What's good
- Ample storage
- Attractive, sturdy design
- Bright, detailed display
- microSD support
What's bad
- Battery life
- Weak processor for gaming or heavy use
Sony is known for their attention to design details. This isn’t something you see much of in the entry-level mobile market. With the Xperia E5, Sony hopes to offer a refined mobile experience without killing your budget.
Good budget phones are about making the right compromises. Did Sony find the right balance or does this pretty handset disappoint when the power comes on?
Reviews are in! Let’s see what people are saying!
While it might be all plastic, reviewers were quick to point out the solid feel, slight heft and comfortable grip of the Xperia E5. Phone Arena said, “One would have a hard time calling this anything but reasonably attractive. More so at this price point, and especially compared to the rather mundane-looking competitors.”
Head around to the front of the phone and reviews are still good, despite the lack of the signature visuals tweaks present in high-end Sony models. Phone Area ran the 5-inch 720p IPS display though their benchmarking and noted, “Color accuracy is pretty decent for a device of this caliber.” The screen also impressed Expert Reviews UK. They described it as “More than punchy enough to remain legible in direct sunlight.”
One area where the entry-level aspects of the E5 show through is performance. Opinions on the 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor and 1.5 GB of RAM varied. Recombu said, “The Xperia E5 has actually proved itself a respectable budget blower. There’s an occasional lingering pause when you try and open an app, but Android runs surprisingly well, as did all of the apps I tested out.” Unfortunately, they all agreed that gaming wasn’t a pleasant experience.
With 16GB of internal storage, you should have no trouble keeping your favorite apps and games on hand. Should you need more room for media, there’s a microSD slot for quick expansion.
Reviews of the UI were good. Sony runs a minimal skin on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. No one complained about bloatware or excessive memory use.
Although reviewers were pleased with image quality from the 13MP camera. However, they were quick to add “for an entry-level phone” to their praise. GSM Arena said, “The phone takes sharp photos with plenty of detail. Unfortunately, the images have a lot of noise even in good light, but we like the overall processing of the fine details.” The front-facing 5MP lens had similar reviews.
Battery life is where reviews get ugly. The 2,700mAh battery wasn’t enough to keep the phone running all day for most reviewers. Phone Arena noted, “We were secure in our knowledge that the E5 will make it through the day, but then again, that was with relatively light usage. Prolonged game sessions or binge watching sessions will murder the battery fast.”
Ultimately, this last flaw made many reviewers question whether to recommend the phone. Recombu summed up opinions well, saying, “Attractive and solid design work, respectable performance and battery life, and a decent HD screen all make for a worthy £100 handset.” Just keep your charge cable handy.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Simon Hill, TechRadarAwkwardly straddling the budget and mid-range categories, the Sony Xperia E5 doesn't quite do enough to earn a recommendation in either. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, but you can get better smartphones for around the same price.
- Marcus Herbrich, NotebookcheckThe Xperia E5 is a solid everyday companion of the lower price segment. However, the fancy glass design of higher-priced Xperia smartphones typical for Sony would have benefited the entry device as a unique feature.
- Richard Goodwin, Know Your MobileThis handset isn’t quite as appealing as the Moto G4; I prefer the Moto G4’s software, which is closer to stock Android. However, if this doesn’t concern you I have no grumbles recommending this handset to someone that is after a cheap, functional, good-looking Android phone for un...
- Katherine Bryne, Expert ReviewsThe Xperia E5 is fast and well-made, but it's marred by poor battery life and a sub-par camera.
- Chris Barraclough, RecombuSony’s Xperia E5 is one of the cheapest Xperia phones you can nab these days, but holds up remarkably well compared with rivals like the Wileyfox Spark. Attractive and solid design work, respectable performance and battery life, and a decent HD screen all make for a worthy £100 handset.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia E5 user manual here.
Sony backs up the Xperia E5 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Xperia E5 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Sony Xperia E5 Manual (PDF)
Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.