Our guide to the best Sony phones is sure to get a new entry soon, as the Sony Xperia 1 II has been announced. This is the clunkily-named successor to the flagship Sony Xperia 1, and it has specs fit for 2020, including a top-end Snapdragon 865 chipset and a 4K display.
It’s not on our list yet because it’s not out yet, and nor have we been able to put it through a full review. But as soon as we do we’ll be sure to add it to this article (assuming it’s worthy), so make sure to check back soon if you’re interested in the latest Sony flagship.
But in the meantime there are plenty of great Sony phones that you can buy today, such as the Sony Xperia 10 Plus and Sony Xperia 5.
These handsets span a range of budgets, sizes and selling points, so there should be an option to suit most people, and to help you find the best Sony phone for you, we’ve included a rundown of the key good and points of each below, along with a full specs list.
But if a handset is on this page then you can be confident that it’s among the best phones Sony has to offer, so you shouldn’t go too wrong with any of them.
Best phone | Best Android phone | Best iPhone | Best budget phone
Release date: October 2019 | Weight: 164g | Dimensions: 158 x 68 x 8.2mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2520 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 3,140mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Hand-friendly size
Impressive processor performance
Unreliable fingerprint sensor
Screen is rather dim
The Xperia 1 might be Sony’s true flagship, but the Sony Xperia 5 is newer and arguably slightly better.
Sure, its screen is smaller and not quite as sharp, but it’s actually a more manageable size for many people, and still fairly large at 6.1 inches. The loss of pixels meanwhile is unlikely to be noticed unless you have the phone pressed against your eyeballs, as at 1080 x 2520 you still get 449 pixels per inch.
And in most other ways the Sony Xperia 5 matches the Xperia 1 – it has the same 21:9 aspect ratio that makes it great for movies, the same high-end Snapdragon 855 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM, the same amount of storage, and the same triple-lens rear camera.
Plus, the battery lasts slightly longer and the price is slightly lower. So if you want a high-end Sony handset and don’t fancy waiting for the Sony Xperia 2 (or Xperia 3 as it might be called), then the Sony Xperia 5 is the best choice for most buyers.
(Image credit: Sony)
2. Sony Xperia 1 Best Sony Phones
The Xperia 1 is one of the best Sony phones you can buy right now
Release date: June 2019 | Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 167 x 72 x 8.2mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1644 x 3840 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3,330mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
Useful 21:9 aspect ratio
Impressive chipset
Display max brightness is too dim
Battery life on the short side
It didn’t look like 2019 was going to be Sony’s year after the poorly-received Xperia 10 and 10 Plus, but the company knocked it out the park with the Xperia 1. It’s a true premium smartphone, that utilizes the best parts of previous phones and charges it up with improved specs in loads of areas.
The Xperia 1 has a 21:9 screen, and now there’s content to match. It’s also got a dedicated film-making app for budding directors, that recreates the experience of using a Sony Alpha camera.
On top of that you’ve got three powerful cameras, a cutting-edge Snapdragon 855 chipset, and 4K screen. Although it is definitely on the expensive side, it’s close to being the best Sony smartphone you can get right now.
(Image credit: Sony)
3. Sony Xperia XZ3
The last of the Sony Xperia XZ range
Release date: October 2018 | Weight: 193g | Dimensions: 158 x 73 x 9.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2880 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,300mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 13M
Incredibly good screen
4K HDR video is excellent
Awkward fingerprint scanner
The camera is good, not great
The Sony Xperia XZ3 is getting on a bit but it’s still a great Sony phone, offering up a great mix of features that are particularly handy if you’re addicted to movies, TV shows and gaming on your phone
The main feature on the XZ3 is its 6-inch HDR OLED display, with a QHD+ resolution, ensuring video looks great. If you have a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription, the HDR content offered by these services really shines.
There’s enough power under the hood, and the camera on the back is a solid snapper, although it won’t blow you away. On top of that it’s no-where near as pricey as the Xperia 1, so if you’re a Sony fan who doesn’t want to blow the bank, this is a more viable option.
Release date: July 2018 | Weight: 236g | Dimensions: 158 x 80 x 11.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 2160 x 3840 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,540mAh | Rear camera: 19MP + 12MP | Front camera: 13MP
Bold, sharp screen
Good low light photos and video
Awkward fingerprint scanner
Big and heavy
There’s just one spec you really need to know about the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium: it has a 4K display.
This isn’t the first Sony phone to pack a 4K screen (it’s actually the third), but it’s the newest generation and the one that you can actually easily buy. If you have a bank of 4K video, or have the right subscription on streaming services, no other smartphone can offer you the clarity and detail on screen.
However if 4K content isn’t your priority there are probably better Sony phones to suit your needs, so keep on reading!
5. Sony Xperia XZ2
An older flagship which still has a lot to offer
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 198g | Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4/6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,180mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 5M
Great sound quality
Feature-packed camera
Design not as desirable
‘Only’ Full HD display
The Xperia XZ2 is technically two flagship generations old (having been superseded by the Xperia XZ3 and then more recently by the Xperia 1), but it’s only 18 months old itself and still has plenty to offer.
There’s the HDR-supported QHD display, feature-packed camera, 4K HDR video recording and you can even capture super slow motion footage at 960fps in Full HD.
What’s more, it’s now more affordable than ever with several price drops since launch. The design isn’t going to wow you, but at this price it’s a reasonable compromise.
6. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
A great Sony phone for those with smaller palms
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 168g | Dimensions: 135 x 65 x 12.1mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 2,870mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 5MP
Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger each year, and Sony phones are no exception – well, apart from the Xperia XZ2 Compact.
This dinkier device comes with a 5-inch display, which is small by today’s standard, and it means the XZ2 Compact nestles nicely in the palm.
Don’t be put off by its diminutive proportions though, as this handset packs the same power and camera as the larger, former-flagship Xperia XZ2 – ensuring it can still cope with most apps and games you throw at it.
7. Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra
If you need great battery life, this is the best Sony phone for you
Release date: February 2018 | Weight: 221g | Dimensions: 163 x 80 x 9.5mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 630 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3,580mAh | Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 16MP + 8MP
Excellent battery life
Dual front cameras
Boxy design is bulky
Performance can be patchy
If money is a little tighter, but a big screen smartphone is a must, this could be the Sony phone for you.
The Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra boasts an affordable price tag and a large 6-inch display, giving your games, videos and apps plenty of space. What’s more, the XA2 Ultra offers great battery life. You can easily get a day and a half from a single charge.
The camera feels like it should be better, the design isn’t the most attractive or modern, and the Android overlay won’t be to everyone’s taste, but these are compromises you should be able to live with.
8. Sony Xperia XA2
A solid Android phone at a sensible price
Release date: February 2018 | Weight: 171g | Dimensions: 142 x 70 x 9.7mm | OS: Android 8 | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 630 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3,300mAh | Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 8MP.
Good performance
Punchy screen
Ordinary battery life
Quirky camera operation
This is the cheapest Sony phone in our round-up, and the Xperia XA2 represents great value for money if you opt to get it on contract.
It’s a no-frills phone, but its performance is rock-solid and despite being thicker than most it’s easy to handle and scores fairly high on the plain likability factor.
If a Sony phone is a must but your finances don’t allow for much wiggle room, this is the handset for you.
9. Sony Xperia 10 Plus
Love movies? This Sony phone boasts a 21:9 display
Release date: February 2019 | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 167 x 73 x 8.3mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2520 | CPU: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 8MP | Front camera: 8MP
Extra screen space is useful
Good low-light photography
Short battery life
Uncomfortably big
Want something a little different? Something to spark conversations with friends, family and maybe even strangers? Say hello to the very, very tall Sony Xperia 10 Plus.
This Sony phone boasts a skyscraper of a screen with the 6.5-inch display packing a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it perfect for movie playback.
It’s not always easy to find movies at 21:9 on the popular streaming services, but when you do find one the experience is great. It’s rather unwieldy in the hand though, and the battery could be better.
10. Sony Xperia 10 Best Sony Phones
A 21:9 display for those who can’t afford the Xperia 10 Plus
Release date: February 2019 | Weight: 162g | Dimensions: 155.7 x 68 x 8.4mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2520 | CPU: Snapdragon 630 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 2,870mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
Like its plus-sized sibling, the Sony Xperia 10 also boasts a 21:9 aspect ratio screen, but this time it’s in a slightly more manageable (but still tall) 6-inch form factor.
Its performance, battery and camera are slightly weaker versus the 10 Plus, but overall it’s still a solid, mid-range smartphone with the latest software and a range of features.