Sony Xperia 5 Unlocked Smartphone

Ok so it's time to understand what you're actually getting. I work for a mobile company an have an iPhone x as my work phone and a Samsung note 10 plus as my personal. This phone came up on my radar 5 months ago and I've followed most reviews on it since. Be aware of what you're buying. I'll list the pros and some minor cons to this phone.Pros: it is slim and comfy, the slender feel is very different an refreshing to me, I had a massive note 10 plus an with a LifeProof case on I could fit my hand around it to save my life, this phone easily fits in one hand and I can wrap my fingers around it.Back camera is awesome especially for the price, the focus works great and is on the level of my wifes 11pm from apple. The camera shutter easily makes this phone better, an makes it feel like an actual camera.Battery works great and the design set up without wireless charging makes sure this phone will last. I easily get through a day on 50% and I'm surprised it can just keep going for how small the battery is.Basically pure Android makes this phone a more affordable better set up pixel in my eyes. If you are a Samsung user be patient it takes a bit to get used to and if you're an apple user give it one week an then you'll be happy.Really the last part is to shut down any current complaints about price. The phone is better than an iPhone 11, s10e Samsung, note 10, and the pixel 4 all around an those are the phones it's competing with at this price.Cons: be prepared to not find any good cases. The cases out there currently are slim pickings an not very good so be aware.Finger print reader an power button are separate, which will take some getting used to. For complaints on it reading your finger, since Android 10 update I don't have anymore issues than my note 10 plus finger print reader.An that's about it. Everything else was awesome, it works great an I'm about to try it in Brazil soon. The price makes this phone a great win for people wanting a great quality phone in a smaller size. If I compare it against the note 10 plus directly, I would go Samsung as better, but this fits my current needs far better.Update September 2020So 7 months later the phone still works great. Quick breakdown on usage.Front camera sucks for selfies, but thanks to the dedicated shutter button it's easy to take selfies with the back camera. Video looks amazing on this phone, I work in a phone store an get compliments on the video quality. Best case so far is from caseology, the case helps with using the fingerprint which is better now thanks to updates, I only have issues when I'm sweaty from running. An battery is awesome still, I use the battery saver an set my charging from 12-8am which saves my battery from being overused.When it comes to exercise this is the easiest phone to carry, I use the Niagra launcher now an I never use two hands to hold my phone. It's basic pure android otherwise, an it is a great phone. Make sure to turn dolby atmos on for the sound also otherwise the speakers will sound terrible.There is one negative that is easily fixed, but it needs to be stated. Speakerphone is horrible, no one will be able to hear you, solution: get quality earbuds, my opinion is the galaxy buds 2. My wife hears me better on the buds than on my normal phone. Otherwise it's a steal of a deal.1 year updateI now know why Sony has such a crazy strong following. The xperia 5 lasts man. So I got a pixel 5 in November as a way of moving to 5g but also because I got a deal to buy the phone for 450. Silly me tho, the pixel 5 started out great, but now at just 4 months later it's showing signs of a weaker processor already. The xperia 5, however is still doing great. There's issues of course, but the issues are the same from the beginning, nothing new.1yr pros: battery hasn't shown any signs of decline,Phone still runs great and shows no signs of slowing.Camera has improved since the updates, and the phone is fun to use in general.Screen quality is amazing.The body feels indestructible sometimes, I legit dropped this phone a lot and it never cracked without a case, it's very well made.Cons:It's got a fingerprint reader that isn't too great(pixel 5 has a far better fingerprint reader).Selfie cam is weak, you'll need to get good with the back camera and dedicated shutter button.Phone calls can be choppy, but ear buds fix this issue. I use the pixel buds, they work great with this phone.To me the cons were easy to fix, in exchange you get a long lasting phone that runs great and has a great body ratio to hold in your hand. If you do want the 5g version of this phone get the xperia 5 ii. I've heard it's amazing as well.Last update: March 2021Well I didn't think I'd pop by again, but android 11 improved the phone. The fingerprint reader is now amazing(I only have issues now if my fingers are covered in either oil or water which is normal). Battery life is still the same as it was a year ago and the camera seems better as well. I have this phone and the pixel 5. My pixel 5 had issues caused by my case overheating the phone. After I took it off it got better, but then daylight savings time I got the time issue and I recently got app issue on Android on my pixel, but my xperia 5 didn't have any of these issue. This phone keeps going. I'm glad I bought it, if you're looking to buy it today, great phone that lasts. The people that dislike sony phones are people who switch their phone every year for the latest an greatest. This is a phone made to last at least 4 years.September 2021 updateSo I had fun experience, the software had an issue and started circling the start screen. Well no problem, Sony has repair software, you just need to connect the phone to your computer an then run it. Worked like a charm and fixed the issue. I'm going to keep using this phone until the end of 2 years and keep posting updates till then. The phone is still great, and I would get it before the pixel 5 I got. I'll be getting either the Xperia 5 III or Xperia 1 III next year. Sony is by far the best phone I've used as time goes on.

For comparison, I own an array of relatively recent mid range android phones including the Sony Xperia 10 plus. I have daily driven this phone for around 9 months and I don't really have any major complaints. It's on Android 10, it's gotten regular software security updates as it should. I highly recommend this phone, especially if you have liked past Sony phones.One minor nit is that the phone is very slick and it is likely to take a fall off of a table or the couch. For that reason I do recommend a case for this phone, something I normally I don't do myself. Though my phone has survived a number of falls.Display:This is not my first 21x9 aspect ratio phone, so it feels normal to me. The screen is not the brighest in direct sunlight, but is visible at max brightness in that setting. When not in direct sunlight, the screen is very sharp. Not all apps take advantage of the extra screen real estate, but it's not something that has ever bothered me. I have only seen 1 or 2 apps that really it was noticeable. However, if you are an Instagram user (i am not) I believe it is one that looks a bit funky. Might want to check that out on youtube.General Performance:The Xperia 5 is super snappy and feels like the flagship device it is. I almost never notice any lag and the gestures work reliably. The screen is not the brightest in sunlight but otherwise is very nice. The biggest weak spot of this phone is the fingerprint reader. While it is better than the similar one on the 10 plus, it still fails enough to be annoying. Do not expect it read super fast or reliably. I still use it, it hasn't pushed me to using a pin, but it's noticeable and frustrating. I clean the phone regularly and that helps.Battery Life:I get over a day and never have to charge part way through the day. I'm a relatively heavy user, watching videos, playing some games, sending messages, browsing the web. A big knock on Sony's mid range phones is a sub 1 day battery life, that is not a problem on this device.Camera:The camera is nice, but it's interesting that it doesn't allow 21x9 photos because the display is 21x9 and this is something the camera on the Sony Xperia 10 plus offered. This may not be the best camera available (pixel), but it takes nice pictures and doesn't require the smoothest hand to get a clear shot. I don't take a ton of photos so my word here is for the novice. I didn't get blurry photos and the colors look good to me.Gaming:If you plan to do gaming on this phone, it is about as capable as you can find. Given the snapdragon 865 processor this shouldn't be a surprise, but I can confirm smooth gameplay in native android games and various emulators. Some Gamecube stuff doesn't run super well (Call of Duty), but others run fine (Mario Kart Double Dash and Timesplitters 2 for instance). PS2 emulation seems a ways off still. I am not one to spend hours tinkering with emulations setups, so you may be able to do better than I did.

Despite what the seller claims, this phone will not work with any carrier in the US. Don't waste your money.