Sony Xperia 1 V vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Verdict
Sony's latest flagship evolution delivers meaningful upgrades despite identical pricing. VI improves where V excelled: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor handles demanding tasks with 10% better efficiency, while the Adreno 750 GPU crushes gaming performance. Display brightness jumps dramatically to 2100 nits (VI) versus 1000 nits (V), providing superior outdoor visibility. Camera sensor size increases from standard to 1/1.35" on the main 48MP lens, capturing more light and detail. Continuous optical zoom (85-170mm) on VI replaces V's fixed 3.5x-5.2x range, offering flexibility professionals demand. VI adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for future-proofing. However, V's higher resolution 3840x1644 display appeals to content creators, and both share identical 5000mAh batteries with same charging speeds. VI's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and superior camera hardware justify the upgrade for power users. For casual users, V remains excellent value.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 V if…
- →4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- →New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- →Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI if…
- →Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- →Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- →3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Sony Xperia 1 V
Pros
- 4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
- 3.5mm headphone jack retained
- 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Cons
- $1399 is extremely expensive
- 30W charging is very slow for the price
- Software updates are slow compared to rivals
- Niche market appeal limits availability
- Auto mode camera lags behind Pixel and iPhone
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Pros
- Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
- Compact form factor for a flagship
- Very long battery life
Cons
- Resolution dropped from 4K to FHD+ vs predecessor
- Slow 30W charging
- Premium price
- Niche appeal outside enthusiasts
Full Specifications
| Spec | Sony Xperia 1 V | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65/IP68 |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 52 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T sensor) | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro | 4K@120fps HDR |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.3, 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom | 12 MP, f/2.3-3.5, 85-170mm continuous optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | Qi wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 3840 x 1644 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 2100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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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