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First introduced on April 14 and nonetheless unavailable in many various international locations worldwide, the Sony Xperia 5 III is the compact various to Sony’s newest flagship, the Xperia 1 III. I reviewed this smartphone which locations a heavy emphasis on multimedia and pictures to let you know whether or not the $999 price ticket is definitely worth the entry worth or not.
Good
- ✓Clean 120Hz OLED display
- ✓Strong battery life
- ✓Versatile digicam module with twin focal size
- ✓IP68 ranking, 3.5mm jack, microSD
- ✓Clear, feature-rich interface
Dangerous
- ✕Overheating points and and aggresive thermal throttling
- ✕Huge-angle and ultra-wide-angle sensors are a bit dated
- ✕No devoted Evening Mode
- ✕Just too costly
Sony Xperia 5 III in a nutshell
The Sony Xperia 5 III was introduced on April 14 this 12 months however has nonetheless but to be launched formally worldwide, Europe included. Actually, pre-orders for the handset haven’t been opened even till now. Nonetheless, we already know that the smartphone might be offered for $999 a pop, and that it’ll arrive in two configurations of 8GB RAM/128GB storage and 8GB RAM/256GB storage.
I had the smartphone for every week to evaluate, utilizing it as my every day driver for each work and leisure functions. I’m not a Sony fanboy nor a fan of the 21:9 side ratio that’s usually present in Xperia smartphones, however however, I typically loved my time with the Sony Xperia 5 III.
The marginally extra compact and barely much less premium variant of the Xperia 1 III that my colleague Ben reviewed is a really compelling proposition from Sony the place the high-end Android section is anxious. The 120Hz OLED show is buttery easy, whereas the Snapdragon 888 SoC continues to be highly effective sufficient for almost each single activity you possibly can throw at it regardless of its overheating points, with the 4500mAh battery being very sturdy.
What I discovered to be probably the most fascinating of all is the digicam module the place Sony has included a telephoto lens with twin focal lengths to supply two ranges of optical zoom, 2.9x and 4.4x. Add to {that a} barely too elitist however very full picture utility and a bodily button that serves as a digicam shutter, and the top result’s a smartphone that greatest emulates the picture expertise you’d take pleasure in with a daily digicam.
I actually have only a few complaints in regards to the Sony Xperia 5 III other than the worth which I believe is a wee bit too steep. This appears to be a recurring expertise with Sony’s Xperia line each single 12 months. What provides, Sony?
Design and display
In the case of the design, we discover the recipe used within the earlier Xperia, sporting an extended and skinny 21:9 format, a glass again and an aluminum body. The 6.1-inch OLED show presents a 120Hz refresh price.
What I appreciated:
- Gorilla Glass 6 on the display and again
- Aluminum body
- 21:9 side ratio (for many who prefer it)
- Clean display in 120 Hz refresh price
- IP68 certification and three.5mm jack
- Light-weight
What I disliked:
- Glass again is a fingerprint magnet
- 21:9 side ratio (for many who do not prefer it)
- Most brightness of 600 nits
Let the fanboys, fangirls, and mainly, followers of the 21:9 side ratio relax proper now. I do not see this 21:9 side ratio as a flaw. I perceive that it may be an fascinating expertise for some on the subject of consuming video content material. Personally, I can not admire it, particularly after I’m gaming, as I at all times really feel like my fingers are cramped and I’ve to squint extra. It is a private and subjective opinion, however I repeat that the 21:9 side ratio just isn’t a defect in any method. THAT’S IT! A minimum of we are actually even.
As for the remainder of the design, it merely oozes with high quality. There’s an aluminum body that ditches low cost plastic, a glass again that when once more, eschews plastic, with the complete gadget lined with Gorilla Glass 6. The again is an actual fingerprint magnet, so beware. It is a elementary ‘flaw’ that comes with all fashionable flagship smartphones which use glass throughout, proper?
The fingerprint reader is positioned on the edge proper below the ability button and is kind of responsive and correct. The SIM (and microSD) port will be opened and not using a metallic pin with out compromising the waterproof ranking (IP68 certification). The pill-shaped digicam module just isn’t very fashionable however has the benefit of not protruding an excessive amount of.
As for the display, it is nearly equivalent to the one present in final 12 months’s Xperia 5 II. I say nearly equivalent as a result of I can solely touch upon the specs, as I have no idea for certain if it’s the identical panel. It is a 6.1 inch OLED display with a 1080 x 2560 pixel decision in 21:9 format and a refresh price of 120 Hz.
Pixel density stays glorious even when Sony may have launched it in 4K as an alternative of reserving it for the Xperia 1 III. The utmost brightness degree hovers round 600 nits, which isn’t distinctive however nonetheless respectable sufficient for good visibility in all circumstances. In any case, summer season in Berlin is over and we’re in for six months of infinite nights, so there is no have to have 1,000 nits, proper?
The 120 Hz refresh price just isn’t presupposed to be adaptive, so as soon as it’s activated, you’ll profit from it on a regular basis. Some apps will drive 60 Hz (like Google Maps) at occasions, however mainly, we’d suggest you retain an in depth eye in your battery life more often than not. I discovered the default white stability to be too chilly, however the Normal coloration mode gave the impression to be somewhat correct general.
Total, the Sony Xperia 5 III sports activities a premium and neat design. The lengthy and skinny type issue will attraction to followers of compact smartphones, as will the featherweight 168 grams type issue (a file for a flagship in 2021). The display is buttery easy with a 120 Hz refresh price regardless of having a most brightness degree that’s beneath what you’d discover within the flagship smartphone vary.
Interface: Inventory Android look however filled with options
As at all times, Sony presents a person interface expertise that’s visually just like inventory Android Inventory. There’s various pre-installed functions however it’s also armed with a slew of customization choices that helps you optimize video/audio high quality, gaming, and multitasking to your private choice.
What I appreciated:
- The inventory Android look
- Intuitive multitasking course of
- Loads of audio and video customizations
- Environment friendly Recreation Enhancer mode
What I disliked:
- Restricted software program replace coverage
Visually, Sony’s interface was developed for purists who swear by inventory Android. That is not my case, however I do admire the simplicity of the menus and the general uncluttered look discovered within the UI. However that is simply on the floor, as a result of the Sony Xperia’s interface is filled with options and customization choices.
Let’s start with the multitasking side. Sony presents shortcuts to create floating home windows or to show pairs of functions in split-screen format. I am conscious that these are Android-wide options which might be clearly not unique to Sony, however I discover their implementation to be extra intuitive than on different Android skins.
One other characteristic that’s unique to Sony this time is the Aspect Sense sidebar which lets you create shortcuts to particular apps or options along with app pairs. This bar will be activated by way of a hidden floating button on the proper aspect of the display, which makes it fairly handy to make use of.
I appreciated the variety of choices to optimize video and audio high quality, with the flexibility to allow Dolby Atmos sound, Sony’s proprietary 360 Spatial Audio know-how, and DSEE Final mode that lets you “upscale” your audio stream. Sony additionally presents a dynamic vibration operate that adapts itself to the sound performed by the audio system. If the system works fairly nicely by way of responsiveness, I discover the vibration engine to be too coarse for this feature with a purpose to admire it absolutely.
Sony additionally remembered avid gamers by providing a mode referred to as Recreation Enhancer. In comparison with the Fnatic mode and different equivalents in its Android rivals, I discover Sony’s mode to be significantly superior, particularly for a smartphone that doesn’t has a gaming label connected to it. There are alternatives that lets you optimize audio and microphones, colorimetry, efficiency, and so forth.
We’ haven’t but reached the extent of Armory Crate on an Asus ROG Phone 5 both, but it surely’s very nice to have so many decisions from a variety of choices, most of that are fairly related (optimizing the microphone, the contact space on the display, RAM utilization, and so forth).
I may additionally speak in regards to the picture utility, which might deserve an article of its personal. However because it was already launched on the Xperia 1 II final 12 months and my colleague Ben already talked about it in-depth in his evaluate of the Xperia 1 III, I will spare you from listening to repeated drivel this time round.
Lastly, Sony just isn’t an organization that may hit the ball out of the park on the subject of software program upkeep. You’ll be able to anticipate a ‘mere’ 2 main Android releases (as much as Android 13) and three years of safety patches, most likely on a quarterly foundation at greatest.
Total, I discover the software program resolution supplied by the Sony Xperia 5 III very fascinating and full. Sony is aware of learn how to join with those that pay shut consideration to the smallest particulars whereas catering to the plenty as nicely. The software program replace coverage is just too restricted for a tool on this worth vary in 2021, particularly when nearly all rivals have roughly proven their playing cards by providing as much as 3 years of software program updates and 4 years of safety patches.
Efficiency: The Snapdragon 888 is working on fumes
The Sony Xperia 5 III is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC like many different Android flagship gadgets.
And identical to many of those Android flagships, it delivers top-notch efficiency however on the expense of temperature management.
What I appreciated:
- The uncooked energy of the Snapdragon 888 SoC
What I disliked:
- The Snapdragon 888’s overheating points
- Overly aggressive thermal throttling
When it comes to uncooked efficiency, the Sony Xperia 5 III ranks in the course of the pack within the Android market. It does not break any computing velocity data, however the efficiency is completely in keeping with what you’d anticipate from Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line SoC.
For instance, I used to be in a position to run Name of Obligation: Cellular at 120 FPS with all of the graphics choices cranked as much as most with out lacking a beat.
Sony Xperia 5 III
| Benchmark/Mannequin | Geekbench 5 single/multi | 3DMark Wild Life | 3DMark Wild Life Stress Check | Passmark Disk | Passmark Reminiscence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Xperia 5 III | 1117/3549 | 5839 | 5706 | ||
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Extremely |
942/3407 |
7373 | 5175 | 81.108 |
31.752 |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Extremely |
1123/3619 |
5621 |
Failed, overheated |
115.473 | 30.460 |
| OnePlus 9 Professional |
1112/3633 |
5670 |
5698 |
112.370 | 31.891 |
However the smartphone additionally suffers from the shortcomings which might be usually related to the Snapdragon 888 SoC, specifically overheating. Not solely does the chip warmth up lots, however Sony features a far too drastic temperature management by throttling the gadget too shortly and too aggressively. After half an hour of gaming time, you end up affected by some fairly annoying framerate drops.
On the 3DMark Wild Life Stress Check, which simulates 20 minutes of intensive gaming use, the Sony Xperia 5 III has a stability price of 59%. Frankly, that is not superb in any respect.
Total, the Sony Xperia 5 III suffers from related shortcomings that the majority Android flagships other than some specialist gaming smartphones with superior cooling techniques. Along with the overheating downside inherent to Qualcomm’s chip, Sony programmed an especially aggressive thermal throttling profile that considerably limits the efficiency potential of the smartphone.
Photograph: Pure rendering and double focal size
The Sony Xperia 5 III has a triple digicam module on the again with probably the most notable lens being the telephoto lens that boasts of two totally different focal lengths to supply 2.9x and 4.4x optical zoom.
The fundamental picture app has additionally merged with the Digicam Professional app to emulate the photo-taking expertise that one can take pleasure in on a DSLR/hybrid system digicam. Sony has even taken a step additional by including a bodily shutter button on the sting of the smartphone.
What I appreciated:
- Similar digicam module because the Xperia 1 III apart from the ToF sensor
- Pure coloration rendering and good publicity administration
- Very complete picture utility
- Gimmicky however immersive bodily shutter button
What I disliked:
- Photograph modes and settings usually are not very intuitive for a beginner
- Getting older fundamental and ultra-wide angle sensors
- Total lack of sharpness
- No devoted Evening Mode
Sony Xperia 5 III
| Lens | Specs |
|---|---|
| 12 MP broad angle fundamental lens | Sony IMX 557 | f/1.7 | 1/1.7″ | 1.8µm | Twin Pixel PDAF | OIS |
| Extremely wide-angle 12 MP | Sony IMX 363 | f/2.2 | FOV 124˚ | 1/2.6″ | Twin Pixel PDAF |
| 12 MP telephoto lens | Sony IMX 663 | f/2.3 in 70mm | f/2.8 in 105mm | 1/2.9″ | Twin Pixel PDAF | 2.9x and 4.4x optical zoom | OIS |
| 8 MP selfie | Samsung S5K4H7 | f/2.0 | 1/4″ | 1.12µm |
Sony Xperia 5 III wide-angle and extremely wide-angle images
If the novelty of the Sony Xperia 5 III’s digicam module lies in its telephoto lens, the primary wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses won’t excite you in any method since they’re the identical ones present in final 12 months’s Xperia 1 II.
The Sony Xperia 5 III’s wide-angle fundamental lens is predicated on a Sony IMX 557 sensor with a measurement of 1/1.7 inches, which is smaller than these of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (1/1.33″) or Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (1/1.12″).
12 MP fundamental lens and 12 MP extremely wide-angle lens
 Main lens 1x |
 12 MP ultra wide-angle lens |
In the course of the day, I discovered the pictures to look very pure. I am not diametrically against the extra aggressive software program processing from Chinese language producers not like 90% of the opposite tech journalists. Nevertheless, I discover Sony’s ultra-light and delicate processing to be fairly refreshing, particularly when you’ve good mild situations.
I discovered its publicity administration very environment friendly too, permitting a large dynamic vary. However I additionally observed an general lack of element on most pictures. There’s additionally some coloration inconsistency between wide-angle and extremely wide-angle pictures.
12 MP fundamental lens and 12 MP extremely wide-angle
 Main lens 1x |
 12 MP ultra wide-angle lens |
Sony Xperia 5 III telephoto pictures
The telephoto lens of the Sony Xperia 5 III is probably the most fascinating ingredient on this digicam module. It presents two totally different focal lengths for 2 totally different ranges of optical zoom. There is a 70mm equal focal size, which presents a 2.9x magnification over the 24mm equal of the primary lens. Then there’s the focal size of 105 mm, which is a 4.4x zoom in comparison with the primary lens. The aperture goes from f/2.3 at 70 mm to f/2.8 at 105 mm.
Telephoto zoom lens x2.9 and x4.4
I discovered the two.9x zoom to be typically efficient in limiting the lack of element. This isn’t the case with the 4.4x zoom. I observed loads of artifacts and an absence of sharpness of the pictures.
Telephoto lens x2.9 and x4.4
It’s also doable to push the zoom digitally to acquire a 300mm equal, i.e. a 12.2x zoom. If the rendering is much from being catastrophic and even generally somewhat respectable to be used, we’re nonetheless outcomes that fall wanting different rivals in the identical worth vary. The 10x zoom of the Galaxy S21 Extremely is significantly better, as an example.
12.2x telephoto zoom lens
 12.2x telephoto lens (300mm) |
 12.2x telephoto lens (300mm) |
I discover this twin focal size method from Sony to be an fascinating one. Opposite to Samsung who blurred the road between optical and digital zoom with a purpose to embody loopy magnification ranges of their advertising materials, Sony is extra grounded on this matter. We all know precisely simply which sensor to make use of and subsequently the focal size, in addition to the diploma of optical magnification that was used to seize an image. It is not as horny as a recrop of a wide-angle picture that hides behind the 100x Area zoom moniker, but it surely works simply the identical.
Telephoto zoom 2.9x and 4.4x
Total, I somewhat appreciated the digicam resolution supplied by Sony right here. The pure picture processing goes in opposition to the grain of the Android market however doesn’t detract from the standard of the pictures. Quite, it does appear to boost your images. The zoom on two totally different focal lengths proved to be fairly efficient and versatile, though it shortly exhibits its limitations as you push the magnification. I want Sony would have included a bigger fundamental lens with a bigger sensor to realize a greater degree of element.
Battery: 4500 mAh capability with a 30 Watts quick charging profile
The Sony Xperia 5 III is powered by a 4500mAh battery which is identical capability as discovered within the Xperia 1 III. That is excellent news contemplating the smartphone has a smaller (and decrease decision) display than its older sibling.
What I appreciated:
- Strong battery life
- USB-C charger is included
What I disliked:
- Quite gradual charging velocity for a $999 flagship
- No wi-fi charging
After its exhausting benchmark session on PCMark, the Sony Xperia 5 III took 12 hours and 48 minutes to fall beneath the 20% remaining battery life mark, and that is with the refresh price set to 120 Hz. In different phrases, the smartphone is definitely able to lasting a complete day of use with none points. That is greater than a decent rating and we will say that the Sony Xperia 5 III has a powerful battery life ranking.
The Xperia 5 III comes with a 30-watt Energy Supply USB-C adapter, the identical one which accompanied the Xperia 1 III. It took me a median of slightly below 2 hours to totally cost the gadget. My greatest time from 0 to 100% was 1 hour 52 minutes, to be exact. By letting the smartphone cost for simply half-hour, I used to be in a position to obtain roughly 50% battery life.
Total, the battery lifetime of the Sony Xperia 5 III could be very stable and occupies the highest tier of performers of this worth vary. Fast charging is not as quick as a few of the different high-end rivals, although. The dearth of wi-fi charging, whereas not critically detrimental to its trigger, continues to be a little bit of a stain on a smartphone that carries a $999 price ticket.
Technical specs
Sony Xperia 5 III
| Element | Specs |
|---|---|
| Display screen |
|
| SoC/GPU | Snapdragon 888 + Adreno 660 |
| Reminiscence | 8 GB RAM /128 GB or 256 GB inside reminiscence |
| Expandable storage | Sure, microSD by way of SIM port |
| Digicam module |
|
| Video |
|
| Battery | 4,500 mAh | 30-watts | USB-PD |
| OS | Android 11 |
| Audio | Stereo audio system | 24-bit/192kHz audio | dynamic vibration |
| Design, dimensions & weight |
|
| Colours | Shiny Black | Shiny Gray |
| Value | $999 |
Conclusion
The Sony Xperia 5 III is an excellent high-end smartphone. I actually need to commend the producer’s efforts to supply a deeper person expertise. I would not know learn how to describe it precisely, however I usually felt amazed by the big selection of options and settings through the time I spent with it. It’d take some time to get used to the plethora of choices, and also you progressively start to have your muscle reminiscence work in favor of you over time.
It is nearly like a gamification expertise as a result of you end up fidgeting with all of the choices throughout the totally different menus. I additionally actually appreciated the work accomplished to emulate the picture expertise to make it really feel just like that of an precise digicam. It is greater than only a gimmick, the picture app and bodily shutter button actually do make it a extra immersive expertise, as foolish as that sounds.
However does all these justify the $999 price ticket? In my view, no. The Sony Xperia 5 III can also be a really common performer on many ranges. It performs someplace within the low-middle quadrant for a smartphone on this worth vary. The battery life is stable, however its quick charging velocity nonetheless lags behind the competitors. The 120 Hz OLED display could be very easy, however may provide a better brightness degree.
For $999, you might get higher performing flagships such because the OnePlus 9 Pro, Galaxy S21 Plus, or perhaps a Xiaomi Mi 11. I do know I will get blasted within the feedback part, however I merely can not justify this worth. It is completely disproportionate to the producer’s market presence.
It doesn’t matter what the fanboys, fangirls, or just followers of such a handset say, it is arduous to supply $999 smartphones if you solely promote 2 million units worldwide in a 12 months. Even in case you’re a hardcore Sony fan and/or photophile, I might suggest ready for a worth drop at greatest.
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