Best Sony phones 2020: find the right Sony Xperia smartphone for you
Wondering what the best Sony phones are? We don't blame you. The company releases a lot of phones so our list of the best Sony phones is constantly changing. For instance, in recent times, Sony launched the Sony Xperia 5 II - a high-end handset with a smaller screen than its previous flagship device, the Sony Xperia 1 II.
With the Sony Xperia 5 II also cheaper, it's no surprise that it now tops our list of the best Sony phones.
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There are still plenty of other Sony devices to choose from though, and many of them are quite impressive. Besides the aforementioned Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II, there's also the relatively affordable Sony Xperia XZ2, the small Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, with plenty of others too.
You’ll find all the best options ranked below, complete with a rundown of what makes them so good and where their flaws lie.
If none of these catch your eye, make sure to check out our other smartphones best of guides. We've linked some of these below to make things simpler for you.
Whatever you do, before buying any new phone, you should be aware that Black Friday is on November 27, followed by Cyber Monday on November 30. These are two of the biggest sales events of the year, and many smartphones are likely to be reduced.
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Best Sony phones 2020 at a glance:
- Sony Xperia 5 II
- Sony Xperia 1 II
- Sony Xperia 5
- Sony Xperia 1
- Sony Xperia XZ3
- Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
Best Sony phones 2020
1. Sony Xperia 5 II
Like an Xperia 1 II, but smaller and cheaper
Release date: October 2020 | Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 158 x 68 x 8mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2520 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128/256GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
The Sony Xperia 5 II is basically a smaller, cheaper version of the Xperia 1 II. Sure, there are some differences beyond the screen size to get the price down, but the essence remains intact, and this phone arguably strikes a better balance between price and specs.
It has an excellent 6.1-inch 1080 x 2520 OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring it feels smooth to use. Even the Xperia 1 II doesn’t have a refresh rate that high, so in at least one way the Sony Xperia 5 II has the specs edge.
It also has a great triple-lens camera, with 12MP main, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, plus a high-end Snapdragon 865 chipset, and a decent build – which, thanks to the smaller size, is much easier to hold than the Xperia 1 II.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 5 II
2. Sony Xperia 1 II
One of the best Sony phones
Release date: May 2020 | Weight: 181.4g | Dimensions: 165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1644 x 3840 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Battery: 4,000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
The Sony Xperia 1 II shows the company listens to feedback, as it fixes some of the biggest issues of its predecessors while bringing a lot more to the table, and that's why it tops our list of the best Sony phones.
The Xperia 1 II - that's 'One Mark Two', as Sony seems to have taken naming inspiration from its Alpha range of cameras - has an impressive 4K display in a 21:9 resolution, three rear cameras that take great photographs, and a long-lasting battery that fixes one of the biggest problems with older Xperia phones.
Sure, the price is definitely on the high side, and the phone is too big for people with small hands (an issue the Xperia 5 II fixes), but if these aren't problems you'll mind, the Sony Xperia 1 II is the best Sony phone for you.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 1 II
3. Sony Xperia 5
Honey, I shrunk the Xperia 1
Release date: October 2019 | Weight: 164g | Dimensions: 158 x 68 x 8.2mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2520 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery: 3,140mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
The Xperia 1 might be Sony’s true 2019 flagship, but the Sony Xperia 5 is newer and arguably slightly better.
Sure, its screen is smaller and not quite as sharp, but it’s actually a more manageable size for many people, and still fairly large at 6.1 inches. The loss of pixels meanwhile is unlikely to be noticed unless you have the phone pressed against your eyeballs, as at 1080 x 2520 you still get 449 pixels per inch.
And in most other ways the Sony Xperia 5 matches the Xperia 1 – it has the same 21:9 aspect ratio that makes it great for movies, the same high-end Snapdragon 855 chipset paired with 6GB of RAM, the same amount of storage, and the same triple-lens rear camera.
Plus, the battery lasts slightly longer and the price is slightly lower. So if you want a high-end Sony handset and don’t fancy shelling out on a new model, then the Sony Xperia 5 is a top choice.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 5
4. Sony Xperia 1
The Xperia 1 is one of the best Sony phones from 2019
Release date: June 2019 | Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 167 x 72 x 8.2mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1644 x 3840 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64/128GB | Battery: 3,330mAh | Rear camera: 12MP, 12MP, 12MP | Front camera: 8MP
It didn't look like 2019 was going to be Sony's year after the poorly-received Xperia 10 and 10 Plus, but the company knocked it out the park with the Xperia 1. It's a true premium smartphone, that utilizes the best parts of previous phones and charges it up with improved specs in loads of areas.
The Xperia 1 has a 21:9 screen, and now there's content to match. It's also got a dedicated film-making app for budding directors, that recreates the experience of using a Sony Alpha camera.
On top of that you've got three powerful cameras, a cutting-edge Snapdragon 855 chipset, and 4K screen. Although it is definitely on the expensive side, it's close to being the best Sony smartphone you can get right now.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 1
5. Sony Xperia XZ3
The last of the Sony Xperia XZ range
Release date: October 2018 | Weight: 193g | Dimensions: 158 x 73 x 9.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 6-inch | Resolution: 1440 x 2880 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,300mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 13MP
The Sony Xperia XZ3 is getting on a bit but it's still a great Sony phone, offering up a great mix of features that are particularly handy if you're addicted to movies, TV shows and gaming on your phone.
The main feature on the XZ3 is its 6-inch HDR OLED display, with a QHD+ resolution, ensuring video looks great. If you have a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription, the HDR content offered by these services really shines.
There's enough power under the hood, and the camera on the back is a solid snapper, although it won't blow you away. On top of that it's no-where near as pricey as the Xperia 1 or 1 II, so if you're a Sony fan who doesn't want to blow the bank, this is a more viable option.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia XZ3
6. Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
A great Sony phone with a 4K display
Release date: July 2018 | Weight: 236g | Dimensions: 158 x 80 x 11.9mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.8-inch | Resolution: 2160 x 3840 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,540mAh | Rear camera: 19MP + 12MP | Front camera: 13MP
There's just one spec you really need to know about the Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium: it has a 4K display.
This isn't the first Sony phone to pack a 4K screen (it's actually the third), but it's newer than many such options. If you have a bank of 4K video, or have the right subscription on streaming services, no other non-Sony smartphone can offer you the clarity and detail on screen.
However if 4K content isn't your priority there are probably better Sony phones to suit your needs, so keep on reading!
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
7. Sony Xperia XZ2
An older flagship which still has a lot to offer
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 198g | Dimensions: 153 x 72 x 11.1mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5.7-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4/6GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3,180mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 5MP
The Xperia XZ2 is technically two flagship generations old (having been superseded by the Xperia XZ3 and then more recently by the Xperia 1), but it's only 18 months old itself and still has plenty to offer.
There's the HDR-supported QHD display, feature-packed camera, 4K HDR video recording and you can even capture super slow motion footage at 960fps in Full HD.
What's more, it's now more affordable than ever with several price drops since launch. The design isn't going to wow you, but at this price it's a reasonable compromise.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia XZ2 review
8. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
A great Sony phone for those with smaller palms
Release date: April 2018 | Weight: 168g | Dimensions: 135 x 65 x 12.1mm | OS: Android 9 | Screen size: 5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 2,870mAh | Rear camera: 19MP | Front camera: 5MP
Smartphones are getting bigger and bigger each year, and Sony phones are no exception - well, apart from the Xperia XZ2 Compact.
This dinkier device comes with a 5-inch display, which is small by today's standard, and it means the XZ2 Compact nestles nicely in the palm.
Don't be put off by its diminutive proportions though, as this handset packs the same power and camera as the larger, former-flagship Xperia XZ2 - ensuring it can still cope with most apps and games you throw at it.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
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