Sony Xperia C4 Specs: A Look at 2015’s Selfie Powerhouse

Sony Xperia C4 (E5303/E5353/E5306) – 2015 “Selfie Smartphone”

Definition

The Sony Xperia C4 (model codes: E5303/E5353/E5306) is a mid-range Android smartphone unveiled on May 6, 2015, and released globally in June 2015, positioned as Sony’s “Selfie Smartphone” to target selfie-obsessed users and young demographics. As the successor to the Xperia C3, it stood out with a 5MP front camera (Exmor R sensor + LED flash), 5.5-inch Full HD display, and MediaTek octa-core processor, blending solid mid-range specs with selfie-focused features. It ran Android 5.0 Lollipop (upgradable to 6.0 Marshmallow) and was discontinued in 2016, replaced by the Xperia C5 Ultra.

Core Identity & Release Context

Launch: Announced May 6, 2015; released June 2015; priced at ~€299 (~$330) at launch, competing with mid-range rivals like the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2015) and LG G3 Beat.
Key Differentiator: Marketed as a “Selfie Smartphone” with a 5MP front camera (Exmor R sensor, f/2.2, LED flash) for enhanced low-light selfies—rare for mid-range phones in 2015.
Market Role: Expanded Sony’s mid-range Xperia C series, balancing affordability with premium display/camera features, and capitalizing on the global selfie trend.

Full Technical Specifications

Design & Display

Aspect	Details
Form Factor	Slim slate design with a glossy plastic back and matte front; thin profile (7.9mm) for comfortable one-handed use.
Display	5.5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS LCD (401 ppi), 16M colors, scratch-resistant glass (non-Gorilla Glass), 60Hz refresh rate; Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for improved contrast and color accuracy.
Build & Weight	Dimensions: 150.3×77.4×7.9 mm; weight: 147g; color options: Black, White, Mint.
SIM Support	Dual nano-SIM slots (hybrid: one for SIM, one for SIM/microSD) — varies by region; some models support single nano-SIM.

Processor & Performance

Component	Specifications
Chipset	MediaTek MT6752 (28nm process) — octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, Mali-T760MP2 GPU; delivered smooth multitasking and casual gaming performance for 2015 mid-range standards.
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 (non-expandable) — sufficient for Android 5.0/6.0 and daily apps (social media, messaging, web browsing).
Storage	16 GB internal (expandable up to 128 GB via microSDXC card); ~10 GB available to users out of the box.
Software	Launched with Android 5.0 Lollipop; officially upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow in 2016. Preloaded with Sony apps: Album, Movies, Music (Clear Audio+), and Google Mobile Services (Gmail, Maps, YouTube).

Camera System (Selfie-Focused)

Feature	Details
Rear Camera	13 MP Exmor RS sensor, f/2.0 aperture, auto-focus, dual LED flash, 4× digital zoom, HDR, panorama, focus tracking, electronic image stabilization (EIS); records 1080p@30fps video with HDR support.
Front Camera	5 MP Exmor R sensor, f/2.2 aperture, LED flash (unique for 2015 mid-range), 25mm wide-angle lens; records 720p@30fps video; optimized for selfies in low light and group shots.

Connectivity & Battery

Aspect	Specifications
Network	4G LTE (Cat. 4, 150 Mbps down/50 Mbps up), 3G HSPA+, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE; varies by model (E5303: LTE bands 1/3/7/8/20; E5353: additional bands for global markets).
Wireless	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP for wireless audio), NFC, GPS + GLONASS, FM radio (RDS).
Ports	Micro-USB 2.0 (charging/data), 3.5 mm headphone jack (standard for 2015).
Battery	2600 mAh non-removable Li-Ion; Talk time: Up to 13 h (2G)/11.5 h (3G); Standby: Up to 634 h (2G)/682 h (3G); Music playback: Up to 53 h.

Sensors & Extras

Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, compass, ANT+ (for fitness devices).
Audio: Clear Audio+, Clear Bass, xLOUD, 3D Surround Sound (VPT); supports MP3/AAC/WMA/FLAC audio formats.

Key Features & Target Audience

Selfie Prowess: The 5MP front camera with Exmor R sensor and LED flash was a standout feature, addressing low-light selfie struggles that plagued mid-range phones in 2015.
Full HD Display: 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD with BRAVIA Engine 2 delivered sharp visuals for media consumption and gaming.
Dual SIM Flexibility: Hybrid dual nano-SIM support catered to users needing separate work/personal lines or local/international data plans.
Slim Design: 7.9mm thickness and 147g weight made it one of the slimmest mid-range phones of 2015, enhancing portability.

Market Reception & Legacy

Commercial Performance: A moderate success globally, particularly in Asia and Europe, where selfie culture and dual SIM support were in high demand.
Selfie Trend Leader: Paved the way for Sony’s focus on front-camera innovation in later Xperia models (e.g., Xperia C5 Ultra with 13MP front camera).
Mid-Range Benchmark: Proved that mid-range phones could offer premium camera features without flagship pricing, influencing competitors to prioritize selfie cameras.

Key Limitations

Plastic Build: Glossy plastic back was prone to fingerprints and scratches, unlike premium metal designs of flagship phones (e.g., Sony Xperia Z3+).

No Gorilla Glass: The display lacked scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, increasing risk of damage from drops/scratches.

Non-Removable Battery: 2600 mAh capacity was adequate but not exceptional for a 5.5-inch Full HD display; non-removable design prevented battery replacement.