The Sony Xperia 5 features a variety of high-end features that you wouldn't normally see on a smaller phone, but its 21:9 aspect ratio may make it difficult to hold for those with smaller hands.

Strong specs; Premium design

Not as small as previous handsets; No 3.5mm headphone jack

The Sony Xperia 5 is a compact, capable camera phone with a few tricks up its sleeve...

Videography features are brilliant; Good stills camera; Excellent screen

No under-display fingerprint scanner; No headphone jack; Better value options out there

The Sony Xperia 5 is the latest smartphone from Sony and features a 21:9 CinemaWide screen, the ideal ratio for watching films on the go. The phone has a triple camera to the rear, with 12-megapixel standard, super-wide and 2x optional zoom available.

Great suite of features; Easy to use camera app; Sleek; modern-looking body; Dedicated shutter release button; OIS

Images are a little soft when you zoom in; Smaller battery life than competitors; Still only an 8mp selfie camera

With an epic display, ample gaming power and a camera that should please amateur snappers and prospective filmmakers alike, there’s a lot more to the sturdy Xperia 5 than slightly botched biometrics.

Excellent display; Versatile camera; Good battery life;

Awkward fingerprint scanner; Side Sense is temperamental; No case included;

Excellent display; Versatile camera; Good battery life;

Awkward fingerprint scanner; Side Sense is temperamental; No case included;

The Sony Xperia 5 is basically a somewhat shrunken version of the Sony Xperia 1. Sony saved the additional 'Compact' name for a good reason. Here, too, the Japanese manufacturer relies on a tall display. Do you think there are any advantages to this

Super performance; Good battery life; Chic design

21:9 display format; Weak camera

This was worth everything penny together with the free headset

It's hard to know what to think of the Xperia 5. It has a superb, cinematic screen, great stereo speakers and solid battery life. However, it's badly let down by poor biometrics and some strange design choices.

However, the Xperia 5 is a slightly more discreet alternative, with one or two thoughtfully downscaled components. At just £699 it's around £150 cheaper than the Xperia 1 , making it a tempting value proposition.

(Still) the best camera we've seen on a Sony phone; Sony design fairly distinctive; Balanced; attractive OLED display

21:9 screen has its practical drawbacks; Camera good; but not among the best; Strong rivals at the same price

Hot on the heels of the Xperia 1, the Xperia 5 is another strong flagship-level phone from Sony, this time offering a slightly better balance between top-end specifications and everyday practicality. The Xperia 5 sacrifices a little of the wow factor for a little more usability – but we’re quite happy with the trade-off.

(Still) the best camera we’ve seen on a Sony phone; Sony design fairly distinctive; Balanced, attractive OLED display;

21:9 screen has its practical drawbacks; Camera good, but not among the best; Strong rivals at the same price;