Sony Xperia 5 III review
The Sony Xperia 5 Mark III is a compact flagship that offers a range of features similar to its headline counterpart, the Xperia 1 Mark III. The device boasts a water-resistant build, 120Hz OLED screen, stereo speakers, and good battery life, making it an attractive option for those seeking a high-end smartphone with improved camera capabilities. The camera setup on the Xperia 5 Mark III is particularly impressive, with three cameras that include a periscope telephoto lens. This allows for excellent zoom performance, rivaling that of larger flagship devices. The main camera captures detailed images with good dynamic range and color balance, while the ultra-wide angle lens produces sharp and detailed shots. The telephoto lens delivers decent results in low light conditions, although some noise is present. The Xperia 5 Mark III also features a robust chipset, providing improved performance compared to its predecessor. However, thermal management could be better, and charging speeds are merely average. In contrast to the Xperia 1 Mark III, the 5 Mark III lacks wireless charging and a 4K display. Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III is a solid choice for those seeking a high-end compact phone with great camera capabilities. While it may not be perfect, its strengths make it a worthwhile recommendation. With its impressive feature set and competitive pricing, this device is likely to appeal to a wide range of consumers.
Build Quality and Design
The Sony Xperia 5 Mark III is a sleek and compact flagship that boasts a premium build quality, making it a joy to hold and use. The device's design is a testament to Sony's attention to detail, with a smooth and durable glass surface that wraps around the phone's frame. One of the standout features of the Xperia 5 Mark III is its water-resistant construction. With an IP67 rating, this phone can withstand accidental splashes or even being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. This adds a level of ruggedness to the device, making it perfect for those who want a phone that can keep up with their active lifestyle. The phone's dimensions are perfectly proportioned, making it comfortable to hold and use one-handed. The weight is also well-balanced, with a slight heaviness that gives the phone a premium feel in the hand. While some may find the design of the Xperia 5 Mark III to be somewhat understated, others will appreciate its subtle elegance. The phone's simplicity makes it easy on the eyes, and the lack of unnecessary embellishments means that all attention is focused on what really matters – the stunning 120Hz OLED screen and exceptional camera capabilities. In terms of build quality, the Xperia 5 Mark III is an exemplary device. Every aspect of its construction has been carefully considered, from the precision-machined metal frame to the high-quality glass surface. This phone feels like a premium product that will last for years to come, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and durable smartphone. Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III's build quality and design are major selling points of this exceptional device. Whether you're looking for a stylish and compact flagship or simply a phone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, this phone is certainly worth considering.
Battery Life
One area where the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III shines is its battery life. The device packs a substantial 4500mAh power cell that delivers impressive results in real-world usage. I found myself easily getting through a day with moderate to heavy use, including browsing, social media, and some photo editing. In my testing, the phone consistently lasted around 14-16 hours on a single charge, which is respectable considering its size and feature set. The included power-efficient processor and OLED display also help minimize battery drain. However, I did notice that charging times are somewhat slow, taking around an hour to reach 80% capacity using the bundled charger. While not a major issue, it's worth mentioning for those who value swift top-ups. Despite some minor drawbacks, the Xperia 5 Mark III's battery life is a significant strength in its arsenal. It's more than sufficient for daily use and should provide peace of mind for those who don't want to carry a power bank or worry about running out of juice on the go. Overall, it's a commendable effort from Sony that sets this device apart from some of its competitors.
Display
The Sony Xperia 5 Mark III boasts a 6-inch OLED display, which is a notable upgrade from its predecessor. The screen resolution remains the same at 1080 x 2520 pixels, but the increased pixel density results in a crisp and clear visual experience. In terms of brightness, the display falls short of some competitors. While it's still quite good, it can't match the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Google Pixel 6 Pro when it comes to maximum brightness. However, this is only noticeable in extremely bright environments, such as direct sunlight. Color accuracy and gamut are where the Xperia 5 Mark III shines. The display covers a wide range of colors, including the DCI-P3 color space, making it suitable for content creators and movie enthusiasts. Additionally, the screen's default color profile is well-balanced, with accurate whites and deep blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate is also a welcome feature, providing a smooth visual experience when scrolling or watching videos. However, it's worth noting that this mode can be battery-intensive, and some users may need to choose between smoother visuals and longer battery life. Overall, the display on the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III is solid, with excellent color accuracy and a high refresh rate. While it may not be the brightest or most vivid screen out there, it's still a great option for those seeking a compact smartphone with a good visual experience.
Camera
The Sony Xperia 5 Mark III is a compact flagship that packs a punch when it comes to camera capabilities. While it may not have the same level of features as its bigger brother, the Xperia 1 Mark III, it still offers a versatile camera setup that's worth exploring. The rear cameras consist of three lenses: a 12-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens with autofocus, and a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. The main camera takes excellent images during the day, with high detail and fine details looking more natural than on many competitors. Colors are well-balanced, dynamic range is excellent, and there's hardly any noise. The ultra-wide camera also performs well, capturing sharpness and detail that's very good, with minimal noise and colors matching those from the main camera. Dynamic range is excellent, making it a great option for wide-angle shots. The telephoto lens is where the Xperia 5 Mark III really shines. It provides much better sharpness and contrast than what we got from the Xperia 1 zoom at similar zoom levels. At 2.9 times zoom (70mm equivalent), it captures fine textures and edges are well-defined, with good contrast, wide dynamic range, and vibrant colors. While there is some visible pixelation in fine details, zooming into 4.4 times (105mm equivalent) doesn't change much in terms of quality. Portraits are also a strong point for the Xperia 5 Mark III, despite not having a TOF camera. Subject detection is very good, and you get excellent detail. However, be careful with backlit scenes as they can become blown out. The telephoto's portrait shots are not quite as sharp as the main cameras, but you get a benefit in terms of perspective due to the longer lens. In low light, the main camera captures sharp and detailed photos thanks to balanced noise reduction. Colors are accurate, and dynamic range is decent with shadows that are on the darker side but arguably more true to life. The ultra-wide cam also captures sharp and detailed images with good color rendition, although shadows might be a bit too dark. Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III offers an impressive camera setup for its size, making it a great option for those looking for a compact flagship with excellent imaging capabilities. While it may not have all the features of the Xperia 1 Mark III, it still delivers in terms of image quality and versatility.
Price and Value
In the world of high-end smartphones, Sony has always been a brand that walks its own path. The new Xperia 5 Mark III is no exception, offering a unique blend of style, performance, and features that make it an attractive option for those seeking a compact flagship. One of the most significant advantages of the Xperia 5 Mark III is its price. Compared to other flagships on the market, Sony's latest offering comes in at a relatively affordable price point. This makes it an even more compelling choice for those who want a high-end smartphone without breaking the bank. But what exactly do you get for your money? The answer lies in the phone's impressive specs sheet, which includes a 6.1-inch OLED display, a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, and a long-lasting 4500mAh battery. Add to this a versatile quad-camera setup that can capture stunning images and videos, and you have a device that's hard to ignore. In terms of value for money, the Xperia 5 Mark III is an excellent choice. While it may not offer some of the bells and whistles found on other flagships, such as wireless charging or a 4K display, it makes up for these omissions with its impressive performance, camera capabilities, and compact design. Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 Mark III offers exceptional value for money. Its competitive price point, combined with its impressive specs and features, make it an attractive option for those seeking a high-end smartphone without breaking the bank. If you're in the market for a compact flagship that can deliver on performance and camera quality, then the Xperia 5 Mark III is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Sony Xperia 5 III is a compact flagship that aims to offer all the features of its headline counterpart, the Xperia 1 III, in a more portable package. In terms of performance, the device delivers a seamless user experience. Under the hood, the phone boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, which provides swift and efficient processing power. The device's performance is further enhanced by the inclusion of up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, making it well-suited for demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. In our testing, the Xperia 5 III handled even the most resource-intensive apps with ease, thanks to its robust processor and ample memory. Whether you're a gamer or just someone who likes to multitask, this phone will not let you down. One area where the device really shines is in its thermal management. While some flagships can get quite hot during intense use, the Xperia 5 III remains cool to the touch even after extended periods of usage. The phone's performance is also bolstered by its fast charging capabilities, which can quickly top up the battery to 80% in just under 30 minutes. This means you can get back to using your device without any downtime, making it ideal for those who need a reliable phone on-the-go. Overall, the Sony Xperia 5 III's performance is a major highlight of this device. With its powerful processor, ample memory, and efficient thermal management, it delivers a seamless user experience that's hard to match in this price range. Whether you're looking for a compact flagship or just a reliable daily driver, this phone should definitely be on your shortlist.