Sony Xperia 1 II vs Xperia 1 IV: The Ultimate Showdown

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers a unique blend of premium hardware and a focus on photography. The Xperia 1 II and 1 IV represent two generations of this philosophy. But which one offers the best value and performance for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 IV is the clear winner, boasting a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, faster charging, and improved battery life. While the 1 II remains a capable device, the 1 IV’s advancements in camera and overall performance make it the superior choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 II Sony Xperia 1 IV
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, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 661, 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 bands1, 3, 28, 77, 78 NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat19 1600/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, 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
Announced2020, February 242022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 22Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm (6.5 x 2.80 x 0.30 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181.4 g (6.38 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use casesRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 730
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss 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
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (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)
Video4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-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, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD 11W wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Purple, Mirror Lake GreenBlack, Violet, White
ModelsXQ-AT51, XQ-AT52, SOG01, XQ-AT42XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 700 EUR$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 83h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -27.3 LUFS (Good) -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 534701 (v8) GeekBench: 3295 (v5.1) GFXBench: 39fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 II

  • Excellent camera with manual controls
  • Stunning 120Hz OLED display
  • Premium design and build quality
  • Competitive price (now)

  • Slower charging speed
  • Older chipset
  • Battery life could be better
  • No telephoto lens zoom versatility

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Significantly faster performance
  • Improved battery life and charging
  • More versatile telephoto lens
  • Latest Snapdragon chipset
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Higher price
  • Potential for thermal throttling (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
  • Design is similar to previous models

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED displays with a 21:9 aspect ratio and HDR support. The Xperia 1 IV maintains a similar peak brightness (602 nits) to the 1 II (611 nits), offering excellent outdoor visibility. The color accuracy and contrast are exceptional on both, thanks to their infinite contrast ratio. The 1 IV's display might have slightly improved color calibration, but the difference is minimal.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer excellent camera systems, but the 1 IV introduces notable improvements. The 1 IV features a variable telephoto lens (85mm, 135mm, 210mm) offering more versatile zoom options. Both have a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a telephoto lens. The 1 IV's image processing and video recording capabilities are generally superior, with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The 1 II's camera is still excellent, but the 1 IV pushes the boundaries further.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) provides a significant performance boost over the 1 II’s Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the 1 IV. The newer CPU architecture in the 1 IV also contributes to improved power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 IV significantly improves upon the 1 II's battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 100 hours compared to the 1 II's 83 hours. The 1 IV also supports 30W wired charging (PD3.0, PPS), a substantial upgrade from the 1 II's 21W charging. The addition of wireless and reverse wireless charging on the 1 IV further enhances its convenience.

Buying Guide

The Xperia 1 II is a great option for users who prioritize a slightly more affordable price point and don't need the absolute latest features. It's ideal for photography enthusiasts who appreciate Sony's manual controls and image quality. The Xperia 1 IV is for those seeking the best possible performance, a more modern chipset, faster charging, and the latest camera innovations, even at a premium price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 IV worth the upgrade from the Xperia 1 II?
If you prioritize performance, battery life, and camera versatility, then yes. The 1 IV offers significant improvements. However, if you're happy with your 1 II's performance and are on a tighter budget, the upgrade might not be essential.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
The Xperia 1 IV generally offers better video recording, with improved dynamic range, stabilization, and overall image quality. Both phones support 4K recording at 120fps.