The 4.3-inch (110 mm) device employs a 1280×720 (720p) pixel resolution display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and a 13-megapixel camera, and an interchangeable battery while protected by a water-resistant outer skin.

As of January 2015, Sony has run out of replacement batteries in Hong Kong and is no long producing them, meaning it is no longer supporting the Xperia V. The phone has a capacitive touchscreen display that measures 4.3 inches with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels at 342 ppi equipped with Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 which enhances the display of the device.

The camera of the device has 13 megapixels capable of 16 times digital zoom with Sony's Exmor R for low light capturing.

Despite being equipped with a user-replaceable battery, the Xperia V has a dust- (IP5X) and water-resistant (IPX5/7) rating, similar to the Sony Xperia acro S.[6] The phone is released with Sony's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich integrated with Facebook and the Entertainment Network, allowing users to access Music & Video Unlimited.

Recently it also received Lollipop-based ROMSs which include cyanogenmod,paranoid android thanks to developers at XDA.