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

Sony's Xperia line consistently delivers a unique blend of premium design, exceptional camera capabilities, and a focus on content creation. The Xperia 1 V and 1 IV are two of their latest flagships, but which one offers the best experience? This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 V emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a brighter display, and improved battery endurance. While the 1 IV remains a capable device, the 1 V's upgrades make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 V 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, 66 - Europe1, 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
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 - Asia
Launch
Announced2023, May 112022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, July 28Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 71 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)185 g (6.53 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)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning 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 (~84.2% 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 cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFSUFS 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, HDR, eye tracking
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, 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, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF12 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
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS4K@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
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, 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, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-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 supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Khaki Green, Platinum SilverBlack, Violet, White
ModelsXQDQ62/B, XQ-DQ72, XQ-DQ54XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
Price€ 684.00 / $ 1,409.99 / £ 519.99$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.4 LUFS (Very good) -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1127931 (v9) GeekBench: 4916 (v6) GFXBench: 96fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1 V

  • Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Brighter 936 nits display
  • Improved battery life (115h endurance)
  • New Exmor T for mobile sensor
  • Excellent camera capabilities

  • Higher price point
  • Design largely unchanged from previous models

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Still a capable flagship
  • Excellent camera system
  • Familiar Sony experience
  • Slightly more affordable

  • Slower Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • Dimmer 602 nits display
  • Shorter battery life (100h endurance)
  • Less impressive low-light performance compared to 1 V

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 V features a noticeable brightness upgrade, reaching 936 nits compared to the 1 IV's 602 nits. Both phones utilize a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 21:9 aspect ratio, offering stunning visuals and smooth scrolling. The contrast ratio is nominally infinite on both, indicating excellent black levels. The brighter screen on the 1 V makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-lens rear camera system with a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The Xperia 1 V introduces a new Exmor T for mobile sensor, promising improved low-light performance and dynamic range. Video recording capabilities are excellent on both, supporting 4K 120fps recording. While both are excellent, the 1 V's sensor and processing improvements give it a slight edge.

Performance

The Xperia 1 V's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a substantial performance leap over the 1 IV's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Gen 2 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences. The 1 IV still performs well, but the 1 V is noticeably quicker.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 V demonstrates significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 115 hours compared to the 1 IV's 100 hours. Active use also shows a longer runtime on the 1 V (12:24h vs. likely shorter on the 1 IV, though specific data is unavailable). This is a key advantage for users who need a phone that can last through a full day of heavy use.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 V is ideal for photography enthusiasts, videographers, and users who prioritize performance and battery life. The Xperia 1 IV is a good option for those seeking a slightly more affordable flagship with a still-excellent camera and a familiar Sony experience, but are less concerned about the absolute latest and greatest.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 V worth the upgrade from the Xperia 1 IV?
If you prioritize performance, battery life, and camera improvements, then the Xperia 1 V is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're happy with the 1 IV's performance and are looking to save money, it remains a solid option.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 8 Gen 2?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance, power efficiency, and AI capabilities compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This translates to faster speeds, better battery life, and enhanced features.