Sony Xperia 1 IV vs Xperia Pro-I: The Ultimate Showdown

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers unique experiences, blending premium hardware with a focus on photography and videography. The Xperia 1 IV and Pro-I are both top-tier devices, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your investment.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 IV offers a more modern chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) and slightly better battery life, making it a more well-rounded flagship. However, the Pro-I boasts a superior camera system, particularly for video recording and professional workflows, justifying its higher price for serious content creators.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 IV Sony Xperia Pro-I
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, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 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 - Asia1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
Launch
Announced2022, May 112021, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 11Available. Released 2021, December 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)166 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.54 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Built-in strap-hole
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning 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 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 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 (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, 12-bit RAW, HDR, eye tracking
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple12 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)12 MP, f/2.0-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 2.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS (315 PDAF points, 90% frame coverage) 12 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", PDAF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 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
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, 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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Native Sony Alpha camera supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Violet, WhiteFrosted Black
ModelsXQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51CXQ-BE62, XQBE62-B, XQ-BE62-B, XQ-BE62/B, XQ-BE42, XQ-BE42-B, XQ-BE42/B, XQ-BE72, XQ-BE52
Price$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00About 930 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 87h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.6 LUFS (Good) -28.6 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 725839 (v9) GeekBench: 3540 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Modern Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Excellent battery life (100h)
  • Slightly brighter display
  • Versatile triple-lens camera system
  • Cinema White design

  • Camera not as advanced as Pro-I
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Sony Xperia Pro-I

  • Exceptional 1-inch sensor camera
  • Professional video features (4K 120fps)
  • External monitor connectivity
  • Premium build quality
  • Dedicated shutter button

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Shorter battery life (87h)
  • Higher price point
  • Less efficient processor

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 21:9 aspect ratio, perfect for cinematic content. The Xperia 1 IV edges out the Pro-I with a slightly higher peak brightness of 602 nits versus 644 nits, though the difference is minimal in real-world usage. Both offer exceptional contrast and color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

This is where the Pro-I truly shines. Its 1-inch sensor camera is a significant advantage, delivering exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The Pro-I also offers advanced video recording features like 4K 120fps and external monitor connectivity. The Xperia 1 IV has a versatile triple-lens system, but doesn't quite match the Pro-I's photographic prowess. Both offer excellent image processing and creative control.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Pro-I's Snapdragon 888. While both handle everyday tasks with ease, the 1 IV excels in demanding games and multitasking. The 8 Gen 1's efficiency also contributes to slightly better battery life. However, the Pro-I's performance is still more than adequate for most users.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 IV demonstrates superior battery endurance, achieving an impressive 100h rating compared to the Pro-I's 87h. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges, a key consideration for many users.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is ideal for users who want a premium smartphone experience with excellent performance, a vibrant display, and a capable camera. It's a great all-around choice. The Xperia Pro-I is targeted towards professional photographers and videographers who prioritize camera quality, external monitor connectivity, and advanced video features, even if it means sacrificing some processing power and battery efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Pro-I worth the extra cost?
If you're a professional photographer or videographer who needs the best possible image quality and advanced video features, the Pro-I is a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, the Xperia 1 IV offers a more balanced package at a lower price.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xperia 1 IV, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, provides noticeably better gaming performance and handles demanding titles more smoothly.