Huawei Mate 80 vs Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Battery Life

The Huawei Mate 80 and Sony Xperia 1 VII represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The Mate 80, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin 9020, aims for a balance of features and price. Conversely, the Xperia 1 VII, powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite, prioritizes raw performance and a premium user experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing peak performance and long-term battery health, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, coupled with exceptional battery endurance, outweighs the Mate 80’s faster wired charging. However, the Mate 80 remains a compelling option for those seeking a feature-rich device at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 80 Sony Xperia 1 VII
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, November 252025, May 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 25Available. Released 2025, June 04
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.9 x 76 x 8 mm (6.37 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217 g (7.65 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1280 x 2832 pixels (~460 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.75 inches, 110.3 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR VividLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 830
OSHarmonyOS 6.0Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF48 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
Video4K, 1080p@240fps, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 18mm (ultrawide), AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video4K, 1080p, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, L2HC6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless Reverse wireless 5W reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type5750 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Green, GoldMoss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
ModelsVYG-AL00XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
PriceAbout 570 EUR€ 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

Huawei Mate 80

  • 66W wired charging is exceptionally fast.
  • Offers reverse wireless and wired charging.
  • Potentially more affordable price point.

  • Kirin 9020 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 8 Elite.
  • Limited battery endurance information available.

Sony Xperia 1 VII

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite offers class-leading performance.
  • Exceptional battery life and 1400 charge cycles.
  • 1475 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.

  • 30W charging is slower than the Mate 80’s 66W.
  • Higher price point expected.

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1475 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use. While the Mate 80’s display specs are not provided, Sony’s panel offers superior visibility in direct sunlight. The Xperia 1 VII likely utilizes an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Mate 80. The absence of detailed display information for the Mate 80 suggests Sony holds a clear advantage in this category.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Mate 80, a direct comparison is limited. However, Sony’s Xperia line traditionally focuses on image quality and color science. The Xperia 1 VII likely features a sophisticated image processing pipeline optimized for its sensor. The Mate 80’s camera performance will depend heavily on its sensor size and lens apertures, information currently unavailable. The absence of details on the Mate 80’s camera system suggests Sony has a potential edge in image quality and features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) with its Oryon V2 Phoenix cores (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) represents a substantial leap in performance and efficiency over the Huawei Mate 80’s 7nm Kirin 9020 (1x2.5 GHz + 3x2.15 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz). The 3nm process node allows for higher transistor density and reduced power consumption, translating to less thermal throttling during demanding tasks. The Xperia 1 VII will demonstrably outperform the Mate 80 in CPU-intensive applications and graphically demanding games.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 VII distinguishes itself with impressive battery endurance, rated at 43 hours and 30 minutes, and a remarkable 15:32h active use score. While the Mate 80’s battery capacity is unknown, the Xperia 1 VII’s longevity is further bolstered by its 1400 charge cycles, indicating a longer lifespan. The Mate 80 offers faster 66W wired charging, significantly quicker than the Xperia 1 VII’s 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes), but the Xperia 1 VII’s overall battery health and endurance are superior.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 80 if you need exceptionally fast 66W wired charging and value reverse wireless charging capabilities, potentially at a more competitive price. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prioritize sustained performance thanks to the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite, exceptional display brightness, and a battery designed for longevity with its 1400 cycle lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Mate 80 exhibit significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process and the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm advantage, the Kirin 9020 is likely to experience more thermal throttling under sustained load. This could lead to reduced performance during extended gaming sessions or demanding applications. The Xperia 1 VII’s superior thermal efficiency should maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VII compare to the 66W charging on the Mate 80 in real-world usage?
While 66W is faster on paper, the Xperia 1 VII’s 30W charging with PD3.0 and PPS still achieves 50% charge in 30 minutes. The difference in total charge time may not be substantial for typical users, and the Xperia 1 VII’s superior battery health and longevity offer a more compelling long-term benefit.
❓ What is the impact of the 1400 charge cycles on the Xperia 1 VII’s battery lifespan?
The 1400 charge cycle rating indicates the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity after undergoing 1400 full charge-discharge cycles. This translates to a longer usable lifespan compared to batteries with lower cycle counts, offering greater long-term value.