Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
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Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,290.00 new
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Starting at
£419.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S21 5G and Sony Xperia 5 IV?
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G starts at £171.33, £247.67 less than the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is the newer model, released in 2022.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
- The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- Screen size: 6.2 inch on the Galaxy S21 5G, 6,1 inch on the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV specs
The Galaxy S21 5G and Sony Xperia 5 IV each suit different needs. The Sony Xperia 5 IV comes with a larger 5000 mAh battery, a microSDXC card slot for expandable storage, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which suits users who prioritise longer battery life, additional storage options, and wired audio. Both phones have 8 GB of RAM and 120 Hz refresh rates, with the Xperia featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for performance.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV price
Colour
- GreyStarting at £171.33
- BlackStarting at £201.60
- PurpleStarting at £171.33
- SilverStarting at £171.33
- WhiteStarting at £180.33
- PinkStarting at £171.33
- GreenSold out
- WhiteSold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 128GBSold out
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software updates are key aspects of durability for these phones.
Battery Capacity
The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a larger 5000 mAh battery, offering more capacity for longer use between charges. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, which is smaller but still sufficient for daily tasks. If you often need extra battery life, the Xperia 5 IV is well suited.
Battery
Foldable
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV performance
Both phones have 8 GB of RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The main difference lies in the chipset, influencing speed and power efficiency.
Chipset Generation
The Sony Xperia 5 IV uses the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset built on a 4 nm process. The Galaxy S21 5G has either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 chipset built on a 5 nm process. The Xperia 5 IV may offer faster performance and better efficiency for demanding apps.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S21 5G is available with 128GB or 256GB storage, giving you a choice of larger built-in capacity. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is stocked with 128GB. The extra storage on the Galaxy suits users who keep many apps or media on their phone.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV screen
Screen size, resolution, and panel type affect how you experience media and daily use. Both phones have 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and animations.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S21 5G has a slightly larger 6.2 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400. The Sony Xperia 5 IV features a 6.1 inch screen with a slightly taller 1080 x 2520 resolution. The Galaxy's screen offers a bit more viewing area, which suits watching videos or multitasking.
Screen Technology
The Galaxy S21 5G uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, known for vibrant colours and brightness. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has an OLED screen, which delivers deep blacks and good contrast. Your preference depends on how you value brightness versus contrast in screen quality.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV camera
Camera resolution and audio features define how you capture images and listen to sound. Both phones have similar main cameras but differ in front camera resolution and audio connectors.
Camera Resolution
Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera, offering similar detail for photos. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a higher resolution 12 megapixel front camera compared to the Galaxy S21 5G's 10 megapixels, which may benefit selfies and video calls with finer detail.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV size and design
Additional features like connectors, SIM options, and storage expandability can shape your daily convenience and flexibility with these phones.
Audio and Charging Connectors
The Sony Xperia 5 IV includes both USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing use of wired headphones without an adapter. The Galaxy S21 5G only has USB Type-C, which means wireless or USB-C headphones are needed for audio.
Storage Expansion
The Sony Xperia 5 IV supports microSDXC cards, letting you add extra storage beyond the built-in 128GB. The Galaxy S21 5G does not have a card slot, so you rely on its internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIM cards plus eSIM, which is ideal if you want to separate work and personal numbers or use multiple networks. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a single physical SIM plus eSIM.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S21 5G measures 151.7 mm tall, 71.2 mm wide, and 7.9 mm thick, weighing 169 g. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is slightly shorter at 156 mm, narrower at 67 mm, thicker at 8.2 mm, and a bit heavier at 172 g. These small differences affect how the phones feel in your hand or pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S21 5G or Sony Xperia 5 IV: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £171.33, £247.67 less than the Sony Xperia 5 IV
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 10 megapixels)
- you want a headphone jack
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy S21 5G often mention the phone looks like new, with excellent condition and battery life. Many say the phone works perfectly and is in fantastic shape, even with repeated purchases. Several users highlight the dual SIM capability as useful, and some note the phone's quality and screen impress them. A few mention regional features like Samsung Pay being US-only on some models. Overall, Galaxy S21 5G buyers appreciate the reliable performance and condition of the device.
Sony Xperia 5 IV customers praise the phone's battery life and speed, with some calling it great value. Several reviews point out the phone's compact size, good screen, and camera. Some users faced challenges with preinstalled language or region-specific apps, requiring resets or adjustments. There are mentions of overheating and fingerprint scanner issues by a few. Many still find the Xperia 5 IV a well-made and enjoyable phone, especially for its headphone jack and expandable storage.
Both phones suit different needs. The Galaxy S21 5G fits users wanting a phone in excellent condition with dual SIM options and a larger screen. The Sony Xperia 5 IV suits those who prioritise battery life, storage expansion, and wired audio features, accepting some regional software quirks.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV FAQs
Galaxy S21 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 IV comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £171.33 compared with £419 for the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
The Sony Xperia 5 IV has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 IV in 128GB.
