Apple iPhone 8 vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Sony's Xperia 5 IV decisively outperforms the aging iPhone 8 across nearly every dimension. While the iPhone 8 offers a compact 4.7-inch form factor with iOS simplicity, its 2-GB RAM, 1821 mAh battery, and 60Hz IPS LCD display feel severely dated. Sony delivers a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED screen with 1000 nits brightness, significantly superior 5000 mAh battery life, 8GB RAM, and a versatile triple-camera system including 2.5x optical zoom and 4K@120fps video. Performance-wise, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 far surpasses the A11 Bionic, and 5G connectivity matters increasingly. The iPhone 8 launched in 2017; this comparison heavily favors Sony's 2022 flagship. Only iOS devotees prioritizing ecosystem lock-in should consider the dated iPhone. For almost any practical use case, Xperia 5 IV is the superior choice, justified by its $300 price premium.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 8 if…
- →Compact and lightweight at 148 g
- →Wireless charging support
- →Powerful A11 Bionic chip
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 8
Pros
- Compact and lightweight at 148 g
- Wireless charging support
- Powerful A11 Bionic chip
- True Tone display
- Reliable Touch ID fingerprint sensor
Cons
- Very small 1821 mAh battery
- Dated home button design with large bezels
- Single rear camera only
- 750p resolution on 4.7-inch display
- Only 2 GB RAM
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 8 | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 11 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 148 g | 172 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 2 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 1821 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | OLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.39 GHz + 4x1.7 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (3-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A11 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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 8 or the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Press ? for keyboard shortcuts