The Xperia M5 is
the latest addition to the M series from Sony. With
a design similar to the Sony Z series and an interesting specs, the Xperia M5
aims to rule the mid-range smartphones and conquer an audience that does not
necessarily want to spend more 600
euros for a mobile. But
the hardware and software capacities are sufficient to convince users to buy? Check
out our full review of the Sony Xperia M5.
The Sony Xperia M5 is available since the beginning of 2016 and costs USD430. Several colors are available: gold, white and black.
All that glitters is not necessarily gold. Sony has yet tried it out with its Xperia M5. The Japanese firm wanted to give her the appearance of a smartphone device of Z series without putting it means. The frame is thus made of plastic and not of metal (only corners of the phone are). Result: the M5 is much more "cheap" the Z3 + for example. Only reason for consolation, the mobile is completely waterproof and dust resistant.
Measuring 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm and weighing 143 grams, the Xperia M5 is almost as compact and light as a Samsung Galaxy S6. The handling is easy and enjoyable. The phone thus seems bulky in the pocket of trousers.
Aesthetically, the Sony Xperia M5 takes the Omnibalance style so dear to the brand. Few changes since its introduction in 2013 have therefore taken place. The simple proven innovation is the presence of metal edges designed to protect the Xperia M5 if dropped.
The glass panels to the rear and the front of the phone are made of tempered mineral glass. The edges of the frame slightly above, so that the windows are feeling slightly depressed. The advantage of this method of manufacture, according to Sony, is that the glass is less likely to break.
The Sony Xperia M5 benefits from the IP65 and IP68 certification, which means it is resistant to dust and water (up to 30 minutes in water to depths of up to 1.5 meters). While slots for the SIM card and microSD card are protected by rubber covers, the micro-USB port has a water-repellent coating.
The Sony Xperia M5 offers an IPS LCD 5-inch Full-HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). It thus reached 441 dpi and therefore beyond the power of perception of the average eye.
Sony has also improved the quality of the picture by optimizing the software part X-Reality designed to reduce noise. With Triluminos technology, the color palette is thus artificially increased and can achieve more realistic shades and tones than most other smartphones.
The screen of the Sony Xperia M5 is excellent and offers a perfect reproduction of colors. The contrast and the range of colors offered are vast and rich. The image quality is similar to that of the particular OLED displays, such as those from Samsung.
The main feature of the Xperia M5 is in its IP65 and IP68 certifications. This means that the Xperia M5 is resistant to water and dust according to the Japanese company. The phone can be submerged up to one meter of water for half an hour and no damage.
Sony is again its own interface on the M5. It is also highly appreciated by most of its users. Combined with Android 5.0 Lollipop, she recalled many stock Android, especially at the lock screen and settings. The notification bar also retains the appearance of Android Lollipop. For updates, Sony has also planned the transition to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Unfortunately, Sony exaggerates the amount of pre-installed applications. Applications such as the PSN (PlayStation Network) or Xperia Lounge is used by some users, but the number is still too high.
Here is an area that has caught our attention. In our testing, the Xperia M5 has proved to be a fast, efficient and smartphone. The Mediatek processor in the smartphone is theoretically the direct competitor of the Snapdragon 810. However, in our benchmarks, it gets worse than other phones with the Helio X10 processor.
Other devices like the HTC One M9 and Xiaomi Note 2 redmi approximate 50 000 points on AnTuTu, but the Xperia M5 gets about 40,000 points. It is also less than his brother, the Xperia C5 Ultra, which uses a processor from the same brand but even lower. We also noted that the smartphone does not heat.
All is not perfect but overall the performance is correct and sufficient for most uses. But I confess I am a little disappointed Xperia M5. As I mentioned earlier, I expected more from the Helio X10. It even happened to me that the phone freezes a moment before returning to normal after a few seconds.
Unlike the Sony Z series, the Xperia M5 does not come with headphones. The integrated speakers are more basic than the Z range, which means that we must be satisfied with a mono and not stereo. The maximum volume is also very low. However, the microphones can record sound in stereo.
The camera of the Sony Xperia M5 are definitely the highlight of this smartphone. The primary sensor of 21.5 megapixels delivers sharp images with high contrast and the front camera can provide wide-angle pictures of 13 megapixels. The Quick Start function allows you to wake the phone from standby to directly launch the camera application.
Since it is an advantage to stand out from the competition, Sony has provided the telephone one of the best sensors in the market. The Exmor RS is distinguished by its fast autofocus, which only takes 30 milliseconds to the development. And thanks to Face and smile detection technology, it is possible to take selfies without pressing the button to capture the photo.
As with most of Xperia smartphones, Sony also placed in a physical button for the camera on the Xperia M5. By pressing it, the mobile wakes up instantly and opens the camera application.
The Sony Xperia M5, although endowed with excellent image sensors, unfortunately not equipped with a good flash. The double LED flash is nevertheless now become a common feature on smartphones cameras. The M5 has to be content with a simple flash at the back of the mobile.
The camera application proposed by default Sony is quite complicated to use. In low light conditions, you are forced to adjust the settings, and it sometimes takes a long time. Autofocus is also much slower in dark environments. However, when we tried other camera applications, we were able to take better photos in the dark.
Overall, the picture quality of the M5 are good but they could have been even better when you know that this is the main argument of the phone.
Sony promises two days of use, as for its Xperia Z3 and Z3 +. But unlike the latter, the Xperia M5 only has a battery capacity of 2600 mAh, despite the phone formats are similar. We also find the famous Stamina mode that works miracles on Sony phones.
Unfortunately, contrary to the promises I had to recharge every night my Xperia M5 after a fairly intensive use. Screen enabled, the smartphone has not lasted more than three and a half hours.
With luck, Sony can still improve but the Battery Life of its M5, especially when Android 6.0 will arrive Marshmallow on the phone. The new version of Android in particular includes Doze mode that saves the resources of the device.
The Sony Xperia M5 leaves a mixed feeling. Sony seems to place its M5 in the same category as the Z3 +. The phone has many assets to be included: a nice design, very good capacity photos and even a resistance to water and dust. Add to this the absence of overheating problems and you will understand the decision of the Japanese brand.
But Sony has made a few mistakes on its Xperia M5, starting with a low internal storage (16 GB) and by the use of plastic on the sides instead of the metal. The Xperia M5 performances are also well below those of most premium smartphones. High-end smartphones of 2015, such as the LG G4 or Galaxy S6, which are now available at similar prices to the M5 represent much competition for the M5. However, if the price of Xperia M5 quickly drops below USD300, the phone could be a purchase to consider.
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| Sony Xperia M5 Review Seductive and Convincing |
Sony Xperia M5 Release date and price
The Sony Xperia M5 is available since the beginning of 2016 and costs USD430. Several colors are available: gold, white and black.
Sony Xperia M5 - Design and finishing
All that glitters is not necessarily gold. Sony has yet tried it out with its Xperia M5. The Japanese firm wanted to give her the appearance of a smartphone device of Z series without putting it means. The frame is thus made of plastic and not of metal (only corners of the phone are). Result: the M5 is much more "cheap" the Z3 + for example. Only reason for consolation, the mobile is completely waterproof and dust resistant.
Measuring 145 x 72 x 7.6 mm and weighing 143 grams, the Xperia M5 is almost as compact and light as a Samsung Galaxy S6. The handling is easy and enjoyable. The phone thus seems bulky in the pocket of trousers.
Aesthetically, the Sony Xperia M5 takes the Omnibalance style so dear to the brand. Few changes since its introduction in 2013 have therefore taken place. The simple proven innovation is the presence of metal edges designed to protect the Xperia M5 if dropped.
The glass panels to the rear and the front of the phone are made of tempered mineral glass. The edges of the frame slightly above, so that the windows are feeling slightly depressed. The advantage of this method of manufacture, according to Sony, is that the glass is less likely to break.
The Sony Xperia M5 benefits from the IP65 and IP68 certification, which means it is resistant to dust and water (up to 30 minutes in water to depths of up to 1.5 meters). While slots for the SIM card and microSD card are protected by rubber covers, the micro-USB port has a water-repellent coating.
Sony Xperia M5 - Screen
The Sony Xperia M5 offers an IPS LCD 5-inch Full-HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels). It thus reached 441 dpi and therefore beyond the power of perception of the average eye.
Sony has also improved the quality of the picture by optimizing the software part X-Reality designed to reduce noise. With Triluminos technology, the color palette is thus artificially increased and can achieve more realistic shades and tones than most other smartphones.
The screen of the Sony Xperia M5 is excellent and offers a perfect reproduction of colors. The contrast and the range of colors offered are vast and rich. The image quality is similar to that of the particular OLED displays, such as those from Samsung.
Sony Xperia M5 - Other Features IP65 IP68 Certifications
The main feature of the Xperia M5 is in its IP65 and IP68 certifications. This means that the Xperia M5 is resistant to water and dust according to the Japanese company. The phone can be submerged up to one meter of water for half an hour and no damage.
Sony Xperia M5 - Software Interface
Sony is again its own interface on the M5. It is also highly appreciated by most of its users. Combined with Android 5.0 Lollipop, she recalled many stock Android, especially at the lock screen and settings. The notification bar also retains the appearance of Android Lollipop. For updates, Sony has also planned the transition to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Unfortunately, Sony exaggerates the amount of pre-installed applications. Applications such as the PSN (PlayStation Network) or Xperia Lounge is used by some users, but the number is still too high.
Sony Xperia M5 - Performances
Here is an area that has caught our attention. In our testing, the Xperia M5 has proved to be a fast, efficient and smartphone. The Mediatek processor in the smartphone is theoretically the direct competitor of the Snapdragon 810. However, in our benchmarks, it gets worse than other phones with the Helio X10 processor.
Other devices like the HTC One M9 and Xiaomi Note 2 redmi approximate 50 000 points on AnTuTu, but the Xperia M5 gets about 40,000 points. It is also less than his brother, the Xperia C5 Ultra, which uses a processor from the same brand but even lower. We also noted that the smartphone does not heat.
All is not perfect but overall the performance is correct and sufficient for most uses. But I confess I am a little disappointed Xperia M5. As I mentioned earlier, I expected more from the Helio X10. It even happened to me that the phone freezes a moment before returning to normal after a few seconds.
Sony Xperia M5 - Sound quality
Unlike the Sony Z series, the Xperia M5 does not come with headphones. The integrated speakers are more basic than the Z range, which means that we must be satisfied with a mono and not stereo. The maximum volume is also very low. However, the microphones can record sound in stereo.
Sony Xperia M5 - Camera
The camera of the Sony Xperia M5 are definitely the highlight of this smartphone. The primary sensor of 21.5 megapixels delivers sharp images with high contrast and the front camera can provide wide-angle pictures of 13 megapixels. The Quick Start function allows you to wake the phone from standby to directly launch the camera application.
Since it is an advantage to stand out from the competition, Sony has provided the telephone one of the best sensors in the market. The Exmor RS is distinguished by its fast autofocus, which only takes 30 milliseconds to the development. And thanks to Face and smile detection technology, it is possible to take selfies without pressing the button to capture the photo.
As with most of Xperia smartphones, Sony also placed in a physical button for the camera on the Xperia M5. By pressing it, the mobile wakes up instantly and opens the camera application.
The Sony Xperia M5, although endowed with excellent image sensors, unfortunately not equipped with a good flash. The double LED flash is nevertheless now become a common feature on smartphones cameras. The M5 has to be content with a simple flash at the back of the mobile.
The camera application proposed by default Sony is quite complicated to use. In low light conditions, you are forced to adjust the settings, and it sometimes takes a long time. Autofocus is also much slower in dark environments. However, when we tried other camera applications, we were able to take better photos in the dark.
Overall, the picture quality of the M5 are good but they could have been even better when you know that this is the main argument of the phone.
Sony Xperia M5 - Battery Life
Sony promises two days of use, as for its Xperia Z3 and Z3 +. But unlike the latter, the Xperia M5 only has a battery capacity of 2600 mAh, despite the phone formats are similar. We also find the famous Stamina mode that works miracles on Sony phones.
Unfortunately, contrary to the promises I had to recharge every night my Xperia M5 after a fairly intensive use. Screen enabled, the smartphone has not lasted more than three and a half hours.
With luck, Sony can still improve but the Battery Life of its M5, especially when Android 6.0 will arrive Marshmallow on the phone. The new version of Android in particular includes Doze mode that saves the resources of the device.
Final verdict
The Sony Xperia M5 leaves a mixed feeling. Sony seems to place its M5 in the same category as the Z3 +. The phone has many assets to be included: a nice design, very good capacity photos and even a resistance to water and dust. Add to this the absence of overheating problems and you will understand the decision of the Japanese brand.
But Sony has made a few mistakes on its Xperia M5, starting with a low internal storage (16 GB) and by the use of plastic on the sides instead of the metal. The Xperia M5 performances are also well below those of most premium smartphones. High-end smartphones of 2015, such as the LG G4 or Galaxy S6, which are now available at similar prices to the M5 represent much competition for the M5. However, if the price of Xperia M5 quickly drops below USD300, the phone could be a purchase to consider.
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