Tech Review: Sony Xperia 5

If the Xperia 5 was a composer, it would be Brian Eno, such is its minimalist glory. This is a compact version of the brilliant Xperia 1. Compact meaning, you can stick it in a trouser pocket and won’t need a tow-truck to cart it around. The 6.1” screen is a fine fit for the smallest of hands – Donald Trump could use it – although the unlock button, and fingerprint reader on the side, require awkward fumbling before they kick into action.
The 6.1” screen has an unconventional 21:9 aspect ratio, which makes videos feel crushed in landscape mode. This phone is built for vertical viewing. Colours flash from the full HD screen in a Bon Jovi-esque blaze of glory, and games come to life through a Snapdragon 855 chip, supported by 6GB or RAM and 128GB of storage. It’s fast and snappy.

The triple-camera set-up is the same as the Xperia 1. There’s a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultra wide, and 12MP telephoto with x2 zoom. It works well in low light, with longer exposures. Portrait mode looks fit for a gallery. We couldn’t get enough of Cinema Pro, an onboard film-making app that shoots 60fps in 4K and simulates Sony pro cameras.

7/10