The best Sony phones are often fairly expensive but they tend to be worth it. Just look at the Sony Xperia 1 IV topping our list and you'll see why. It's a similar case for the likes of the Sony Xperia 5 IV which is a new addition to our list - so read on below to see how it ranks.
Fortunately, there are more affordable options amongst the best Sony phones too, so you don't have to spend a fortune to get a top a Sony handset - you'll find mid-rangers and older handsets in this list as well.
And to help make your choice all the easier, each entry below includes a full specs list along with the key pros and cons, and a summary of the phone. If nothing catches your eye though, take a look at our best phones and best Android phones guides, for some options not made by Sony.
Best Sony phones 2022
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The Sony Xperia 1 IV is obscenely expensive but offers some unique features that mean it's perfect for professional content creators. One such feature is continuous optical zoom with the telephoto lens moving between 3.5x and 5.2x without the need to use digital zoom.
There's also the rollout of 4K and 120fps video recording, functions for mobile games streaming, a better battery, and a gorgeous 6.5-inch display.
It may have a picky fingerprint scanner but the Sony Xperia 1 IV is well-designed for creative types and those that want to consume media too, right down to its inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Speedy too, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is expensive but a truly high-end device for the most part.
Read our full Sony Xperia 1 IV review
With a lower price than the Sony Xperia 1 IV but similar specs in many areas, the Xperia 5 IV comes very close to being a better phone, especially as it packs in a 5,000mAh battery that offers superb life.
The screen is great too, Sony has finally added wireless charging to the mix for its smaller flagship line, and it looks and feels great, as well as packing plenty of power and generally slick software.
However, this still isn’t exactly a top value handset, and while its camera is packed full of pro-features, it’s less adept when you just point and shoot, especially as the Xperia 5 IV is limited to a 2.5x optical zoom.
These and other niggles hold it back a little, but as compact flagships go the Sony Xperia 5 IV is one of the best.
Read our full Sony Xperia 5 IV review
The Sony Xperia 1 III is still one of Sony's best phones, with the highlight being that it’s the world’s first smartphone with a 4K 120Hz display. That’s arguably overkill, but it’s certainly impressive, with its 6.5-inch OLED display remaining among the best screens you’ll find on a smartphone.
Other aspects of the Xperia 1 III also impress a lot, particularly its battery life, which in our review we found outperformed most flagships, despite the phone only having a middling 4,500mAh capacity.
This is that rare flagship phone that also has a 3.5mm headphone port, which will be a big selling point for some, and the Sony Xperia 1 III additionally has top-end power, and a capable camera setup, which along with main, ultra-wide and depth sensors also has a 12MP adaptive telephoto camera, which can shift between 2.9x and 4.4x optical zoom.
There’s no in-screen fingerprint scanner, and the long and narrow design won’t suit everyone, but those issues aside this remains up there with the best 2021 flagships from any brand – and it’s priced accordingly.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 1 III
The Sony Xperia 10 IV is the cheapest of the Xperia range for 2022 but offers some great features. It has typical Xperia 10 looks meaning the build quality is great. The display is just as good too with a 6-inch OLED screen that looks pretty good despite its average 60Hz refresh rate.
You also get a triple-lens rear camera that can take some very good shots. With a 2x optical zoom, there's a 12MP wide, 8MP telephoto, and 8MP ultrawide rear setup that provides great results barring some issues with color correction.
Performance is a little on the average side at times, but the Sony Xperia 10 IV is a mostly stylish and classy handset to own.
Read our in-depth review: Sony Xperia 10 IV