Sony continues to offer different ranges of smartphones, called Xperia. We detail here the models in favor of the famous Japanese manufacturer.
The best Sony Xperia smartphones in 2023
There was a time when Sony was a major player in mobile telephony. The firm no longer has a tailwind, but it still continues to release new Xperia models, especially in the high-end range, every year.
Sony first used numbers and letters to designate its smartphones: Xperia M, L, X, XA, Z either XZ. The ranges have now been simplified and we now have fewer letters for a bit more clarity with an Xperia 1 at the top, then a 5, then a 10, then… an L at the entry level.
In general, Sony seeks to stand out by highlighting its experience in photography and video, as well as a clean and very boxy design that is a far cry from smartphones from Chinese brands.
For a more global vision of the market, you can consult our buying guide for the best smartphones. If your budget is considerable, take a look at our recommendations for the best high-end smartphones. Are you especially looking for a good photophone? We also have a guide to the best smartphones in photos.
7 /10
- The design and finish.
- Powerful
- The part of the photo designed for experts.
Available in €889 on Amazon Marketplace
If Sony no longer has its old range in terms of telephony, it must be admitted that the brand has not abandoned its originality. This Xperia 1 III is a good example, with its 21:9 format and a very careful industrial design. The presence of no less than 5 buttons on the edge is surprising, but these are useful. We especially appreciate the one dedicated to photography.
The 4K 120Hz OLED panel is easy on the eyes, but it’s not perfect. If colors that aren’t perfectly calibrated are forgivable, we would have really liked this panel to be brighter. In the state, we had minor readability issues in direct sunlight. Too bad considering the price…
The phone has a “pro” photographic part and, in fact, Sony allows us to control a series of settings. The overall quality is good, although the Japanese manufacturer is a bit behind when it comes to image processing.
As expected, with Snapdragon 888, the performance is very good. Unfortunately, the autonomy does not follow since it lasted only eight hours in our Viser test, which is one of the worst results in this price range. And fast charging is not even a crutch since it takes 50 minutes to fill 74% of the battery.
Despite certain qualities, the Xperia 1 III suffers from display defects and above all autonomy that are difficult to forgive given the invoice. It’s a shame given the efforts Sony has put into the rest of the phone…
We still recommend that you read our full Sony Xperia 1 III test to find out more about it.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia 1 III at the best price?
7 /10
- Well calibrated 120Hz display
- Its photographic quality
- top notch performance
Available in €999 on Amazon
With its Xperia range, Sony also wants to offer its own version of the high-end smartphone. It is in this sense that the Xperia 5 III was thought. It will not have the same level of services as the more premium Xperia 1 III, but the model nevertheless retains the design of the Japanese manufacturer’s signature and, above all, a high-level technical sheet.
In terms of performance, the Xperia 5 III generally has the same pros and cons as the Xperia 1 III, with obviously a few differences to note. It starts with a 6.1-inch AMOLED panel. The screen has a more reasonable resolution at Full HD, but retains a 120Hz refresh rate perfect for mobile gaming. The interface has good color fidelity, but also good quality brightness.
As for the internal power, the animation is provided by a Snapdragon 888 processor. As a support, the addition of 12 GB of RAM allows a little more versatility in use. With the update, the performance in mobile games is highlighted. The resistance allows the Sony Xperia 5 III to last a full day of work and have a little reserve for the night.
Photography is similar to that of the Xperia 1 III, without the presence of the TOF 3D sensor. Renderings are detailed even if many shots are smoothed out by software processing. If you want to find out more about the phone, read our Sony Xperia 5 III review.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia 5 III at the best price?
Sony has released the successor to the Xperia 5 III, the Xperia 5IV, recently: its full proof is available here. It is sold at a price of 1,049 euros, although it usually falls below 900 euros. If we find that it is generally a good phone, it is disappointing on several points, including too limited autonomy and too pronounced heating. At 6/10, we don’t recommend it especially given its price.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia 5 IV at the best price?
- sealing
- A successful compact design
- good autonomy
Available in €319 in SFR RED
The Xperia 10 IV is the successor to the III. Sony continues to develop its mid-range, although the company competes here with giants like Xiaomi, Oppo or even Google.
Sony offers a sober phone and opts for a compact format, with a good 6-inch screen in 21:9, unfortunately limited to 60 Hz. The handling is therefore particularly pleasant.
The SoC, a Snapdragon 695 5G, isn’t lightning, but it still performs well on a day-to-day basis. On the photo side, you’ll find three sensors: a 12-megapixel main one, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle, and a telephoto lens. This telephoto lens offers good versatility in this price range. The front lens provides good results. In night shots, however, don’t expect miracles.
We will salute a very good autonomy with the completely classic 5,000 mAh battery. You can last about a day and a half.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia 10 IV at the best price?
6 /10
- premium design
- The very high-end screen
- A unique format
- Unworthy in the photo given the price.
Available in €1,129 in SFR NETWORK
The new generation of Sony smartphones has arrived in drops. The Xperia 1 IV comes with a true innovation in photography: the integration of an optical zoom. Is this enough for the latter to enter our selection of the best smartphones for photography?
Let’s break the suspense right away: no. For its price range that is listed at 1399 euros, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is unworthy of its position in photography. Outside of optimal conditions, night mode is too imprecise, HDR is unstable. The optical zoom placed at the telephoto lens is a good idea, but the execution is not good with poor color management and sharpness.
Not everything is there to throw it away on this smartphone. It has a design that has always been Sony’s strong point. The Xperia 1 IV looks nicely finished with the 21:9 format. With good dimensions, the grip is assured in all circumstances. The goal for you is to use it for both its touch screen and to take pictures.
The touch screen is the other star of the Sony Xperia 1 IV. The 6.5-inch OLED panel offers a 4K screen and the 21:9 format suitable for watching series. The average Delta E is pretty average with a measured score at 4.69. One last word on internal power as it is a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with 12GB of RAM. However, the performances are a bit disappointing compared to the standard.
Its 5,000 mAh battery barely lasts the day. In terms of charging, you’ll need a brick that supports Power Delivery without really fast charging being communicated. However, its launch price of 1,399 euros is a real handicap to fully recommend it. Our full Sony Xperia I IV review is out.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia 1 IV at the best price?
7 /10
- A very controlled design
- Your professional camera
- Good performance
Available in €1,099 at Baker
From time to time, Sony indulges in some creative splurges on its products. The Xperia Pro-I is a somewhat marginal smartphone on the market since it is designed above all for photography. The smartphone remains conservative with the same format and a standard design.
At the heart of the spec sheet, the phone benefits from a Snapdragon 888 processor that handles the animation. Also, the presence of 12 GB of RAM will allow you to run any application, but not only. This internal power will allow the product to process the photo in the best possible way.
In fact, the smartphone is marginal in its way of offering an almost professional camera. The main sensor in this case is a 1-inch format Sony Exmor RS. The 12 megapixel resolution offers even more precision in the shots. It is complemented by an ultra wide angle and a telephoto lens. It is especially the integrated Photo Pro app that allows a little more generosity when shooting.
To conclude on this model, it offers you a day of autonomy in classic use. Want to learn more? Read our full Sony Xperia Pro-I review.
Sony and its smartphones
Who is sony?
Sony is a Japanese multinational, a historical giant in many fields, including electronics, computing, photography, video games, but also music and cinema. The company was created in 1946 and was at the origin of important innovations, such as the color video cassette, the Walkman or even the CD and Blu-Ray.
On the telephony side, Sony was previously associated with Ericsson, for which it was named Sony Ericsson, before buying the shares in 2011.
What are the strengths of Sony smartphones?
Very clearly, the Xperias are placed at the higher end and offer a more advanced photography experience. Sony is committed to enabling more precise settings in the Photos app, thus targeting more professionals and imaging enthusiasts. In addition, Sony sensors are integrated. The manufacturing quality is also there, as well as a very sober and serious look.
Unfortunately, Sony smartphones are priced too high, making them less attractive to the general public.
where to buy the
Sony Xperia Pro-I at the best price?
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