Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Xiaomi 14 Pro

The Verdict

Sony's Xperia 5 IV delivers a refined compact flagship experience at $999, featuring a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display with 1000 nits brightness, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and a well-balanced camera system across four lenses with 4K@120fps video. Its 172g lightweight design and 5000mAh battery with 30W charging make it genuinely pocketable. Xiaomi's 14 Pro ($1099) takes a different approach with a larger 6.73-inch QHD LTPO AMOLED screen reaching 3000 nits, more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and substantially better charging speeds (120W wired, 50W wireless versus 30W/15W). Camera capabilities favor Xiaomi with larger 50MP sensors and variable aperture on the main lens, though the Xperia 5 IV's compact telephoto setup remains competent. Xiaomi's 12-16GB RAM options and up to 1TB storage outclass Sony's 8GB/256GB max. However, the Xiaomi weighs 223g and lacks the Xperia's surgical minimalism. Choose the Xperia 5 IV if you prioritize portability and one-handed use with excellent overall execution. Pick the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you want maximum performance, brightness, charging speed, and camera versatility, accepting a bulkier device and higher price point.