ASUS Zenfone 10 vs Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Verdict
These phones target completely different audiences. The ASUS Zenfone 10 offers flagship performance at a reasonable price, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 144Hz AMOLED display with 1100 nits brightness, and a versatile 50MP gimbal-stabilized main camera. Its 5.92-inch compact form factor and 4300mAh battery provide solid daily use. The Sony Xperia 1 IV prioritizes professional content creation with a 4K 120fps Cinema Pro mode, continuous zoom telephoto lens (85-125mm), and 4K resolution display at 6.5 inches, though its older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and larger 185g weight feel dated at its $1599 price point. Brightness is lower at 1000 nits. For most users seeking modern performance and value, the Zenfone 10 delivers flagship specs at less than half the cost. The Xperia 1 IV justifies its premium only for videographers and professionals needing specialized cinema features. The generational gap in processors and display tech favors ASUS significantly here.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS Zenfone 10 if…
- →Compact 5.92-inch flagship — one of the few small high-end phones
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship-tier performance
- →6-axis gimbal stabilization for ultra-steady video and photos
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
ASUS Zenfone 10
Pros
- Compact 5.92-inch flagship — one of the few small high-end phones
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship-tier performance
- 6-axis gimbal stabilization for ultra-steady video and photos
- 144Hz AMOLED display is smooth and vibrant
- IP68 water resistance with wireless charging
Cons
- 30W wired charging is slow compared to 100W+ competitors
- 5.92-inch screen limits content consumption and typing comfort
- No telephoto lens — digital zoom only
- Plastic back feels less premium than glass
- ASUS software update cadence is slower than Samsung or Google
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 | ASUS Zenfone 10 | Sony Xperia 1 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (ZenUI) | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 172 g | 185 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front, plastic back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, Gimbal OIS, Sony IMX766 | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.3-2.8, 85-125mm continuous zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 16 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W Qi | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.92 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1100 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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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