Sony Xperia C5 Ultra and M5 Mid Range Phones Impress

Sony announced today two new phones that are better than your average mid range ones. The Xperia C5 Ultra features two 13-megapixel cameras and an innovative near borderless 6” Full HD display. On the other hand, the Xperia M5 is like a slightly smaller Xperia Z3+, with an innovative 21.5 MP hybrid autofocus camera that uses one of the best Sony mobile imaging sensor, and is friendly on the pocket too.

Xperia C5 Ultra

The Xperia C5 Ultra dual 13 megapixel camera features Sony’s Exmor RS™ sensor, HDR for picture and video, and an easy to use preset Auto scene recognition mode. Selfies are also enhanced with the integration of Sony’s enhanced Selfie Flash that supports the front camera and lightens up more of the frame to ensure every part of your photograph’s beauty is captured. The device’s 22mm wide-angle lens also means that you can fit more in the frame.

To me, the star of the C5 Ultra has to be the screen. The large 6” Full HD display with IPS featuring Sony’s TV technology Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2 lets you enjoy your videos and pictures in the finest detail. If you haven’t notice by now, the bezel on the sides are super thin! It’s only 0.8 mm on its left and right sides.

It sports a aluminum frame, and will be available in three colours, blank, white and mint.

Specs wise, it features a Mediatek 1.7 GHz 64 bit octa core processor, 2 GB of RAM, and LTE support. Sony claims a two-day battery life and up to 7 hours 47 minutes of video playback, but the battery size is only 2,600 mAH.

Xperia M5

The M5 wants to redefine the mid-range phone landscape with a 21.5MP rear camera that lets you snap extraordinary moments like a pro. Tech specs for the camera are 0.25 second hybrid autofocus, and these new technology packs in both Phase Detection AF and Contrast Detection AF, at a speed that is industry leading. It is also capable to capture videos in 4K. It’s paired with a 13 MP front facing selfie cam, with integrated autofocus and full HD video recording. It’s the same IMX230 sensor that’s used by the Moto X Style and currently ranked second only to the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Other specifications, doesn’t disappoint, with a 5″ full HD IPS display, waterproof, dust tight, and with a capless USB port. In addition, it is one of the first phones in the market to use the 64-bit 2.0 GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor, and comes with a impressive 3GB RAM. The Helio X10 is an interesting chip and would give the Snapdragon 810 a good race.

The M5 also features Sony’s distinctive design with the OmniBalance style in a sleek premium glass finish on both sides. It is also designed for durability with stainless steel corners to protect against bumps. Similar to the C5 Ultra, the Xperia X5 integrates a large 2,600mAh battery for a reported two-days battery life on the X10.

Hey, the M5 starts sounding a lot like the Xperia Z3+, at a significantly cheaper price. Sony call it a “super mid range” phone but it honestly looks more like a flagship.

Price and Availability

Both Xperia C5 Ultra and Xperia M5 also have an expandable memory with up to 200GB uSD card.

Xperia C5 Ultra (Single SIM) will be retailing at a RRP of S$598, and Xperia M5 (Single SIM) will be retailing at a RRP of S$648, available at Sony stores and centres from end August 2015.