Sony Xperia 1 VI vs Xiaomi 12 Pro
The Verdict
Sony's Xperia 1 VI represents a significant generational leap with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, superior 120Hz LTPO OLED display (2100 nits peak brightness), and innovative 85-170mm continuous optical zoom telephoto. Camera capabilities excel with 4K@120fps video and Exmor T sensor technology. Battery management improved with 5000mAh capacity and IP65/IP68 rating. Xiaomi 12 Pro counters with aggressive 120W fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and QHD resolution at larger 6.73-inch screen. However, its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 feels dated, lacking the performance headroom of the VI. Storage maxes at 256GB versus Sony's 512GB option. The Xperia prioritizes professional imaging and flagship performance, while Xiaomi emphasizes charging speed and display size. For demanding users seeking cutting-edge processing and camera innovation at a premium price point, the Sony Xperia 1 VI delivers superior long-term value and capability despite its $400 premium.
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 Xiaomi 12 Pro if…
- →120W wired charging fills battery in 18 minutes
- →Triple 50 MP camera system
- →QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED with Dolby Vision
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
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Pros
- 120W wired charging fills battery in 18 minutes
- Triple 50 MP camera system
- QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED with Dolby Vision
- Harman Kardon quad speakers
- 50W wireless charging is very fast
Cons
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal throttling
- No official IP rating
- MIUI 13 has ads and bloatware
- 2x telephoto zoom is limited
- USB 2.0 data speeds
Full Specifications
| Spec | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Xiaomi 12 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 192 g | 205 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP65/IP68 | No official rating |
| Dimensions | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm | 163.6 x 74.6 x 8.16 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX707) |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.0 | 32 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@120fps HDR | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.3-3.5, 85-170mm continuous optical zoom | 50 MP, f/1.9, 2x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm | 50 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 120W wired |
| Wireless charging | Qi wireless | 50W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.5 inches | 6.73 inches |
| Type | LTPO OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2100 | 1500 |
| 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 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| 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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