Apple iPhone XS vs Sony Xperia 5 IV

The Verdict

Both phones launched at the same price point but represent different eras of flagship technology. The iPhone XS delivers Apple's signature design with a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display (2436 x 1125, 725 nits) powered by the A12 Bionic chip and 4GB RAM. Its dual camera system (12MP main with f/1.8 aperture plus 2x telephoto) captures excellent stills and 4K video at 60fps. Battery capacity sits at 2658 mAh with 7.5W wireless charging. The Xperia 5 IV substantially outpaces it with modern specifications: a larger 6.1-inch OLED screen running 120Hz (2520 x 1080, 1000 nits brightness), Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 8GB RAM, and a notably superior 5000 mAh battery. Its triple camera setup includes a 12MP ultrawide lens alongside the main and telephoto cameras, capturing 4K video at 120fps. Connectivity differences are stark: the Xperia includes 5G, USB-C 3.2, and Wi-Fi 6E versus the iPhone's Lightning port and Wi-Fi 5. For 2024 standards, the Xperia 5 IV is the clearly superior choice with faster performance, better battery longevity, higher refresh rate display, more versatile cameras, and modern connectivity standards. The iPhone XS feels dated despite its historical importance.