Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G
Shop Android Smartphones
Fairphone 4
Starting at
£402.27
Sony Xperia 5 III 5G
Starting at
£499.00What's the difference between the Fairphone 4 and Sony Xperia 5 III 5G?
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Fairphone 4 starts at £402.27, £96.73 less than the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Snapdragon 750G SM7225 on the Fairphone 4, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.
- The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 3905 mAh.
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G specs
The Fairphone 4 and Sony Xperia 5 III 5G, both released in 2021, offer different strengths suited to different users. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G offers a more powerful processor and more RAM, making it better for multitasking and demanding apps. Its OLED screen provides richer colours, and it is lighter and slimmer, which suits those who prefer a compact phone. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise battery size and screen space or processing power and a smaller, more vivid display.
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G price
Colour
- GreySold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 128GBSold out
- 256GBSold out
- 256GBSold out
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G battery life and software updates
Durability here includes battery capacity and operating system, both important for daily use and long-term reliability. Both phones run Android and support 5G, but their battery sizes differ, affecting how long they last between charges.
Battery Capacity
The Fairphone 4 has a 3905 mAh battery which supports extended use throughout the day, making it well suited for users who want reliable battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G offers a larger 4500 mAh battery, which provides even more capacity for longer stretches between charges. If you often need your phone to last through heavy use, the Xperia may be more suitable.
Battery
Foldable
Year of release
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G performance
Performance differences come down to processing power, memory, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the phones handle apps and multitasking.
Processor Power
The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G uses the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset built on 5 nm technology, which is designed for high performance and efficiency. The Fairphone 4 uses the Snapdragon 750G SM7225, which is suitable for everyday use but not as powerful as the Xperia's chipset. The Xperia 5 III 5G is a good choice if you use demanding apps or multitask frequently.
Memory and Storage
The Fairphone 4 comes with 6 GB of RAM and options for 128GB or 256GB of storage, offering flexibility depending on your needs. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has 8 GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which helps keep more apps open at once and provides ample space for media and files. Choose the Xperia if you want more memory for smooth multitasking and larger storage without multiple options.
Chipset
RAM
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G screen
Screen quality influences how you experience media and daily use. Differences in size, type, and resolution affect viewing enjoyment and comfort.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Fairphone 4 has a 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2340, offering a slightly larger display area for watching videos or browsing. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G features a 6.1 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2520, which provides a bit more vertical pixels for reading or scrolling through content.
Screen Type
The Fairphone 4 uses an IPS LCD screen, which delivers accurate colours and good viewing angles suitable for general use. The Xperia 5 III 5G comes with an OLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, which enhances video and photo viewing for users who value richer imagery.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G camera
Front camera
Main camera
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G size and design
Other differences that affect everyday convenience include physical size, connectors, SIM options and weight. These affect how the phone feels in your hand and what accessories you can use.
Physical Size and Weight
The Fairphone 4 measures 10.5 mm in depth and weighs 225 g, making it a bit thicker and heavier. This may suit those who prefer a more substantial feel. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G is slimmer at 8.2 mm and lighter at 168 g, appealing to users who want a compact and lightweight device.
Connectors and Audio
The Fairphone 4 has a USB-C connector, which covers most charging and data needs. The Xperia 5 III 5G adds a 3.5mm headphone jack alongside USB-C, useful if you want to use traditional wired headphones without an adapter.
SIM and Storage Expansion
The Fairphone 4 supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, giving you flexibility in how you use mobile plans. The Xperia 5 III 5G uses a physical SIM only. Both devices accept microSDXC cards, so you can expand storage for photos and media.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Fairphone 4 or Sony Xperia 5 III 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Fairphone 4 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £402.27, £96.73 less than the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3905 mAh)
- you want an OLED screen
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G FAQs
Fairphone 4 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Snapdragon 750G SM7225 on the Fairphone 4, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The Fairphone 4 is cheaper refurbished, from £402.27 compared with £499 for the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.
The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 3905 mAh.
Refurbished, the Fairphone 4 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G in 256GB.









