iPhone 14 Pro Vs Sony Xperia 5 IV

iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£304.00

Versus £1,099.00 new

See options
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Starting at

Refurbished price:£299.00

Versus £1,199.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 14 Pro and the Sony Xperia 5 IV are both premium smartphones released in late 2022, offering distinct approaches to mobile technology. The iPhone 14 Pro, launched in September 2022, runs on Apple's iOS ecosystem, known for its integrated services and user experience. The Sony Xperia 5 IV, announced in September 2022 and released shortly after, operates on the Android platform, providing a more open and customizable environment. While both devices aim to deliver high-end performance and camera capabilities, they differ significantly in design philosophy and feature sets, catering to varied user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan, including software support, physical durability, and repairability.

  • Software Longevity: The iPhone 14 Pro, running iOS, typically receives major software updates for approximately five to six years from its release. The Sony Xperia 5 IV, an Android device, launched with Android 12 and is upgradable to Android 14, with Sony generally providing fewer years of major OS updates compared to Apple.
  • Physical Resilience: The iPhone 14 Pro features a Ceramic Shield front cover and a stainless steel frame, contributing to its robust build. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, with an IP65/IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
  • Practical Lifespan: Both phones are built with high-quality materials designed for daily use. The iPhone 14 Pro's extended software support may offer a slightly longer period of receiving the latest features and security updates. However, the practical lifespan for many users often depends on battery degradation and personal usage patterns.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

No

OS

iOS

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking efficiently, though they achieve this through different hardware architectures.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 14 Pro features a current-generation processor that delivers strong performance for intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and augmented reality applications. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is powered by a high-end processor from its release year, providing smooth operation for everyday use and capable handling of most demanding apps.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 14 Pro comes with 6GB of RAM, which facilitates efficient app switching and background processes. It offers various internal storage options up to 1TB, but without expandable storage. The Sony Xperia 5 IV includes 8GB of RAM, enhancing its multitasking capabilities, and offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 14 Pro has a 3200 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for many users, with support for fast wired and wireless charging. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, often noted for its extended battery life, capable of lasting up to 1.5 days or more for typical usage, and also supports wireless charging and 30W fast charging.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is a key differentiator, with each offering a high-quality display tailored to different viewing preferences.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 14 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556x1179 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 460 ppi. This display offers deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Sony Xperia 5 IV also has a 6.1-inch OLED display, providing FHD+ HDR (2520 x 1080 pixels) resolution and a pixel density of around 449 ppi, known for its accurate color reproduction.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: The iPhone 14 Pro's display boasts a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits, with a peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in bright conditions. It features ProMotion technology, offering an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and power efficiency. The Sony Xperia 5 IV's display has a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals and is noted to be up to 50% brighter than its predecessor, making it suitable for outdoor viewing.
  • Screen Features: The iPhone 14 Pro introduces the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera cutout, and an Always-On display. The Xperia 5 IV maintains a traditional bezel design and offers a 21:9 aspect ratio, which is well-suited for cinematic content.

Resolution

1179 x 2556

1080 x 2520

Screen type

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, each with unique strengths in photography and videography, catering to different creative needs.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 14 Pro features a triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor (which typically outputs 12MP images through pixel binning), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP 3x telephoto lens. It includes features like Photonic Engine for improved low-light performance, Night mode, and Apple ProRAW. The Sony Xperia 5 IV also has a triple 12MP rear camera setup, consisting of a wide, ultra-wide, and a 2.5x optical telephoto lens, all featuring ZEISS optics and advanced autofocus capabilities like Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking.
  • Video Recording Capabilities: The iPhone 14 Pro supports 4K video recording up to 60 frames per second, with Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field effects up to 4K HDR at 30fps, and Action mode for stabilized video. It also offers ProRes video recording. The Sony Xperia 5 IV excels in video with 4K HDR recording at up to 120fps across all rear lenses, and includes advanced video features like Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye, Videography Pro, and Cinematography Pro.
  • Audio and Front Camera: Both devices feature 12MP front-facing cameras, with the iPhone 14 Pro's offering autofocus. For audio, the iPhone 14 Pro provides stereo speakers. The Sony Xperia 5 IV includes full-stage stereo speakers and notably retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, supporting Hi-Resolution Audio.

Main camera

48 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical features and design elements differentiate these two devices, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G and Wi-Fi 6 for high-speed wireless connectivity. The iPhone 14 Pro uses a Lightning port for charging and data transfer. The Sony Xperia 5 IV features a USB-C port (USB 3.2) and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature absent on the iPhone.
  • Biometric Security and Sensors: The iPhone 14 Pro relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition and authentication. It also includes a LiDAR scanner for enhanced AR experiences and improved low-light photography. The Sony Xperia 5 IV utilizes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 14 Pro weighs 206 grams and has dimensions of 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85 mm, featuring a flat-edged design. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is lighter at 172 grams and more compact with dimensions of 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm, maintaining Sony's signature tall and narrow form factor.

Weight

206 g

172 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6,1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

User feedback for the iPhone 14 Pro often highlights its exceptional display quality, particularly the brightness and the adaptive refresh rate, along with the innovative Dynamic Island feature. Many users praise its camera system for delivering sharp, detailed photos, especially in challenging low-light conditions, and its robust video capabilities. Some common criticisms include its weight and the potential for battery health degradation over time, with some users noting that the 120Hz refresh rate on the smaller Pro model might not always feel as smooth as expected.

The Sony Xperia 5 IV is frequently lauded by users for its impressive battery life, often lasting well over a day, and its compact, easy-to-handle design. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage via microSD card are also highly appreciated features. On the other hand, some users report that the device can get warm during heavy use, and its charging speed is not as fast as some competitors. The camera system, while capable, is sometimes noted for requiring more manual input to achieve optimal results.

Users prioritizing a highly integrated ecosystem, cutting-edge display technology with unique interactive elements, and a consistently strong point-and-shoot camera experience may find the iPhone 14 Pro well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value extended battery life, a more compact form factor, the flexibility of expandable storage, and a traditional headphone jack, along with advanced manual camera controls, might lean towards the Sony Xperia 5 IV. Both devices represent excellent choices in the premium smartphone segment, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be a sustainable way to acquire either device. Ultimately, the choice depends on which set of features and user experiences aligns best with individual priorities.

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