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We have no problems justifying a 5-star rating for the Xperia M5. It has the star looks of a flagship handset, being lightweight, ultra-thin and waterproof into the bargain. The screen and twin cameras are impressive, and the speed and memory are just right for a high-end phone.

Recombu | Alex Todd

Sony has improved on it in every way with the Sony Xperia M5, which feels like it pushes the boundaries of what could honestly be considered mid-range.... Beyond the strong imaging experience, the M5's svelte design, robust feature set and waterproofing skills mean that it's a great smartphone for anyone looking for a top tier experience without the price tag.

Trusted Reviews | Max Parker

Sony's design bores again, but the Xperia M5 is a great, speedy little phone with a strong display and plenty of handy additions.

AndroidPit | Eric Ferrari-Herrmann

The older device looks almost identical to the M5, but it has weaker cameras and has received criticism for its overheating problems.

TechRadar | James Rogerson

If the Sony Xperia M5 existed in a vacuum it would be hard to be too critical of it, as it does at least a reasonable job of just about everything. From the screen to the camera to the performance and battery there's nothing here that's a real red flag.

Expert Reviews | Curtis Moldrich

Ultimately, though, the Xperia M5 struggles to distinguish itself from the similarly-priced competition... Its large front-facing camera and copious selfie modes will no doubt be enough to sway some, but those after a more general mid-range handset are better off looking elsewhere... Either way, the Xperia M5 is left feeling distinctly average by comparison, as well as a disappointing follow-up to last year's model.

Know Your Mobile | Paul Briden

Best avoided. The Xperia M5 is severely lacking in several key areas and there are much, MUCH better smartphones at the same price