to learn ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about the Xperia 5 IV's top features, build and screen quality, battery life, performance, and camera image quality.

▶ Read our detailed text review

▶ Check out the full phone specs

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Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Design and build quality
01:17 - Display (6.10" OLED, 1080p) quality test
02:18 - Speaker quality test
03:02 - Android 12
03:31 - Sony’s camera apps
04:26 - Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
05:04 - Battery life (5000mAh) and 30W charging speed test
05:43 - Main cameras
06:00 - Daylight image quality, rear cameras
07:19 - Low-light image quality, rear cameras
08:10 - Selfie camera image quality
08:30 - Video quality, rear cameras
09:38 - Conclusion

[SMGJohn]

Sony is one of the very very few that still has flagship grade smartphones with headphone jack and MicroSD slot, thats commendable.

[lottery]

microSD is the invincible smartphone feature that instantly makes it at least 3 tiers better.

[BAdventures]

I got the Xperia 5 IV (256GB) after this review and happy with it. No overheating issues. 2 major feedback points: Mine is the international model with 256GB storage, sub US $700. There was no other option. Better value, more bang for my buck. I noticed reviewers made a big deal about the 128GB model, never mentioning the 256GB option. Maybe reviewers get that lower capacity model for T&E.
Another big note is the screen design is convex, sticks out. It sits a little tall and proud from the body. This causes the edges to chip easily. And that's with a screen protector and protective case. I now use a wallet style case to protect the screen further. I didn't hear any reviews covering this. It's one of those things you only notice once it happens. My previous phones had screens that were flush with the body or slightly concave. Gives more protection from side chips and scratches. It seems the newer Xperia models have addressed this by raising the body up slightly / making the screen flush.
Please note both points in future Xperia reviews. Appreciate these reviews and keep up the good work 👍

[fretboardrunner]

The only one thing I'd love for Sony to do would be more Android updates. Like 3 or 4 major updates with at least 4 yeasr of security/bug fixes. This would fit in really well with the expendable storage, making Sony phones some of the longest lasting ones even if the user's storage needs change over time.

[mohdnormohdaminnullah]

I always have soft spot for Sony. This Experia 5 is really made me wanting one

[Dragontrumpetare]

Wow, gsmarena recommends Sonyy... Thought I would never hear that again ever. Great review!

[azamxs]

Perfect phone. Excellent camera system. Perfect size for handheld and one hand use. Premium material built. Light and fluid user interface. What else you want in a good phone. The only downside to Sony flagship is short length security updates of only 2 years. Sony should emulate iPhone and Samsung by providing minimum of 4 years updates

[mbjrakin]

This is the most straight forward detailed review video you will find in YouTube

[Neeono]

The phone indicated as the 5 III at 0:45 is actually the Sony Xperia 1 III ...
You can tell by
(1) the camera module
(2) the edges
(3) the color
(4) the finish on the back

[iamdalibor]

I just got the X5MK2 I'm surprised no body is talking about the dynamic vibration such a slept on feature.
I definitely like it
And the side Sense is also nice

[GuidingGear]

Job well done Sony! I love how you improved the screen and the battery life. Thanks for this review

[lovemademan]

BEST COMPACT EVER! Your camera test shows how amazing is and how sharp. This one is for me! Great review! Thank you! <3

[HSNG]

The Xperia 5 IV almost had everything. Just needed the 8+Gen1 SOC to address the overheating 8Gen1. The design did state 2 larger heat dissipation layers between the motherboard. Let's see what the actual use experience says.

[johnleighdesigns]

Thanks so much for the review great to hear some additional thoughts and findings. As a Canon photographer and videographer, I have always owned only Sony Xperia smartphones which I have actually used in some commercial projects as well as other projects, and have been holding off a while updating my 2019 Xperia 5 and this new mark iv looks to be the perfect step up especially in the video despite some negative reviews popping up - I was actually on the verge of going for the Xperia 1 iv with its over the top monthly contract price of £60 a month here in the uk but now this new xperia 5 is arriving it makes sense to hold on another month when it arrives october in uk im assuming for a little less monthly cost due to lack of the extra zoom and 4k screen!

[missesmia]

Have had XQ-CQ72 for three weeks now
No overheating issues working in hot humid environments with music playing through speakers
Super fast
Battery lasts two days
I like the size and how it feels in hand reminds me of my iPhone 5s
10/10

[GRIFF]

Software and security support?? This ought to be mandatory in reviews now. Gone are the days when you want a new phone every 12-18 months. Apart from gaming, these chipsets are so powerful that they breeze through everything, so something released today will be plenty capable in 4/5 years time. So people just want the latest software features and the latest security updates, something Sony has traditionally been very poor with.

[chinitopinoy]

If they weren't going to upgrade the telelphoto to the one that is on the Xperia 1 IV, they should've at least kept the periscope 70mm, 105mm from the Xperia 5 III. That would've been more useful plus it's a larger telephoto sensor than the 60mm on the 5 IV at 1/2.9 vs 1/3.5.

[Uderscore]

Sony seems to make the most objectively ideal phones on the market, the fact that their market share is minuscule is really baffling, and the limited availability means it's nearly impossible to find deals or discounts on even the previous two models. I thought this would be the one for me, but the small improvements don't really justify the price, so I considered just getting a 5 III, but even now they haven't dropped in price, and even went up a little? sigh, guess I'll wait for the 10 V...

[Moekindi]

Best photos from mobiles cameras I've ever seen

[MaiElizabeth]

I hope Xiaomi can follow this design language. Simple flat all around and no nonsense colours. We just want the standard serious black-grey-white.