iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 new
Sony Xperia 5
Starting at
£216.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and Sony Xperia 5?
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Sony Xperia 5 starts at £216, £58.51 less than the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro is the newer model, released in 2020.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Front camera
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5.
- The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
- Screen size: 6.1 inch on the iPhone 12 Pro, 6,1 inch on the Sony Xperia 5.
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 specs
The iPhone 12 Pro and Sony Xperia 5 differ in several key areas, making each suitable for different needs. The iPhone 12 Pro has a higher screen resolution and uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset, while the Xperia 5 has a slightly larger battery and uses the Snapdragon 855. Buyers should consider which features matter most for daily use and personal preference in operating systems.
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 price
Colour
- Pacific blueStarting at £274.51
- GraphiteStarting at £294.18
- GoldStarting at £274.60
- SilverStarting at £294.09
- BlackSold out
- BlueSold out
- GreySold out
Storage
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and operating system, all of which affect how long and smoothly your phone will serve you. These two phones differ in battery size, OS, and update support.
Battery Capacity
The Sony Xperia 5 has a battery capacity of 3140 mAh, which is larger than the iPhone 12 Pro's 2815 mAh. This means the Xperia 5 may offer longer usage between charges, which suits users who prioritise battery life during busy days or travel.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage options, influencing speed, multitasking, and how much you can store. Both phones have the same RAM but differ in chipset technology and storage choices.
Chipset Technology
The iPhone 12 Pro is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process, while the Sony Xperia 5 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 built on 7 nm technology. The difference in manufacturing size can influence efficiency and speed, making the iPhone 12 Pro suited for users who want a newer chipset design.
RAM and Storage
Both phones have 6 GB of RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The iPhone 12 Pro offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, giving you flexibility to choose according to your needs. The Sony Xperia 5 comes with 128GB storage, suitable for users with moderate storage requirements.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 screen
Screen quality affects how you experience videos, photos, and apps. Both devices have OLED screens of the same size but differ in resolution and screen technology branding.
Resolution and Clarity
The iPhone 12 Pro has a resolution of 1170 x 2532, which is higher than the Sony Xperia 5's 1080 x 2520. This means sharper and more detailed images on the iPhone 12 Pro, ideal for users who watch a lot of video or work with detailed visuals.
Screen Type
The iPhone 12 Pro features a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, while the Sony Xperia 5 has an OLED screen. The specific branding and technology of the iPhone screen offer enhanced brightness and contrast, which benefits users who value vibrant and bright displays.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 camera
Audiovisual features include front and main cameras, important for selfies, video calls, and photography. Both phones have the same main camera megapixels but differ in front camera resolution.
Front Camera Detail
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 12 megapixels front camera compared to the Sony Xperia 5's 8 megapixels. This higher resolution front camera suits users who take frequent selfies or use video calls and want clearer images.
Main Camera Resolution
Both phones have a 12 megapixels main camera, which supports quality photography for everyday use. This makes either model suitable for those who want detailed photos without prioritising camera megapixels alone.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 size and design
Miscellaneous features cover connectivity, size, weight, and other practical details that affect everyday handling and compatibility with accessories.
Network and SIM Options
The iPhone 12 Pro supports 5G networks and uses both a physical SIM and eSIM, which suits users wanting faster network speeds and flexible SIM setups. The Sony Xperia 5 supports 4G and uses a physical SIM only, fitting those with simpler SIM needs.
Storage Expansion
The Sony Xperia 5 includes a microSDXC slot, allowing you to expand storage beyond the built-in 128GB. This is useful for users who prefer adding storage through memory cards. The iPhone 12 Pro does not have this feature.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector, which is common for Apple accessories. The Sony Xperia 5 has a USB-C connector, supporting a wide range of non-Apple devices and chargers. Your choice may depend on your existing accessories.
Size and Weight
The Sony Xperia 5 is slightly taller and lighter at 158 mm and 164 g, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro's 146.7 mm height and 187 g weight. This makes the Xperia 5 potentially more comfortable for users preferring a lighter phone.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 Pro or Sony Xperia 5: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 8 megapixels)
- you want 5G
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £216, £58.51 less than the iPhone 12 Pro
- you want a bigger battery (3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a lighter build (164 g vs 189 g)
What our customers say
Customers buying the iPhone 12 Pro consistently praise its condition, often noting it looks and works like new. Many appreciate the battery health and solid battery life, with several saying it holds charge well. The device's smooth performance and ease of setup get good mentions, as does the value for money from refurbished purchases. Some customers highlight satisfaction with multiple storage options and the experience of switching from older iPhones to this model.
Sony Xperia 5 customers report satisfaction with the phone's condition, with many saying it looks almost new and functions well. The battery life receives mixed feedback, with some saying it is fine and others noting shorter battery life. The phone's compact size and quality screen are appreciated, and some customers mention the usefulness of the microSDXC slot. A few note sensitivity of the fingerprint sensor, which might be typical for this model. Overall, customers find good value in the Xperia 5 for its price.
Both phones suit buyers looking for high-quality refurbished devices but with different priorities. The iPhone 12 Pro fits users who want iOS, 5G, and varied storage options, while the Sony Xperia 5 is suitable for those who prefer Android, expandable storage, and a lighter device.
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 FAQs
iPhone 12 Pro vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5. The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The Sony Xperia 5 is cheaper refurbished, from £216 compared with £274.51 for the iPhone 12 Pro.
The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5.
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 Pro comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 in 128GB.








