Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Sony Xperia 5 V
The Verdict
iPhone 16 Plus delivers a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with exceptional 2000-nit peak brightness and MagSafe wireless charging, making it ideal for content consumption and Apple ecosystem users. Sony Xperia 5 V compensates with a more compact 6.1-inch form factor, superior 120Hz refresh rate, faster 30W charging, and more capable video capabilities including 4K@120fps and log recording,appealing to creative professionals and power users. Battery capacity favors Sony (5000 mAh vs 4674 mAh), though iPhone's optimization provides competitive endurance. Camera specifications are similar, but Sony's larger f/1.9 aperture with OIS and cinema-focused features provide tangible advantages for videography. Performance remains competitive between A18 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. For casual users prioritizing display quality and ecosystem lock-in, choose iPhone 16 Plus. For creators and those valuing raw performance specs with wireless charging flexibility, Sony Xperia 5 V edges ahead despite premium pricing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 V if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- →4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- →Exmor T sensor excels in low light
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Sony Xperia 5 V
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch flagship in an era of large phones
- 4K@120fps video with professional log recording
- Exmor T sensor excels in low light
- Headphone jack retained
- IP68 with two years of OS updates
Cons
- No telephoto camera
- Only 30W wired charging — no wireless
- Premium price for a compact with limited camera versatility
- Display not as bright as competitors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Sony Xperia 5 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 182 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 154 x 68 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T for mobile) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@120fps, log video recording |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2, 124-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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.
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