Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Starting at
£369.24£1,599.00 new
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Starting at
£419.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5 IV?
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at £369.24, £49.76 less than the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
- The Galaxy S23 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Screen size: 6.8 inch on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, 6,1 inch on the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV specs
The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5 IV have clear differences that suit different users. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a larger and higher resolution screen, more RAM, and a very high-resolution main camera, making it suitable for those who want a phone for heavy multitasking, detailed photography, and a spacious display for video or apps. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is smaller, lighter, and includes a headphone jack and microSDXC slot, which suits people who prefer a compact phone with expandable storage and wired audio options. Both have the same battery capacity and support 5G, but the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers more storage choices and a newer Android version.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV price
Colour
Storage
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV battery life and software updates
Battery life and operating system are key to everyday use and longevity. Both phones share the same battery size but differ in software and release year.
Battery Capacity
Both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5 IV have a 5000 mAh battery. This means you can expect similar battery life from each device under typical usage. If you want a phone that can last through a full day of use, either will serve you well.
Operating System
The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a more recent Android version.
Battery
Foldable
OS at launch
Software updates
Year of release
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV performance
Processor power, RAM, and storage affect speed and multitasking. The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Sony Xperia 5 IV differ in these areas, catering to different user needs.
Processor
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, while the Xperia 5 IV features the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Both are advanced 4 nm processors, with the Galaxy S23 Ultra using the newer generation. This means the Galaxy S23 Ultra is tuned for handling demanding apps and tasks smoothly.
RAM
The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with 12 GB of RAM, which is ideal for keeping many apps open and running heavy multitasking without slowdown. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has 8 GB of RAM, which is well suited for everyday use and most apps running smoothly.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, providing plenty of space for large files, apps, and media. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is stocked with 128GB, which fits well for general use but offers less room if you store a lot of content on your phone.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV screen
Screen size, resolution, and type affect how you view content and interact with your phone. Both phones support a 120 Hz refresh rate but differ in size and clarity.
Screen Size
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a much larger 6.8 inch screen, compared to the Sony Xperia 5 IV's 6.1 inch display. This larger size suits watching videos, gaming, and multitasking with more room to see apps side by side.
Resolution
With a resolution of 1440 x 3088, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a sharper and more detailed display than the Xperia 5 IV's 1080 x 2520 screen. This makes a difference when viewing high-resolution photos or reading small text.
Screen Technology
The Galaxy S23 Ultra uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X, known for vivid colours and deep blacks. The Sony Xperia 5 IV features an OLED screen, which also delivers excellent colour and contrast. Both provide smooth visuals at 120 Hz refresh rate, ideal for fluid scrolling and animations.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV camera
Camera quality and front-facing camera specs matter for photography and video calls. Both phones have the same front camera resolution but differ greatly in their main cameras.
Main Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a 200 megapixel main camera, which captures far more detail than the Sony Xperia 5 IV's 12 megapixel main camera. If you want photos with higher detail and more cropping flexibility, the Galaxy S23 Ultra suits you.
Front Camera
Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera. This means video calls and selfies will have similar resolution on either device, supporting clear images for everyday use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV size and design
Other features like size, weight, connectivity, and extra hardware influence comfort and convenience. Both phones have unlocked 5G but vary in physical dimensions and extras.
Physical Size and Weight
The Galaxy S23 Ultra measures 163.4 mm tall, 78.1 mm wide, and 8.9 mm deep, weighing 234 g. The Sony Xperia 5 IV is smaller and lighter at 156 mm height, 67 mm width, 8.2 mm depth, and 172 g weight. The Xperia 5 IV is a better fit if you prefer a compact, lightweight phone.
Connectivity and Ports
The Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a USB Type-C connector. The Sony Xperia 5 IV has both USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is useful if you want to use wired headphones without an adapter.
SIM and Storage Expansion
The Galaxy S23 Ultra supports Dual Physical SIM plus eSIM, giving you flexibility with two physical SIM cards and an eSIM. The Sony Xperia 5 IV supports one physical SIM plus eSIM and includes a microSDXC slot for expandable storage, which is helpful if you want to add extra storage beyond the built-in 128GB.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S23 Ultra or Sony Xperia 5 IV: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £369.24, £49.76 less than the Sony Xperia 5 IV
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (200 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if
- you want a lighter build (172 g vs 234 g)
- you want a headphone jack
- you want a memory card slot
What our customers say
Customers praise the Galaxy S23 Ultra for looking like new and working smoothly. Many say it feels like a new phone with an excellent camera, fast performance, and great battery life. The large screen and multiple storage options suit users wanting a premium, feature-rich device. Some mention it runs perfectly and looks pristine, with a smooth setup and solid multitasking thanks to its RAM and processor.
Sony Xperia 5 IV customers appreciate its compact size, good battery life, and fast performance. They like the headphone jack and microSDXC slot, which add convenience. Some customers note the phone may come with foreign language apps or software quirks, but it still works well for daily use. The device is valued for its solid screen and camera for everyday photography, especially by those wanting a smaller phone.
Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra suits users looking for a large, high-resolution screen and a very powerful camera with extensive storage. The Sony Xperia 5 IV fits those who want a lighter, smaller phone with expandable storage and a headphone jack for wired audio.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV FAQs
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 5 IV comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 IV. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is cheaper refurbished, from £369.24 compared with £419 for the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Both have the same battery: 5000 mAh.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra gets updates until Feb 2028. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S23 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the Sony Xperia 5 IV in 128GB.
