Motorola ThinkPhone vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Deep Dive for Power Users

The Motorola ThinkPhone and Sony Xperia 1 VII represent distinct philosophies in the flagship smartphone space. The ThinkPhone aims to be the ultimate productivity tool, leaning heavily on Motorola’s enterprise heritage. Conversely, the Xperia 1 VII is a creator-focused device, prioritizing display fidelity, camera capabilities, and raw processing power. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best serves demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a secure, productivity-focused experience, the Motorola ThinkPhone is the better choice. However, the Sony Xperia 1 VII’s superior display, significantly faster processor, and advanced camera features make it the clear winner for content creators and performance enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola ThinkPhone Sony Xperia 1 VII
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - ROWHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - ROW1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - ROW1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China-
Launch
Announced2023, January 052025, May 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 29Available. Released 2025, June 04
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aramid fibre back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm (6.25 x 2.93 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 + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188.5 g (6.67 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.3m MIL-STD-810H compliant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 830
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, 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
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 4K@30fps HDR10, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm - ROW model 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm - PRC model12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@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, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-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, proximity, compass, barometer (North America only)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon BlackMoss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
ModelsXT2309-2XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
Price€ 249.79€ 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 116h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -21.6 LUFS (Excellent) -
Performance AnTuTu: 1081805 (v9) GeekBench: 4207 (v5.1) GFXBench: 90fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-
EU LABEL
Battery-43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class B (181 falls)
Repairability-Class D

Motorola ThinkPhone

  • Exceptional battery life (116h endurance)
  • Faster wired charging (68W)
  • Strong focus on security and productivity

  • Older chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Less impressive display compared to Xperia 1 VII

Sony Xperia 1 VII

  • Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
  • Brighter and potentially more accurate display
  • Advanced camera features and image processing
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Shorter battery endurance rating
  • Slower wired charging (30W)

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1475 nits compared to the ThinkPhone’s 1069 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Xperia 1 VII’s panel likely benefits from Sony’s expertise in display technology, potentially offering wider color gamuts and more accurate color reproduction. The ThinkPhone’s display is still excellent, but the Xperia 1 VII provides a more immersive and visually striking experience, particularly for multimedia consumption. We lack PWM frequency data, but the Xperia 1 VII’s display tech is generally known for minimizing flicker.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the Xperia 1 VII likely holds an edge due to Sony’s imaging expertise. While both are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, the Xperia 1 VII benefits from Sony’s advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes (data not provided). The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP also offers superior processing capabilities. The ThinkPhone’s camera is likely optimized for quick, reliable shots, while the Xperia 1 VII caters to users who demand greater control and image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. We're assuming the Xperia 1 VII will have a more versatile camera system, given Sony's history.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Xperia 1 VII’s Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on a 3nm process, features Oryon V2 Phoenix cores clocked up to 4.32 GHz. This architecture is a significant leap over the ThinkPhone’s 4nm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, with its Cortex-X2 core peaking at 3.19 GHz. The 3nm node offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing the Xperia 1 VII to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The Xperia 1 VII is the clear winner for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex applications. The ThinkPhone remains capable, but will exhibit more throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Motorola ThinkPhone’s endurance rating of 116 hours is impressive, suggesting excellent battery optimization. However, the Sony Xperia 1 VII, despite a lower endurance rating of 43:30h, compensates with significantly faster charging – 30W wired with PD3.0/PPS, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes. The ThinkPhone’s 68W charging is faster, but the Xperia 1 VII’s 1400 charge cycles suggest a longer battery lifespan. The Xperia 1 VII also offers reverse wireless charging, a feature absent on the ThinkPhone. The ThinkPhone prioritizes longevity, while the Xperia 1 VII balances speed and lifespan.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola ThinkPhone if you need a robust, secure device with exceptional battery endurance and a focus on business applications. Its 68W charging and long-lasting battery are ideal for professionals on the move. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prioritize a stunning display for media consumption and content creation, demand the fastest possible performance for gaming or video editing, and value advanced camera features like cinematic video recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Xperia 1 VII get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the ThinkPhone during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite is more powerful, its 3nm process and improved thermal architecture are designed to mitigate heat generation. However, it *will* likely get warmer than the ThinkPhone under sustained load. The Xperia 1 VII’s cooling system will be crucial in preventing throttling and maintaining consistent performance, but the ThinkPhone will generally remain cooler due to its less demanding chipset.
❓ How does the Motorola ThinkPhone's security stack compare to the Xperia 1 VII, particularly for enterprise users?
Motorola has a strong reputation for security, particularly within the enterprise space. The ThinkPhone likely includes features like ThinkShield, offering hardware-level security and remote management capabilities. While Sony also provides security updates, the ThinkPhone is specifically designed with enterprise security in mind, potentially offering more granular control and compliance features.
❓ Given the lower endurance rating of the Xperia 1 VII, is the 30W charging enough to offset the battery life difference in daily use?
The 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VII, combined with its 50% in 30-minute capability, can alleviate concerns about the lower endurance rating. For users who regularly top up their phones throughout the day, the faster charging speed will be beneficial. However, users who frequently go long periods without access to a charger may still prefer the ThinkPhone’s superior battery life.