Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S20 Ultra
Starting at
£269.45£1,199.99 new
Sony Xperia 5
Starting at
£216.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5?
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Sony Xperia 5 starts at £216, £53.45 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2020.
Refurbished from
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3140 mAh.
- Screen size: 6.9 inch on the Galaxy S20 Ultra, 6,1 inch on the Sony Xperia 5.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 specs
The Galaxy S20 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5 differ in screen size, camera resolution, battery capacity, and memory. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a larger, higher resolution Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen and higher megapixel counts for both front and main cameras, making it suitable for those who prioritise media and photography. It also offers a larger 5000 mAh battery and 12 GB of RAM, supporting longer use and more apps running at once. The Sony Xperia 5 has a smaller OLED screen and a lighter, more compact design with a 3140 mAh battery and 6 GB RAM, making it suitable if you prefer a more manageable size and straightforward performance for everyday use.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 price
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Storage
- 128GBSold out
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and basic device design. These affect how long your phone lasts on a charge and how it handles updates over time.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery, which supports longer use between charges and suits heavy users or those who use power-intensive apps. The Sony Xperia 5 has a smaller 3140 mAh battery, which fits those who prefer a lighter phone and do not need as much battery life during the day.
Software Updates
This means both devices run on older software versions, so you can expect similar update experiences regardless of choice.
Battery
Foldable
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 screen
Screen quality affects how you view videos, photos, and apps. Differences in size, resolution, and panel type shape the viewing experience for each phone.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra features a large 6.9 inch screen with a 1440 x 3200 resolution, offering more room and sharper detail for videos and multitasking. The Sony Xperia 5 provides a smaller 6.1 inch screen at 1080 x 2520 resolution, which fits those who prefer a compact phone that still displays clear images.
Screen Type
The Galaxy S20 Ultra uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X, which delivers vibrant colours and high brightness, enhancing media viewing in bright conditions. The Sony Xperia 5 has an OLED screen, known for deep blacks and strong contrast, suitable for users who value rich colours in a smaller form.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 camera
Audiovisual features include cameras, which are important for photography and video calls. The front and main cameras differ notably in resolution between these two phones.
Front Camera
The Galaxy S20 Ultra offers a 40 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail for selfies and video calls. The Sony Xperia 5 has an 8 megapixel front camera, which is suitable for everyday use and video chats with good clarity.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S20 Ultra boasts a 108 megapixel main camera, ideal for users who want high detail and quality in photos. The Sony Xperia 5 has a 12 megapixel main camera, which serves well for general photography and casual photo taking.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 size and design
Miscellaneous features cover physical size, SIM options, storage, and connectivity. These affect daily handling and how you use the phone with networks and accessories.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is larger and heavier, measuring 166.9 mm tall, 76 mm wide, 8.8 mm deep, and weighing 222 g. This suits users who want a bigger device for media and typing. The Sony Xperia 5 is more compact and lighter at 158 mm tall, 68 mm wide, 8.2 mm deep, and 164 g, fitting those who prefer a smaller, easier-to-handle phone.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S20 Ultra supports Dual Physical SIM cards, useful if you need two active numbers on one device. The Sony Xperia 5 supports a single Physical SIM card, which fits users with simpler SIM needs.
Storage and Expansion
Both devices offer 128GB of storage and support microSDXC cards, allowing you to add extra storage for files and media.
Network and Connector
Both phones are unlocked and support 4G mobile networks, providing flexibility with carriers. Each uses a USB-C connector for charging and data transfer.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
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Height
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SD card slot
SIM card
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Galaxy S20 Ultra or Sony Xperia 5: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3140 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £216, £53.45 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra
- you want a lighter build (164 g vs 222 g)
What our customers say
Customers of the Galaxy S20 Ultra often highlight its excellent condition and powerful performance. Many say the phone looks brand new and runs apps quickly. The large battery life is appreciated for lasting use, and the camera receives positive mentions for quality. Some users found setup tricky at first but were satisfied after learning the phone's features. A few note minor issues like leftover details from previous owners or screen problems, but most remain very happy with the purchase over time.
Sony Xperia 5 customers commonly describe their phones as looking almost new with very few marks. The phone's size and feel suit those who want a lighter device. Battery life is sometimes noted as needing frequent charging, but customers still find the phone satisfactory for everyday use and good value for its price. The camera and screen quality meet expectations for casual users, and the fingerprint sensor sensitivity is a minor point for some.
Both phones appeal to different users: the Galaxy S20 Ultra suits those wanting a larger screen, more memory, and higher resolution cameras, while the Sony Xperia 5 fits buyers who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with solid performance for daily tasks.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 FAQs
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3140 mAh.
The Sony Xperia 5 is cheaper refurbished, from £216 compared with £269.45 for the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3140 mAh.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 Ultra ended in Mar 2025. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5.
Both come in 128GB refurbished.
