Sony Xperia 1 VII vs. HMD Arc: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is the clear winner, offering a dramatically superior experience thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and exceptional display. However, the HMD Arc presents a compelling option for those on a strict budget who prioritize basic functionality over performance.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HMD Arc | Sony Xperia 1 VII |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 18 | 2025, May 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January | Available. Released 2025, June 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 166.4 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.55 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.4 g (6.53 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 460 nits (peak) | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 830 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| 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 | Yes | 4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black | Moss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black |
| Models | - | XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256 |
| Price | - | € 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class B (181 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class D |
HMD Arc
- Extremely affordable price
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable for light usage
- Poor performance with demanding apps
- Low-quality display
- Slow charging
Sony Xperia 1 VII
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Bright and high-quality display
- Fast charging and wireless charging
- Significantly higher price
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potentially larger size/weight
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s display is a standout feature, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1475 nits. This significantly surpasses what we’d expect from the HMD Arc, which likely utilizes a standard LCD panel. While the Arc’s resolution isn’t specified, the Xperia 1 VII’s likely higher resolution and superior color accuracy will provide a much more immersive viewing experience. The absence of LTPO technology in the Arc means it won’t dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving, unlike potentially the Xperia 1 VII.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the HMD Arc, it’s safe to assume its camera system is basic. The Xperia 1 VII, while details are missing, benefits from Sony’s imaging expertise and likely features a larger sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. The Arc’s image quality will likely be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low light. The Xperia 1 VII will offer superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance.
Performance
The performance gap is immense. The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on a 3nm process, features an octa-core CPU with Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz. This is leagues ahead of the HMD Arc’s Unisoc SC9863A, a 28nm chipset with Cortex-A55 cores peaking at 1.6 GHz. The 3nm node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained peak performance during demanding tasks. The Arc will struggle with multitasking and graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts impressive battery endurance, with a measured 43:30h endurance and 15:32h of active use. While the HMD Arc’s battery capacity is unknown, its less efficient chipset and lower power display will likely result in significantly shorter battery life. The Xperia 1 VII’s 30W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and 50% charge in 30 minutes is a major convenience, while the Arc is limited to a slow 10W wired charge. The inclusion of 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging on the Xperia 1 VII further enhances its usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Arc if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, and your budget is under $200. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you demand flagship-level performance for gaming, content creation, and media consumption, and are willing to invest in a premium device with advanced features like fast charging and a high-quality display.