iPhone 16e vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Deep Dive into Performance and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a streamlined ecosystem, the Sony Xperia 1 VII emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly higher endurance (43:30h vs 41:00h) and brighter display (1475 nits vs 799 nits) offer tangible benefits, despite the iPhone 16e's efficient A18 chip.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 16e | Sony Xperia 1 VII |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3212, A3408 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3212, A3408 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 19 | 2025, May 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, February 28 | Available. Released 2025, June 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 167 g (5.89 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ceramic Shield glass, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Apple A18 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 830 |
| OS | iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 26.1 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama, 3D (spatial) audio | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| Single | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/3.5, 170mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom, OIS, 4cm macro @ 120mm, no AF 48 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, Dolby Vision HDR, OIS, stereo sound rec. | 4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired, 50% in 30 min 7.5W wireless (Qi) | 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 4005 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Moss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black |
| Models | A3212, A3409, A3410, A3408, iPhone17,5 | XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256 |
| Price | $ 384.65 / C$ 670.75 / £ 460.00 / € 534.00 / ₹ 51,499 | € 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.20 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.48 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 41:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles |
| Energy | Class B | Class B |
| Free fall | Class C (90 falls) | Class B (181 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class D |
Apple iPhone 16e
- Efficient A18 chipset for smooth performance
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Long-term software support and updates
- Lower peak display brightness
- Shorter battery endurance compared to Xperia 1 VII
- Limited charging options (no reverse wireless)
Sony Xperia 1 VII
- Exceptional battery endurance (43:30h)
- Significantly brighter display (1475 nits)
- Faster wired charging (30W) and wireless/reverse wireless support
- Android ecosystem fragmentation
- Potential for software update delays
- Snapdragon 8 Elite may run hotter under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a substantial advantage in display technology, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1475 nits compared to the iPhone 16e’s 799 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in outdoor visibility. While both utilize 3nm chipsets, the Xperia 1 VII’s brighter panel will consume more power. We expect the Xperia 1 VII to employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, a feature Apple has historically reserved for Pro models, further optimizing power consumption when static content is displayed. The iPhone 16e’s display, while still excellent, will likely cater to a more mainstream audience, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over absolute peak performance.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera details, we can infer based on brand strategy. Sony’s Xperia line historically prioritizes camera capabilities, and the 1 VII will likely feature a larger main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. The iPhone 16e will likely focus on computational photography and ease of use. The Xperia 1 VII’s image processing will likely lean towards a more natural, color-accurate aesthetic, appealing to photography enthusiasts, while the iPhone 16e will likely employ more aggressive HDR and sharpening. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a direct comparison difficult, but Sony’s expertise in image sensor technology gives the Xperia 1 VII a potential edge.
Performance
Both devices leverage cutting-edge 3nm fabrication, but employ different architectures. The iPhone 16e’s Apple A18 features a hexa-core CPU (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), while the Xperia 1 VII utilizes the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite with an octa-core configuration (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M). The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon cores, designed by Qualcomm, are expected to deliver strong multi-core performance, potentially surpassing the A18 in heavily threaded tasks. However, Apple’s tight software integration and optimized silicon typically translate to superior single-core performance and efficiency. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s higher core count could lead to increased heat generation under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia 1 VII demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, offering 43:30h compared to the iPhone 16e’s 41:00h. This translates to a real-world active use score of 15:32h for the Xperia 1 VII versus 11:53h for the iPhone 16e. While both offer 50% charge in 30 minutes with wired charging, the Xperia 1 VII’s 30W charging (PD3.0, PPS) is faster than the iPhone 16e’s unspecified wattage. The Xperia 1 VII also includes 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the iPhone 16e, adding to its versatility. The Xperia 1 VII’s 1400 battery cycles also suggest a longer lifespan than the iPhone 16e’s 1000 cycles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone 16e if you need seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, prioritize software updates and long-term support, and value a generally more polished user experience. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prefer a more customizable Android experience, demand a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, and require exceptional battery endurance for power users and content creators.