iPhone 17 vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery health and ecosystem integration, the iPhone 17 is the better choice. However, the Sony Xperia 1 VII edges ahead with superior display brightness and slightly better active use battery performance, appealing to power users and multimedia enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone 17 | 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3520 | 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3520 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2025, May 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2025, June 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.89 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 | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 96.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | Adreno 830 |
| OS | iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.1 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| 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, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), 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 | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), 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, gyro-EIS | 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 | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-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, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired | 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 3692 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender | Moss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black |
| Models | iPhone18,3, A3520, A3258, A3519, A3521 | XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256 |
| Price | £ 799.00 / € 949.00 | € 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 41:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles |
| Energy | Class A | Class B |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | Class B (181 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class D |
Apple iPhone 17
- Superior ecosystem integration with Apple devices
- Faster wired charging with PD3.2 and AVS
- Long-term software support and updates
- Lower peak display brightness
- Slightly shorter battery endurance
- Less customization options compared to Android
Sony Xperia 1 VII
- Significantly brighter display for outdoor use
- Longer battery endurance and cycle count
- Greater customization options with Android
- Slower wired charging compared to iPhone 17
- Potential for more thermal throttling under heavy load
- Software updates may be less frequent than on iPhone
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1475 nits compared to the iPhone 17’s 1012 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight, a key advantage for outdoor photographers and videographers. While both utilize 3nm chipsets, the Xperia 1 VII’s display demands more power, potentially impacting overall efficiency. We expect both to employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, but Sony’s history suggests a focus on color accuracy geared towards content creation, while Apple typically aims for a more broadly pleasing color profile. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but Sony’s design language often favors a slightly taller aspect ratio.
Camera Comparison
Context data lacks camera specifics, but based on brand history, we can infer key differences. Sony will likely prioritize a larger main sensor with a focus on natural color reproduction and dynamic range, leveraging their expertise in image sensor technology. Apple typically emphasizes computational photography and a more polished, consumer-friendly image processing style. Expect the Xperia 1 VII to offer more manual control options for experienced photographers. The absence of details regarding telephoto and ultrawide lenses prevents a comprehensive comparison, but Sony’s commitment to optical image stabilization (OIS) is likely to be a key differentiator.
Performance
Both devices are powered by 3nm chipsets, but their architectures differ significantly. The iPhone 17’s Apple A19 features a hexa-core CPU, while the Xperia 1 VII utilizes Qualcomm’s SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite with an octa-core configuration leveraging Oryon V2 Phoenix cores. The Snapdragon’s Oryon cores, designed by Qualcomm, are expected to deliver strong multi-core performance, potentially surpassing the A19 in heavily threaded tasks. However, Apple’s tight software optimization often allows the A19 to excel in single-core performance and real-world responsiveness. Both will likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but thermal management will be crucial; the Xperia 1 VII’s more complex CPU design could lead to increased heat generation under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia 1 VII claims a substantial lead in battery endurance with 43:30h compared to the iPhone 17’s 41:00h. This is further supported by the active use score of 15:32h for the Xperia 1 VII versus 14:59h for the iPhone 17. While the iPhone 17 supports faster wired charging with PD3.2 and AVS (50% in 20 minutes), the Xperia 1 VII’s 30W wired charging (50% in 30 minutes) is competitive. The iPhone 17’s 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2 charging (50% in 30 minutes, 15W in China) offers convenience, while the Xperia 1 VII’s 15W wireless charging is slower. The Xperia 1 VII also boasts 1400 battery cycles compared to the iPhone 17’s 1000, suggesting longer-term battery health.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 if you need seamless integration with other Apple devices, prioritize software updates and long-term support, and value a streamlined user experience. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prefer Android’s customization options, demand the brightest possible display for outdoor visibility, and require maximum battery endurance for extended use.