Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 11 Pro Max delivers exceptional value at $1099, pairing the blazingly fast A13 Bionic chip with a sophisticated triple-camera system and outstanding 1200-nit Super Retina XDR display. Its 60Hz refresh rate feels dated next to modern competitors, and the 3969 mAh battery provides decent longevity. Sony's Xperia 1 IV commands a $500 premium, offering a sharper 3840 x 1644 OLED screen with 120Hz smoothness, more RAM (12GB vs 4GB), and a larger 5000 mAh battery. The Xperia excels with 4K@120fps video and continuous optical zoom capabilities, plus 5G connectivity and USB-C. However, the iPhone remains faster for real-world tasks, boasts superior optimization between hardware and software, and costs significantly less. Sony's 185g weight advantage feels minor against Apple's stainless steel durability. Choose the iPhone 11 Pro Max if you prioritize performance and value, or the Xperia 1 IV if you need cutting-edge video specs and display technology for professional content creation. For most users, the iPhone represents better long-term investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max if…
- →Outstanding battery life — best iPhone at the time
- →Triple camera system with Night mode
- →Gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV if…
- →True optical continuous zoom (85-125mm) is unique
- →4K 120Hz OLED display
- →Professional video recording with Cinema Pro
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Pros
- Outstanding battery life — best iPhone at the time
- Triple camera system with Night mode
- Gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display
- 18W fast charger included in the box
- Excellent build quality with matte glass back
Cons
- No 5G connectivity
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- Heavy at 226 g
- Wide notch design
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
Sony Xperia 1 IV
Pros
- True optical continuous zoom (85-125mm) is unique
- 4K 120Hz OLED display
- Professional video recording with Cinema Pro
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- microSD card slot for expandable storage
Cons
- $1599 was the most expensive mainstream phone
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 overheating problems
- 12 MP sensors felt dated versus competition
- Slow 30W charging
- Point-and-shoot camera results behind rivals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 1 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 13 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 226 g | 185 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame, textured matte glass | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.0, 2x optical zoom | 12 MP, f/2.3-2.8, 85-125mm continuous zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3969 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2688 x 1242 | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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