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Most of the time, the best Sony phones aren’t cheap, but they tend to be worth it. Sony has struggled in recent years to garner the same level of hype and success as Samsung or Apple, despite being one of the most innovative smartphone manufacturers. In the past, the company has made phones with IP-rated waterproofing, 4K displays, 960fps video capture, and gigabit download speeds.
As you’ll see below, the company keeps adding more features to its phones. So, which Sony phones are the best in 2023? The company is obviously on the right track. In this article, we’ll talk about the newest Xperia models and the choices for a Sony fan who really likes the brand.
Best Sony Phones Comparison Table
| Phone Name | Operating System | Connector Type | Screen Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Xperia 5 IV | Android 12 | USB-C | 6.1 inches | 158 x 68 x 8.0 mm | 169 g | $899.99 |
| Sony Xperia 1 IV | Android 11 | USB-C | 6.5 inches | 165.0 x 71.0 x 8.2 mm | 187 g | $1,199.99 |
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Android 11 | USB-C | 6.5 inches | 165.1 x 71.1 x 8.2 mm | 187 g | $1,299.99 |
| Sony Xperia 10 IV | Android 11 | USB-C | 6.0 inches | 154 x 68 x 8.3 mm | 151 g | $419.99 |
| Sony Xperia PRO-I | Android 11 | USB-C | 6.5 inches | 170.2 x 76.2 x 10.4 mm | 225 g | $1,999.99 |
| Sony Xperia 5 III | Android 11 | USB-C | 6.1 inches | 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm | 168 g | $799.99 |
Sony Xperia 5 IV
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2520 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 168g |
The Xperia 5 IV is better than the Xperia 1 IV, which is more expensive and bigger. The 5 IV is smaller than its more expensive brother or sister, but it has all the same features. The only thing it’s missing is the 1 IV’s truly optical moving lens, which isn’t a big deal. You get a great battery life, great build quality, a headphone jack, speakers on the front, and good cameras.
The cameras require patience, though, because Sony chose manual controls, like its Alpha cameras, so that you can get the most out of them. Even though the auto mode works well, the results aren’t as good as those from Apple, Samsung, or Google. The phone also charges slowly, and it’s wrong that Sony only offers software and security updates for two years.
The Good
- Strong computer chip
- Great camera setup
- Small size makes it easy to carry and use
The Bad
- No jack for headphones
- Some places don’t have many options.
Sony Xperia 1 IV
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch OLED, 1644 x 3840 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 187g |
In recent years, Sony has stuck to its guns by making high-end (and expensive) smartphones with cutting-edge camera hardware, and the Xperia 1 IV is no different. It’s the best Sony phone you can buy because it has a beautiful 4K HDR OLED screen with a tall but manageable 21:9 aspect ratio that lets you watch movies and TV shows in full screen without letterboxing.
It’s also a great viewfinder for the camera and video apps that come with the phone. If you take the time to learn how to use them like a pro, you’ll be able to have a lot of control over your photos. But that’s also what makes this phone great, because it’s not a camera for casual point-and-shooters, which, let’s face it, is most of us.
The Good
- Large screen with a high resolution
- Strong processor and a lot of RAM
- Excellent camera setup
The Bad
- Pricey and big and heavy
Sony Xperia 1 III
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch OLED, 1644 x 3840 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 187g |
The best thing about the Sony Xperia 1 III is that it is the first smartphone in the world to have a 4K 120Hz display. That might be too much, but its 6.5-inch OLED screen is still one of the best you’ll find on a smartphone, so it’s definitely impressive. Other things about the Xperia 1 III are also very impressive.
The battery life, for example, is better than most flagships, even though the phone only has a 4,500mAh capacity. This is a rare flagship phone that also has a 3.5mm headphone port, which will be a big selling point for some. The Sony Xperia 1 III also has top-end power and a good camera setup, with a 12MP adaptive telephoto camera that can switch between 2.9x and 4.4x optical zoom.
The Good
- 120Hz refresh rate and a high-quality screen
- Processors that are fast and strong
- Great camera system with high-tech features
The Bad
- Expensive
- Style that is heavy and bulky
Sony Xperia 10 IV
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6-inch OLED, 1080 x 2520 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 8MP, and 8MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 169g |
In this year, the Sony Xperia 10 IV is the least expensive phone in the Xperia line, but it still has some great features. It looks like any other Xperia 10, which means it is well made. The display is just as good, with a 6-inch OLED screen that looks pretty good even though it only refreshes at an average of 60Hz.
You also get a triple-lens camera on the back that can take very good pictures. With a 2x optical zoom, the back of the camera has a 12MP wide, 8MP telephoto, and 8MP ultrawide setup that gives great results, except when it comes to color correction. The Sony Xperia 10 IV’s performance is sometimes just okay, but it’s mostly a stylish and classy phone to own.
The Good
- Good price for what you get
- Small size makes it easy to carry and use
- Decent camera setup
The Bad
- Heavy use may not be enough for a mid-range processor.
- Some places don’t have many options.
Sony Xperia PRO-I
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch OLED, 1080 x 2520 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 512GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 225g |
Sony’s employees call the Xperia Pro-I phone “The Camera,” and for good reason. Along with its huge 2.4m pixels, this 12MP main camera has two aperture settings: F/2.0 and F/4.0. Everything about this phone is made for people who like to take pictures.
There is a new app called Videography Pro, and the Photo Pro and Cinema Pro apps are still there. Almost everything inside the Xperia Pro-I phone came from the Xperia 1 III, which isn’t a bad thing. You have a Snapdragon 888 processor and 12GB of RAM.
The Good
- Built for business use, with advanced camera and sound features
- Plenty of space to store
- Processors that are fast and strong
The Bad
- Costs a lot.
- The heavy and bulky design might not work for everyone.
Sony Xperia 5 III
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2520 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Rear Camera | Triple 12MP, 12MP, and 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 4500mAh |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Weight | 169g |
Like the look of the number one phone on our list, the Sony Xperia 1 III, but want something cheaper or smaller? Then you will love the new Sony Xperia 5 III. It costs less and is a little bit smaller, with a screen that is 6.1 inches in diameter instead of 6.5 inches. And yet, it still has the same polished level of performance.
Both models run on the same Snapdragon 888 5G chip and have a 4,500mAh battery that lasts a long time. Both have three 12MP cameras that can record 120fps 4K HDR slow-motion video. There are, however, some things that need to be given up. Most notably, the Xperia 5 III only has an HD resolution instead of 4K, and its speakers are not as loud.
The Good
- Small size makes it easy to carry and use
- High-quality OLED screen that supports HDR
- Processors that are fast and strong
The Bad
- No jack for headphones
- Some places don’t have many options.
FAQs
Is Sony Xperia better than Samsung?
Sony’s super-tall phone with a 4K screen has a lot going for it. It’s fast, and the three cameras are great. But Samsung’s screen is better overall, even though it has a lower resolution. It also has benefits like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, a headphone port, and support for Gear VR.
Which Xperia is better?
Sony Xperia 5 IV is the best all around. The Xperia 5 IV is better than the Xperia 1 IV, which is more expensive and bigger. The 5 IV is smaller than its more expensive brother or sister, but it has all the same features.
What is Sony’s newest smartphone?
The Japanese company’s next top-of-the-line phone is the Sony Xperia 1 V. Sony has made it clear that it won’t follow the usual trends for smartphones. Since the Mark 1 brought new life to the Xperia line in 2019, Sony fans have been eagerly waiting for new phones.
Is the new Sony phone worth it?
The Sony Xperia 1 III is Sony’s best phone to date. It has a lot of great features and is built very well. It doesn’t have as many features as its biggest competitors, and many people will find the price too high, but if you like the Xperia experience, you’ll love it.