iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5
Shop iPhone
iPhone XR
Starting at
£130.30£399.00 new
Sony Xperia 5
Starting at
£216.00What's the difference between the iPhone XR and Sony Xperia 5?
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone XR starts at £130.30, £85.70 less than the Sony Xperia 5. The Sony Xperia 5 is the newer model, released in 2019.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5.
- The Sony Xperia 5 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
- The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 specs
The iPhone XR and Sony Xperia 5 offer different strengths for different users. The Sony Xperia 5 runs Android and offers more RAM, a higher resolution OLED screen, and a microSDXC slot for extra storage, suiting users who value multitasking, sharper display quality, and expandable storage. The iPhone XR has a slightly smaller battery but supports eSIM and comes in more storage options. Both phones have similar screen sizes and camera megapixels, so your choice depends on whether you prefer the iOS experience or the flexibility of Android and its hardware features.
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 price
Colour
- BlackStarting at £132.83
- RedStarting at £130.30
- YellowStarting at £130.30
- CoralStarting at £135.26
- BlueStarting at £130.30
- WhiteStarting at £130.30
- BlackSold out
- BlueSold out
- GreySold out
Storage
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, operating system, and design features that affect long-term use. These differences shape how each phone will perform over time and how the software support fits your needs.
Battery Capacity
The Sony Xperia 5 has a 3140 mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the iPhone XR's 2942 mAh. This means the Xperia 5 may offer longer use between charges, which can be important if you spend a lot of time away from chargers.
Operating System
The iPhone XR runs on iOS, which offers a consistent and user-friendly experience with access to Apple's ecosystem. The Sony Xperia 5 runs Android, providing more customisation options and compatibility with a wider range of apps and services.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 performance
Performance looks at the chipset, RAM, and storage options that influence speed, multitasking, and how much data you can keep on your device. These factors determine how smoothly the phone handles apps and storage needs.
Chipset Power
The iPhone XR has an Apple A12 Bionic chipset, while the Sony Xperia 5 uses a Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 chipset. Both are built on the same 7 nm process, delivering strong performance, but the choice may depend on whether you prefer Apple's or Qualcomm's platform.
RAM Capacity
The Sony Xperia 5 has 6 GB of RAM, double the 3 GB in the iPhone XR. More RAM helps keep multiple apps active and improves multitasking, which benefits users who run many apps simultaneously or switch between tasks frequently.
Storage Options
The iPhone XR comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options, giving you more choices for internal storage size. The Sony Xperia 5 is stocked with 128GB, which is a solid amount, and it also supports microSDXC cards to add more storage externally.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 screen
Screen quality affects how images, videos, and apps look. Differences in resolution, panel type, and size influence sharpness, brightness, and colour reproduction, shaping your viewing experience.
Resolution and Sharpness
The Sony Xperia 5 has a higher resolution of 1080 x 2520 compared to the iPhone XR's 828 x 1792. This means the Xperia 5 screen shows more detail and sharper images, which is useful for watching videos or viewing high-resolution photos.
Screen Type
The Xperia 5 uses an OLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. The iPhone XR has a Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, which provides accurate colours and good viewing angles but less contrast than OLED.
Screen Size
Both phones have a 6.1 inch screen, offering a comfortable size for browsing, messaging, and media. This makes either phone suitable if you want a balance between screen size and one-handed use.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 camera
Audiovisual features include camera specifications that affect photo and video quality. Front and main camera megapixels give an idea of the detail each phone can capture.
Front Camera Detail
The Sony Xperia 5 has an 8 megapixel front camera, slightly higher than the iPhone XR's 7 megapixels. This extra detail benefits selfies and video calls where image clarity is important.
Main Camera Similarity
Both phones have a 12 megapixel main camera, meaning they capture a similar level of detail in photos, suitable for everyday photography needs.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 size and design
Miscellaneous features cover aspects like connectivity, size, and additional hardware options that affect everyday convenience and compatibility with accessories.
Connector Type
The iPhone XR uses a Lightning connector, which is common in Apple devices, while the Sony Xperia 5 uses USB-C, a widely used standard that works with many modern accessories and chargers.
SIM and Storage Options
The iPhone XR supports a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility for managing multiple phone numbers. The Sony Xperia 5 supports only a physical SIM but adds a microSDXC slot for expandable storage, helpful if you want to increase storage without replacing the phone.
Size and Weight
The Sony Xperia 5 is lighter at 164 g and slightly narrower at 68 mm compared to the iPhone XR's 194 g and 75.7 mm width. This makes the Xperia 5 easier to hold and carry for users who prefer a lighter device.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone XR or Sony Xperia 5: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone XR if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £130.30, £85.70 less than the Sony Xperia 5
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 if
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3140 mAh vs 2942 mAh)
- you want an OLED screen
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone XR looks like new with no marks and performs well, often praising its condition and reliability. Many users appreciate the screen size as just right and find setup easy. Some mention the battery is not always original but still performs well, and the phone runs smoothly and fast. The variety of storage options also suits a range of needs. Overall, buyers highlight value, condition, and ease of use.
Sony Xperia 5 customers report the phone looks almost new with minimal marks and appreciate its condition at the price. Some mention that battery life can be shorter. The phone's performance and screen quality are praised, although a few note minor issues like fingerprint sensor sensitivity and network unlocking problems. Overall, users are happy with the phone's quality and value.
Both phones suit different preferences: the iPhone XR fits those seeking a reliable, easy-to-use device with ongoing updates and multiple storage options, while the Sony Xperia 5 appeals to users who want a sharper OLED screen, more RAM for multitasking, and expandable storage.
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 FAQs
iPhone XR vs Sony Xperia 5 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) on the iPhone XR, Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5. The Sony Xperia 5 has more RAM: 6 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone XR is cheaper refurbished, from £130.30 compared with £216 for the Sony Xperia 5.
The Sony Xperia 5 has a bigger battery: 3140 mAh vs 2942 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the iPhone XR ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18. We don't have published update dates for the Sony Xperia 5.
Refurbished, the iPhone XR comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 in 128GB.
