Back in late November 2020, Sony revealed the Android 11 update rollout plan for its Xperia smartphones. Unsurprisingly, only four Sony phones are eligible for the update. That said, according to the timeline, the current-gen Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II are supposed to get the update at the end of January, however, the former has already started receiving the update last month itself. Now, the company has begun to roll out the Android 11 update for the original Xperia 5 and Xperia 1 as well.

According to several users, the Android 11 update for the 2019 Xperia 5 and Xperia 1 come with build number 55.2.A.0.630 and weighs about 1GB. Interestingly, the changelog does not mention anything except for the fact that the data will be unaffected, and once updated, users will not be able to revert to the previous version of the software.

Users who have successfully updated their device, found the Android security level to be December 2020. Also, they were sad to know that Sony hasn’t provided the new Photography Pro features from the new Xperia II models.

Anyway, the update is currently live in European regions only. It is not sure when units in the other markets will begin to get the update but you can check for it manually by heading over to the software update screen in your handset’s Settings app.

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Compact flagships are rare in the actual smartphone market. That is why when one of them gets released there is always an important hype. The latest compact flagship released is the new iPhone SE 2020 by Apple. It promises the same performance as the iPhone 11 series in a compact body and at an affordable price compared to other Apple phones. But is it really the best compact smartphone out there? In order to establish it, we decided to compare it with other recent compact flagships in the Android world: the vanilla Google Pixel 4 and the Sony Xperia 5 which replaced the Xperia Compact series.

Apple iPhone SE 2020 vs Google Pixel 4 vs Sony Xperia 5

Design

iPhone SE 2020, Google Pixel 4, and Sony Xperia 5 all come with a premium design including a glass back and an aluminum frame. But I define the Sony Xperia 5 as a much more attractive device due to its narrower bezels around the display and its CinemaWide 21:9 aspect ratio. On the other hand, it is the device with the biggest dimensions in this trio. The most compact, lightweight, and thinnest one is the Apple iPhone SE which measures 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and weighs just 148 grams. However, it has an outdated design: the same as the iPhone 8 released back in 2017.

Display

Each of these devices offers a pretty nice display panel. But my favorite one belongs to Google Pixel 4. It is the only to offer a 90 Hz refresh rate and, besides providing the OLED technology and a Full HD+ resolution, it is HDR-compliant. Sony Xperia 5 lacks a high refresh rate just like the iPhone SE, but it still offers an amazing OLED display with HDR and advanced technologies borrowed from Sony Bravia TVs. Unfortunately, iPhone SE has an IPS panel with a lower resolution, but it comes with a wider color gamut and the True Tone technology. Further, the handset is the most compact with a diagonal of just 4.7 inches. iPhone SE and Sony Xperia 5 rely on a fingerprint scanner for authentication, while Google Pixel 4 supports 3D facial recognition.

Hardware/Software

The most performing handset here is the iPhone SE: it is equipped with the same Apple A13 Bionic SoC found on the iPhone 11 lineup and the iOS operating system offers a more advanced level of optimization. You should not notice big differences between Google Pixel 4 and Sony Xperia 5 since they pack the same Snapdragon 855 chipset paired with 6 GB of RAM and UFS 2.1 internal storage. Sony Xperia 5 is the only with a micro SD slot to expand the internal storage, but unlike the Google Pixel 4 running Android 10, it runs Android 9 Pie out of the box.

Camera

It is very hard to pick a winner in this trio: all of these devices are amazing camera phones, each with its pros and cons. In my opinion, Google Pixel 4 provides the most amazing image quality in a lot of scenarios, but Sony Xperia 5 is more or less at the same level and, unlike the Google Pixel 4 and the iPhone SE, it packs an ultrawide sensor. iPhone SE shines when it comes to video recording with an awesome stabilization and sharpness. Google Pixel 4 shoots amazing selfies and it is the only with a dual front camera including a TOF 3D sensor.

Battery

The longest battery life is provided by the Sony Xperia 5 which also packs a bigger 3140 mAh battery. But the Sony Xperia 5 does not support wireless charging, unlike Google Pixel 4 and iPhone SE. The silver medal goes to the Google Pixel 4 with its 2800 mAh battery.

Price

iPhone SE starts from €499/$399, Google Pixel 4 begins at $799/€749, and Sony Xperia 5 has an €800/$800 starting price. Thanks to actual street prices, you can get Google Pixel 4 and Sony Xperia 5 at way lower prices. There is not a definitive winner of this comparison. Sony Xperia 5 wins when it comes to battery life, Google Pixel 4 offers a 90 Hz display, iPhone SE has the highest performance. When it comes to cameras, they are all pretty nice. Call me unpopular, but my choice would be Sony Xperia 5 due to its battery. Which one would you pick?

• Read More: Google Pixel 4a renders showcase the upcoming smartphone’s design

Apple iPhone SE 2020 vs Google Pixel 4 vs Sony Xperia 5: PRO and CONS

Apple iPhone SE 2020

PROS

• More compact
• Best performance
• Good price
• Wireless charging
• eSIM

CONS

• Smaller battery

Google Pixel 4

PROS

• 3D facial recognition
• Wireless charging
• Great 90 Hz display
• eSIM

CONS

• Older chipset
• Smaller display

Sony Xperia 5

PROS

• Great triple camera
• More impressive design
• Micro SD slot
• Bigger battery

CONS

• Price

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Netflix is the world’s one of the most popular video streaming services. However, it is also poor in terms of compatibility as devices require certain hardware and certification to play HD and HDR content. The streaming giant updates the compatibility list regularly when devices clear certification. Recently, the company has added new smartphones from Oppo, Sony, and Xiaomi to the list.

Netflix has lately added a total of 10 devices from OEMs like Oppo, Sony, and Xiaomi to the compatibility list. The new additions also include smartphones from 2017-18 apart from newly launched models from last month and a device which is yet to be announced.

Here is the list of new Netflix HD-compatible smartphones

• Oppo Reno3 (CPH2043)
• Oppo Reno3 Pro (CPH2035, CPH2036, CPH2037)
• Sony Xperia 5
• Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact
• Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

Below-mentioned are the new Netflix HDR-compatible handsets

• Sony Xperia 1 II
• Xiaomi Mi 10
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G
• Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite

It is interesting to see devices like Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact and XZ2 Compact receiving support after years from their launch. Whereas, other devices in the list are relatively new, especially the Mi 10 series, which just went official for global markets a few weeks back.

Interestingly, the list also includes the recently leaked Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite, which the company has not released yet.

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Sony is reportedly gearing up to launch its new flagship smartphone — Sony Xperia 2. Now, ahead of the launch, battery capacity of the device has been leaked online, which will allegedly be 4,400mAh.

However, do note that are multiple reports related the smartphone’s name and thus, the phone could also go official as the Xperia 0, Xperia 1.1, or Xperia 5. The leak about the 4,400mAh battery comes as the image of the phone’s battery surfaces online through Chinese microblogging platform Weibo.

If this report turns out to be true, then the battery capacity on the Xperia 2 will be a significant as well as a much-needed upgrade over its predecessor Xperia 1 which packs 3,300mAh battery. Although that was pretty low in terms of battery capacity, it wasn’t much of an issue because of the company’s battery management.

Apart from the battery capacity, it is said that the Sony Xperia 2 will come with a 4K resolution display, offering 21:9 aspect ratio — same as the Xperia 1. As for the display size, the phone will reportedly come with a 6.6-inch panel, larger than the predecessor.

Further, the smartphone is also said to be capable of the latest 5G communication. This could explain the larger capacity battery as the next generation of cellular connectivity consumes more power than 4G LTE.

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The Sony Xperia 2 will reportedly be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC along with Snapdragon X55 modem. It will come packed with up to 12GB of RAM and will be running Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box.

As for the camera setup, the device is said to have a 64-megapixels or 48-megapixels primary sensor along with a 12-megapixels ultra-wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixels telephoto unit, and a Time Of Flight sensor. On the front side, the smartphone will be equipped with an 8-megapixel snapper.

The phone will reportedly have an IP68 rating too and will also feature NFC connectivity. Rumors also indicate a side-mounted fingerprint sensor along with a headphone jack. Some reports indicate that the phone will cost around $900.

This is what we know so far about Sony’s upcoming flagship smartphone. We expect to know more about the device as the launch near. The company has also scheduled a launch event at MWC 2020 and the phone could go official there.

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Japanese tech giant Sony first unveiled the mid-range Xperia 5 at IFA Berlin in September 2019. The smartphone was later launched in China a few weeks after. The device comes as a mid-range model but packs a triple camera arrangement just like the flagship Xperia 1. The Xperia 5 is said to have an improved camera setup over the Xperia 1 with all three sensors being 12MP sensors. DXOMark has released its review of the Xperia 5 camera and the score isn’t superb.

The overall score of the Xperia 5 is 95 slightly higher than the Xperia 1’s score of 91. In the aspect of photography, it scored 101 and 83 for video. The review noted slight improvements in exposure, textures, artefacts, night, and wide-angle shots with slight declines in colour, autofocus, and zoom. However, DxOMark labels these differences as marginal, stating that both devices are comparable in image quality.

That is in no way saying that the Xperia 5 ranking isn’t impressive. The device, in fact, ranks in the same class as the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in terms of video performance.

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One of the limitations noted by DxOMark is that the device comes with a limited dynamic range with highlights easily clipping in high-contrast scenes. Colour rendition could also be improved with a more neutral white balance. The low-light performance, they noted, tends to generate a lot of noise in dimmer edges of the shot. Also, the autofocus wasn’t very fast but was consistent and accurate on the Xperia 5.

In addition, the video performance was also affected by the same limited dynamic range issue, with highlights constantly clipping in bright outdoor footage. There are also some inconsistencies with white balance and unstable autofocus. However, exposure remains accurate and noise is well-controlled with effective stabilization.

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Various smartphone manufacturers are gearing up to launch 5G-enabled phones. Sony too is expected to launch 5G phones in the coming year. A fresh report on Sumahoinfo reveals that the recently launched Sony Xperia 5 will be the last flagship smartphone from the Japanese electronics giant to use the 4G spectrum. All upcoming flagships will be 5G-compliant while budget and mid-range devices will continue to offer 4G. 

Sony is rumored to launch a 5G-ready Xperia by spring 2020. The reason behind it is that Japanese carrier DoCoMo will begin its 5G services in Japan by spring. It is being said that the next flagship phone with be equipped with 5G connectivity. There is a possibility that the company may sell 5G-enable flagship phones in Japan and some select markets while other regions may receive its 4G variants.

The Xperia 5 was unveiled back in September during the IFA 2019 in Berlin. The smartphone is scheduled to go on sale globally in November.

Editor’s Pick: Sony Xperia 8 launched with 21:9 display, SD630 and 12MP dual cameras in Japan

Sony Xperia 5 Specifications and Price

The Sony Xperia 5 flaunts a CinemaWide 6.1-inch OLED full-HD+ display with a resolution of 2520 x 1080 pixels. The smartphone features a screen-to-body ratio of 81.09% and an aspect ratio of 21:9. The display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 6 certification. The Xperia 5 is powered by a 2.84GHz octa-core Snapdragon 855 SoC with 6GB of RAM. The device features up to 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 512GB using a microSD card.

The Xperia 5 features a triple-camera setup at the rear. The primary lens is a 12-megapixel sensor with an aperture rating of f/1.6with 5-axis OIS and dual pixel PDAF. It is paired with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an aperture rating of f/2.4 and PDAF support. The third lens in the vertical triple-camera alignment is a 12-megapixel ultra-wide unit with an aperture rating of f/2.4. The Xperia 5 is equipped with stereo speakers and a dynamic vibration system for an enhanced gaming experience.

The Sony Xperia 5 draws power from a 3,140 mAh battery equipped with 18W USB-PD fast charge. The smartphone runs on Android 9.0 Pie. It gets a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock for security. While the device is IP65/68 rated for dust and water resistance. Connectivity options include dual-SIM 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0, USB Type-C, GPS and NFC. The smartphone misses out on a 3.5mm headphone. 

The Sony Xperia 5 had gone official in China with a starting price tag of CNY 5,399 (~$759). Global pricing is yet to be unveiled officially. The four color variants of the smartphone are Wine Red, Crystal Blue and Frosh Ash and Drill Black. 

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During the IFA 2019 tech exhibition that was held earlier this month, Sony had announced the Xperia 5 flagship smartphone with triple rear cameras and 21:9 aspect ratio display. Today, Sony has unveiled the same phone in China with an expensive price tag of 5,399 Yuan (~$759).

Sony Xperia 5 Specifications and Features

The Sony Xperia 5 that measures 158 x 68 x 8.2mm features Gorilla Glass 6 panels on its front and rear. It has an IP65/68 rated dustproof and water-resistant body. The handset has a CinemaWide 6.1-inch OLED HDR display that offers 1080 x 2520 pixels full HD+ resolution.

The Snapdragon 855 mobile platform powers the Xperia 5 along with 6 GB of RAM. The handset comes with 128 GB of inbuilt storage and a shared SIM slot for additional storage. The Android 9 Pie OS runs on the device.

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The front side of the Xperia 5 is fitted with an 8-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. The rear side of the phone has a vertical triple camera system that includes an f/1.6 aperture 12-megapixel main lens with Dual Pixel PDAF and 5-axis OIS, a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture, PDAF and 2x optical zoom and a 12-mgeapixel ultrawide lens with f/2.4 aperture

The Xperia 5 has a 3,140mAh battery that supports USB-PD 18W fast charging. It is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint reader. The other features of the phone include stereo speakers, dynamic vibration system for gaming, dual-SIM support, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC and USB-C. There handset lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Sony Xperia 5 Price in China

Sony Xperia 5 has arrived in four colors in China such as Crystal Blue, Wine Red, Drill Black and Frosh Ash. It carries a price tag of 5,399 Yuan (~$759) and it is now up for pre-orders. Customers who pre-order will be provided with a Sony fashion case for the smartphone and a 256 GB microSD card. The shipments of the will begin on Oct. 28.

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Sony was expected to announce the successor to the Xperia 1 today and the device was tipped to go by the moniker Xperia 2. However, the Japanese tech giant sprang a surprise hours ago when it announced the Xperia 5 at IFA 2019 with all the dressing of the expected Xperia 2.

The Sony Xperia 5 flagship smartphone adopts the same 21:9 aspect ratio of its predecessor. The phone packs a 6.1-inch HDR-compatible OLED display with Full HD+ resolution of 2520 x 1080 pixel. The phone also comes with Dolby Atmos sound built-in. Even though the device still packs a rather long frame, it has a slim, 68mm wide design. This, in addition to a lightweight build which is 14g lighter than the Xperia 1, Sony says makes it easy-to-use.

The Xperia 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset with the regular X24 LTE modem. For photography, the Xperia 5 packs a triple-camera array of 12MP sensors with built-in eye AF feature. The eye AF feature uses algorithms from Sony’s Alpha ILC camera series of interchangeable lens cameras to keep the focus on the human eye.

The flagship device also comes with Sony’s ‘smart connectivity’ software which deploys a deep learning engine to analyze WiFi signals and predict any chances of shaky connectivity. When a poor connection is detected, the feature will automatically switch to LTE when it predicts any compromise in WiFi connection to ensure you always have optimal connectivity. The Xperia 5 equally comes with DualShock support for haptic gaming on Fortnite.

As for the pricing and availability, Sony is yet to reveal the details but the phone will go on preorder next week and will be launched on October 4 in the UK.

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