Polestar Phone vs. Sony Xperia 1 VII: A Clash of Charging Speed and Endurance

The Polestar Phone arrives with a focus on rapid charging and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while the Sony Xperia 1 VII doubles down on battery longevity and introduces the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite. This comparison isn't about incremental upgrades; it's a head-to-head between two distinct philosophies: prioritizing immediate power versus sustained performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the user constantly on the go and needing quick top-ups, the Polestar Phone’s 80W wired and 50W wireless charging are unmatched. However, the Sony Xperia 1 VII wins for overall endurance, boasting a measured 43:30h battery life and a more efficient chipset, making it ideal for power users who dislike frequent charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Polestar Phone Sony Xperia 1 VII
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 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
Launch
Announced2024, April 242025, May 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 24Available. Released 2025, June 04
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 74.4 x 8 mm (6.50 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
Weight214 g (7.55 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
Display
ProtectionTitan Glass 2.0Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1368 x 3192 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~511 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size6.79 inches, 107.7 cm2 (~87.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 1250 nits (HBM)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 830
OSPolestar OSAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.1, 72mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 122˚ (ultrawide)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
Video8K, 4K, 1080p; 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), 1/3.14", 0.7µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
VideoYes4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3 PPS, QC4+ 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type5050 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhiteMoss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
Models-XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
Price-€ 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

Polestar Phone

  • Blazing-fast 80W wired charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
  • 50W wireless charging capability

  • Battery endurance data unavailable
  • Display specifications are limited

Sony Xperia 1 VII

  • Exceptional 43:30h battery endurance
  • Brighter 1475 nit display
  • Efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset

  • Slower 30W wired charging
  • Lower wireless charging speed (15W)

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 1475 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Polestar Phone (brightness data unavailable). While the Polestar Phone’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Xperia 1 VII likely utilizes an LTPO OLED panel, enabling variable refresh rates for improved efficiency. The Xperia 1 VII’s display is geared towards content consumption and outdoor usability, while the Polestar Phone’s display characteristics remain less defined.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details for the Polestar Phone, a direct comparison is limited. However, Sony’s Xperia line is renowned for its image processing and optical expertise. The Xperia 1 VII likely features a sophisticated camera system with advanced OIS and lens apertures optimized for low-light performance. The focus here is on image quality and creative control, leveraging Sony’s Alpha camera technology. The Polestar Phone’s camera capabilities remain unknown, making it difficult to assess its photographic prowess.

Performance

The Xperia 1 VII’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) represents a significant leap over the Polestar Phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The 8 Elite’s Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, clocked at up to 4.32 GHz, promise superior single-core performance, crucial for responsive UI and app loading. The Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 core at 3.3 GHz is still potent, but the 3nm process and architectural improvements of the 8 Elite give the Xperia 1 VII an edge in sustained performance and thermal efficiency. The Xperia 1 VII’s LPDDR5x RAM (speed unspecified) complements the chipset, ensuring smooth multitasking.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s battery endurance of 43:30h is a standout feature, significantly exceeding typical flagship performance. This is coupled with an active use score of 15:32h, indicating real-world longevity. While the Polestar Phone offers impressive charging speeds – 80W wired and 50W wireless – the Xperia 1 VII’s efficiency offsets its slower 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. The Xperia 1 VII’s battery is rated for 1400 cycles, suggesting long-term reliability, while the Polestar Phone’s cycle count is unspecified.

Buying Guide

Buy the Polestar Phone if you need the fastest possible charging speeds and prioritize peak performance for demanding tasks. Its 80W wired charging and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are geared towards users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter display, and a more refined, long-term user experience. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 43:30h endurance cater to users who value reliability and minimize charging interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Xperia 1 VII exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm process and improved thermal architecture are designed to minimize throttling. While all high-performance chipsets generate heat, the 8 Elite is expected to maintain higher sustained clock speeds compared to the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Polestar Phone, particularly during extended gaming sessions or video rendering.
❓ How does the 50W wireless charging on the Polestar Phone compare to the 15W wireless charging on the Xperia 1 VII in terms of real-world charging time?
The Polestar Phone’s 50W wireless charging will significantly reduce charging times compared to the Xperia 1 VII’s 15W. Expect a much faster wireless charge on the Polestar Phone, potentially adding several hours of usage in a shorter timeframe. However, the Xperia 1 VII’s superior battery endurance means you’ll need to wirelessly charge it less frequently.
❓ What type of display technology does the Polestar Phone utilize, and how does it compare to the Xperia 1 VII's likely LTPO OLED panel?
The Polestar Phone’s display technology is currently unspecified. If it lacks LTPO, it will likely have a fixed refresh rate, potentially impacting battery life compared to the Xperia 1 VII’s LTPO OLED, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate for optimal efficiency. The Xperia 1 VII’s LTPO panel also allows for lower refresh rates during static content, further conserving power.