With its Xperia, Sony is making an original proposition on the market. Japanese smartphones are unlike any other. And if the brand no longer makes much noise now, it retains a good esteem with many users.
Sony Xperia 5 III at the best price
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Its name no longer resonates as strongly as it did a few years ago on the smartphone market, but Sony is still there and also offers highly qualitative models. And even if its catalog has been much simplified lately, it is not easy to see clearly for who does not follow Sony well in this market.
The brand now offers three main ranges: Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 that operate in the premium segment. On the other hand you have Xperia 10 mid-range that are available at much more reasonable prices. There is another series, the Sony Xperia Pro, which is very recent and which is aimed at a very specific audience.
Sony Xperia 1 IV: the newest premium model
Launch in June 2022
It’s Sony’s Galaxy S22 Ultra so to speak. This smartphone plays in the same court as the most advanced models of the competition. And like all Sony smartphones, it stands out with its particular 21:9 format. It flaunts a thin and long appearance that may scare little hands. However, in practice, the use is no more complicated than that of competing 6.5-inch smartphones.
Because 6.5 inches is the diagonal of the Sony Xperia 1 IV which is theoretically even smaller than the Galaxy S22+. The panel is of the OLED type, with a definition of 3840 x 1644 pixels and runs at a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz maximum. The smartphone is equipped with the latest generation of Qualcomm chips, namely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 engraved in 4nm. The SoC is supported by 12 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of storage. You can also expand the storage thanks to the port built-in microSDXC.
You are guaranteed to enjoy top-flight performance, whatever the context, and therefore even for the most demanding video games. Let’s come to the photo part which consists of 4 sensors: a 12 MP wide-angle main module, a 12 MP ultra wide-angle sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and finally a ToF for depth.
Finally, the battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh and the smartphone is compatible with 30W fast charging. This is one of the few weak points of the model against the competition. It is also compatible with fast wireless charging as well as reverse fast charging. The other bonus of the Xperia 1 IV is its 3.5mm jack port. The smartphone will be available in mid-June from €1,399.
Sony Xperia 1 III: the alternative
Sony Xperia 1 III at the best price
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Darty
1299€
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Cdiscount
1299.99€
This version released in 2021 has practically nothing to envy to its successor. The Xperia 1 III has a technical sheet very similar to that of the Xperia 1 IV. They share the same characteristics with the exception of the processor which is here a Snapdragon 888 and its battery which has a lower capacity of 500 mAh, i.e. 4500mAh. It is now possible to have this smartphone under the 1000 € mark and this is the main argument which justifies its choice rather to the detriment of the Xperia 1 IV.
Sony Xperia 5 III: a more compact Xperia 1 III
Sony Xperia 5 III at the best price
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Fnac
779.04€
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Darty
999€
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Baker
999€
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Amazon
999€
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Rakuten
1029.5€
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Cdiscount
1076.2€
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Sony highlights the compact aspect of the Xperia 5 range. If it is not really a “mini” model like the smallest of the iPhone 13 siblings or the iPhone SE, the Xperia 5 III is quite even slightly more compact than the 1 III for those who want a less imposing model. The diagonal of the screen is 6.1 inches and this one is of the OLED type with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The smartphone still bears the signature of the easily recognizable 21:9 aspect ratio.
Under the hood, we find the Snapdragon 888 high-end supported by 8 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of storage stretch. The photo part is the same as that of the Xperia 1 III, with the exception of the ToF sensor which goes by the wayside. The battery has a capacity of 4500 mAh and it is compatible with 30W fast charging (50% in 30 minutes). Finally, the Xperia 5 III is easily under the 800 € mark at the moment.
Sony Xperia 10 IV: a nice balance and a much lower price
Launch in June 2022
Impossible in 2022 to survive only in the high-end segment as a brand. Sony logically offers watered down models at much more affordable prices than its premium smartphones. the Xperia 10 IV is the most recent representative of this range. It will be available in mid-June from €499.
We find there a Snapdragon 695 SoC, a mid-range chip that ensures comfortable performance and is compatible with 5G. To go with it, you have a 6 GB RAM memory as well as 128 GB of storage. The screen is 6 inches diagonal in Full HD + definition and OLED technology. The refresh rate unfortunately remains stuck at 60 Hz.
For the photo part, the Xperia 10 IV has three sensors: 12 MP wide-angle, 8 MP ultra wide-angle and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Finally, the battery has a capacity of 4500 mAh and as a bonus, the smartphone has a mini jack port.
Xperia 10 III: the alternative
Sony Xperia 10 III at the best price
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Rakuten
394.99€
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Fnac
459€
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Amazon
465€
The Xperia 10 III is Sony’s mid-range of 2021. It’s a generation older than the 10 IV, but is still a good alternative, especially since its price will drop in the coming weeks. On paper, the two smartphones have a lot in common. They have the same 6-inch Full HD + OLED screen (60 Hz), a 4500 mAh battery and a triple 12 + 8 + 8 MP photo sensor. Its processor is a Snapdragon 690 5G engraved in 8 nm. Launched at a price of €429, it is quite often found below the €400 mark in 2022.
Sony Xperia Pro-I: a model for videographers and photography pros
Sony Xperia Pro I at the best price
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Rakuten
1222€
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Fnac
1391.18€
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Darty
1799€
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Baker
1799€
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Cdiscount
1985.26€
As its name suggests, the Xperia Pro-I is a smartphone cut out for professionals. If it shares the same appearance as well as most of the characteristics of the other models in the catalog, it has the particularity of offering a very advanced photo part. In particular, it has a large 1-inch sensor that is unparalleled in the smartphone market. The latter offers phase detection autofocus (315 points covering 90% of the frame).
it’s a 12-megapixel (24mm) sensor with individual pixels of 2.4 microns. You are guaranteed to take bright, noise-free photos day and night. The Sony Xperia Pro-I has two other sensors of 12 MP each: an ultra wide-angle 16 mm (f / 2.2) and a telephoto 50 mm (f / 2.4) with 2X optical zoom. Finally, the whole is supported by a ToF for depth of field and photos in portrait mode.
The video part has not been neglected. The smartphone has a feature automatic object tracking and is able to film 4K videos at 120 fps. A 5X slow motion also in the game. For the rest, this smartphone essentially incorporates the characteristics of the Xperia 1 III: same screen, same processor and identical battery + fast charge.
Why buy a Sony smartphone?
It is quite a surprising fact that in 2022 Sony will no longer be one of the major players in the smartphone market. And yet, it is not for lack of offering quality models. The Xperia remain top of the range capable of competing with any premium smartphone in terms of performance and build quality, and even for the photo part.
Most of the models on the market also incorporate photo sensors produced by Sony. These are all reasons to choose the Japanese brand which also enjoys a very good reputation. The fall in market share is mainly attributable to the price positioning of the manufacturer’s smartphones. There’s better value for money, but the Sony experience doesn’t disappoint.
Which Sony Xperia model to choose?
In 2022, Sony’s catalog is quite well categorized. If you are looking for the best without compromise, go for a Sony Xperia 1. The most recent representatives of the series are the Xperia 1 IV (2022) and Xperia III (2021). The difference between the two is not huge. One or the other will fully satisfy your needs, whatever the nature.
The Xperia 5 series are also intended for demanding users. These are premium smartphones that are slightly more compact than the 1-series and make a few minor concessions for a more affordable price. Finally, if you want Sony and don’t have more than $500 or even $400 to spend on a smartphone, go for a 10-series Xperia.
