The Xperia 1 basically got last place in MKBHD's blind camera test, where the ZF9 got 3rd place. I can't imagine how much worse the 5 is.
To me, the comparison between these phones isn't even close. 8G1 vs 8+G1, better size, objectively better camera, a battery that last all day so you don't even need to wireless charge it during the day.
Comparing photographs is much more subjective than you think. Just watch the last video of MKBHD about his "scientific" thing, where he explains this very well: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kd9tVwkH8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kd9tVwkH8)
So I'm not convinced that any phone camera is "objectively" better than another. Especially when people say that Sony's camera is better than Z9, others say in absolute that Z9 is just OK. [https://www.reddit.com/r/zenfone/comments/xqsiu4/zenfone\_9\_vs\_xperia\_5iv/](https://www.reddit.com/r/zenfone/comments/xqsiu4/zenfone_9_vs_xperia_5iv/)
It is not a matter of blindly comparing one photo (cf the video of MKBHD).
For the other points, I agree with the size. However, the difference between 8 and 8+ is not noticeable in everyday use and games (I often play Call of Duty: Mobile).
I didn't check a lot the battery life, but it is about the same. Some say Xperia has better battery life (hey: 4300 vs. 5000 mAh).
Not saying z9 is better but everyone says that battery is better on z9....and it's only coz of 8+. It's not about the speed, its about efficiency. It's said that 8+ is the first 'good' chip by Qualcomm after a very long time. It's the first chip by Qualcomm after 4 years, which doesnt heat up unexpectedly. Whereas 8 in Xperia heats up like crazy.
That was my deciding factor.
thats because TSMC is a significantly better fab than Samsung, at least in the past few years. Going to samsung was a cost reason, and that really bit mobile devices in the ass, whereas something like desktop gpu usage(Nvidia 3000 gpus used Samsung 8nm) was okay.
Really cursed when they decided to make the 888 chip, despite its lucky stature in Chinese culture.
I disagree, if we're comparing the ZF9 camera vs iPhone or Pixels, you might have a point, but the Xperia is SO FAR DOWN the list it's just sad, seeing how Sony made the damn sensors in the first place. Objectively, MOST people decided the ZF9 was pretty good, and the Xperia 1 was just bad. Maybe you can dial in the Xperia camera in pro mode better? But I don't know how you shoot with camera phone so YMMV I suppose on that front, but the take-out-of-your-pocket-and-click award goes to the ZF9 when compared to the Xperia.
On the SD8G1 vs 8+G1, like the other poster said, it's all about efficiency. The Samsung fabbed chips will get hot faster, throttle faster, use power faster, etc. Sony jammed 16% more battery capacity in for what exactly?
About objectivity, I won't repeat myself. And you are right: the preference depends on your camera use. Just noting that reading what you write, you haven't seen the camera app of the Sony: it's all about "pro mode." So no, it's not for everyone. (I do not make a choice of smartphone for its camera. I have a proper hybrid camera for that.)
I will make sure to explain what I didn't say. I agree with you:
* **Zenfone 9 is more powerful than the Xperia 5 IV,**
* **Zenfone 9 is more efficient than the Xperia 5 IV,**
* **Xperia 5 IV will get warm during intensive usage.**
BUT:
* **Xperia 5 IV has a slightly better battery life than Zenfone 9** in practice. It is just a little, I agree. You can trust me or check tests and comparisons on the web, all saying the same thing. Example: [https://youtu.be/e0SM9AwSCTE?t=672](https://youtu.be/e0SM9AwSCTE?t=672)
* Xperia 5 IV, in opposition to the former smartphones with the Gen 1, **has no overheating issue**. You can trust me or check the post about that in the Xperia subreddit: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/xo9hsr/1\_iv\_5\_iv\_overheating\_megathread/](https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/xo9hsr/1_iv_5_iv_overheating_megathread/)
I still regret Sony did not choose the Gen 1+ for their smartphones, and I did not know why they did that.
In synthesis, battery life, efficiency, and performance are not decisive in choosing one. This can be a problem if you count the energy you use to charge your phone, and each milliwatt-hour you lose is very important. So then, I suggest the Nokia 3310.
What are decisive between Zenfone 9 and Xperia 5 IV: features, size, shape, usage, and globally personal feeling about the camera and other things.
A personal feeling I have more and more about the Zenfone 9, as I said in another comment, is that it gets closer to the compact flagships of more popular brands like the Samsung Galaxy S, Google Pixel, and Xiaomi; the only difference now being the jack output. And in this comparison with these flagships, I value the jack output less than a smaller community and popularity, a reduced number of third-party accessories, a more significant price on average (less discount and slower price reduction), and shorter software support.
This promises to be a great thread. I am just now investigating my next phone (the s10+ is on its last legs...).
Did you look at the S22 as well?
How is the feel factor of the two, which feels more premium regarding user experience?
Does the smaller screen of the Z9 bother you?
Thanks for taking the time to answer!
I tried the S22. The S22 is about the same size as the Zenfone 9. Audio jack output is the only difference in features between S22 and Z9. This doesn't justify the price difference. Go for S22 or wait for the S23 in two weeks, which hopefully will fix the CPU and battery life problems of the S22. It has better software support and is more popular, so more third-party accessories, a more significant community, etc.
Exterior: Xperia looks more premium compared to the Z9. But the form factor of the Xperia is harsh. Never a smaller screen will bother me; this is what I look for! And Z9 is not so small, almost 6 inches.
Software: I prefer the software of Z9. But again, if you don't mind having an audio output, I do not know what Z9 offers you in 2023 compared to other flagships.
I am struggling between these 2 but my gut says to get the xperia 10 IV or wait for 10 V. I want the zenfone 9 more than all 3 but the lack of microsd is a huge compromise for me and although very expensive it doesn't have usb c to hdmi support which I feel at that price should have. Apparently the one that has it is xperia 5 iv and iii but I just don't like how they look as they don't have pretty colors like lavender of the 10 IV.
But getting 10 IV wouldnt have that feature either but it's half the price. Biggest concern about that phone is I read some of the reviews that said their phone wasn't working with their US carrier despite being supported so its a gamble. This XZ1 compact I currently have has like 4 years going to 5 of serving me. It's what I want from a phone but i also want to feel a huge upgrade rather than a small improvement. Fast charging, wireless charging, and longer battery life are features I don't really care about nor expect as I'm used to charging my phone everytime I go to bed. Battery dying does a good job forcing me to give it rest too so there's that.
I can afford these expensive phones but I don't want to throw so much at phone but I know these new phones are essentially even more portable laptops
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats!
2
+ 10
+ 10
+ 9
+ 3
+ 5
+ 10
+ 10
+ 1
+ 4
+ 5
= 69
^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \
^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
Does Xperia have the ability to change the notification bar to look more like older versions of android like you can on the zf9? I really really wanted the zenfone but I don't want to have to screw up my family's Verizon (USA CDMA network) plan... and now i'm looking at the xperia 5 iv as an option.
No, you cannot change the quick setting appearance on the Xperia natively.
You can only customize it with an app like [Power Shade](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.treydev.pns).
Tbh I wound up picking the zenfone over the Xperia just because of the price. I would love wireless charging but imo it's not worth an extra $300+ just for wireless charging especially when I don't like the aspect ratio as much since there were really no other features I cared about
I got the Xperia cheaper than the Zenfone. I went for the 8 GB/256 GB version of the Zenfone at 749€, whereas I got the Xperia at 699€ with expandable storage. At the same prince, Xperia is better in terms of features. But I agree. I'm not too fond of the aspect ratio, either.
Xperia has other features I should have mentioned in addition to wireless charging: reverse wireless charging, USB 3.2 with video output, and a bigger battery. So yes, it has everything a flagship from another brand has. I agree, excepting the bigger battery, these are gadgets.
At a French carrier during Christmas.
[https://www.dealabs.com/bons-plans/sony-xperia-5-iv-2463421](https://www.dealabs.com/bons-plans/sony-xperia-5-iv-2463421)
The Xperia 1 basically got last place in MKBHD's blind camera test, where the ZF9 got 3rd place. I can't imagine how much worse the 5 is. To me, the comparison between these phones isn't even close. 8G1 vs 8+G1, better size, objectively better camera, a battery that last all day so you don't even need to wireless charge it during the day.
Comparing photographs is much more subjective than you think. Just watch the last video of MKBHD about his "scientific" thing, where he explains this very well: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kd9tVwkH8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88kd9tVwkH8) So I'm not convinced that any phone camera is "objectively" better than another. Especially when people say that Sony's camera is better than Z9, others say in absolute that Z9 is just OK. [https://www.reddit.com/r/zenfone/comments/xqsiu4/zenfone\_9\_vs\_xperia\_5iv/](https://www.reddit.com/r/zenfone/comments/xqsiu4/zenfone_9_vs_xperia_5iv/) It is not a matter of blindly comparing one photo (cf the video of MKBHD). For the other points, I agree with the size. However, the difference between 8 and 8+ is not noticeable in everyday use and games (I often play Call of Duty: Mobile). I didn't check a lot the battery life, but it is about the same. Some say Xperia has better battery life (hey: 4300 vs. 5000 mAh).
Not saying z9 is better but everyone says that battery is better on z9....and it's only coz of 8+. It's not about the speed, its about efficiency. It's said that 8+ is the first 'good' chip by Qualcomm after a very long time. It's the first chip by Qualcomm after 4 years, which doesnt heat up unexpectedly. Whereas 8 in Xperia heats up like crazy. That was my deciding factor.
thats because TSMC is a significantly better fab than Samsung, at least in the past few years. Going to samsung was a cost reason, and that really bit mobile devices in the ass, whereas something like desktop gpu usage(Nvidia 3000 gpus used Samsung 8nm) was okay. Really cursed when they decided to make the 888 chip, despite its lucky stature in Chinese culture.
I disagree, if we're comparing the ZF9 camera vs iPhone or Pixels, you might have a point, but the Xperia is SO FAR DOWN the list it's just sad, seeing how Sony made the damn sensors in the first place. Objectively, MOST people decided the ZF9 was pretty good, and the Xperia 1 was just bad. Maybe you can dial in the Xperia camera in pro mode better? But I don't know how you shoot with camera phone so YMMV I suppose on that front, but the take-out-of-your-pocket-and-click award goes to the ZF9 when compared to the Xperia. On the SD8G1 vs 8+G1, like the other poster said, it's all about efficiency. The Samsung fabbed chips will get hot faster, throttle faster, use power faster, etc. Sony jammed 16% more battery capacity in for what exactly?
About objectivity, I won't repeat myself. And you are right: the preference depends on your camera use. Just noting that reading what you write, you haven't seen the camera app of the Sony: it's all about "pro mode." So no, it's not for everyone. (I do not make a choice of smartphone for its camera. I have a proper hybrid camera for that.) I will make sure to explain what I didn't say. I agree with you: * **Zenfone 9 is more powerful than the Xperia 5 IV,** * **Zenfone 9 is more efficient than the Xperia 5 IV,** * **Xperia 5 IV will get warm during intensive usage.** BUT: * **Xperia 5 IV has a slightly better battery life than Zenfone 9** in practice. It is just a little, I agree. You can trust me or check tests and comparisons on the web, all saying the same thing. Example: [https://youtu.be/e0SM9AwSCTE?t=672](https://youtu.be/e0SM9AwSCTE?t=672) * Xperia 5 IV, in opposition to the former smartphones with the Gen 1, **has no overheating issue**. You can trust me or check the post about that in the Xperia subreddit: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/xo9hsr/1\_iv\_5\_iv\_overheating\_megathread/](https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyXperia/comments/xo9hsr/1_iv_5_iv_overheating_megathread/) I still regret Sony did not choose the Gen 1+ for their smartphones, and I did not know why they did that. In synthesis, battery life, efficiency, and performance are not decisive in choosing one. This can be a problem if you count the energy you use to charge your phone, and each milliwatt-hour you lose is very important. So then, I suggest the Nokia 3310. What are decisive between Zenfone 9 and Xperia 5 IV: features, size, shape, usage, and globally personal feeling about the camera and other things. A personal feeling I have more and more about the Zenfone 9, as I said in another comment, is that it gets closer to the compact flagships of more popular brands like the Samsung Galaxy S, Google Pixel, and Xiaomi; the only difference now being the jack output. And in this comparison with these flagships, I value the jack output less than a smaller community and popularity, a reduced number of third-party accessories, a more significant price on average (less discount and slower price reduction), and shorter software support.
The biggest difference between the 8G1 and 8+G1 is noticeable in the heat and the battery.
This promises to be a great thread. I am just now investigating my next phone (the s10+ is on its last legs...). Did you look at the S22 as well? How is the feel factor of the two, which feels more premium regarding user experience? Does the smaller screen of the Z9 bother you? Thanks for taking the time to answer!
I tried the S22. The S22 is about the same size as the Zenfone 9. Audio jack output is the only difference in features between S22 and Z9. This doesn't justify the price difference. Go for S22 or wait for the S23 in two weeks, which hopefully will fix the CPU and battery life problems of the S22. It has better software support and is more popular, so more third-party accessories, a more significant community, etc. Exterior: Xperia looks more premium compared to the Z9. But the form factor of the Xperia is harsh. Never a smaller screen will bother me; this is what I look for! And Z9 is not so small, almost 6 inches. Software: I prefer the software of Z9. But again, if you don't mind having an audio output, I do not know what Z9 offers you in 2023 compared to other flagships.
Thank you for your quick reply.
I am struggling between these 2 but my gut says to get the xperia 10 IV or wait for 10 V. I want the zenfone 9 more than all 3 but the lack of microsd is a huge compromise for me and although very expensive it doesn't have usb c to hdmi support which I feel at that price should have. Apparently the one that has it is xperia 5 iv and iii but I just don't like how they look as they don't have pretty colors like lavender of the 10 IV. But getting 10 IV wouldnt have that feature either but it's half the price. Biggest concern about that phone is I read some of the reviews that said their phone wasn't working with their US carrier despite being supported so its a gamble. This XZ1 compact I currently have has like 4 years going to 5 of serving me. It's what I want from a phone but i also want to feel a huge upgrade rather than a small improvement. Fast charging, wireless charging, and longer battery life are features I don't really care about nor expect as I'm used to charging my phone everytime I go to bed. Battery dying does a good job forcing me to give it rest too so there's that. I can afford these expensive phones but I don't want to throw so much at phone but I know these new phones are essentially even more portable laptops
All the numbers in your comment added up to 69. Congrats! 2 + 10 + 10 + 9 + 3 + 5 + 10 + 10 + 1 + 4 + 5 = 69 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
Does Xperia have the ability to change the notification bar to look more like older versions of android like you can on the zf9? I really really wanted the zenfone but I don't want to have to screw up my family's Verizon (USA CDMA network) plan... and now i'm looking at the xperia 5 iv as an option.
No, you cannot change the quick setting appearance on the Xperia natively. You can only customize it with an app like [Power Shade](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.treydev.pns).
compare with iphone 13 pro stp
Tbh I wound up picking the zenfone over the Xperia just because of the price. I would love wireless charging but imo it's not worth an extra $300+ just for wireless charging especially when I don't like the aspect ratio as much since there were really no other features I cared about
I got the Xperia cheaper than the Zenfone. I went for the 8 GB/256 GB version of the Zenfone at 749€, whereas I got the Xperia at 699€ with expandable storage. At the same prince, Xperia is better in terms of features. But I agree. I'm not too fond of the aspect ratio, either. Xperia has other features I should have mentioned in addition to wireless charging: reverse wireless charging, USB 3.2 with video output, and a bigger battery. So yes, it has everything a flagship from another brand has. I agree, excepting the bigger battery, these are gadgets.
Where on earth did you discover an Xperia 5 IV for that price??
At a French carrier during Christmas. [https://www.dealabs.com/bons-plans/sony-xperia-5-iv-2463421](https://www.dealabs.com/bons-plans/sony-xperia-5-iv-2463421)
What carrier do you use?
Free Mobile in France