Huawei Pura 80 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 VII represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. The Pura 80 Ultra aims for all-around excellence with rapid charging and a focus on user experience, while the Xperia 1 VII doubles down on pro-level multimedia capabilities and a purist Android approach. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and charging speed, the Sony Xperia 1 VII emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and significantly higher battery endurance (43:30h vs 41:00h) outweigh the Pura 80 Ultra’s faster wired charging, offering a more consistently reliable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Pura 80 Ultra 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bandsSA/NSA - China only1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (China only)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, June 112025, May 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, June 11Available. Released 2025, June 04
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight233.5 g (8.25 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass 2 (Basalt-tempered) / 2nd-Gen Crystal Armor Kunlun Glass, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1276 x 2848 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~459 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, HDR Vivid, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, 3000 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6GHz)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
OSEMUI 15 (International), HarmonyOS 5.1 (China)Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 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
Quad50 MP, f/1.6-4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.4, 83mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.28", PDAF, sensor-shift OIS, 3.7x optical zoom 12.5 MP, f/3.6, 212mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, sensor-shift OIS, 9.4x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF * Both telephoto cameras utilize the same camera sensor w/o continuous optical zoom-
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
Video4K, 1080p, 1080p@960fps (interpolated), HDR Vivid, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (ultrawide), AF12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video4K, 1080p, 1080p@240fps, HDR Vivid, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, 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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired 80W wireless 20W reverse wireless 18W reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 5170 mAh - International· Li-Po 5700 mAh - China5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPrestige Gold, Golden BlackMoss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
ModelsLMR-AL10, LMU-LX9XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
PriceAbout 1880 EUR€ 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94
EU LABEL
Battery41:00h endurance, 1000 cycles43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles
EnergyClass CClass B
Free fallClass D (45 falls)Class B (181 falls)
RepairabilityClass CClass D

Huawei Pura 80 Ultra

  • Incredibly fast 100W wired charging.
  • 80W wireless charging is a significant advantage.
  • Reverse wireless charging offers added versatility.

  • Lower battery endurance compared to the Xperia 1 VII.
  • Kirin 9020 chipset may throttle under heavy load.

Sony Xperia 1 VII

  • Superior battery endurance (43:30h).
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility.
  • Snapdragon 8 Elite offers best-in-class performance.

  • Slower wired charging (30W).
  • Reverse wireless charging is not a priority feature.

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1475 nits compared to the Pura 80 Ultra’s 1029 nits. This translates to superior readability under direct sunlight. While both likely employ OLED technology (though not explicitly stated), the Xperia’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor users. The absence of refresh rate data for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Xperia’s focus on multimedia suggests a high refresh rate is likely present. The Pura 80 Ultra’s display, while still excellent, will struggle in bright conditions compared to the Xperia 1 VII.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, Sony’s history with Xperia devices suggests a focus on image processing and color science geared towards realism. Huawei, conversely, often emphasizes vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of sensor size data is critical, but the Xperia 1 VII’s chipset likely provides more powerful image signal processing capabilities. The Pura 80 Ultra’s camera system is likely optimized for social media sharing, while the Xperia 1 VII aims for professional-grade results. We can assume both phones will have capable main sensors, but the Xperia’s processing power gives it an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) utilizes a cutting-edge architecture with Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, offering a substantial performance leap over the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra’s 7nm Kirin 9020. The Snapdragon’s octa-core configuration (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) is geared towards both peak performance and efficiency. The Kirin 9020’s (1x2.5GHz & 3x2.15 GHz & 4x1.6GHz) architecture, while capable, will likely exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load. The Xperia 1 VII is the clear winner for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 VII delivers a significantly longer battery endurance of 43:30h compared to the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra’s 41:00h. This is further reinforced by the active use score: 15:32h for the Xperia 1 VII versus 11:51h for the Pura 80 Ultra. While the Pura 80 Ultra boasts faster charging – 100W wired, 80W wireless – the Xperia 1 VII’s superior endurance means fewer charging cycles are needed. The Xperia 1 VII also offers 1400 battery cycles compared to the Pura 80 Ultra’s 1000, indicating a longer lifespan. The 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VII, while slower, is still respectable and reaches 50% in 30 minutes.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra if you need exceptionally fast charging – both wired (100W) and wireless (80W) – and value reverse wireless charging capabilities. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their devices and share power with others. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prioritize sustained performance, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and longer overall battery life, making it the better choice for power users and content creators.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Pura 80 Ultra overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm architecture, the Kirin 9020 is more susceptible to thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, the Xperia 1 VII is likely to maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 80W wireless charging of the Pura 80 Ultra compare to the 15W wireless charging on the Xperia 1 VII in real-world use?
The Pura 80 Ultra’s 80W wireless charging is significantly faster, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Xperia 1 VII’s 15W. However, the Xperia 1 VII’s superior battery endurance means you’ll likely need to wirelessly charge less frequently.
❓ What kind of video recording capabilities can we expect from the Sony Xperia 1 VII, given its focus on multimedia?
Sony’s Xperia line historically excels in video recording. Expect features like 4K HDR recording, advanced stabilization, and potentially support for professional video formats. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP will contribute to high-quality video processing and dynamic range.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use, or only in direct sunlight?
The 446 nit difference (1475 vs 1029) is substantial and noticeable even in moderately bright environments. While both displays are excellent, the Xperia 1 VII’s brighter panel will provide a more comfortable viewing experience outdoors and in well-lit rooms.