iQOO 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 V
The Verdict
iQOO 12 delivers superior value at nearly half the price of Sony Xperia 5 V. Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor paired with 12-16GB RAM significantly outpaces the Gen 2 chip and 8GB configuration in the Sony. Display quality favors iQOO with a massive 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel at 144Hz and 3000 nits brightness versus Sony's more compact 6.1-inch 120Hz display at 1700 nits. Camera systems differ philosophically: iQOO emphasizes versatility with 50MP main, 64MP telephoto, and 13MP ultrawide, while Sony prioritizes professional-grade video with log recording and Exmor T sensor. Battery capacity matches at 5000mAh, but iQOO's 120W charging demolishes Sony's 30W solution. Sony retains IP68 water resistance certification, which iQOO lacks. For most users seeking flagship performance, superior display technology, and rapid charging, iQOO 12 represents exceptional value. Sony appeals primarily to videography enthusiasts willing to pay premium pricing.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
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
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
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 | iQOO 12 | Sony Xperia 5 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 182 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | None | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 154 x 68 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 48 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T for mobile) |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@120fps, log video recording |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | — |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 124-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 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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