Sony launched its latest flagship smartphone in a variety of flavors again back at IFA, but just what is the difference between the Xperia Z5 and the Xperia
Z5 Compact?
In past years the Compact version has been just a smaller edition of the ‘big’ Z phone of the year. We’re now onto the third Compact after the Z1 and Z3, and the tradition has remained.
So, Xperia Z5 or Xperia Z5 Compact, how do you choose? Let’s break it down.
The specs of the two phones are almost identical. Again, this is something traditional of Sony’s Compact launches, so here’s what we’re looking at:
| Colors | White, Graphite Black, Gold, Green | White, Graphite Black, Yellow, Coral |
| Size | 146mm x 72mm x 7.3mm | 127mm x 65mm x 8.9mm |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64 bit processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core 64 bit processor |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 430 |
| Weight | 154 grams | 138 grams |
| SIM Card | Nano SIM | Nano SIM |
| Operating System | Google™ Android™ 5.1 (Lollipop) | Google™ Android™ 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Rear (main) camera | 23MP camera with Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor, with fast autofocus 4K video capture and output 24 mm wide-angle G Lens 5x clear image, without loss of quality HDR for photos and videos ISO12800 Photo / 4000 Video SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode Superior Auto |
23MP camera with Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor, with fast autofocus 4K video capture and output 24 mm wide-angle G Lens 5x clear image, without loss of quality HDR for photos and videos ISO12800 Photo / 4000 Video SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode Superior Auto |
| Front camera | 5MP with Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor Full HD 1080p for video chat 25 mm wide-angle lens SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode Superior Auto |
5MP with Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor Full HD 1080p for video chat 25 mm wide-angle lens SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode Superior Auto |
| Audio codec support | DNC, HRA, DSEE-HX, LDAC Automatic headset compensation S-Force Front surround Stereo speakers ClearAudio+ |
DNC, HRA, DSEE-HX, LDAC Automatic headset compensation S-Force Front surround Stereo |
| Display Resolution | 5.2″ Full HD 1080p (1920×1080 pixels), IPS display | 4.6″ 720p HD (1280×720 pixels), IPS display |
| PPI | 428 | 323 |
| Glass panel | Chemical tempered glass + Anti-fingerprint coating | Chemical tempered glass + Anti-fingerprint coating |
| Display Technology | TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile, with Sparkling Contrast and Live Colour Creation X-Reality™ for Mobile |
TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile, with Sparkling Contrast and Live Colour Creation X-Reality™ for Mobile |
| Design | IP65 / IP68 dust-tight & waterproof Capless USB |
IP65 / IP68 dust-tight & waterproof Capless USB |
| RAM | 3GB | 2GB |
| Flash memory | Up to 32GB | Up to 32GB |
| Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted, in power key | Yes, in power button |
| Expansion slot | microSD™ card, up to 200GB (SDXC supported) | microSD™ card, up to 200GB (SDXC supported) |
| Networks | LTE (4G), LTE Cat6, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+ (3G) | LTE (4G), LTE Cat6, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+ (3G) |
| Battery (embedded) | 2900 mAh (up to 2 day battery life) and Battery STAMINA mode | 2700 mAh (up to 2 day battery life) and Battery STAMINA mode |
| Quick Charge | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, the specs really don’t do much to separate the two phones. The internals are virtually identical with a slight change in battery size and less RAM being the only significant alterations on the Compact. The display has been shrunk to 720p, but it’s also only 4.6-inches so it looks just fine at that size.
The two also look and feel almost identical barring the size. The Compact is a little more ‘plasticky’ on account of the frame and it’s also a bit thicker, which given what’s inside it you can certainly forgive. You still have the same button placement, front speaker and a dedicated camera shutter button with half push to focus. The camera button on the Compact doesn’t feel quite as good as it does on the big Z5, though, as it’s a little smaller.
Then, there’s the price. In the UK there’s around £100 price difference between the two depending on where you’re buying. Whichever way you look at it, that’s a lot of money. But the great thing is that even when you spend less and get the Compact, you’re still getting virtually the same, high-end smartphone. RAM and display aside, it’s a wash. It all comes down to whether you want a big phone or a little phone. Thanks, Sony, for giving us the choice.
Buy the Sony Xperia Z5 at Amazon UK
Buy the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact at Amazon UK