Motorola Edge (2023) vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Head-to-Head Flagship Showdown

The Motorola Edge (2023) aimed to disrupt the mid-to-high range with a compelling price-to-performance ratio, while the Sony Xperia 1 VII represents Sony’s continued commitment to a premium, no-compromise flagship experience. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and fast charging, the Motorola Edge (2023) offers a strong experience. However, the Sony Xperia 1 VII’s superior chipset, exceptional battery endurance, and brighter display make it the clear winner for power users and content creators willing to invest in a top-tier device.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Edge (2023)	Sony Xperia 1 VII

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71	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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2023, October 11	2025, May 13
Status	Available. Released 2023, October 11	Available. Released 2025, June 04

Body
Build	Glass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions	158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)	162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	168 g (5.93 oz)	197 g (6.95 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)	LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
Chipset	MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPU	Mali-G610 MC3	Adreno 830
OS	Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14	Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF	-
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
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	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR, gyro-EIS	4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.8µm	12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS

Sound
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE	6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/k/v/r, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass

Battery
Charging	68W wired 15W wireless	30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	Li-Po 4400 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Eclipse Black	Moss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
Models	-	XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
Price	$ 189.95	€ 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

Motorola Edge (2023)

Faster 68W wired charging
More affordable price point
Solid performance for everyday tasks

Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite
Likely inferior battery life
Display likely lacks LTPO technology

Sony Xperia 1 VII

Superior Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
Exceptional battery endurance and longevity
Brighter and potentially LTPO display

Higher price tag
Slower 30W wired charging (though with PD3.0/PPS)
May lack the aggressive pricing of the Motorola Edge (2023)

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1475 nits, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the Motorola Edge (2023). This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While the Edge (2023)'s panel technology isn't specified, the Xperia 1 VII likely utilizes an LTPO panel for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency. Sony’s focus on color accuracy, historically, suggests a more calibrated experience for professional content consumption, while the Motorola Edge (2023) likely prioritizes vibrant, consumer-friendly colors.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Motorola Edge (2023), a direct comparison is limited. However, Sony’s Xperia 1 VII benefits from its image processing expertise and likely features a larger main sensor, optimized for low-light performance and dynamic range. The Xperia 1 VII’s focus on professional-grade features, such as advanced video recording capabilities, sets it apart. While the Motorola Edge (2023) may offer a versatile camera system, the Xperia 1 VII is geared towards users who demand the highest image and video quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Motorola Edge (2023) utilizes the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7030, featuring an octa-core CPU with Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is powered by the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on a cutting-edge 3nm process. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon V2 Phoenix cores (2x4.32 GHz and 6x3.53 GHz) deliver substantially higher peak performance and improved efficiency compared to the Dimensity 7030’s (2x2.5 GHz and 6x2.0 GHz). This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance, especially in graphically intensive titles. The 3nm node also means the Xperia 1 VII will experience less thermal throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 VII demonstrates exceptional battery performance, achieving a measured endurance of 43 hours and 30 minutes and an active use score of 15 hours and 32 minutes. While the Motorola Edge (2023)'s battery capacity is unspecified, the Xperia 1 VII’s longevity is a significant advantage. The Xperia 1 VII supports 30W wired charging with PD3.0 and PPS, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Motorola Edge (2023) offers faster 68W wired charging, potentially achieving a full charge quicker, but its 15W wireless charging is slower. The Xperia 1 VII’s reported 1400 battery cycles suggest superior long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge (2023) if you need a capable daily driver with rapid 68W charging and a smooth experience for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prioritize sustained performance for demanding applications, extended battery life, a brighter and more vibrant display, and are willing to pay a premium for a refined, feature-rich flagship.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge (2023) struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?

While the Dimensity 7030 is a capable chip, it will likely require reduced graphics settings and may experience some frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Xperia 1 VII offers a much smoother experience at higher settings due to its superior processing power and thermal management.

❓ How does the 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VII compare to the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge (2023) in real-world use?

Although the Motorola Edge (2023) charges faster initially, the Xperia 1 VII’s PD3.0 and PPS support optimize charging efficiency. While 0-50% may take slightly longer on the Xperia 1 VII (30 minutes), the overall charging experience is more consistent and less likely to generate excessive heat, potentially preserving long-term battery health.

❓ Is the battery life difference between the two phones noticeable for typical daily use?

Yes, the Xperia 1 VII’s 43:30h endurance is a substantial improvement over the Motorola Edge (2023). Users who heavily utilize their phones for streaming, gaming, or photography will see a significant benefit from the Xperia 1 VII’s longer battery life.