Mother of the PlayStation consoles, Sony is a Japanese multinational specializing in the design of various electronic products such as cameras, televisions... But it is also known for its smartphones, including the Xperia and XZ ranges. With a strong design and good performance, are they still popular compared to the Chinese models that are currently flooding the market? Let's take a look at the best Sony smartphones of the moment!
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The Sony Xperia 5 II has everything it takes to entice: a Full HD OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, 3 camera sensors, Snapdragon 865 SoC and 5G network capability.
559 £ on AmazonA smartphone model that offers an OLED screen along with a Full HD+ display and a 120 Hz refresh rate is, of course, an explosive cocktail that can't be ignored. And the Sony brand has understood this. So, on the menu, you will have to enjoy a high quality contrast, an excellent definition and a fluidity to take your breath away. All this, without forgetting the brightness that can only satisfy you. The Sony Xperia 5 II is powered by a battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh, which gives it a fairly long life. In fact, the device can last a whole day without needing to be recharged. This duration of use goes beyond in case of a less intensive use, that is to say until 36 h.
The Sony Xperia 5 II smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 865 SoC combined with 8GB RAM. All types of tasks are possible, from the most classic to the most demanding such as gaming. Its handling and grip are very easy due to its elongated format, the signature of the brand, and its rounded edges. The glass back is certainly elegant, but beware of fingerprints. In terms of connectivity, you have the usual 3.5 mm jack port, dual SIM and TF card slot. The presence of its 2 speakers is a real plus.
Never used a smartphone with a 21:9 aspect ratio? Wait until you get your hands on this Sony Xperia L4 and you'll see. Among its biggest advantages, we have a soft spot for its ease of handling and its video playback in "cinematic" mode.
159 £ on AmazonUnlike other models in the same range, the Sony Xperia L4 has a very good design. The screen is made of glass while the shell is made of robust plastic. The whole thing exudes robustness. The quality of the design is felt from the first time you hold it in your hand. The Sony smartphone has an IPS panel with a diagonal of 6.2 inches with a 21:9 HD+ format, an aspect ratio that the brand defends tirelessly and not without reason. Indeed, this ratio allows a cinematic display of 1680 x 720 px for a scanning frequency of 60 Hz.
Sony does not do half measures since this smartphone embeds a SoC Helio P22 Mediatek accompanied by a RAM of 3 GB and a storage memory of 64 GB. These configurations will let you work with peace of mind. However, refrain from playing 3D games or doing video editing on the smartphone. Besides, you will be impressed by its 3 photo sensors of 13, 5 and 2 MP respectively in addition to the 8 MP front camera. Its autonomy can reach two days with a 3580 mAh lithium-ion battery.
It's no surprise that the Sony Xperia 1 III is included in this comparison. Aimed at photography enthusiasts, audiophiles and filmmakers (pro or amateur), this model is especially noteworthy for its 4K 120 FPS screen, its exceptional features and its photo module.
1 039 £ on AmazonHow did the Sony Xperia 1 III manage to charm countless professionals? Not by magic, but rather by adopting an entirely new approach. And the charm worked. Retaining its 21:9 CinemaWide screen format and elongated appearance, the smartphone enjoys a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display capable of refreshing at a rate of 120 fps. The acoustic quality offered by its 2 built-in speakers will keep you on your toes. Note that the latter are cleverly placed on the front of the device.
The Sony Xperia 1 III smartphone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 CPU, relatively more powerful than the previous version, the Snapdragon 865. It therefore supports prolonged use, especially since the battery has a capacity of 4500 mAh. It is possible to recharge this battery in wired mode (30 W) or wireless (11 W). You can count on its internal storage memory of 256 GB. However, you should know that it is expandable up to 1 TB via a microSDXC card. To stand out, the Sony Xperia 1 III shows a surprising robustness. Endowed with two certifications(IP65 and IP68), the cell phone resists shocks, splashes and can, at the same time, withstand a total immersion of 30 min beyond 1 m. Let's not forget to mention its compatibility with PS4 controllers and its battery sharing function.
Although the Sony Xperia 10 III is not a powerhouse, it knows very well how to compete with high-end models. And for good reason, this Sony smartphone offers 5G connectivity and IP68 waterproof certification.
343 £ on AmazonThe Sony Xperia 10 III smartphone is equipped with a 6-inch OLED panel offering an average brightness of 572 cd/m². It owes its performance to the Qualcomm octacore Snapdragon 690 processor, clocked at a frequency of 1.8 GHz and boosted by a 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM. Working in concert with an Adreno 619 graphics processor, these few elements will run your applications like the famous Pokémon Go without the risk of slowdown or latency. With its 128GB of storage, you'll be fine for a long time. Of course, this capacity can easily accommodate up to 3,000 photos, more than 30 applications or a few greedy games. If you don't want to run out of memory at the wrong time, it's always worthwhile to store your data in the cloud or insert a micro SD card (up to 1 TB) in the slot provided.
Thanks to the 21:9 aspect ratio, promising a stunning cinematic experience, the Sony Xperia 10 III displays all your videos in Full HD format. As for its photo modules, you'll have to enjoy a 12MP sensor (27mm focal length), an 8MP sensor with a 2x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide angle (120° angle). Its IP68 certification gives it optimal protection against possible falls and dust.
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Sony's best smartphone in 2021
Sony's best entry-level smartphone
Sony's best high-end smartphone
Sony's best mid-range smartphone
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| THE BEST | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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Sony Xperia 5 II
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Sony Xperia L4
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Sony Xperia 1 III
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Sony Xperia 10 III
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The Sony Xperia 5 II has everything it takes to entice: a Full HD OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, 3 camera sensors, Snapdragon 865 SoC and 5G network capability.
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Never used a smartphone with a 21:9 aspect ratio? Wait until you get your hands on this Sony Xperia L4 and you'll see. Among its biggest advantages, we have a soft spot for its ease of handling and its video playback in "cinematic" mode.
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It's no surprise that the Sony Xperia 1 III is included in this comparison. Aimed at photography enthusiasts, audiophiles and filmmakers (pro or amateur), this model is especially noteworthy for its 4K 120 FPS screen, its exceptional features and its photo module.
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Although the Sony Xperia 10 III is not a powerhouse, it knows very well how to compete with high-end models. And for good reason, this Sony smartphone offers 5G connectivity and IP68 waterproof certification.
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Screen size
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6.1″ (2520 x 1080 pixels)
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6.2″ (1680 x 720 px)
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6.5″ (3840 x 1644 px)
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6″ (2520 x 1080 px)
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Battery capacity
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4,000 mAh
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3,580 mAh
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4,500 mAh
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4,500 mAh
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Processor
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
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Helio P22 Mediatek
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5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G
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Storage capacity
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128 GB (expandable to 1 TB)
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64 GB (expandable to 512 GB)
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256 GB (expandable to 1 TB)
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128 GB (expandable to 1 TB)
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Protection index
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IP68
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-
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IP65 and IP68
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IP65 and IP68
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Sony is a world-renowned Japanese company with its headquarters in Tokyo. It is very present in various sectors of activity such as electronics, computers, audiovisual, cinema and telephony. Its merger with Ericsson, in 2001, saw the creation of a subsidiary specifically oriented towards telephony. 10 years later, it bought out its partner's market share and renamed the company "Sony Mobile Communications".
The first Xperia was launched in 2008 under the aegis of Sony Ericsson. In the beginning, Sony used only a series of numbers and letters to distinguish its smartphone lines (M, L, X, XA, Z and XZ). However, over the years, the lines have become standardized. From now on, their names only include numbers. For some, the brand has more than one trick up its sleeve and can face the competition. Can we confirm it?
As you may have guessed, the name Xperia comes from the word "experience". The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 was the first model to be released. The device ran on Windows Mobile at the time. The second, Xperia X2, also ran on the same OS. It wasn't until 2010 that the brand began producing the first Sony smartphone running Android.
While many brands are immersing themselves all over the world, Sony is trying to make the most of its experience in the world of images by offering a model with an OLED screen in a rare 21:9 format. HDR technology ensures 4K resolution. The results don't take long to show up. Whether in portrait or landscape mode, the experience becomes more immersive and comfortable to use.
But Sony isn't done amazing us yet. That's why, in 2019, it signs its return by releasing the Xperia 1, 5 and L3 smartphones, presented in a very characteristic design of the brand. The improvement in their performance is palpable; we can only congratulate Sony for this.
Considered a major player in the world of photography, Sony has a wide range of quality cameras. To give you an idea, the Sony Xperia 1 II and Sony Xperia 5 II have a triple Zeiss camera of 12 mpx f/1.7, 12 mpx f/2.2 with telephoto lens and 12 mpx f/2.4. The front camera will complete the set with its 8 mpx f/2.0. These modules on board, recordings in 4K HDR are now possible.
In the world of smartphones, Chinese brands, like Xiaomi and Huawei, have quickly conquered a large audience with their high-performance models at low prices. Sony, previously a reference, is barely able to outbid them. Nevertheless, the brand has arguments to make, including the installation of a durable Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on its latest smartphones, IPX5, IPX6 and IPX8 waterproofing certifications or the Full HD+ display.
Unlike Chinese manufacturers, Sony only produces a limited number of phones each year. As a result, its market share suffers. Note also that some of its models have a non-removable battery. We can't really complain about that. Most of today's cell phones suffer from this drawback.
It's impossible not to love the Japanese firm for its TVs, audio devices, cameras and PlayStation consoles... Sony is trying hard to make a place for itself among the leaders of the smartphone market by producing more innovative models every year. Despite clear improvements, we are still disappointed by the photographic quality of its smartphones, especially in night mode, not to mention their autonomy and their high cost of ownership. In short, Sony can really dominate this very competitive market alongside giants like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, Nokia, Honor, Motorola, OnePlus... if its prices are lowered.
The Sony smartphone is available in several ranges. Whatever your budget, you will be able to find what you need at Sony. It is available in several colors, ranging from the most sober as black, white and gray to more colorful such as green, gold and silver. Each model adopts the 21:9 format, a configuration that Sony does not want to abandon for the moment. The screen is therefore extended, to the delight of movie lovers and amateur photographers. In terms of components, you will discover a high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The RAM varies from 3 to 6 GB, while the storage memory ranges from 64 to 256 GB. The vast majority is expandable by microSD card up to 1 TB.
With no less than 22% of the market share, Samsung confirms its place at the top of the podium. The Korean giant is one of the world's top smartphone brands, closely followed by Apple, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo. Its models are characterized by their superior quality, reliability and high durability index compared to the average. In addition, Samsung smartphones are marketed at very reasonable prices while adapting to all needs and wallets. Today, the firm is winning hearts with the advent of its flagship Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Samsung, like Sony, is diversifying its business by providing its customers with audiovisual and computer products of incredible performance. If you are fond of taking colorful pictures, don't hesitate to turn to Samsung. With up to 64MP back cameras and a 32MP front sensor, your memories will be as realistic as possible. On the other hand, feature film aficionados will be more than satisfied with the 21:9 aspect ratio of Sony's smartphones. The full-length display benefits from HDR compatibility, among other things.
The choice of the ideal screen size should be based on the use you intend to make of your Sony smartphone. Currently, the brand only makes screens from 5 to 6.5 inches. The smaller sizes ensure a pleasant grip and a good comfort of use.
The device will easily fit in the hand and in the pocket. You'll have no trouble taking it out at any time to check your emails, answer your calls or take a look at social networks. Conversely, models like the Xperia 1, with a diagonal of 6.5 inches, will be very appreciable for gamers and for watching movies in the greatest ease.
Here, we're going to focus mainly on the back photo sensors. Although they don't compete with the latest models from other brands, those of Sony smartphones are still within the standards. The quality of the shot depends on the number of megapixels of each sensor. You can choose between single, dual and triple cameras.
For storing all your data, you surely need a good storage capacity. In this sense, Sony lets you have 64 to 256 GB of internal memory without counting the fact that you can at any time make use of a micro SD card as an extension. Just make sure that it does not exceed 1 TB.
As far as RAM is concerned, the minimum offered by Sony is 3 GB. Some models can easily reach 12 GB, which prevents crashes, saturation and latency.
Save time and define your needs beforehand, because not all features are necessarily available in a single model. Some will settle for the basics while others will prefer to focus on the more technical aspects. Speaking of options, you will certainly appreciate the waterproofing of the Sony smartphone. Some models feature OLED technology and offer a 4K HDR display and recording capability. There is also 5G compatibility, OIS or Optical Image Stabilization and Autofocus Eye AF.
In this area, the Sony smartphone delivers perfectly. Indeed, the brand's batteries have a maximum capacity of 4500 mAh. Their autonomy will be most satisfactory, no matter what tasks you perform. For example, you can turn on 120 Hz all day, go on social networks, browse the web, watch streaming videos and listen to a whole playlist online.
This criterion is totally subjective and should only be considered last. At Sony, color options vary from model to model. Thus, it is not uncommon to find a Sony smartphone available only in black. On the other hand, others will be offered in more cheerful colors such as red, pink, green, purple, etc. In any case, make your choice according to your desires and tastes. In case you don't find the perfect color, get a smartphone cover.
Nowadays, the smartphone occupies an important place in our lives. It is part of our daily lives and without it, we feel a little lost. However, we do not always think about it, but cleaning a Sony smartphone is essential. How to do this without damaging the inner mechanism? What products and materials to use? Here are some answers.
The Sony smartphone, like many others, is fragile. Cleaning it therefore requires caution, otherwise you risk damaging it. Start by turning it off and removing the shell. Take a microfiber cloth, or ideally a lint-free cloth, to gently scrub it. If stains persist, soak the cloth in alcohol or a 70% isopropyl alcohol-based product. The latter will preserve the condition of the touch screen. Alternatively, a little soapy water may do the trick. But be careful! Don't go into the openings, seams and gaps. The liquid could get trapped there. Dry it with another clean, dry cloth. Put everything back in place and turn it on again. Repeat these steps as needed.
If possible, avoid the use of aggressive disinfectants such as bleach, abrasive products or compressed air sprays. And do not tempt the devil! Although the Sony smartphone is certified waterproof, do not immerse it in water.
Once the interior is cleared of all impurities, now it's time for the outer surface. The cleaning process differs from one material to another.
Over the past decade, Sony has lost a lot of market share to new brands like Xiaomi, Huawei and Oppo. For all that, the Japanese giant continues to produce powerful smartphones that deserve everyone's attention. Still hesitating to buy a Sony smartphone? Here are five reasons that will dispel your doubts and help you get started.
When it comes to technology, Sony has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to market leaders like Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi. On the contrary, the Japanese firm has the experience and know-how to develop powerful and trendy smartphones. The models of the 1 series are proof of this. This range consists of high-end smartphones that rival those of the leaders in terms of power and performance.
Sony's smartphone ranges have become much more streamlined in recent years. Confusing letters like XA, M or L have been replaced by numbers. Today, the number "1" represents the top of the range. The middle ranges are distinguished by the numbers "5" and "10", while entry-level smartphones are preceded by an "L".
There is no lack of choice when it comes to buying a Sony smartphone. Already, four ranges are available to you. Each range consists of several models. If you are looking for a basic and affordable smartphone, the Sony L3 and L4 can satisfy you. There are half a dozen mid-range smartphones and three high-end models currently available on the market.
Today's smartphones offer photos at exceptional resolutions. Sony's are no exception. Starting with the Sony Xperia 1 II model released in 2020, the Japanese manufacturer has greatly improved the photo and video quality of its smartphone. Its successor, the Xperia 1 III, does even better by displaying professional-level photo quality.
Of course, Sony smartphones are not the cheapest on the market. Other major manufacturers offer more affordable prices. Nevertheless, the purchase of cell phones from the Japanese brand remains reasonable in terms of costs. The prices of its flagship, the Xperia I III is, for example, in line with those of Apple. Of course, you will find much more affordable models in the lower ranges.
We believe these are the best alternative brands to the Sony smartphones:
Samsung remains one of the great references of the smartphone market. Since the second half of the 2000s, the Korean giant has managed to compete with Apple and even surpass it to become, until recently, the leader of the smartphone market in the world. The Galaxy S range remains one of the best on the market, while the Galaxy A range of entry-level smartphones offer excellent value for money. On the other hand, Samsung is the market leader in foldable smartphones with the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Flip lines.
Huawei held the market leadership position, ahead of Sasung and Apple, towards the end of the last decade. The firm was hit hard by the U.S. embargo, which started its decline for several months. Despite this, Huawei smartphones still have impressive power and photo quality. The launch of Harmony OS, its own operating system, should strengthen the brand.
Apple is known for being the first brand to offer a smartphone as we know it today. The iPhone is now in its thirteenth generation and its notoriety has not changed. Apple smartphones are still known for their high quality and performance, despite their relatively expensive prices. Looking for an alternative to Sony smartphones? Apple is one of the best options.
Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has been on a meteoric rise in recent years. Today, it is the biggest seller of smartphones in the world ahead of historical players like Samsung and Apple. Xiaomi has mainly conquered the public by offering powerful and reliable smartphones at unbeatable prices. You prefer the quality/price ratio? A Xiaomi smartphone will suit you perfectly.
Founded in 2013, OnePlus is now one of the most prominent smartphone brands on the market. It stands out for its positioning on affordable smartphones that, despite everything, display configurations worthy of high-end models. Today, OnePlus is one of the top 10 biggest smartphone sellers in the world.
Xperia Transfer 2 makes data transfer easier
Xperia Transfer 2 is a tool specially designed to transfer data from an iPhone to a Sony smartphone. The transfer is fast and totally secure. Replacing an iPhone with a new Sony Xperia or want to have your data on both smartphones? Download and use the Xperia Transfer 2 application.
The "external monitor"
Sony smartphones have a feature called "external monitor". It allows you to display the content coming from another multimedia device (camera, PC...) on your smartphone in order to take advantage of its functions such as zoom and image adjustments. Here is the procedure to enable the feature: Setting > Device Connection > Connection Preferences > External Monitor.
Imaging Edge Mobile brings NFC
The NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is available on Sony smartphones. It allows data sharing between the smartphone and other devices with a single touch, without the use of cables and without complex pairing. NFC on Sony smartphones is accessible via the Imaging Edge Mobile application that you can download for free on Google Play.
DSEE Ultimate offers better sound
Sony offers on its smartphones an artificial intelligence whose role is to improve sounds. This AI named DSEE Ultimate automatically corrects the dynamic range and audio frequency in order to deliver better sound played on local or streaming files. You can activate DSEE Ultimate in the audio settings of your Sony smartphone.
Upgrades to enjoy the latest Xperia features
Sony offers very regular updates for all its smartphones. These updates bring new features and additional options that improve the performance of the device and expand its field of use. It is therefore advisable to activate the automatic system updates in order to take advantage of these Xperia novelties.
Released in September 2021, the Xperia 1 III is the latest smartphone from Sony. It is a high-end model that displays an impressive configuration. The smartphone runs on the Qualcomm SnapDragon 888 chip backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Its display is also a major plus with 4K HDR resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate.
You can check the Android version on your Sony smartphone in the settings. Go to the menu, tap "Settings" and then "or About Phone" and finally "Android Version". If your Sony smartphone is running Android 8.0 or 9.0, you'll find the version in Settings > System > About Phone > Android Version.
First of all, you need to enable Wi-Fi on your Sony smartphone. You can do this by swiping your finger down to show the notification bar or go to "Settings". Click on the home network displayed and you will be connected. You will need to enter the password if the home Wifi network is protected. In some cases, it is necessary to open a web page via a browser for the connection to be established.
XperiaCompanion is a software that allows you to use a Sony smartphone with a computer (PC or Mac). So you need to download the software and install it on a compatible computer. Connect your Sony smartphone to the computer and launch the software. You will find all the features on the main menu. It should be noted that Xperia Companion is compatible only with Sony smartphones released before 2019.
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