Sony Xperia 5 V vs. Galaxy S23. Which one is better?

Xperia v5 vs. Galaxy S23; The Sony Xperia 5 V comes with several notable upgrades compared to its previous model. These include improved performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the same excellent main camera sensor as the top-of-the-line Xperia 1 V, and more. However, there are still some departments where Sony can improve its software offerings.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 stands out as one of the most impressive 6.1-inch smartphones in 2023. It boasts three lenses, the same sleek design as the high-end S23 Ultra, and a uniquely powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. The Galaxy S23 is a well-rounded flagship, known for its exceptional long-term software support commitment.

Here, is the comparison between these two android phones.

Xperia v5 vs. Galaxy S23; size comparison

The Sony Xperia 5 V and Samsung Galaxy S23 are both considered compact phones. Although they are not as small as the truly compact 5.9-inch Asus ZenFone 10, still they are much tinier compared to the larger 6.7- and 6.8-inch smartphones like the OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Both smartphones are available in 6.1-inch displays that are the same size, making them comfortable to hold in your hand and fit into your pocket. But don’t be fooled by their display size – these screens are top-notch and perfectly complement the high-end quality of these smartphones.

Display comparison:

The Xperia 5 V boasts a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, OLED technology, and Sony’s TV-focused X1 for Mobile chipset. These enhancements work together to enhance the clarity and quality of the videos you watch on the device.

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 features Samsung’s impressive Dynamic 2X AMOLED display technology, HDR10+ support, and LTPO technology. With LTPO, the screen’s refresh rate can smoothly switch between 1-120Hz based on your activity, making it easy on the battery without affecting your day-to-day experience.

Xperia v5 vs. Galaxy S23 chipset comparison; (S23 leads)

The Sony Xperia 5 V has stepped up its game in performance. It’s upgraded from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to the stronger and more efficient flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, backed by 8GB of RAM. This is a solid setup, and even though we haven’t gotten our hands on the Xperia 5 V just yet, our experience with other devices equipped with the 8 Gen 2 chipset in 2023 suggests promising performance ahead.

It could have been fantastic, but Samsung has taken things to the next level with its special alliance with Qualcomm. They joined forces to create the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 exclusively for Samsung gadgets, featuring a faster CPU and an extra GPU core compared to the already potent standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Camera comparison (Xperia 5 V leads):

The standout feature of Sony Xperia 5IV is its impressive 52MP Exmor-T sensor, the same one found in pricier Xperia 1V. Interestingly the primary sensor offers two zoom levels, although it’s different from the optical lens in Xperia 1V. Here, you can choose either 24mm or 48mm, which translates to 1x and 2x zoom.

In addition to that, it boasts a 12MP 16mm ultrawide lens. Nevertheless, keep in mind that it doesn’t feature a dedicated telephoto zoom lens. This sets it apart from competitors like Galaxy S23 and the predecessor Xperia 1 IV. This means it may not be as versatile for everyday photography needs.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 doesn’t have the amazing 200MP camera like the S23 Ultra. Nevertheless, still it offers a reliable 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens.

All three lenses perform impressively, delivering almost same color quality and lots of detail in both good and low-light conditions. However, the colors can sometimes appear a bit vibrant, but this is a common feature in Samsung smartphone cameras.

Software updates; S23 promises better software updates

Sony Xperia v5 has upgraged its software policy, featuring two years software update along with years of guarented security. It is a big improvement as compare to the predecessor which features only OS update. Although, it is a great advancement from Sony, more improvement is required in this regard.

Xperia also lacks behind Galaxy S23 software updates that gives 4 years OS updates along with 5 years of security to their users. All thanks to its Android 17. So, your S23 is safer from hackers as compared to Sony Xperia v5.

Cost comparison:

A lot of people thought the Sony Xperia 5 IV was a bit pricey in the UK at £949. But it seems Sony listened to the feedback because the new Xperia 5 V is now £100 more affordable, coming in at £849.

This positions it in direct rivalry with the equally priced Samsung Galaxy S23. This should, at the very least, eliminate price as a potential obstacle if you’re torn between the two options. Your decision will ultimately come down to the specs and which design you lean towards.

You can get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S23 right now, as it was released in early 2023. Meanwhile, the Sony Xperia 5 V is scheduled for release at the end of September.

Specs comparison of Sony Xperia 5 V vs. Galaxy S23.