Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders and the Sony Xperia 1 IV represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The Asus prioritizes unadulterated Snapdragon performance, while the Sony focuses on a holistic experience centered around imaging, audio, and a unique aspect ratio display. This comparison dissects their core differences to help you determine which aligns best with your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and a refined multimedia experience, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the stronger choice. However, gamers and power users who demand maximum Snapdragon 888 performance and faster charging will find the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Sony Xperia 1 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2021, July 082022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 31Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions173.2 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~395 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Always-on displayRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 125mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-5.2x continuous optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 Snapdragon Sound Technology 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Illuminated Snapdragon fireball icon on the backNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 50 min30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight blueBlack, Violet, White
ModelsI007DXQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 1270 EUR$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders

  • Faster 65W wired charging
  • Optimized for Snapdragon performance
  • Potentially lower price (depending on current deals)

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Limited camera information
  • No wireless charging

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Professional-grade camera system
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower 30W wired charging
  • Higher price point
  • Unique 21:9 aspect ratio may not suit all users

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 IV boasts a 602 nit peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors, but lacks the dynamic refresh rate technology found in many modern flagships. The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders’ display specifications are not provided, but given its gaming focus, it likely prioritizes refresh rate over peak brightness. The Xperia 1 IV’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a high-quality OLED panel, while the absence of PWM dimming information for the Asus phone could be a concern for users sensitive to flicker. The Xperia 1 IV’s 21:9 aspect ratio is a defining feature, catering to video consumption and multitasking, a departure from the more conventional displays typically found on gaming-focused devices.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are positioned as camera-centric, but approach imaging differently. The Xperia 1 IV’s camera system is renowned for its professional features and real-time tracking autofocus. While specific sensor details are missing, Sony’s expertise in image processing and optical stabilization (OIS) is a key differentiator. The Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders’ camera specifications are not detailed, but its focus on Snapdragon optimization suggests potential for computational photography enhancements. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture on the Asus phone makes a direct comparison difficult, but Sony’s established camera pedigree gives the Xperia 1 IV a clear advantage.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) chipset represents a significant architectural leap over the Asus’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 core, clocked at 3.00 GHz, offers improved single-core performance compared to the Asus’s Cortex-X1 at 2.84 GHz. Furthermore, the Gen 1 utilizes the more efficient Cortex-A710 cores, contributing to better thermal management. While the Asus benefits from a dedicated Snapdragon focus, the Xperia 1 IV’s newer chipset and more efficient architecture provide a performance advantage, especially in sustained workloads. The Xperia 1 IV’s LPDDR5 RAM is standard for flagships, while the Asus’s RAM specification is unknown.

Battery Life

Both phones share a 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, their charging approaches differ significantly. The Asus supports 65W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 50 minutes, offering a substantial speed advantage. The Xperia 1 IV’s 30W charging, while supporting PD3.0 and PPS, is slower, also reaching 50% in 30 minutes, but taking longer to fully charge. The Xperia 1 IV also offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Asus.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders if you need a phone specifically optimized for Snapdragon performance, prioritize fast 65W charging, and frequently engage in demanding mobile gaming. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV if you prefer a professional-grade camera system, value a high-quality display with accurate color reproduction, and appreciate Sony’s unique multimedia features and long battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than newer chipsets. While the Asus phone is optimized for Snapdragon, prolonged, demanding gaming could lead to some throttling. However, the phone’s cooling system and software optimizations may mitigate this to a degree.
❓ How does the 21:9 aspect ratio of the Sony Xperia 1 IV affect video playback and app compatibility?
The 21:9 aspect ratio provides a cinematic viewing experience for videos formatted in that ratio. However, some apps and games may not fully utilize the screen, resulting in letterboxing or stretching. Sony provides software features to adapt content to the display.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Xperia 1 IV slow compared to other flagship phones?
While 30W is slower than the 65W on the Asus, it's still a respectable charging speed. The Xperia 1 IV supports PD3.0 and PPS for optimized charging, and the 50% in 30 minutes time is reasonable. The inclusion of wireless charging provides added convenience.