Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Xiaomi 15

The Verdict

Sony's Xperia 5 IV targets enthusiasts willing to pay premium pricing for a compact flagship, while Xiaomi's 15 delivers substantially more raw power and features at $400 less. The Xiaomi 15 crushes the competition on nearly every specification: it uses the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite versus the 8 Gen 1, pairs 12GB RAM against 8GB, and boasts a significantly brighter 3200-nit display compared to 1000 nits. Camera hardware favors Xiaomi with larger 50MP sensors across the board, though Sony's optical zoom implementation at 2.5x rivals Xiaomi's 2.6x. Battery capacity edges to Xiaomi at 5400mAh with blazing 90W wired charging and 50W wireless, demolishing Sony's 30W and 15W speeds. The Xperia 5 IV's primary advantage lies in its more compact 6.1-inch design, weighing 172g versus Xiaomi's heftier 191g frame, appealing to those prioritizing one-handed usability. Sony's refined software and proven reliability matter for some users, but Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 on Android 15 is increasingly competitive. At $599, the Xiaomi 15 represents exceptional value and technical superiority. The Xperia 5 IV justifies its premium only for consumers specifically demanding a lighter, narrower phone without compromise on performance.