Sony Xperia 1 V vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra
The Verdict
Sony's Xperia 1 V targets cinematography enthusiasts with its compact 6.5-inch display, 3840 x 1644 resolution, and Cinema Pro video tools that deliver exceptional color science. Its 52 MP main camera with Exmor T sensor excels in low-light performance, while the sleek 187-gram build feels premium despite mid-range battery charging speeds. Xiaomi's 15 Ultra dominates on raw specifications: the 6.73-inch 3200 x 1440 LTPO display reaches 3200 nits brightness, the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite processor outperforms the Gen 2 variant, and 90W wired plus 50W wireless charging leave Sony's 30W and 15W far behind. The 5810 mAh battery dwarfs Sony's 5000 mAh, and Xiaomi's 200 MP telephoto with 5x periscope zoom crushes Sony's 3.5-5.2x 12 MP option. However, Sony edges ahead in display accuracy and color reproduction for content creators, while Xiaomi's heavier 229-gram frame and slightly thicker profile feel bulkier. At $400 less, Xiaomi delivers vastly superior value across charging, battery capacity, processing power, and zoom capabilities. Choose the Xperia 1 V only if professional video editing and compact ergonomics justify the premium; otherwise, the 15 Ultra's superior specs and price make it the clear choice for most users.
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 Xiaomi 15 Ultra if…
- →200MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom rivals Galaxy S25 Ultra
- →1-inch main sensor with Leica optics produces stunning photos
- →Titanium frame gives a premium, durable build
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
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Pros
- 200MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom rivals Galaxy S25 Ultra
- 1-inch main sensor with Leica optics produces stunning photos
- Titanium frame gives a premium, durable build
- 4K@120fps video recording is industry-leading
- 90W fast charging and 50W wireless on a huge 5810 mAh battery
Cons
- Heavy at 229 g and thick at 9.17 mm
- Very expensive at $999 with limited global availability
- HyperOS software experience lags behind iOS and One UI
- Camera bump is extremely large
Full Specifications
| Spec | Sony Xperia 1 V | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 | Android 15 (HyperOS 2) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 229 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm | 161.1 x 75.2 x 9.17 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 52 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T sensor) | 50 MP, f/1.63, OIS (1-inch sensor) |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.3, 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom | 200 MP, f/2.6, 5x periscope optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/2.0, 128-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5810 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 90W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 50W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.73 inches |
| Type | OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 3840 x 1644 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1000 | 3200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| 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 |
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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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