Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

Sony Xperia E5 review

7/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

Sony Xperia E5
Sony Xperia E5
Sony Xperia E5
Sony Xperia E5
...


7/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia E5 currently has an Informr score of 7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 7 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

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.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.3 GHz
5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5"
13+ MP
Camera
Camera
13+ MP
2700 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TechRadar
TechRadar

Awkwardly 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.

- Simon Hill, TechRadar
Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

The 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.

- Marcus Herbrich, Notebookcheck
Know Your Mobile
Know Your Mobile

This 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...

- Richard Goodwin, Know Your Mobile
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

The Xperia E5 is fast and well-made, but it's marred by poor battery life and a sub-par camera.

- Katherine Bryne, Expert Reviews
Recombu
Recombu

Sony’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.

- Chris Barraclough, Recombu


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.



Ask the Community



Resources


Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Quick view

Screen Size
5"

The Sony Xperia E5's screen size is 5 inches with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.3 GHz

There is a MediaTek MT6735 Quad core 1.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system (OS).

Camera
13+ MP

You can take photos with the phone's onboard 13+ MP camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 5+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
16 GB

Internal memory is 16 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 200 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
2700mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 2700 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 690 minutes.

Xperia E5 Specs

Overview
Release Date July 7, 2016
Regions Available Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor MediaTek MT6735 Quad core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage 16 GB
RAM 1536 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC, microSDXC (up to 200 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
13+ Megapixels
Zoom
3x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, ISO, Self-timer, White balance, HDR
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, DivX, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
ISO
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Pixel Density 294 pixels
Size 5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen, Scratch-resistant
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 2700 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 690 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 690 minutes
Standby Time Up to 21.6 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Graphite Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.4 x 6.9 x 0.8 cm (5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 in)
Weight 147 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Sony F3311, F3313
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia E5 Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia E5
Suggest a correction