Apple iPhone XS vs Sony Xperia 1 IV

The Verdict

Sony's Xperia 1 IV significantly outpaces Apple's iPhone XS across nearly every technical dimension, though the price gap ($1599 versus $999) deserves consideration. The Xperia 1 IV features a substantially larger 6.5-inch display with 3840x1644 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate compared to the XS's 5.8-inch 2436x1125 60Hz panel, delivering noticeably sharper and smoother visuals. Battery capacity favors Sony dramatically at 5000 mAh versus 2658 mAh, with faster 30W charging versus the XS's 18W. Camera systems tell a different story: the Xperia 1 IV includes four distinct lenses with continuous zoom telephoto (85-125mm) and 4K 120fps video, while the XS relies on three lenses and maxes out 4K 60fps. RAM reaches 12GB on Sony's model against 4GB on Apple's. Connectivity advantages strongly lean toward the Xperia with 5G, USB-C, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. The XS compensates with iOS's ecosystem polish, A12 Bionic efficiency, and more compact handling at 177g versus 185g. For power users and photographers willing to invest premium money, the Xperia 1 IV delivers genuinely superior hardware. Budget-conscious buyers should recognize the iPhone XS remains outdated (2018 release) and now lacks modern specs entirely, making it a poor purchase at $999 in current markets.