Sony Xperia Z5 smartphone

Photo: April.Kai via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sony

Sony Xperia Z5

October 2015 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Xperia Z5 is an Android smartphone released in October 2015, featuring a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a 23MP main camera, and powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset. It was known for its dust and water resistance and was Sony's first device to include a fingerprint sensor.
Display5.2" Full HD IPS LCD
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 810
Main Camera23 MP with 4K video recording
Battery2900 mAh with fast charging
Starting from $105

💰 Sony Xperia Z5 Price

The Sony Xperia Z5 lowest price is $105, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeIPS LCD
Size5.2 inches
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
FeaturesTriluminos display, X-Reality Engine

Platform

OSAndroid 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)
GPUAdreno 430

Memory

Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot, up to 200GB)
Internal32GB eMMC 5.0
RAM3GB

Main Camera

Single23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.3", PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR

Selfie Camera

Single5.1 MP, f/2.4
FeaturesHDR
Video1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable
Charging18W wired, QC2

Body

Dimensions146 x 72 x 7.3 mm
Weight154 g
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back, aluminum frame
SIMNano-SIM
ProtectionIP68 dust/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, USB Host

Launch

Announced2015, September 02
StatusReleased 2015, October

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Excellent camera performance
  • Premium, durable design with water resistance
  • Good display quality
  • Expandable storage
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor was innovative for its time

Cons

  • Snapdragon 810 chipset known for overheating issues
  • Battery life could be better compared to competitors
  • Outdated software support
  • Large bezels for its era
★ Our Verdict

The Sony Xperia Z5 offered a premium, water-resistant design and a highly capable camera, but its performance was hampered by the Snapdragon 810's thermal issues and average battery life.

The Sony Xperia Z5, released in 2015, is now an older smartphone and is not recommended for daily use in 2026. While it boasted a great camera and water resistance in its prime, its outdated operating system (Android 7.1.1 maximum), limited security updates, and the Snapdragon 810's performance issues make it unsuitable for modern applications and security standards. If you are a collector or looking for a nostalgic device, it might be an interesting piece of tech history. However, for anyone needing a functional and secure smartphone, consider newer models with current software support and more efficient processors.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Sony Xperia Z5 Handset
  • USB Cable
  • Wall Charger
  • Headphones (region dependent)
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Card

Typically includes a one-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Sony Xperia Z5 released?

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

Is the Sony Xperia Z5 waterproof?

Yes, the Sony Xperia Z5 is IP68 dust and water resistant, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

What kind of camera does the Sony Xperia Z5 have?

The Sony Xperia Z5 features a 23 MP main camera with a f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, and LED flash, capable of recording 4K video. It also has a 5.1 MP selfie camera.

What processor powers the Sony Xperia Z5?

The Sony Xperia Z5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) chipset, an octa-core processor, and an Adreno 430 GPU.

Does the Sony Xperia Z5 have expandable storage?

Yes, the Sony Xperia Z5 comes with 32GB of internal storage and supports expandable storage via a dedicated microSDXC card slot, up to 200GB.

Is the Sony Xperia Z5 still a good phone to buy in 2026?

No, due to its age, outdated operating system, lack of security updates, and performance limitations of its older chipset, the Sony Xperia Z5 is not recommended for daily use in 2026. Newer phones offer significantly better performance, security, and features.