Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra

The Verdict

Both phones hit the same $999 price point but represent different philosophies. Sony's Xperia 5 IV prioritizes compactness at 156mm height and 172g weight, ideal if you want a phone that actually fits one-handed. Its 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display is excellent, though the 1000-nit brightness lags behind competitors. Camera setup is balanced with reliable 12MP sensors across the board, 4K@120fps video, and 2.5x optical zoom. Performance uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with 8GB RAM and 30W charging plus 15W wireless. Xiaomi's 15 Ultra swings the opposite direction with a 6.73-inch superb 3200x1440 LTPO AMOLED display hitting 3200 nits brightness, making it dramatically better for outdoor visibility and content consumption. The flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, and massive 5810mAh battery provide superior performance and longevity. Camera hardware crushes the Sony with a 1-inch 50MP main sensor, 200MP 5x periscope zoom, and 8K video recording. However, it weighs 229g and measures 9.17mm thick, making it noticeably bulkier. Charging is aggressive at 90W wired and 50W wireless. Choose the Xperia 5 IV if pocketability and one-handed use matter most. Pick the Xiaomi 15 Ultra if you want cutting-edge specs, superior displays, and camera versatility to justify the larger footprint.