One year to the day after the Xperia 5 IV, Sony is renewing its small high-end smartphone. Quite logically called Xperia 5 V, this new phone is distinguished from its predecessor by a lower price. A commercial effort granted in exchange for another concession on the technical sheet. And not just any since it concerns the photo. Presentations.
On September 1, 2022, Sony formalized the arrival of its Xperia 5 IV. A small smartphone which suffered a price increase of 50 euros, but which counterbalanced this with some improvements on the technical sheet: brighter screen, new more powerful processor and more generous battery. On the other hand, Sony revised downwards the photographic configuration with a less qualitative telephoto lens.
Sony sells the Xperia 5 V 50 euros cheaper than the Xperia 5 IV
The Xperia 5 IV proved, during our tests, to be a very pleasant smartphone, largely capable of competing with the iPhone 14 (sold at almost the same price). And it also confirmed the relevance of the market for ” small high-end smartphones on which is positioned the classic iPhone, the ZenFone and the Xperia 5. We are therefore delighted to learn, one year to the day after the Xperia 5 IV, that Sony is persevering in this segment with a fifth generation.
Here is the Xperia 5 V, Sony’s new small format flagship. A phone that stands out from its predecessor for its price. Indeed, the Xperia 5 V will be marketed in France at 999 euros (recommended retail price). Either the same price as the Xperia 5 III. And therefore 50 euros cheaper than the Xperia 5 IV. The smartphone therefore returns below the 1000 euro mark after the inflation of 2022. This is very good news. Of course, in times of some component inflation, a price drop means a different spec sheet.
The Xperia 5 V lacks a telephoto lens
And precisely, there is a significant change: the removal of the telephoto lens. In 2020, Sony had already cut back on this component. This year, it is simply deleted. Sony therefore offers an experience closer to the iPhone 14 and ZenFone 10, these two main competitors. Until now, the Japanese firm could pride itself on offering a wider functional spectrum. This is no longer the case. There is therefore only one main sensor and an ultra-wide-angle sensor.
Fortunately, these last two are identical to the Xperia 1 V at the beginning of the year. We were able to measure their qualities during our complete test. And it is clear that the new sensor 48 megapixels with lens opening at f/1.9 is a nice improvement. As for the selfie sensor, it is the same 12 megapixel module of the Xperia 5 IV and the Xperia 1 V. For the rest, the Xperia 5 V uses the screen of its predecessor in a slightly less compact chassis (less high, but wider and thicker).
The Xperia 5 V spec sheet is decidedly high-end
Inside, you will find the same technical sheet as the Xperia 1 V: Snapdragon 8 Gen 28 GB of RAM, 5000 mAh battery, 30 watt fast charge, wireless charging, side fingerprint reader, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connections, balanced dual speaker, 3.5 mm jack port, shell in Gorilla Victus , Certification IP68. Note that there is now only one version of the Xperia 5 V with 128 GB of RAM. The 256 GB version has been removed. However, the storage space is expandable. And the price of a microSDXC card is often lower than the differential between 128 GB and 256 GB of storage. The Xperia 5 V will be released in France on September 29, 2023. And we hope to be able to test it in our columns by then.
Here is a summary of the data sheet:
- 6.1-inch Full HD+ 120Hz AMOLED display
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage (expandable)
- 5000 mAh battery, 30 watt fast charge, wireless charging
- 48 MP main photo sensor, f/1.9 lens, dual PDAF, optical stabilizer
- 12 MP ultra-wide-angle photo sensor, f/2.2 lens, dual PDAF
- 12 MP selfie sensor, f/2.0 lens
- Edge fingerprint reader
- WiFi 6E connection, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and GPS
- Dual front speakers, 3.5mm jack port
- Aluminum frame, mineral glass shell, IP68 certification
