iQOO 12 vs Sony Xperia 1 IV
The Verdict
iQOO 12 delivers exceptional value with cutting-edge flagship performance at a fraction of the Xperia 1 IV's price. Both feature 5000 mAh batteries and 12GB RAM, but iQOO's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 significantly outpaces the gen 1 chip, offering superior gaming and multitasking. Display-wise, iQOO's 144Hz LTPO AMOLED screen with 3000 nits brightness crushes the Xperia's 120Hz 1000-nit display for everyday responsiveness. Camera specs favor iQOO on paper with 50MP main sensor and 64MP telephoto versus Sony's 12MP setup, though Sony's optics are traditionally refined. iQOO charges dramatically faster at 120W versus 30W, while Sony includes wireless charging and IP68 water resistance that iQOO lacks. For most users seeking raw performance and modern features, iQOO 12 represents outstanding value. Sony appeals to professionals and those prioritizing durability and wireless convenience, but the $1070 premium is difficult to justify given the performance gap.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
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
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
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 | iQOO 12 | Sony Xperia 1 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 185 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | None | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 12 MP, f/2.3-2.8, 85-125mm continuous zoom |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
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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