Sony Xperia 1 VI vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Sony's flagship Xperia 1 VI commands a $400 premium with meaningful upgrades across multiple fronts. Its 6.5-inch LTPO OLED display reaches 2100 nits brightness versus the 5 IV's 1000 nits, delivering superior visibility and HDR performance. Camera capabilities diverge significantly: the 1 VI features a 48MP main sensor with larger 1/1.35" format and continuous 85-170mm optical zoom, while the 5 IV relies on a modest 12MP setup with fixed 2.5x zoom. Processing power favors the newer flagship with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Adreno 750 GPU, translating to 15-20% faster performance and improved gaming capabilities. Both offer identical 5000mAh batteries and 30W charging, though the 1 VI supports faster 15W wireless charging. Android 14 on the 1 VI provides two years newer software support. For mobile photography enthusiasts and performance-conscious users, the 1 VI's superior optics and display justify the investment. Budget-conscious buyers accepting older processors should consider the more affordable 5 IV.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- →5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- →3.5mm headphone jack
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- 5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless charging added (absent on 5 III)
- Excellent manual camera controls
Cons
- 12 MP cameras feel dated in 2022
- Slow 30W charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal issues
- Niche appeal limits accessories and cases
- Auto camera mode behind iPhone and Pixel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 192 g | 172 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP65/IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@120fps HDR | 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.3-3.5, 85-170mm continuous optical zoom | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | Qi wireless | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | LTPO OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2100 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) | 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 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 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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