Sony Xperia Z5 Compact smartphone

Photo: Strubbl via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sony

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

October 2015 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is a premium Android smartphone released in late 2015, known for packing flagship-level specifications into a smaller, water-resistant form factor. It features a 4.6-inch display, a powerful Snapdragon 810 processor, and a 23MP camera.
Display4.6-inch IPS LCD, 720p resolution
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 810
Main Camera23 MP with PDAF, 4K video
Battery2700 mAh, 18W fast charging
Starting from $5,645

💰 Sony Xperia Z5 Compact Price

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact lowest price is $5,645, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD
Size4.6 inches
Resolution720 x 1280 pixels (~323 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
FeaturesTriluminos display, X-Reality Engine

Platform

ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)
GPUAdreno 430

Memory

Internal32GB 2GB RAM
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot), up to 200GB

Main Camera

Modules23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR

Selfie Camera

Modules5.1 MP, f/2.4
FeaturesHDR
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeNon-removable Li-Ion 2700 mAh
ChargingFast charging 18W (Quick Charge 2.0)

Body

Dimensions127 x 65 x 8.9 mm (5.0 x 2.56 x 0.35 in)
Weight138 g (4.87 oz)
BuildGlass front, glass back, plastic frame
SIMNano-SIM
DurabilityIP65/IP68 dust and water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, aptX
PositioningGPS, GLONASS/BDS
NFCYes
RadioFM radio, RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG

Launch

AnnouncedSeptember 2015
ReleasedOctober 2015
OSAndroid 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat)

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent compact size for one-handed use
  • High-quality 23MP camera for its time
  • IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance
  • Flagship performance with Snapdragon 810 (for its release era)
  • Dedicated camera button
  • Expandable storage via microSD

Cons

  • Snapdragon 810 chipset prone to overheating
  • Only 2GB RAM, which can be limiting for modern multitasking
  • 720p display resolution is lower than many flagships of its era
  • Non-removable battery
  • Thicker and heavier than its predecessor
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor not available in all regions
★ Our Verdict

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact offered a unique blend of compact size and flagship power, excellent camera, and water resistance, though it was hampered by the Snapdragon 810's heating issues and a relatively low-resolution display for a premium device.

As a device from 2015, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is now quite old. It is not recommended as a primary smartphone for most users due to outdated software, limited RAM, and potential battery degradation. However, it could serve as a nostalgic collector's item, a secondary device for basic tasks, or a compact media player. If purchasing, look for units in excellent condition with good battery health, and be aware that official software updates have long ceased. Expect to find it only on the used market, where prices should be very low.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Sony Xperia Z5 Compact phone
  • 1.5A power adapter/charger
  • USB data cable
  • Documentation/manuals

Standard manufacturer's warranty, typically 1 year, subject to regional consumer laws.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact released?

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact was announced in September 2015 and globally released in October 2015.

Is the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact waterproof?

Yes, the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact is IP65/IP68 certified, meaning it is dust-tight and water-resistant, capable of being immersed in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes.

What processor does the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact use?

It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) octa-core processor.

What is the camera quality of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact?

The phone features a 23 MP main camera with PDAF and an f/2.0 aperture, capable of recording 4K video. It also has a 5.1 MP front-facing camera.

Does the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact have a fingerprint sensor?

Yes, it features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, though its availability varied by region (primarily in EU models).

Can the storage of the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact be expanded?

Yes, it has a dedicated microSDXC card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 200GB.