I don't buy phones often; I prefer to keep my phone running as long as I can until it simply doesn't work any more. Sure, I'm a tech enthusiast, but I also don't need the latest technology every year. I just need something that is reliable, practical, and won't become e-waste in a year.
For some reason, phones keep getting bigger every year because "bigger is better", but my hands haven't increased in size since my childhood (last I checked) so this trend is just bizarre to me. Fortunately Sony is still making relatively reasonable-sized phones for my un-manly lady-sized hands that can be used one-handed without training for the Thumb Olympics. The Xperia 5 is maybe still just a *little* too wide for my hands, but it gets the job done, and the really tall aspect ratio is a really smart compromise that gives you good screen real-estate without being a phablet.
The battery life here is respectable and I usually reach the end of my day with at least 35% battery remaining. It isn't a weekender battery but good enough for my purposes. I've had better, but I've also had a lot worse...
What I really appreciate on the Xperia 5 II is the straightforward software experience. The phone comes with something that feels pretty close to stock Android without a bunch of bloat, yet does come with some actually useful quality-of-life features such as Side Sense and an incredibly excellent camera app that gives you a proper manual mode. (The physical button to jump to the camera is awesome by the way.) They're also keeping on top of security updates so far which is nice to see.
Overall the device really feels like it gives you the control. There's a ton of useful additions in the settings that let you customize the device instead of locking you into preferences that the developers wanted to force on you. If I had to give a few criticisms of the Xperia 5, I'd say that (1) it seems a bit overpriced for what you get (though it does make sense if their audience is small that they'd have to charge more), and (2) the fingerprint sensor, while in an excellent location, seems to be hit-or-miss sometimes. Usually it causes no trouble, but occasionally it will fail to read my fingerprint several times in a row.
Here's hoping that this device will last me for years to come, because this is the most enjoyable phone I've ever had the pleasure of owning.
There is a newer model of this item:
![Sony Xperia 5 III 125GB 5G Factory Unlocked Smartphone, Black [U.S. Official w/Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61r6pYjE9NL._SR75,75_.jpg)
Sony Xperia 5 III 125GB 5G Factory Unlocked Smartphone, Black [U.S. Official w/Warranty]
$598.00
(100)
Only 15 left in stock - order soon.
$598.00
(100)
Only 15 left in stock - order soon.
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This Item  Sony Xperia 5 II Unlocked Smartphone | ![Sony Xperia 1 V 256GB 5G Factory Unlocked Smartphone [U.S. Official w/Warranty],Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31uQ5sIV+-L._AC_.jpg) |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | -14% $1,198.00 List: $1,399.99 | $998.00 | $499.99 | $599.99 | $1,298.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it Jun 6 - Jul 17 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Fingerprint reader | ||||||
| Screen quality | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | OE USA | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| display size | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches | 6 inches | 6.78 inches | 6.5 inches |
| memory capacity | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB | 6 GB | 16 GB | 256 GB |
| model name | XQAS62/B | Xperia 1 V | XQBE62/B | Xperia 10 IV | OnePlus 12R | Xperia 1 III |
| operating system | Android 10.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 11.0 | Android 13.0 | Android 14.0 | Android 10.0 |
| connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, NFC, USB, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | — | Bluetooth, NFC, USB, Wi-Fi |
| display type | OLED | OLED | OLED | AMOLED | OLED | OLED |
| memory slots | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 |
From the manufacturer
Sony Xperia 5 II
Built for speed, made compact
Combining impressive speed with compact design, level up your entertainment and creativity with the Xperia 5 II and Sony´s latest audio, video and Alpha technologies.
Compact and Powerful
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Alpha camera technology for razor-sharp results
Borrowing technology from Alpha professional cameras, the Xperia 5 II gives you the speed and accuracy you need to capture magic moments with razor-sharp focus and perfect exposure.
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Live the game. Own the leaderboard.
Xperia 5 II takes you deeper into the action with an immersive 21:9 display. With Game enhancer, ultra-fast performance, 120 Hz refresh rate display and precise touch response, the advantage is yours.
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The widescreen experience in the palm of your hand
When you’re mad about movies, you want a smartphone that does them justice. And the display’s 120Hz Refresh rate display for smooth scrolling.
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Hear and feel sound from all around you
With 360 Reality Audio13 music has never been so immersive and so real—and the Xperia 5 II has been designed to let you experience it using wired or wireless headphones.
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Enjoy smooth, blur-free gameplay
In native 120Hz Refresh rate display8, fast-moving objects are rendered clearly for seriously smooth gameplay. 240Hz Motion blur reduction9 updates the image 240 times per second for blur-free action
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Outstanding ZEISS quality in your Xperia
Triple lenses let you capture beautiful landscapes or portraits, or zoom in on distant subjects. ZEISS optics feature ZEISS T coating for reduced reflection, resulting in exquisite image rendering.
The Xperia 5 II is compact and loaded with the latest Sony technology so there's no compromise on performance - whether you're gaming, streaming a movie, capturing the perfect shot or listening to music.
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Made in Thailand
One of the most wonderful thing about this phone is that it's not made in China. I believe it's safe to assume there's no slave labor involved in the manufacturing of this device. Other than that, it has all I need from a phone - MicroSD slot, great camera, and long battery life.
