Sony Xperia 5 IV Review

The Sony Xperia 5 IV is the latest member of the Sony family. With 4K HDR 120fps video recording, a bright 6.1” FHD+ OLED HDR display, and outstanding 360 Reality Audio this smartphone has impressed millions worldwide. We at Fonehouse were lucky to get our hands on the Xperia 5 IV to see first-hand if this handset is worth the hype.

To try out this Xperia, I took the advertised highlighted features of the handset and put them to the real test in a week in the central Mediterranean country of Malta – pack your bags and let’s go!

4K HDR 120fps Video Recording

Some of us are self-proclaimed videographers, whether it’s taking silly videos of our friends, or snapping quick videos of beautiful sceneries whilst on the go, who doesn’t love capturing video memories? One of the standout features of the Sony Xperia 5 IV is 4K HDR 120fps video recording. With this feature, users will be able to capture ultra-clear and detailed videos with a touch of a button. This video recording system doesn’t fall flat on its features either, for example, Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye gives you beautifully shake-free videos and Object Tracking for Video automatically tracks fast-moving subjects as they move. 

With this said, I was excited to put this feature to the test and saw an approaching horse in the capital Valetta as the perfect opportunity.

Video Recording Result

After filming this short video I was blown away by the overall colour vibrancy, stability and HDR quality this Xperia had to offer. This feature most definitely lived up to and exceeded my expectations – a win for Sony. 

Bright 6.1” 21:9 Wide FHD+ OLED HDR Display

“Discover an immersive viewing experience” is an intriguing line Sony are using when referring to the Xperia 5 IV’s 6.1” 21:9 Wide display. After reading this line I was curious to find out what exactly makes this smartphone display so great and I found out a 120Hz refresh rate, stunning brightness which is 50% brighter than their previous model and Real-time HDR drive plays a massive part in this. 

I tuned in to some good old-fashioned Netflix to see if this display really delivered an immersive experience like Sony claims – spoiler it did!

Display Result

As soon as I hit play the bright display of the Xperia 5 IV provided me with visuals bursting with vibrancy, sharpness and detail. This is a display that guarantees an immersive, unique and enjoyable viewing experience. So go ahead unwind and indulge in some much needed entertainment time, the Sony Xperia 5 IV has got you covered. 

Triple Lens Camera With Technology From Alpha Cameras 

Exceptional camera power is a must in any great smartphone and the Sony Xperia 5 IV camera ticks that box with ease. The sleek rear of this lightweight handset features a triple 12MP camera system with cool added features like HDR burst shooting up to 20fps AF/AE on all lenses and Real-time Eye AF.

As you can imagine Malta had breathtaking sceneries pretty much on every corner you turned, so I was given countless opportunities to see if the Xperia 5 IV camera really delivered exceptional quality or not.

Camera Result 

Whilst on a 7-hour boat ride which ventured everywhere from the buzzing island of Gozo to smaller areas like Xlendi, I snapped hundreds of photos with the Xperia 5 IV and was impressed with every single shot. Not only did the camera pick up the beautiful intricacies of every scene, but it also captured the stunning vibrancy within the image. If you love to snap photos on the go, this smartphone is bound to boost your photography game to levels you’ve never seen before. 

Large 5,000mAh Battery With Fast Charging

Battery power is important and loaded inside the Xperia 5 IV is a long-lasting 5000mAh battery. Whilst packing for Malta I made sure the smartphone itself was packed and ready to go, but one thing I forgot was the device’s charger – a rookie mistake I know. Although at first on a realisation I thought this was a major inconvenience, it actually turned out to be the perfect test to see if this Xperia battery was long-lasting after all. After 7 whole days of photo-snapping, music listening and nighttime video watching on the device and not a charger in sight, the 5 IV battery did not die and lasted all the way until I reached the UK again – pretty impressive. Once I got the chance to charge the Xperia at home, I was once again blown away by the device’s fast charging capabilities – this battery is the perfect all-rounder. 

360 Reality Audio

Music is the perfect form of escapism, and when the audio quality behind a device is great it boosts the experience even more. The Sony Xperia 5 IV features the famous 360 Reality Audio which is said to deliver a constant stream of exceptional and immersive audio.

During morning getting-ready sessions and calming evening unwinding, I played various albums aloud and the audio of the Xperia 5 IV provided a clear and high-resolution listening experience every time. If music is your jam this might be the perfect smartphone for you. 

After reading the ins and outs about five standout features of the Sony Xperia 5 IV and knowing the smartphone does live up to the hype after all, I’m sure you’re eager to get your hands on a device of your own. Well look no further, Fonehouse has amazing cheap offers on this smartphone so your search starts and ends here – you’re welcome. 

Shop the Sony Xperia 5 IV here and receive a FREE pair of Sony Linkbuds S worth £149!