Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV: A Detailed Comparison of Snapdragon Flagships

The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) and the Sony Xperia 1 IV represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Motorola prioritizes rapid charging and a more accessible price point, while the Sony doubles down on a creator-focused experience with a refined camera system and a focus on multimedia consumption. Both utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, making a direct performance comparison less critical than examining how each manufacturer leverages the chipset within their unique design philosophies.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and quick top-ups, the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) is the stronger choice. Its 68W charging significantly outperforms the Xperia 1 IV’s 30W, and the price difference is substantial. However, the Sony Xperia 1 IV caters to photography and videography enthusiasts with its dedicated features and refined image processing.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) Sony Xperia 1 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands2, 5, 7, 12, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2022, January 242022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 24Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 Water-repellent designIP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Always-on displayRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, planned upgrade to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 125mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-5.2x continuous optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 10-bit HDR10+, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single60 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.61µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jack-Yes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.4USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Ready For supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging68W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min (advertised) 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4800 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCosmos Blue, Stardust WhiteBlack, Violet, White
Models-XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 850 EUR$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022)

  • Significantly faster 68W wired charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Potential for better thermal management due to larger size

  • Camera details are unknown, likely inferior to Sony
  • Display specifications are limited, potential flicker concerns

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Superior camera system with advanced features
  • High-quality display with infinite contrast ratio
  • Sony’s refined software and multimedia experience

  • Slower 30W wired charging
  • Higher price tag
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 throttling potential

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but their displays diverge. The Sony Xperia 1 IV boasts an infinite contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting a true OLED panel, while the Motorola’s display specs are not provided. The Xperia 1 IV’s measured 602 nits peak brightness is respectable, but the Motorola’s brightness remains unknown. The absence of PWM dimming rate information for the Motorola raises potential concerns for users sensitive to flicker, a detail Sony often prioritizes in its displays. The Xperia 1 IV’s aspect ratio is likely 21:9, geared towards video consumption, while the Motorola likely uses a more standard 20:9 ratio.

Camera Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is clearly positioned as the photography-focused device. While both phones share the same chipset, Sony’s expertise in image processing and sensor technology is a significant advantage. The Xperia 1 IV’s camera system is described as 'Photo / Video', indicating a comprehensive feature set. The Motorola’s camera details are absent, but it’s unlikely to match the Sony’s capabilities, particularly in low-light performance and video recording quality. The absence of sensor size information for the Motorola makes a direct comparison impossible, but Sony’s history suggests a larger, more sophisticated sensor in the Xperia 1 IV.

Performance

Both the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) and the Sony Xperia 1 IV are powered by the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, featuring an Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510). This means raw CPU performance will be very similar. However, thermal management will be the key differentiator. The Motorola’s larger size *potentially* allows for a more robust cooling solution, mitigating the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s known tendency to throttle under sustained load. RAM specifications are not provided for either device, but both likely utilize LPDDR5 for fast memory access.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 100h, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging approaches. However, the *way* they achieve that endurance differs drastically. The Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) boasts 68W wired charging, promising a 50% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes (advertised). The Sony Xperia 1 IV offers a slower 30W wired charging, taking 30 minutes to reach 50%. The Motorola also includes 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging, features the Sony also supports, but without specified wattage details. The Motorola’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) if you need blazing-fast charging, a more affordable flagship experience, and don't require the advanced camera features of the Sony. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV if you prioritize a professional-grade camera system, a high-quality multimedia experience, and are willing to pay a premium for Sony’s unique software and hardware integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Motorola Edge+ 5G UW (2022) suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While both phones use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the Motorola’s potentially larger chassis could allow for a more effective cooling system. However, without independent thermal testing, it’s difficult to definitively say if throttling will be less pronounced than on the Xperia 1 IV. Expect some throttling under sustained heavy load on both devices.
❓ Is the Sony Xperia 1 IV’s 30W charging speed sufficient for daily use, or will it feel slow compared to competitors?
30W charging is slower than the Motorola’s 68W, and will take noticeably longer to fully charge the device. While it’s not *unusable*, users accustomed to faster charging speeds may find it inconvenient. The Xperia 1 IV prioritizes battery health over charging speed, potentially offering a longer overall battery lifespan.
❓ What kind of video recording capabilities does the Sony Xperia 1 IV offer beyond standard 4K?
The Sony Xperia 1 IV is known for its advanced video features, including 4K HDR recording, 120fps slow-motion capture, and professional-grade video controls. It also supports external monitor connectivity for a more comprehensive video production workflow.