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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more affordable option with ample storage and strong central processor performance, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is a solid choice, though its smaller screen and single camera might not appeal to everyone. On the other hand, if you prefer a phone with a larger and higher quality OLED display, better battery life, a triple camera system offering diverse photography options, and front-facing stereo speakers, the Sony Xperia 5 III may suit you better, despite usually being somewhat pricier. Keep in mind the iPhone runs on iOS and the Xperia on Android, which may affect your decision based on the ecosystem you're invested in. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
- Good display quality
Key differences
Video Quality
6.6
6.0
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Sony Xperia 5 III both have only fair videos, though the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes somewhat better videos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) provides a good video experience with features like HDR support and effective stabilization, though it's limited in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Sony Xperia 5 III also offers a good video experience with the advantage of higher resolution and framerate options but shares similar shortcomings in dynamic range and struggles with low-light situations, while both phones deliver fair microphone quality.
Battery
4.9 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 5 III to have only fair overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Sony Xperia 5 III both offer fair selfie camera performance due to their respective quality scores, but they also provide satisfying experiences in other important factors such as video capabilities and versatility of the main camera setup, with differences in their stabilization and low light performance. While the iPhone SE prioritizes a strong software experience for photos, the Xperia 5 III offers a more versatile main camera array and better video resolution and framerate, important for users who value high-quality video recording.
Photo Quality
5.5
5.9
The Sony Xperia 5 III and Apple iPhone SE (2022) both have poor photos.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) and Sony Xperia 5 III both offer a fair selfie experience, which is very important to consider, most likely due to their selfie camera resolution and performance under various lighting conditions. Also important are the phone's capabilities in dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility of the camera system, in which both phones have different strengths and weaknesses, albeit they are not specified in detail here.
Cost
$429
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.45" x 2.65" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
Sony Xperia 5 III
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone SE (2022) or the Sony Xperia 5 III
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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