Huawei nova 10 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range vs. Flagship Power

The Huawei nova 10 Pro and Sony Xperia 1 VII represent distinct approaches to the Android smartphone market. The nova 10 Pro aims for a balance of style and functionality at a more accessible price point, while the Xperia 1 VII is a no-compromise flagship focused on delivering a premium experience with top-tier performance. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw power and long-term battery health, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and optimized battery endurance significantly outperform the Huawei nova 10 Pro's Snapdragon 778G. However, the nova 10 Pro's incredibly fast 100W charging is a compelling advantage for those who value speed over longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Pro 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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2022, July 042025, May 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 10Available. Released 2025, June 04
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.2 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.93 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
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 670 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 670)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 830
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (portrait), AF 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens48 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, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Dual8 MP, f/2.2, 52mm (telephoto), AF, 2x optical zoom 60 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 100˚ (ultrawide), AF-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
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-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging100W wired, 20-80% in 10 min Reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Green, VioletMoss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
ModelsGLA-AL00, GLA-LX1XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
PriceAbout 730 EUR€ 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.7 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 528847 (v9) GeekBench: 2794 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-
EU LABEL
Battery-43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class B (181 falls)
Repairability-Class D

Huawei nova 10 Pro

  • Extremely fast 100W charging
  • Stylish design
  • Competitive price

  • Mid-range Snapdragon 778G processor
  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Limited camera details

Sony Xperia 1 VII

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
  • Brighter and potentially higher-quality display
  • Longer battery lifespan (1400 cycles)

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Higher price point
  • Less emphasis on aesthetics

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1475 nits compared to the Huawei nova 10 Pro’s 784 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Xperia 1 VII’s higher peak brightness and likely superior color calibration (though not specified) provide a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The Xperia 1 VII’s display technology is likely LTPO, enabling variable refresh rates for improved efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the nova 10 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details are limited. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the nova 10 Pro. The Xperia 1 VII, being a flagship, likely incorporates a more advanced sensor and image processing pipeline. While sensor size and aperture details are missing, the Xperia 1 VII’s focus on professional-grade photography and videography suggests a superior camera experience. The absence of specific camera details for the nova 10 Pro makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the Xperia 1 VII’s capabilities.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset, with its Oryon V2 Phoenix cores (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz), represents a significant leap over the Huawei nova 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm). The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite offers dramatically improved power efficiency and thermal performance, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. The Xperia 1 VII is designed for demanding tasks, while the nova 10 Pro is better suited for everyday use and moderate gaming. The lack of 5G on the nova 10 Pro is also a significant limitation for future-proofing.

Battery Life

Battery life presents a complex trade-off. The Huawei nova 10 Pro has an endurance rating of 89 hours, while the Sony Xperia 1 VII scores 43:30h. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The Xperia 1 VII’s active use score of 15:32h is more indicative of real-world performance. The nova 10 Pro’s 100W charging (20-80% in 10 minutes) is a game-changer for quick top-ups, while the Xperia 1 VII’s 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes) is considerably slower. The Xperia 1 VII also boasts 1400 battery cycles, suggesting significantly longer battery lifespan.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 10 Pro if you need a stylish phone with exceptionally fast charging and are comfortable with a mid-range processor. It’s ideal for social media users and those who prioritize aesthetics and quick top-ups. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prefer uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, coupled with a longer-lasting battery and a more refined software experience. This is the phone for power users and content creators.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Huawei nova 10 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G is a capable mid-range chip, but it will likely require reduced graphics settings and may experience some frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not ideal for hardcore mobile gamers.
❓ How does the 1400 battery cycle claim of the Xperia 1 VII translate to real-world usage?
The 1400 cycle claim means the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity after 1400 full charge cycles. This translates to several years of reliable battery performance, even with regular use, far exceeding the lifespan of many other smartphones.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Huawei nova 10 Pro a dealbreaker in 2024?
If you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and anticipate needing faster data speeds, the lack of 5G on the nova 10 Pro is a significant drawback. It limits the phone's future-proofing and may result in slower download and streaming speeds.
❓ Does the Sony Xperia 1 VII support wireless charging, and is it as fast as the Huawei nova 10 Pro's wired charging?
Yes, the Sony Xperia 1 VII supports 15W wireless charging. However, it is considerably slower than the Huawei nova 10 Pro's 100W wired charging. The nova 10 Pro can charge from 20-80% in just 10 minutes, while the Xperia 1 VII's wireless charging will take significantly longer.