Introduction
Do we have a good one for you – the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium goes up against the LG Nexus 5X. This new and powerful metal and glass Z5 Premium goes head-to-head with the new, mid-range and plastic LG Nexus 5X. Certainly, the Z5 Premium is more technologically advanced than the Nexus 5X, but just how well does the mid-range Nexus device stand up to this new beast from Sony. What do they have in common, if anything? Let us first take a look at their similarities and then we will look at each individual device in detail.
The Z5 Premium and the Nexus 5X are actually quite close in physical size, with the Z5 Premium slightly larger, but quite a bit heavier – metal/glass versus plastic, no doubt. The displays are close to the same size – 5.5-inches on the Z5 and 5.2-inches on the 5X – and they both use the LCD technology. They both use a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, although different models and both offer a 32GB memory option. Their front-facing cameras are close – 5.1MP on the Z5 Premium and 5MP on the Nexus 5X. Both devices have a fingerprint sensor and they both have the usual suspects – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (v4.1 on the Z5 and v4.2 on the 5X), GPS, NFC and a v2.0 microUSB port (Type-C on the Nexus 5X). Both have non-removable batteries, although very different sizes.
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium looks like an Xperia – squared-off metal and glass construction – but one thing is missing, at least some of the time…the usual 1080p display. This time around – Sony jumped from a 1080p display, bypassed the 2K display and jumped directly to a 4K display with 806 PPI, but it is in service only when needed…most of the time it is running at 1080p to conserve battery life. The rest of the device is the usual flagship components of the 2015 smartphones.
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium comes with a new twist on its display – it is a 5.5-inch IPS LCD 4K with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and an astounding 806 PPI. It will actually operate in 1080p or Full HD mode the majority of the time and use the 4K resolution when you are actually watching something that takes advantage of the 4K. This goes up against the 5.2-inch FHD LCD display found on the Nexus 5X with 424 PPI. The Z5 Premium uses the much-maligned Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.5GHz and four cores clocked at 2.0GHz. Sony seems to be using some extra cooling techniques to keep the overheating to a minimum. The Nexus 5X uses the 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor. The Z5 Premium uses 3GB of RAM and 32GB if internal memory, but has the option to expand an additional 200GB via a microSD card. The Nexus 5X uses only 2GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of internal memory, with no means to expand.
Sony has a great reputation for cameras and lenses, so the camera on the Xperia Z5 Premium should not disappoint with its new 23MP sensor with phase detection autofocus and an LED flash, but still no OIS. For the FFC, Sony used a 5.1MP with wide-angle for selfies and video chatting. It goes up against the Nexus 5X and its 12.3MP sensor for its main camera and a 5MP FFC. When it comes to power, the Z5 Premium uses a large 3430mAh non-removable battery that Sony claims will get you through two days. The Nexus 5X uses a smaller 2700mAh non-removable battery and both have rapid charging capabilities.
The Xperia Z5 Premium also has an FM Radio and IP68 certified with dust and water resistance. It also has a premium sound system and dual front-facing stereo speakers. It should be available in November or December and will cost about £629 in the UK, which is about $995 here in the U.S. It will come in Chrome, Black or Gold.
LG Nexus 5X
LG is a well-known name in the Nexus circles – back in 2012, LG built the Nexus 4 and in 2013, they made the Nexus 5. After Motorola took a shot with a huge Nexus 6, which was too large by most user standards, as was the price, Google went back to LG and asked them to make the mid-range Nexus 5X. With a 5.2-inch display, it makes the Nexus 5X a great size and priced at only $379, a great value. However, to get to that low price, LG had to use a polycarbonate build that is rugged, but not very premium feeling.
The Nexus 5X sports a 5.2-inch FHD LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 424 PPI. This goes up against the 5.5-inch 4K IPS LCD display on the Z5 Premium with 806 PPI. The Nexus 5X uses the Qualcomm 64-bit Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor with four cores clocked at 1.44GHz and two cores clocked at 1.82GHz. The Z5 Premium decided to go the Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, despite its overheating issues. The Nexus 5X packs 2GB of RAM with either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory with no expansion available. The Z5 Premium comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and expansion up to 200GB via a microUSB card slot.
The Nexus 5X uses a Sony IMX377 sensor – 12.3MP main camera with laser autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash, with no OIS. It has a large 5MP FFC for selfies and video chats. This goes up against a huge 23MP sensor on the Z5 Premium main camera and a 5.1MP FFC. The Nexus 5X has a smaller 2700mAh non-removable battery while the Z5 Premium has a larger 3430mAh non-removable battery. Both devices should make it through a full day – both have quick charge capabilities.
The LG Nexus 5X will be running Android 6.0 Marshmallow – the newest Android OS. With Marshmallow, you will be able to use the fingerprint sensor to authorize mobile payments using Android Pay. The Nexus 5X uses the newer microUSB Type-C reversible connector. The colors available are Carbon, Quartz and Ice. It costs $379 for the 16GB model and $429 for the 32GB variant.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This was a fairly easy decision – the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium has simply too much for the mid-range Nexus 5X to overcome…is the Nexus 5X cheaper than the Z5 Premium, certainly. If you are pressed for money, then all the specs in the world won’t help you pick the Z5 Premium. The Nexus 5X is a great device that will take great pictures and offer you the pure Android experience and the fastest upgrades possible, and if that is enough for you, then you can save money and have a Nexus 5X or buy two for what a Z5 Premium will cost you.
The Z5 Premium has a much better build and premium design, fantastic display, faster processor, more RAM, expandable memory, better camera, better sound system, FM radio, IP68 certified for dust and water resistance and a larger battery. Yes, it does cost more, but you are getting a premium flagship device.
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