Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V: A Head-to-Head Comparison

September 7, 2023

The Xperia 5 V has just hit the market, and it’s clearly gunning for a top spot in the compact flagship phone arena. In today’s article, we’re pitting the Google Pixel 7 against the Sony Xperia 5 V to see how they stack up. These phones are natural rivals, not just because they’re high-end offerings from their respective brands, but also due to their similar screen sizes. Yep, if you’re in the market for a compact smartphone, these two are definitely contenders.

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While they may be competing in the same category, they’re far from identical. From their looks to their specs, there are some noteworthy differences. We’ll start by diving into their spec sheets to see what each phone brings to the table, and then we’ll compare them head-to-head in various categories. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of which phone could be your next pocket-sized powerhouse.

Specs

Specifically, the Sony Xperia 5 V and Google Pixel 7

Screen size (main)

AMOLED display, 6.3 inches, 90 Hz, HDR10+, 1,400 nits
Display: 6.1-inch OLED (120 Hz, 1B colors, HDR10)

Display resolution (main)

2400 x 1080
2520 x 1080

SoC

G2 Google Tensor
Gen 2 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8

RAM

(LPDDR5) 8GB
8GB

Storage

128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)

Rear cameras

12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 114-degree FOV, 1.25um pixel size), 50MP (wide, f/1.9 aperture, multi-directional PDAF)
12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF), 48MP (wide, f/1.9 aperture), and OIS are available.

Front cameras

f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size, 10.8 MP
f/2.0 aperture, 1.25um pixel size, 12 MP

Battery

4,355mAh
5,000mAh

Charging

(Charger not included) 20W wired, 20W wireless, and reverse wireless
(Charger not included) 30W wired, wireless, and reverse wireless

Dimensions (unfolded)

155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7mm
154 x 68 x 8.6mm

Weight

197 grams
182 grams

Connectivity

5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.2/5.3

Security

optical in-display fingerprint scanner
fingerprint scanner on the side

Android 13
Android 13

Price

$599
€999

Design: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

The Pixel 7 and Xperia 5 V both rock a metal and glass design, but they’ve got their own unique spins on it. While the Pixel 7 opts for a flat display framed by slim bezels and a centered punch-hole camera, the Xperia 5 V goes a different route. It features a flat display as well, but skips the punch-hole camera, resulting in slightly thicker top and bottom bezels.

When you flip them over, the differences continue. The Pixel 7 sports a distinctive camera visor that stretches across the back, connecting to the frame on both sides. The Xperia 5 V, on the other hand, houses its cameras on a more compact island located in the top-left corner.

Button placement? Also different. The Pixel 7 keeps all its buttons on the right side, while the Xperia 5 V spreads them out. In addition to its power/lock button on the right, it even throws in a camera shutter button lower down. Volume controls? They’re on the left.

Both phones are IP68-certified, meaning they’re built to withstand water and dust. But size-wise, the Pixel 7 is a tad taller and noticeably wider, although they’re pretty much neck-and-neck in terms of thickness. And yes, the Pixel 7 is a bit heavier, but that’s not surprising given its larger 6.3-inch display, compared to the Xperia’s 6.1-inch screen. Oh, and speaking of screens, they both use Gorilla Glass Victus, but the Xperia 5 V gets the upgraded Victus 2 on the back.

In the end, both phones feel like high-quality gadgets when you hold them, but they offer different experiences. It really boils down to personal preference.

Display: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

The Pixel 7 boasts a 6.3-inch fullHD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080. Not only is it flat, but it also supports a smooth 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ content. When it comes to brightness, the screen peaks at a solid 1,400 nits. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, the display carries a 20:9 aspect ratio, making it slightly wider compared to Sony’s offering. The Pixel 7 also edges out the Xperia 5 V when it comes to the screen-to-body ratio.

On the other hand, Sony’s Xperia 5 V features a 6.1-inch fullHD+ OLED display with a 2520 x 1080 resolution. This flat panel not only supports a faster 120Hz refresh rate but also delivers HDR10 content and up to a billion colors. The screen is more on the narrow and tall side, thanks to its 21:9 aspect ratio, and it’s topped with the more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Now, both screens are pretty fantastic but in different ways. While the Xperia 5 V has a faster refresh rate—something you might notice if you’re used to 120Hz displays—both are pretty much on par in terms of brightness. They might not outshine some of the brighter flagships out there, but they’re plenty bright for most situations—except maybe under direct sunlight. As for color and viewing angles, both phones deliver vibrant, clear displays that look great from any angle.

Performance: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

Under the hood, the Pixel 7 is powered by Google’s own Tensor G2 chip, coupled with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Meanwhile, the Xperia 5 V runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with 8GB of RAM, also using UFS 3.1 storage. It’s still unclear whether Sony’s using LPDDR5 or LPDDR5X RAM, but does it make a big difference in performance? To some extent, yes.

When you compare them side by side, the Xperia 5 V feels just a tad quicker. That’s not to say the Pixel 7 is slow; it’s actually really fast, but there’s a slight edge with the Xperia. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is undeniably more powerful, especially when it comes to handling graphics-heavy games. Plus, it stays cooler under pressure, giving the Xperia 5 V a small but noticeable advantage. But let’s be clear: both phones are high-performers and you can’t really go wrong with either.

Battery: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

In the battery department, the Xperia 5 V clearly has the upper hand with its beefy 5,000mAh battery, compared to the Pixel 7’s 4,355mAh unit. Not only does the Xperia 5 V pack more power, but it also sports a smaller display and a more energy-efficient processor. Does this translate into better battery life? Absolutely. The Xperia 5 V is a real marathon runner when it comes to battery life, whereas the Pixel 7 is pretty much middle-of-the-road.

You can expect around 7 hours of screen-on-time with the Pixel 7, which is okay but not stellar. The Xperia 5 V, however, easily crosses the 8-hour mark and can sometimes even stretch to 9 hours, depending on your usage. Keep in mind, we didn’t include heavy gaming in these tests, and individual usage patterns like apps and signal strength can affect battery life, so your experience may differ.

As for charging, both phones offer a variety of options. The Pixel 7 supports 20W wired and wireless charging and even offers reverse wireless charging. The Xperia 5 V one-ups it with 30W for both wired and wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging. Just a heads up—don’t expect a charging adapter in the box for either phone. While neither is a speed demon when it comes to charging, at least they both offer the convenience of wireless charging.

Cameras: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

When it comes to photography, the Google Pixel 7 and the Sony Xperia 5 V offer unique experiences, each with its own set of pros and cons. Let’s break it down, starting with the hardware. The Pixel 7 comes with a 50-megapixel main camera, while the Xperia 5 V isn’t far behind, packing a 48-megapixel sensor. Both phones also feature 12-megapixel ultrawide cameras, though the specifics differ slightly.

Here’s where it gets interesting: while the Xperia 5 V aims for realism in its photos, adding just a touch of flair, the Pixel 7 is more heavy-handed with its processing. If you’re familiar with Pixel phones, you’ll know they often punch up colors and details to create a more dramatic, yet appealing, image. In the end, what you prefer will come down to personal taste; both phones capture excellent shots but in distinct styles.

The ultrawide lenses on both phones are solid but don’t expect them to perform as impressively as the main cameras. The Xperia 5 V also throws in a neat feature with its 2x “loss-less” zoom, which is pretty cool even if it sacrifices a bit of detail.

Low-light photography? That’s another area where these two phones diverge. The Pixel 7 goes all out to illuminate the scene and pull out as many details as possible. The Xperia 5 V, on the other hand, aims to preserve the mood of the moment, keeping some areas dark while balancing the overall image. Again, both approaches yield fantastic results; it just boils down to what you personally find more appealing.

Audio: Google Pixel 7 vs Sony Xperia 5 V

When it comes to audio, both the Google Pixel 7 and Sony Xperia 5 V won’t disappoint you with their stereo speakers. They’re equally loud and offer a pretty satisfying sound quality. Just keep your expectations realistic; these are phone speakers, not a high-end sound system.

Now, if you’re someone who still loves the good old headphone jack, the Xperia 5 V has got you covered. The Pixel 7, however, has decided to skip this feature. On the wireless front, the Pixel 7 comes with Bluetooth 5.2, while the Xperia 5 V takes it a notch higher with Bluetooth 5.3. So either way, you’re pretty well set for a good audio experience, whether you’re going wired or wireless.