iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12
Starting at
£170.00£649.00 new
Sony Xperia 5
Starting at
£216.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 and Sony Xperia 5?
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 starts at £170, £46 less than the Sony Xperia 5. The iPhone 12 is the newer model, released in 2020.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5.
- The Sony Xperia 5 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 specs
The iPhone 12 and Sony Xperia 5 differ in several key areas that suit different users. It has a slightly smaller battery, a newer chipset, and a higher resolution screen that suits users looking for a sharp and smooth experience. The Sony Xperia 5 runs Android with a larger battery and more RAM, which may appeal to those who want more multitasking memory and expandable storage via microSDXC. It offers a USB-C connector and a physical SIM card slot without eSIM. Both have similar camera megapixels and screen sizes, but the iPhone 12 has a higher resolution front camera. Your choice depends on whether you prefer iOS or Android, 5G or 4G, and the storage and memory setup that fits your routine.
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 price
Colour
- BlackStarting at £170.00
- BlueStarting at £178.37
- RedStarting at £174.00
- GreenStarting at £170.00
- PurpleStarting at £177.10
- WhiteStarting at £179.75
- BlackSold out
- BlueSold out
- GreySold out
Storage
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, operating system, and physical attributes that affect daily use. Battery sizes differ, which influences how long each device might last between charges.
Battery Capacity
The Sony Xperia 5 has a 3140 mAh battery, larger than the iPhone 12's 2815 mAh. This means the Xperia 5 may offer longer battery life in daily use, which suits users who prefer fewer charges during the day. The iPhone 12's battery size still supports regular use but may require more frequent charging.
Operating System
The iPhone 12 runs iOS, offering a user experience designed around Apple's ecosystem. The Sony Xperia 5 runs Android, which provides more customisation options. Your preference for iOS or Android will shape how you interact with apps and settings.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage options available. These determine how smoothly the device runs apps and handles multitasking.
Chipset Efficiency
The iPhone 12 uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process, which is designed for efficient performance and power use. The Sony Xperia 5 has a Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 chipset on a 7 nm process, delivering strong Android performance. Users who prioritise app speed and power efficiency may prefer the iPhone 12's newer chipset design.
Memory for Multitasking
The Sony Xperia 5 has 6 GB of RAM, providing more memory for running multiple apps simultaneously or keeping many apps open in the background. The iPhone 12 has 4 GB of RAM, which supports everyday use smoothly but with less memory headroom. Users who often multitask heavily may find the Xperia 5 better suited.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 is stocked in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions, offering a range of internal storage sizes to fit different needs. The Sony Xperia 5 comes with 128GB storage, paired with a microSDXC card slot for expandable storage. This suits users who want flexibility to add more storage later.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 screen
Screen quality covers resolution, size, and display type, affecting how content looks and feels to use.
Resolution and Sharpness
The iPhone 12 has a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, offering a higher pixel density than the Sony Xperia 5's 1080 x 2520 pixels. This means the iPhone 12's screen can display slightly sharper images and text, which benefits users who value crisp visuals for reading or watching videos.
Screen Size and Type
Both devices have a 6.1 inch OLED screen, with the iPhone 12 using a Super Retina XDR OLED panel and the Sony Xperia 5 using OLED. The iPhone 12's screen type suggests enhanced brightness and contrast, ideal for viewing in varied lighting conditions. Both screens offer rich colours and deep blacks.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 camera
Audiovisual features such as cameras influence photo quality and video calls. Both devices have similar main cameras but differ in front camera resolution.
Front Camera Detail
The iPhone 12 has a 12 megapixel front camera, higher in resolution than the Sony Xperia 5's 8 megapixels. This suits users who prioritise sharper selfies or clearer video calls. Both phones have 12 megapixel main cameras, delivering similar detail for photos from the rear camera.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 size and design
Miscellaneous features cover connectivity, dimensions, and other practical aspects that affect everyday use.
Network Compatibility
The iPhone 12 supports 5G networks, allowing access to faster mobile internet speeds where available. The Sony Xperia 5 supports 4G, which offers reliable connectivity but at lower maximum speeds. Users wanting the latest mobile network technology may prefer the iPhone 12.
Physical SIM and eSIM
The iPhone 12 supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility for managing multiple numbers or plans. The Sony Xperia 5 uses a physical SIM only, suitable for users who prefer a traditional SIM card setup.
Expandable Storage
The Sony Xperia 5 includes a microSDXC card slot, allowing users to increase storage with a memory card. This is useful for those who store many photos, videos, or files. The iPhone 12 does not have this slot, so storage depends on the built-in capacity.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 uses a Lightning connector for charging and accessories, while the Sony Xperia 5 uses USB-C. USB-C is widely used across devices, which may suit users with USB-C chargers and accessories.
Dimensions and Weight
Both phones weigh 164 g, making them similarly light to carry. The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 mm in height and 71.5 mm in width, while the Sony Xperia 5 is 158 mm tall and 68 mm wide. Depth is comparable at 7.4 mm for iPhone 12 and 8.2 mm for Xperia 5. These dimensions affect how the phones fit in your hand or pocket.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 or Sony Xperia 5: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £46 less than the Sony Xperia 5
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 8 megapixels)
- you want 5G
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 if
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a memory card slot
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 12 praise it for looking like new, with clean glass and no scratches or dents. Many mention the performance is smooth thanks to the A14 Bionic chip, with apps opening quickly and multitasking working well. Several customers noted the battery felt like new, especially when they selected a new battery option. The iPhone 12 is appreciated for its condition, including screen protectors and accessories included. Users are happy with how updated the phones are, with some mentioning the latest iOS version and factory reset saving setup time. Overall, the iPhone 12 suits those who want a reliable, clean, and well-performing iOS device.
Sony Xperia 5 customers find the phone in good to very good condition, often noting it looks almost new with no visible marks. While some mention the battery life is shorter, others say the battery seems fine for their use. The fingerprint sensor is noted as sensitive by one user, which may be typical for the model. The phone is described as working well and satisfactory for those who want a capable Android device at a reasonable price. The microSDXC slot and USB-C connector are practical features appreciated by some buyers.
Both devices suit users who want a refurbished phone that looks good and performs reliably. The iPhone 12 is for those who prefer iOS and updated software, while the Sony Xperia 5 suits users who value expandable storage and extra RAM for multitasking.
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 FAQs
iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5. The Sony Xperia 5 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £216 for the Sony Xperia 5.
The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5.
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 in 128GB.
