Apple iPhone 15 vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 15 delivers superior display brightness at 2000 nits versus Sony's 1000 nits, making content significantly more visible outdoors. The A16 Bionic chip combined with iOS 17 provides snappier performance and better optimization compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 running Android 12. iPhone 15's camera system excels with computational photography and Dolby Vision video recording, though the Xperia 5 IV offers a traditional telephoto lens that iPhone 15 lacks. Sony's 5000 mAh battery substantially outlasts the iPhone's 3349 mAh unit, and the Xperia supports faster 30W charging versus Apple's 20W. The Xperia also features a 120Hz display refresh rate, 8GB RAM standard, and a more compact design at 67mm width, which appeals to users preferring one-handed operation. At $799, the iPhone 15 costs $200 less while offering a brighter, more responsive experience. However, Sony targets enthusiasts who prioritize battery longevity, zoom capabilities, and high refresh rate scrolling. For most users, iPhone 15 represents better overall value with superior everyday performance and display quality.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…
- →Dynamic Island brought to base model
- →48 MP main camera upgrade
- →Switched to USB-C port
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- →5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- →3.5mm headphone jack
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15
Pros
- Dynamic Island brought to base model
- 48 MP main camera upgrade
- Switched to USB-C port
- Strong A16 Bionic performance
- Comfortable lightweight design
Cons
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- 5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless charging added (absent on 5 III)
- Excellent manual camera controls
Cons
- 12 MP cameras feel dated in 2022
- Slow 30W charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal issues
- Niche appeal limits accessories and cases
- Auto camera mode behind iPhone and Pixel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 172 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@120fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Sony products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 15 or the Sony Xperia 5 IV.