Since 2008, global internet security company Malwarebytes has been producing products to protect home and business devices from malware, ransomware and other types of online threats.
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Plans and pricing
Malwarebytes offer a number of products for Endpoint Protection. The focus of this review is Malwarebytes EPP for Business (hereafter shortened to 'EPP for Business').
EPP for Business pricing starts at $4.96 per device, per month for 10 - 99 devices. You can also contact Malwarebytes directly for a quote for coverage of 100 devices or more.
Malwarebytes EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) costs $6.02 per device per month for 10 - 99 devices and includes more advanced features like behavioural analysis and 72-hour ransomware rollback. Malwarebytes also invites larger organizations to contact them directly for a quote for protecting 100 devices or more.
There's also a server edition of both platforms, with prices starting at $8.85 per device per month for 1-20 devices for Business EPP for Servers.
Malwarebytes offer a free 30-day trial on their website to interested parties, who only need to enter a business e-mail to receive a download link. No credit card information is required.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes )
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Features
Malwarebytes has released a detailed whitepaper on Business EPP replete with exciting terms like 'Remediation-based Intelligence' and 'Multi-Vector Endpoint Protection'.
There's also an excellent datasheet, which provides a bulleted summary of Business EPP' main features. Chief amongst these is a very lightweight client, which is quick to download and setup. Management of Endpoints takes place through Malwarebyte's 'Nebula' cloud portal (more on this later).
The platform also claims to incorporate 'web protection' technology to protect endpoints from malicious URL's, scammer networks and malvertising. When we contacted Malwarebytes to request an evaluation of Business EPP for this review, they also suggested installing their free 'BrowserGuard' browser extension on our test machine, which is also designed to protect users from malicious links.
The aforementioned datasheet goes on to explain the platform engages in application 'hardening' to reduce endpoints' attack surface, as well as behavioral-based analysis and blocking. The company claims this is also combined with 'zero day' protection which uses payload analysis to proactively block threats.
Another point in Malwarebytes favor is that their machine learning isn't entirely trained on malware but also focuses on 'goodware' - in other words they claim their platform is better able to recognize properly signed code from know, reputable software vendors.
These are all bold claims, so naturally we were eager to put Malwarebytes Business EPP through its paces.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes )
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Setup
After speaking to a very helpful Malwarbytes employee we were graciously provided a download link for an evaluation version of the platform.
After quickly registering an online account we were quickly logged in to the Nebula cloud console. Unlike other endpoint security platforms we've reviewed, this one actually came with an introductory video, showcasing the console's main features. We were also helpfully reminded that we could visit this and other helpful videos via the dedicated 'tutorial' section.
If this weren't enough hand-holding, Nebula next launches an onboarding wizard, which guides users through the process of accessing the 'Download Center' and selecting the appropriate agent software for the endpoint. (We were pleased to see that the big 3 of Windows, macOS and Linux are supported).
Having selected an MSI installer for our Windows 11 test machine, we were also delighted to see the console offers the choice between direct download (for single devices) or link sharing (for multiple devices).
Once the download was complete, the 'Agent Setup Wizard' lived up Malwarebytes' claims - not only was the file itself very lightweight but installation took under a minute. We were warned that the endpoint wouldn't necessarily show up in the Nebula console right away but in practice this happened in seconds.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes )
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Interface
On first login to the Nebula console without the assistance of any wizards, we visited the main dashboard to say that our 'security score' was still being prepared. Fortunately we were able to easily click into the 'Classic' view tab which showed less esoteric information like endpoint status, the number of detection events and detections by category.
Brute force attacks (if any) are displayed on an impressive graphical world map and there's also an excellent breakdown of endpoints by OS.
Users can hover over options in the left-hand panes to access options for other sections. This is extremely simple to follow and the choices are well laid out - for instance, hovering over the 'Manage' section offers the option of 'Endpoints' or 'Patch Management'.
The 'Configure' section is useful for adding users and groups, as well as setting policies. The 'Monitor' section is also an excellent way to view events like quarantined files. From here, you can also click in to suspicious files to view more information.
(Image credit: Malwarebytes)
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Performance
When testing endpoint security platforms, our first test is always to try to download a fake computer virus, provided by the good people of EICAR.
We opened the Microsoft Edge browser with our test machine and were curious to see if the 'BrowserGuard' extension would have any effect on our experience. In the event, BrowserGuard didn't interfere with us visiting the site that contained our test computer virus, which we then downloaded to the machine in compressed (ZIP) format.
Next, we extracted the fake virus into the 'Downloads' folder and attempted to run it. The Malwarebytes EPP client immediately sprung to life and notified us that it had quarantined the file.
Our next test was to try to copy a new, real computer virus that we'd caught in the wild to the test machine's 'Downloads' folder. We do this to test if a platform is using behavioral analysis to detect suspicious files or just comparing them against a database of known threats. The file copied across successfully but when we tried to run it, it was instantly detected and quarantined by the Malwarebytes Business EPP client.
We were a little perplexed by the way that Business EPP responded to threats, as most other endpoint security platforms we used employ real-time scanning. In other words, suspicious files are automatically quarantined before users have a chance to run them. However, the fact remains that the threats were neutralized before they could damage this machine, so we consider this test a success.
On logging in to the Nebula Cloud console, we immediately saw the alerts generated and the platform also sent us an e-mail for good measure in each case to say the threats had been quarantined.
We attempted to set a new policy to see if we could make the platform more proactive about automatically quarantining suspicious files before they run but were told that 'suspicious activity monitoring' is only available for MalwareBytes EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response). Given that Business EPP was able to block a suspicious file based on its behavior rather than its signature though, the protection the platform provides seems to be adequate.
Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection for Business: Final Verdict
As readers have seen, we did have a "heart in your mouth" moment when viruses were copied to our test machines and the Malwarebytes EPP client seemed to ignore them but they were quickly neutralized when it mattered most, as we tried to run the files. You could even argue this is more efficient in terms of system resources, as quarantining only takes place when necessary.
The Malwarebytes 'BrowserGuard' extension also didn't seem to have any objection to us downloading a fake virus file, though of course there was no risk to the endpoint in that case. There doesn't seem to be any support for mobile devices (although this may be provided by another product 'Malwarebytes Mobile Security', nor is there a dedicated standalone firewall for clients). You also need to pay extra for Malwarebytes EDR if you need full protection from ransomware.
We mention these very small criticisms, as it's clear that Malwarebytes Business EPP is otherwise a flawless platform. Unlike many other endpoint security solutions we've reviewed, the website has a clear pricing model for organizations with 10 - 99 machines.
The Nebula cloud console is an absolute pleasure to navigate. It effortlessly walks users through the setup process, including a wizard to install the endpoint client on machines.(Bonus points for the fact that the platform supports Linux). The console shows just the right amount of information on devices and alerts, with more information just a few clicks away.
Although threat detection may work differently to other platforms we've reviewed, Malwarebytes Business EPP passed our tests with flying colors. Given there's free, no obligation trial organizations have absolutely nothing to lose by taking the platform for a test spin today.
Tecno launched the Spark 10 Pro in March with two color options - Starry Black and Pearl White. These are now joined by a new version, dubbed Tecno Spark 10 Pro Moon Explorer Edition.
The Spark 10 Pro Moon Explorer Edition is a special edition smartphone launched by Tecno to honor India's Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission, which made it the first country to successfully soft land on Moon's lunar south pole region and the fourth nation to land on Moon's surface.
Tecno says the Spark 10 Pro Moon Explorer Edition's design draws inspiration from the Chandrayaan-3 mission while "prioritizing...
G Data CyberDefense AG is a German company, which has been around since 1985. Their main focus is on security software and in the past their scanners have incorporated features from both Avast and Bitdefender.
In recent years though G Data have introduced their own scan engine, which they incorporate into a number of their security products. G Data claims their Endpoint Protection Business (hereafter referred to as 'EPP Business') offers 'security for all endpoints' and 'next generation product technologies'.
Certainly the German software security giant knows how to talk a good talk - but is G Data Endpoint Protection Business the best endpoint protection software out there? Read on.
(Image credit: G Data)
G Data Endpoint Protection Business: Plans and pricing
If you're looking for a broad brush overview of pricing for G Data Endpoint Protection Business, you'll be disappointed. The main product page does have link to request a quote. You can also request a consultation with one of G Data's experts.
In fairness G Data are by no means the only developer for endpoint security solutions that do this but a basic pricing model is always helpful when deciding if a product is right for your organization.
On the plus side, G Data does make it very easy to test out their software. Interested parties need only fill in an online form on their 'test' page to receive a download link for a trial version of EPP Business, as well as a temporary username and password.
(Image credit: G Data)
G Data Endpoint Protection Business: Features
The main listed features of G Data Endpoint Protection Business include central management (more on this later), as well as mobile device management, anti-spam, a dedicated firewall and policy management. G Data also offers optional add-ons for 'Mail Server & Proxy Security'.
One point in the company's favor is that their product page actually provides a detailed comparison of G Data's various offering detailing what it offers above and beyond regular antivirus.
For instance, like G Data's Antivirus Business, Endpoint Protection Business includes the company's 'BEAST' behavioral monitoring, which supposedly records all system behavior in a graph to better detect malicious processes.
Both products also use G Data's 'DeepRay AI Technology', which the company claims is able to detect malicious files much faster than comparable technologies.
G Data also claims that Endpoint Protection Business Business also offers e-mail protection (Microsoft Outlook) only, anti-spam technology, protection against corrupted USB devices and a dedicated firewall.
(Image credit: G Data)
G Data Endpoint Protection Business: Setup
We mentioned earlier that G Data make it very easy to fill in a contact form and receive a link to download a trial version of their product. Readers shouldn't take this for granted, as many endpoint security platforms either don't offer a free trial or demand payment information upfront.
However, in this case there's a catch. G Data Endpoint Protection Business isn't available as a cloud console, meaning you need to set up the installation to your own server.
On the downside this means you'll have to have the bandwidth and patience to download a 4.7GB compressed (ZIP) archive with the installation files, as well as a suitably provisioned server which can handle managing however many endpoints your organization has.
This could be an advantage though if your organization handles particularly sensitive data, as by setting up your own management servers you don't have to trust your endpoint information to a third party.
After starting the download, we went away for a cup of tea then decompressed the ZIP archive. The 'G Data Management Server' installer itself went like lightning but English-speaking users should have a care to make sure to choose their own language instead of the default (German).
The installer also prompts users to choose whether the target device will be the main server i.e. one which manages all network security clients or a secondary/subnet server. Next, users must choose the database installation method. For fewer than 1,000 clients the installer recommends using Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express. You can also configure a connection to an existing database.
The installer will then begin copying files (including those for Microsoft SQL Server if selected) immediately. This took around 10 minutes in total on our test machine.
After the install is complete, the Management Server apps prompts for the login data sent in your registration e-mail. We were then asked to log in to the 'G Data Adminstrator' app. This is where we hit our first snag, as although we tried to use Windows login credentials the program refused to accept the password. It was only when we created a local administrator account on the computer that we were able to sign in.
When we were finally able to sign in, the 'G Data Administrator Setup Wizard' launched. In theory this allows network managers to install G Data's security client on endpoints. In practice we found it wouldn't accept our 'access' username and password. Luckily this isn't a major hurdle, as all the client installers for various versions of Windows were included in the original 4.7GB ZIP archive we downloaded earlier.
In order to install the client we had to input the management server name (be warned it's case sensitive), at which point we were prompted to restart the PC.
(Image credit: G Data)
G Data Endpoint Protection Business: Interface
After restarting the PC we were surprised to see that G Data's Agent Software didn't automatically launch in the system tray. We fired up the Server Management program, only to see the client was shown as disconnected. We then found that the test machine's keyboard wasn't working.
This made it difficult for us to do any in-depth analysis of the software interface, so we decided to try again on a new, clean test machine running Windows 11.
On launching the installer again our test machine rebooted. We tried once more and this time the install completed the the G Data Security client icon appeared in the system tray. The G Data Management Server app however recorded it as not being connected at first. We were able to use the 'reset' function ultimately to get this working.
Once the client was installed, we did discover that there's no interface to speak of on the client side. The system tray icon contains a small menu for running updates and to provide more info 'About' the app itself.
The management interface however, was much more forthcoming. The main 'Dashboard' provides an easy to follow list of security events, accompanied by helpful infographics on client connections, warnings and the status of reports.
The 'overview' section at the bottom left of the main window also contains a list of launcher icons to main functions like 'Security' and 'Client Logs'.
(Image credit: G Data )
When reviewing endpoint security platforms our first test is to attempt to download a fake computer virus provided by the good people of EICAR. Upon attempting to download the virus onto our test Windows 11 machine using Microsoft Edge in compressed (ZIP) format, we found we were unable to extract the file: G Data Security Client had detected the suspect file and changed its permissions so we couldn't interact with it.
We were only able to discover this by logging into the Management server and reviewing the security logs however. There was no pop up or alert on the client side, nor was the file quarantined.
Our next test was to copy a new, real computer virus which we'd caught in the wild into the test machine's "Downloads" folder. We do this to check if endpoint security software can detect files based on suspicious behavior, not just compare them to a database of known virus signatures.
We were disappointed to see that the file copied across without issue. When we tried to run it our test machine became infected with the virus. After checking the Management Server we could see no security alerts on that side, showing that the protection G Data offers has its limits. This is particularly worrying considering that the G Data client disables Windows Security's own real-time protection, which would probably have detected this virus.
G Data Endpoint Protection Business: Final verdict
The G Data programs we installed displayed a splash screen stating "Trust in German Sicherheit' (Security)". If users are expecting the stereotypical German organization and attention to detail with this product though, they may be disappointed. The setup process is convoluted, given it took us several tries to get it working on our test machines. The real-time detection of threats is also limited. We also would have appreciated a basic pricing model, to give interested parties some idea of how much a subscription will cost.
The only points we can really find in G Data's favor is that you have the option to install the management platform on your server, which has some security benefits. The registration process to obtain a download link to evaluate the software is also relatively painless compared to similar platforms.
Overall though, we feel that there are other endpoint security platforms that are easier to set up and which offer better protection.
The iQOO 11 launched back in December of last year, and its successor is already in the works. So far we've heard that the iQOO 12 would use the OmniVision OV50H sensor for its main rear camera, a 1/1.28" size 50 MP sensor with 1.2µm pixels. Then, rumor had it the iQOO 12 would ship with a 64 MP periscope zoom camera with the OmniVision OV64B sensor.
Today, these specs have once again been reiterated by the prolific Digital Chat Station from China. He adds some new, previously undisclosed information about the iQOO 12 too. For example, the fact that it will have a "2K" resolution E7 OLED...
At the end of last month, Google responded to Apple's announcement of its September 12 launch event by revealing that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro would get official on October 4. It's been a little over a week from that moment, and it already seems like Google can barely contain its excitement towards its upcoming event.
Case in point: today it released two teaser videos. The first one is the more proper teaser of the two, showing very quick glimpses of products including the Pixel Watch 2 and Pixel 8 Pro. Have a look for yourself:
This wasn't enough, however, so about an hour later...
Sony's Xperia 5 line started life as a low-compromise alternative to the Xperia 1 series – the first three packed the exact same camera systems as their flagship counterparts, with the Xperia 1 III being a serious high-point with its continuous zoom periscope camera.
In recent years, the compromises seem to have been creeping in, and the Xperia 5 V is the most compromised in its line. But does not being a carbon copy of the Xperia 1 V make the 5 V a bad phone? Absolutely not.
After a couple of weeks of testing, the Xperia 1 V's solid build, comfortable size, excellent battery life, consistently good performance, and fantastic primary camera really do help it shine. But it isn't without some shortcomings.
Firstly, design. The Xperia 5 V may feel great and be hardy – with its IP65/68 water resistance being a particular highlight – but from the front, the phone looks far more mid-range than it ought to. I understand Sony doesn't subscribe to that notch or punch-hole life, so its Xperias have bookends above and below the screen. Whereas the Xperia 5 IV was almost borderless either side of the screen, though, the 5 V has chunky bezels, making it look almost like a cheaper Xperia 10 series phone.
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Next, it's the Xperia 5 V's storage. To my knowledge, only a 128GB version will be launching, at least in the UK. With 33GB filled up after pre-installed apps are updated, that leaves just 87GB for all your apps, games, and WhatsApp backups. This might be plenty for some, but it isn't enough for me, and likely you, if you consider yourself a power user.
The Xperia 5 V's screen is also weak when it comes to color-integrity off-angle, with the display suffering more than any other high-end panel from low-end, OLED color-shifting. Not something we'd expect from a Sony device. While you probably won't notice this in isolation, alongside a premium device, the 5 V clearly falls behind.
There is a microSD card slot – and that's the Xperia 5 V's saving grace – so video, offline movies and songs can be loaded up on it. But most apps don't support offloading files to the SD card nowadays, as such you'll likely still run out of space soon enough, if you download loads of offline content through an app. And, as an example, if you want to install Genshin Impact, you're losing 27.25GB of space with just one install.
So, despite plenty of highlights, especially for camera fans who like total control over their photography and filming experience, Sony hasn't made the Xperia 5 V a winner across the board, even if it is still a good phone.
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Available from late September
Priced at £849 / €999 (approximately $1,075 / AU$1,665)
Cheaper than the Xperia 5 IV and 5 III on launch in the UK
The Xperia 5 IV is the lowest-cost Xperia 5-series phone since 2020's Xperia 5 II, at least in the UK. Costing £849 / €999 (approximately $1,075 / AU$1,665) – £100 less than the Xperia 5 IV at launch – the slightly more affordable positioning goes some way to explain some of Sony's decision to pare some specs and styling back for 2023, even if I'm not happy about that.
The Xperia 5 V also costs a lot less than the flagship Xperia 1 V, which comes in at a pricey $1,399 / £1,299 / AU$2,099. For anyone who wants to experience Sony's new, Exmor T for Mobile stacked camera sensor, therefore, the Xperia 5 V is now the lowest-cost way to do so.
Compared to other phones on the market, Sony's pricing starts to look a little less affordable. The Google Pixel 7 Pro, which has a periscope telephoto camera and a much more striking design and display, costs the same as the Xperia 5 V. And if you want a small phone with wireless charging, a headphone jack, and even more storage, the Asus Zenfone 10 is a great shout – though you'll be taking a hit on the camera.
Value score: 3.5 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Specs
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Sony's Xperia 5 V sits in that awkward is-it-isn't-it-a flagship space. Some of its specs are as good as they get as a result – that Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and the superb Exmor T for Mobile primary camera sensor – but other specs let it down.
The biggest culprit holding the Xperia 5 V back is its 128GB storage and 8GB RAM combo. While I'm not too concerned about the modest amount of RAM – I had no performance issues with the phone in my time with it – the 128GB storage is a bit of an issue at the phone's price. The aforementioned Zenfone 10 starts at 256GB, matches most of the Xperia 5 V's specs, and costs a fair bit less.
Sony also opts for slower charging than much of the competition, and it hasn't included a telephoto camera for this series of Xperia 5. Both these factors work against the phone at its premium price, but neither is a deal breaker.
What you do get, though, is IP65/68 water and dust resistance, expandable storage, a headphone jack – which should please wired audio lovers, a decent OLED screen, and novel Sony highlights, like a SIM tray that can be pulled out with a fingernail (i.e. without any tools).
Sony phones definitely have their charm, but a couple of weak areas limit the Xperia 5 V's full-package factor.
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Design
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Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and front
IP65/68-certified water resistance
Feels clunkier than Xperia 5 IV
The Sony Xperia 5 V looks like a fine phone in a bubble. Forget about all past Xperia 5s, and forget about all the low-on-bezel Honor 90-a-likes launching with all-screen, curved, immersive displays, and the Xperia 5 V's design nails it.
Of course, no phone is an island, and the Xperia 5 V starts to look chunkier and clunkier when you compare it with its predecessors and its competition.
Specifically, the one element that makes Sony's latest phone feel less than competitive alternatives are those chunky bezels on either side of the screen. When it comes to phones, small bezels equate to a flagship look, and bigger bezels to a budget look, and the Xperia 5 V has big, budget bezels.
What's really interesting is that no phone shows the 5 V up more than its predecessor, the Xperia 5 IV. Side by side, the latter looks like the newer model – so anyone thinking of upgrading from another 5 series phone will likely be underwhelmed on the design front. This feels like a move that could alienate Sony Mobile's die-hard following.
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Everything gets a lot better once you get past the Xperia 5 V's bezelly fascia. It's IP65/68 water and dust-resistant, so you can submerge it in water for 30 minutes at 1.5 meters, without fear of wrecking it.
The Xperia 5 V also feels solid. Its metal frame is easy to grip – likely owing to its profile being thicker than past Xperia 5s, and the blasted matte texture also feels great. I also love the fingerprint-resistant finish around the back, and Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides is a fitting addition for added peace of mind.
Sony favorites are back, including a headphone jack for wired audio fans, a SIM and microSD card tray that can be pulled out without any tools, and a physical camera button. The Xperia 5 V doesn't have that rich, textured shutter button as on the Xperia 1 V, but it's still a dual-detent photography tool that fans of the series will appreciate.
With the 6.1-inch screen's modest size helping the phone feel very manageable, despite its extra heft over past Xperia 5 phones, the 5 V is comfortable to use and didn't pull up any red flags in our time with it. I just wish it looked a bit more Xperia 5 and a little less Xperia 10.
Design score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Display
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Bright and sharp, but color shifting off-angle is noticeable
21:9 aspect ratio and plenty of display options to customize
The Xperia 5 V's screen is fine, but it isn't excellent. At 6.1 inches, it's small compared to most modern-day flagship phones, but I still found it wide enough for comfortable typing and swiping, and being an OLED panel, colors look vibrant, and contrast levels are high. This combo makes for a manageable, pleasing, high-impact watching and messaging experience, but there are some quality shortcomings.
The Xperia 5 V's OLED color shifting is much more pronounced than on most high-end phones out now, including its predecessor. In fact, the visual characteristics of this pricey phone more closely resemble those of the Xperia 10 V than the Xperia 1 V off-angle. While they probably aren't using the exact same display – one is 60Hz and one is 120Hz – they both suffer from exceptionally bad color shifting.
If you aren't familiar with the term color shifting, some OLED screens take on a slightly blue or magenta tint when you aren't looking at them head-on. This varies from display to display, and the Xperia 5 V I tested showcases some of the worst performance on this front outside the budget and mid-range space I've seen in a while. Tilt the phones almost totally side-on, and both the 10 V and the 5 V screens turn totally blue.
This color shifting is particularly visible when looking at white or very light content, but on the plus, it doesn't affect viewing angles – content is easy to see and read head-on or off-angle – but it does impact color integrity.
Even much cheaper phones like the RedMagic 8s Pro outperform the Xperia 5 V in this respect, which we wouldn't have expected, given Sony's Xperia line is so focused on creators and content consumption.
Xperia 10 V and Xperia 5 V – extreme blue hue at steep angle and a fair bit of colour shifting off-angle hold the Xperia 5 V's screen back from looking like a true flagship display (Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
If you dive into the settings, Sony gives you plenty of control over how your Xperia 5 V screen performs, including complete manual white balance.
There are two color gamut and contrast modes to choose from: creator mode and standard mode, with the prior designed to work perfectly with HDR and 10-bit content. A Real-time HDR drive option boosts visibility when playing back HDR content, and Sony's X1 image enhancer is also back, adding a little extra zing and pop to video.
You can choose between two refresh rates, 60Hz and 120Hz, with the Xperia 5 V screen set to 60Hz by default. There's no third option to activate dynamic or variable refresh rate, so the phone can't automatically choose based on what's on-screen, and it can't drop the refresh rate to save power. These refresh rate limitations seem like a missed trick, as both features are now commonplace in much more affordable devices.
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Weak peak brightness levels have hamstrung Sony phones in the past, but the Xperia 5 V beamed brilliantly on a hot summer day, making for easy reading in direct sunlight with auto-brightness fired up. Manual brightness doesn't shine quite as dazzlingly, but it never left me wanting.
Old favorites like an always-on display are back, and there's a really intuitive one-handed mode – swipe down from the gesture bar in the bottom center of the display – so navigating all 6.1 inches of the Xperia 5 V is plain sailing.
So, yes, the Xperia 5 V nails the basics – it's bright, sharp, responsive, and has loads of customization options – but the excessive color distortion off-angle is just too much of a compromise for a phone that costs this much.
Display score: 3 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Software
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Runs Android 13 with Sony's relatively light UI
2 years OS updates + 3 years security updates
Floating windows and split-screen working customizations
Sony phones have almost always looked clean and fuss-free, and that tradition carries forward to the Xperia 5 V in virtually every respect, including its user interface (UI).
For the most part, the Xperia 5 V's experience is stock Android 13, though Sony's added highlights. These include Side Sense – a menu that pops up on the side of the screen for shortcuts to frequently used apps. This also makes it easy to quickly launch split-screen app combos; a fun, handy customization.
Swipe right from the main home screen to activate the Google App and news feed, swipe up from the bottom to pull up an apps tray, and swipe down anywhere on a home screen to bring down your notifications menu.
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Sony has also upgraded its Game Enhancer for 2023, with the Xperia 5 V debuting its new look. This gaming portal congregates all your games in one place, and when you fire one up, it overlays a host of options to help level up your gameplay.
You can launch an app in a floating window, access a browser to pull up a walkthrough, or access YouTube alongside your gameplay. It's also where you can toggle performance mode, customize your display settings, and make other changes on a game-by-game basis.
Perhaps the most confusing aspect of the Xperia 5 V UI relates to the camera – there are three camera apps. That said, with the upgraded Photography Pro now supporting vertical capture and a fantastic auto mode, not to mention perfectly respectable video capture, non-filmmakers and creatives should be more than happy to just live in Photo Pro and ignore Cinema and Video Pro; an option that wasnt always as easy to recommend.
The main drawback of the Xperia 5 V's software isn't what it's like to use, it's the lack of future-proofing Sony commits to. While other brands like Oppo offer four years of major OS and five years of security updates, Sony only commits to two and three years, respectively.
Sony charges a premium for its phones and is vocal about its commitment to reducing e-waste and focusing on battery longevity. Its innovation when it comes to eco-friendly packaging materials is also part of its sustainability narrative, making limited OS and security support the clear weak link in Sony's commitment to long-lasting smartphones.
Software score: 3.5 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Cameras
52MP primary camera
12MP ultra-wide camera
12MP selfie camera
Updated bokeh (portrait) mode
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
The Xperia 5 V has a 52MP primary camera with a 1/1.35-inch sensor and an f/1.9 aperture lens. Unlike past Xperia 5 phones, it misses out on a telephoto camera, but it does have a 12MP ultra-wide with an f/2.2 aperture and autofocus.
It's worth talking about the main camera first, as thanks to the sensor's novel dimensions – 4.3:3 – versus traditional 4:3 sensors, the camera only uses a 48MP, 4:3 portion to capture photos. That's why you might have seen the Xperia 5 V marketed as a 48MP camera phone, but technically, it has a 52MP sensor.
Even calling the 5 V a 48MP phone is a stretch, as the photos are pixel-binned down to 12MP, whether captured in JPG or RAW. So while some phones, including the iPhone 14 Pro, support full-res, 48MP photos, Sony caps all photos from all cameras to 12MP; an odd move to be sure.
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The Xperia 5 V also carries forward the Sony tradition of including no less than three camera apps. The default app, Photography Pro takes you from full automatic camera – a la iPhone – through to full manual, controlling every aspect of your shot other than the aperture.
Video Pro is one for online video creators who shoot in 16:9. It has extensive slow-motion shooting options with maximum control over frame rates and also offers an 'S Cinetone for mobile' look, which Sony Alpha shooters will appreciate.
Finally, Cinema Pro is a 21:9 lover's jam. Ideal for filmmakers, this is where you'll find terms like shutter angle, manage recording projects rather than files, and access the super-flat Venice look that shoots with almost log-grade low contrast.
The Xperia 5 V shoots video at up to 4K, 120fps, and also benefits from a microphone around the back, so you can choose to prioritize voices captured on it, or general sound from all three microphones on the phone.
All this might sound like a lot of features, but I haven't scratched the surface when it comes to all the manual control Sony makes possible.
One aspect of the Xperia 5 V we didn't get to test out was a new Video Creator app, which can be used to manually edit videos or create an auto-generated montage, similar to GoPro Highlight Clips.
Sony Xperia 5 V camera samples
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If you aren't a fan of heavily processed photos – shadows boosted to within an inch of their lives, backlit subjects brighter than their background, and nighttime photos that look like they were taken in the day – Sony's natural, realistic styling will be a breath of fresh air.
I found the Xperia 5 V's shots to be nuanced, detailed, and low in noise. Sony's conceded a little when it comes to computational photography when compared to the Xperia 5 IV. Now, shadows are richer in detail than ever, and night shots look great.
For anyone who's concerned about the lack of a telephoto camera on the Xperia 5 V, I've created some examples of how well its zoom fares when compared to its predecessor and its 2.5x optical zoom:
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In bright environments, the optical zoom does edge ahead, but when the lights drop, the Xperia 1 V's larger sensor nails it. In fact, even in middling light – which is more common than bright or near-night ambient light – the quality of the Xperia 5 V photos won out for me.
As a result, in the case of the Xperia 5 V, two cameras really are better than three, if the third is a mediocre telephoto camera. Were it a quality periscope camera, though, that would have been a different story.
Unsurprisingly, the ultra-wide camera doesn't perform as well as the primary camera. Sony's processing helps it along with night shots, but it can't keep up when it comes to exposure when the lights drop. That means its photos will usually look a little darker when set against the primary camera in a low light environment, and it will also be a bit noisier.
It's great to see the ultra-wide lens feature autofocus, and that offers some versatility, but with a nearest focus distance of around 20cm, there's no ultra-wide macro option. Nevertheless, ultra-wide group shots and selfies should look a bit crisper than generic fixed-focus snaps.
Sony's improved its Bokeh (portrait) mode, apparently for the Xperia 5 V, however, I still experienced the same crunchy subject masking as on old Sony phones in more challenging scenes. Simple, head-on, posed portraits look great. But get a bit further back or load up the scene with complication, and it can't stack up to a Pixel or iPhone.
Video captured on the Xperia 5 V's main camera looks fantastic, and stabilization is strong across resolutions. The ultra-wide camera is the weak link, so you'll want to lean on the main camera, especially when the lights drop, but if you do, the 5 V serves up a best-in-class primary camera across both photo and video.
As for the selfie camera, it’s a solid snapper, especially when the light is right. Benefiting from Sony’s balanced processing, photos look natural, detailed, and we had more success with the bokeh mode on it than when using the rear camera mix. It also captures night photos too, and if you hold still, results are impressive even when the lights drop, and with 4K video, it’s one of the more versatile front cameras on the scene.
Camera score: 5 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Performance
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
One memory option: 8GB RAM
Global storage options TBC with one in the UK: 128GB
The Xperia 5 V is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is a mighty chipset that's tried and tested to run cool and fast for the most part. Sony's struggled with heat management before, but with its slightly thicker chassis and superior internals, the Xperia 5 V does a decent job of keeping heat in check.
The phone benchmarks brilliantly, scoring a Geekbench 6 score of 5140 multi-core and a 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme score of 3600, putting it in the upper echelon of non-gaming phone performance alongside the OnePlus 11 5G and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The biggest challenge I faced when gaming was that I cycle eight games when testing a phone: Diablo Immortal, DragonBall Z, Genshin Impact for performance, Injustice 2 and Sky for some mid-tier, relatively demanding gameplay, and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, and Marvel Snap for 2D gaming.
It wasn't gaming performance that left me wanting on the Xperia 5 V, even though Sony's phones won't stack up to gaming phones; GSM Arena found that throttling occurs to keep the temperature in check. That said, 128GB is too little storage for a phone of this price. Genshin Impact alone fills up 27.25GB, Diablo Immortal over 4GB, and DragonBall a similar amount. Add the 33GB of pre-installed software, and between three games, you're over halfway to filling up your Xperia 5 V.
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The Xperia 5 V does have a microSD card slot, which is a saving grace, though more and more for Android phones, its value is limited. Apps can't be installed onto SD cards, and big storage hogs like WhatsApp backups have to be installed on internal storage. So, yes – your massive 4K video files can be recorded to a huge 1TB SD card – but that doesn't mean a power user won't have to watch how many movies and games they download. That's fine for a midrange phone but not for one as pricey as the Xperia 5 V, which has already seen cutbacks to design and screen quality.
With Samsung and other brands scrapping the 128GB entry-level storage capacity in their premium phones, it's time Sony did the same if it wants to compete.
What the Xperia 5 V does exceptionally well is sound great – both from the front-firing dual speakers and headphone jack – and it offers up plenty of audio settings. These include control over the Dolby sound profile – you can choose from Dynamic, Movie, Music, Custom and advanced (full EQ control) – toggle on 360 Reality Audio or 360 Upmix, as well as DSEE Ultimate for audio upscaling, and Effect Priority to pick which feature to prioritize. The phone also supports Spatial audio across the phone speaker and wired headphones.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Battery life
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5,000mAh battery (same as Xperia 5 IV)
Almost double the screen-on time versus the Xperia 5 IV in tests
The Xperia 5 V has excellent battery life. For the screen-on battery test, I calibrated the Xperia 5 V and 5 IV to the same brightness level with a lux meter and streamed a one-hour clip from YouTube over Wi-Fi, then ran identical benchmarks. Last year's Xperia 5 IV discharged almost double as quickly, dropping to 92 percent, versus the Xperia 5 V, which was at 96 percent – very impressive – and possibly owing to the different (visually inferior) display used in the newer model.
The phone easily lasted a whole day, even with some tethering, gaming, watching, and a fair amount of camera use. It's also great to see wireless charging back, so quick top-ups throughout the day means you could get two days out of the Xperia 5 V if you're more conservative with it.
The fact the Xperia 5 V's charging caps out at 30W and the phone misses out on a USB-C cable and a power brick will matter more to some than others. For me, the relatively slow charging isn't an issue – the phone powers up from 0-100 percent in around 90 minutes, which is competitive with iPhones.
As I'm a wireless charger who tops up rather than plugs in overnight or on the go, and have a number of cables and plugs already – the potential battery health benefits of slower charging, smaller packaging, and reduction of e-waste mean the Xperia 5 V's setup is great for me. If you know you rely on fast charging and are short on cables and power bricks, then the Xperia 5 V might not fare so well for you.
The Xperia 5 V charging wirelessly on a Mous Charging Station with MagSafe (Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Battery score: 4.5 / 5
Should you buy the Sony Xperia 5 V?
Buy it if...
You're a photo and/or video enthusiast The Xperia 5 V's main camera combines excellent hardware with balanced photo processing and more manual control than any other camera phone at its price.
You want all-day battery life If you want a relatively compact phone that lasts for ages, the Xperia 5 V is it, and its wireless charging is also a nice-to-have not seen on alternatives like the OnePlus 11.
You're an audiophile If you don't want to carry a DAC like the excellent Chord Mojo 2 but still want wired audio, the Xperia 5 V is one of the best-sounding phones around, and its speakers are mighty as well.
Don't buy it if...
You're on a tight budget The Xperia 5 V is best-in-class in some areas, but it's expensive, and you can get a better-looking design, superior screen, more versatile camera system, and more power for less.
You prioritize watching and screen quality 21:9 screens may be good for cinematic movies, but they aren't great for 16:9 or 4:3 TV shows, putting the Xperia on the back foot. The 5 V's new screen isn't as high-quality as we've come to expect from the brand either, so web pages and content with a white background suffer from off-angle color shifting.
You want loads of internal storage With just one storage option available on launch – 128GB – and games needing to be installed on internal storage, eight or so titles could end up zapping 30-40 percent of your internal capacity. Yes, there's a microSD card slot, but most apps can't offload to external storage.
Sony Xperia 5 V review: Also consider
The Sony Xperia 5 V is an excellent phone for a certain kind of user, but there are plenty of alternatives that might check more of your boxes.
Google Pixel 7 Pro It's a much bigger phone, but costing the same, and with an optional 256GB version and a periscope camera, not to mention a superior screen and much more standout design, the Pixel 7 Pro is a fantastic flagship choice, if you can handle its extra size.
Asus Zenfone 10 It costs less but arguably offers more, at least when it comes to storage, the Asus Zenfone 10 packs in much of what makes the Xperia 5 V great – compact size and a headphone jack – but with double the storage, faster charging, and a superior screen, could edge ahead for a certain type of user.
How I tested the Sony Xperia 5 V
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (bottom), Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 (top) (Image credit: Basil Kronfli)
Review test period = 2 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage w/ web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
I started using the Xperia 5 V a week before flying out to Berlin for IFA 2023, so had a week of using it in the UK, and three days of roaming with it in Berlin before wrapping up my review back in the UK.
Initially, I was eager to put the camera through its paces, so went out and about in London to try out all the modes and capture most of the photos you're seeing in this review. I then gamed on the Xperia 5 V on a hot summer day to check if the heat issues that plagued its predecessor were resolved – and they are – and made calls, messaged, listened to music wirelessly, and wired to give it a 'lifestyle test'.
When I had the phone in test conditions, I ran benchmarks and in-depth screen tests. I knew outdoor viewability was solid, but I picked up on the weak off-angle color integrity only when conducting indoor tests alongside other phones.
The battery tests were also done indoors, which supplemented my real-world use, and a direct camera comparison was carried out between the Xperia 5 IV and 5 V, so users looking to upgrade could gauge how much zoom they're be sacrificing.
The rest of the review findings were the result of using the phone as my primary device for two weeks and making notes as I went along, matched with almost 15 years of industry experience as a technology journalist and phone reviewer.
Every leakster is getting their two cents in when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and that is still months away. The latest is Yogesh Brar, who posted a list of key specs that corroborates previous reports on Samsung’s bar phone flagship (but also refute some).
The Ultra is expected to follow Apple’s lead in using a titanium frame. This won’t have a major impact on weight, in fact, the new model is expected to be 1g lighter at 233g. Of course this is a change from aluminum to titanium, while while the iPhone Pros will lose some weight since they are changing from heavier stainless...
The Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 RAM kit is one of the more competitively priced high-performance options on the market to date. With its ability to work with both AMD Expo and Intel XMP, and rates up to 6,000 MHz, you're certainly getting the strong flex of DDR5's capabilities without the massive price tags of more premium models available.
We're comfortable recommending the Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 RAM as some of the best RAM for current-generation setups to help push other PCIe 5.0 components like the best graphics cards and the best SSDs. The price point means that it's somewhere in the mid-range of all the offerings, priced above the more wallet-friendly options and premium offerings.
With options starting from 8GB single module at 4800 MHz all the way up to 64GB (32GBx2) dual-channel 6,000 MHz, or quad-channel 128GB (32GBx4) at 5,600 MHz, you have a lot of options with your setup. This means you can go budget from as little as $39.99 / £56 / AU$86.86 with the 4,800 MHz timing as a mainstream offering, or top out the 6,000 MHz at 32GB (like my review unit) for $137.40 / £118.98 / AU$219, which is very competitive for the speed it's running at.
This price point is especially aggressive when factoring in the RGB lighting which lights up any build it's in and helps your system really stand out. I've found that it works wonderfully paired with my NZXT Kraken Elite 360 AIO, an easy choice for one of the best CPU coolers, especially between the gifs on the pump and the RGB fans to the right of it inside my NZXT H9 Flow. It looks great in action, but it performs strong, too, all for a price that's more than reasonable.
The low-profile heat spreader is also a nice touch, being thick enough to be effective but slender to the point where clearance isn't an issue. It's bolstered by the on-die ECC, which is there to correct errors when overclocking or pushing the performance, too. Being certified for both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD Expo means you'll have native compatibility with your chipset of choice. The one in my current build is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D, one of the best processors for gaming right now, on an AM5 motherboard, with no compatibility issues to speak of whatsoever.
In my testing, I found that the Kingston Fury Renegade outperformed several of the best DDR5 RAM kits available in industry-standard programs such as PassMark and AIDA64. However, a touch more power was drawn than what you'll find from some of the competition. You can find the full comparison below.
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Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5: Price and availability
How much does it cost? Starting at $39.99 / £56 / AU$86.86
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Canada
My Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 review unit is the 6,000MHz model available in 32GB (16GBx2) configuration which can be found for $137.40 / £118.98 / AU$219. It's available either with AMD Expo or Intel XMP available for some of the best processors from either side.
It's the fastest possible speed available for the Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5, and this extends to the 64GB variant (32GBx2), but if you want to supercharge your machine with as much memory as possible you'll be taking a performance hit. Whether XMP or Expo, the fastest available at 128GB is 5,600 MHz in quad-channel (32GBx4). With that said, you'll be spending up to $591.99 / £646.99 / AU$918.
That positions the Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 as one of the more cost-effective options at 32GB, costing around 20% less than the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 and a comparable rate to the budget Corsair Vengence DDR5. It's far from the cheapest DDR5 RAM, that's for sure, but a frontrunner if you want one of the best models in your machine in 2023, especially with RGB lighting, which is generally always more than a standard variant.
Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5: specs
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Should you buy the Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR5 RAM?
The Wiz Smart Button is a simple wireless switch for controlling Wiz smart light bulbs. It has two buttons for turning a set of lights on and off, and can also be used to raise or lower their brightness.
The button itself is magnetic, so can be attached to mental surfaces around the home or to the included wall plate, which has an adhesive strip for wall mounting. Powered by a pair of included AAA batteries, the button pairs quickly and easily to the Wiz Connected app, and is simple to set up.
It can be configured to control a single light, a whole room, or your entire Wiz lighting system, making it a handy way to switch off the whole home when you head out. However, it cannot be used to turn lights to a specific setting. Instead, the button only turns the light on to its last state. Unlike other such switches, it cannot be programmed to cycle through different lighting presets with repeated presses of the on button. Although not particularly smart, this switch is a good option for those whose traditional wall switches are inconveniently located.
Wiz Smart Button smart switch: specs
Wiz Smart Button smart switch: performance
Wireless, powered by two AAA batteries
Attaches magnetically to wall plate
Buttons for on/off and brightness control
The Wiz Smart Button is about as simple as smart light switches get. It has just two buttons that turn your lights on and off with a press or raise and lower the brightness when pressed and held. The button is powered by a pair of included AAA batteries and connects magnetically to the wall plate, which can then be attached to any flat surface with an included adhesive strip. This is a handy way to mount the button next to your existing light switches but be warned that the adhesive strip is likely to pull your wallpaper off if you ever remove it.
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The button itself is a nice size, with rounded corners and a weight that makes it feel like a premium product. The two buttons have a fairly satisfying click but don’t respond if you press them too quickly; sometimes a slower and firmer press is required. Both buttons are large and have ‘I’ and ‘O’ markings that can be clearly seen and felt – the latter being helpful for users with visual impairments.
Accessories like this Smart Button are a nice way to add portable tactility to your Wiz smart lighting setup. Sometimes it’s more convenient to press a button than open up a smartphone app or issue a command to a voice assistant, especially when all you want to do is turn the lights on or lower the brightness. I also like how the button snaps onto its mounting plate, giving it a home and preventing it from being misplaced too often.
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Wiz Smart Button smart switch: app
Can be set up with or without the Wiz app
Some identification issues
No features beyond on/off and brightness control
The previous section might sound like I’m extracting every possible detail from the Wiz Smart Button because, well…there’s really nothing more to say. Sadly, the button cannot be configured to change the color of your lights, or even flick between a handful of presets. This is especially strange given Wiz is owned by Signify, which also oversees the Philips Hue brand, whose own wireless dimmer switch can be configured to do much more.
Why the Wiz Smart Button can’t be programmed to cycle through lighting presets with repeated presses of the on button (as the Hue dimmer switch can) is beyond me. This really limits the accessory’s usefulness and makes it feel rather expensive, especially when the Hue equivalent is around 25 percent cheaper.
A neat feature of Wiz light bulbs is how you can assign two lighting presets to them, then pick between them with a regular, non-smart light switch. Turn the switch on for preset one, or quickly turn it on-off-on for the second preset. Disappointingly, this so-called smart switch can’t even do that, and instead can only turn the lights on to their previous state.
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Say you have set the lounge lights via the Wiz app to a nice soft, warm glow in the evening, then use the Smart Button to turn them off. Come back into the lounge the next day, press the on button and you’ll be taken back to the previous setup, with no way to turn the lights to a more suitable daytime setting. Being able to assign a preset to a quick double-press of the on button would be really useful.
All that said, the Wiz app works well. This is the second generation of the Wiz smart lighting app and it is nicely designed, responsive, and easy to use. It might take a bit of getting used to if you’re more familiar with other smart lighting apps, but switching from one system to another isn’t something consumers are likely to do all that often; especially if you're using one of the best smart speakers. And in any case, it didn’t take long for me, a Hue user for several years, to find my way around the Wiz system.
Bizarrely, the Wiz Smart Button appears in the app as the Wizmote, which is an entirely different product. I have both here and accidentally deleted the Smart Button from my system because the app had called it Wizmote and even assigned it an icon resembling the multi-buttoned controller. After adding the Smart Button back to my system, it once again appeared as the Wizmote, complete with an image explaining how four buttons can be used to pick from different lighting presets. These are buttons the Smart Button doesn’t have.
That issue aside, it’s easy to set ‘targets’ for the button, which are the lights or rooms it controls. This is how you configure the button to control a single light, a room, or your entire Wiz system. There’s a limited amount of configuration here though, as while you can pick which lights it turns on or off, you can’t pre-set the brightness, temperature, or color.
(Image credit: Future)
Wiz Smart Button smart switch review: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Wiz Smart Button smart switch review: also consider
If you want to add more smart lighting to your home, here are a couple of options to consider...
Wiz Smart Button smart switch review: How I tested
I added the switch to my Wiz lighting system
I set up and used the switch as part of my daily routine
I installed a couple of Wiz smart bulbs in the ceiling sockets of my home, then added the Smart Button to the system. It was then simply a case of setting up the button and getting used to what it can and cannot do.
I chose to mount the switch's back plate next to a conventional wall switch, which acted as a convenient place to store it when not in use. The switch was tested on my bedroom lights for a few days before writing this review.
Some reports claim that there is a Nintendo Direct even scheduled for next week, but that is yet to be officially confirmed. The expectation is that the Nintendo will present several first-party titles, including Super Mario RPG, Detective Pikachu Returns and WarioWare: Move It.
One thing we won’t hear about is the Switch 2, a sequel to the highly successful portable console. However, work is being done behind the scenes as rumors are swirling that Nintendo was showing off a prototype console to developers attending the recent Gamescom event.
They got to see a reworked Zelda: Breath of...
