BeastCompare

iPhone 17 vs Sony Xperia 5 III: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 17 edges ahead with a BeastScore of 76.9/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2025

iPhone 17

iPhone 17
77/ 100
Launch price$799
Sony · 2021

Sony Xperia 5 III

Sony Xperia 5 III
77/ 100
Launch price$999
Head-to-head

iPhone 17 wins 5 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 17
iPhone 17
5 wins
Sony Xperia 5 III
Sony Xperia 5 III
1 win
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 17Sony Xperia 5 III
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedTie
    80
    80
  • CameraiPhone 17
    82
    75
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 17
    76
    40
  • BatterySony Xperia 5 III
    58
    78
  • DisplayiPhone 17
    90
    86
  • ConnectivityiPhone 17
    88
    75
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 17
    68
    55
Key differences
  • Sony Xperia 5 III has the bigger battery4,500 mAh vs 3,692 mAh
  • iPhone 17 charges faster40W vs 30W
  • iPhone 17 has a sharper main camera48 MP vs 12 MP
  • iPhone 17 has the bigger screen6.3" vs 6.1"
  • Sony Xperia 5 III is lighter168 g vs 177 g
  • iPhone 17 launched cheaper$799 vs $999
  • iPhone 17 has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 8 MP
  • iPhone 17 has newer Bluetooth6 vs 5.2
  • iPhone 17 has faster Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 17
  • ✓$200 cheaper at launch ($799 vs $999)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.3" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy Sony Xperia 5 III
  • ✓9 g lighter (168 g vs 177 g), easier to hold
  • ✓Bigger 4,500 mAh battery (+808 mAh)
  • ✓12 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 17Sony Xperia 5 III
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDOLED 21:9 CinemaWide HDR
Screen Size6.3"6.1"
Resolution & Density2622x1206 (460 ppi)2520x1080 (449 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz
Brightness3,000 nits peak700 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A19 (3nm)Snapdragon 888 (5nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (5-core)Adreno 660
Operating SystemiOS 26Android 11
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory8 GB LPDDR8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB128GB / 256GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 17 Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Fusion 48MP12 MP, f/1.7, OIS, ZEISS T*
Telephoto ZoomNone (digital zoom only)12 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.3, OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens18 MP, f/1.98 MP, f/2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Sony Xperia 5 III Lightest Chassis
Dimensions149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm157 x 68 x 8.2 mm
Weight177 g168 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Sony Xperia 5 III Wins Battery
Battery Capacity3,692 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired Fast Charging40W wired fast charging30W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging11W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth6.05.2
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$799$999
Our verdict

iPhone 17 wins — BeastScore 76.9/100

The iPhone 17 is the better pick for most people thanks to its faster charging (40W vs 30W) and sharper main camera (48 MP vs 12 MP). The Sony Xperia 5 III is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (4,500 mAh vs 3,692 mAh).

Buy iPhone 17 if you want

Faster wired charging: 40W vs 30W · Higher-resolution main camera: 48 MP vs 12 MP

Buy Sony Xperia 5 III if you want

Larger battery: 4,500 mAh vs 3,692 mAh · Optical telephoto zoom (1 telephoto lens)

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 17 or Sony Xperia 5 III?

The iPhone 17 is the better pick for most people thanks to its faster charging (40W vs 30W) and sharper main camera (48 MP vs 12 MP). The Sony Xperia 5 III is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (4,500 mAh vs 3,692 mAh). BeastScore: iPhone 17 76.9/100, Sony Xperia 5 III 77.0/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 17 and Sony Xperia 5 III?

iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch display and 3692 mAh battery. Sony Xperia 5 III has a 6.1-inch display and 4500 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 17 and Sony Xperia 5 III compare for speed?

iPhone 17 scores 80/100 for performance; Sony Xperia 5 III scores 80/100.

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