Sony Xperia 1 VI vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Battery Life

Sony’s Xperia 1 VI arrives as a premium, no-compromise flagship, while the OnePlus 12R aims to deliver near-flagship performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects the core differences – from the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Xperia to the 12R’s rapid 100W charging – to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance, display quality, and battery longevity, the Sony Xperia 1 VI emerges as the superior choice. However, the OnePlus 12R’s significantly faster charging and competitive price make it a compelling option for those who value convenience and affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 VI OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 152024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 03Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
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 (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 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 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Platinum silver, Khaki green, Scar redIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsXQEC54EUKCB.GC, XQEC54EUKCG.GC, XQEC54EUKCS.GC, XQ-EC72CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price$ 1,299.99 / £ 829.00 / € 977.98€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

Sony Xperia 1 VI

  • Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Longer battery life in real-world usage
  • Brighter and potentially more color-accurate display

  • Slower charging speed (30W)
  • Likely higher price point

OnePlus 12R

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
  • More affordable price
  • Excellent value for money

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Shorter battery life compared to Xperia 1 VI

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s display boasts a measured peak brightness of 1310 nits, significantly exceeding the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the Xperia’s display technology likely benefits from more advanced calibration, contributing to potentially superior color accuracy. The absence of PWM frequency data for both devices makes it difficult to assess flicker-related eye strain, but the Xperia’s reputation for display quality suggests a refined viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Context data doesn't provide camera details, but based on Sony’s history, the Xperia 1 VI is expected to prioritize image quality and manual control. The OnePlus 12R, while capable, typically focuses on a more accessible, AI-driven camera experience. The Xperia’s likely larger sensor and advanced image processing algorithms will likely result in superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The absence of information on OIS and lens apertures prevents a more detailed comparison.

Performance

The Xperia 1 VI’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, featuring a 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, represents a generational leap over the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Gen 3’s architectural improvements – including enhanced Cortex-A720 cores – promise better performance and efficiency. While the 12R’s 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 is no slouch, the Xperia will likely exhibit superior performance in demanding tasks like video editing and high-end gaming. The Xperia’s CPU configuration (1+3+2+2) also suggests a more balanced approach to multi-core workloads.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 VI achieves an impressive 17:27h of active use, outperforming the OnePlus 12R’s 14:32h. This difference, coupled with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, suggests the Xperia will comfortably last a full day for most users. However, the OnePlus 12R compensates with its 100W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes, a stark contrast to the Xperia’s 30W charging which takes considerably longer. The Xperia does offer 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the 12R.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI if you need a top-tier camera experience, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and the peace of mind of a longer-lasting battery. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize incredibly fast charging, a smooth user experience, and maximizing value for your money, even if it means some trade-offs in display and sustained performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerful chip, it can experience some throttling under prolonged heavy load. The OnePlus 12R’s cooling system is adequate, but it won’t match the sustained performance of the Xperia 1 VI’s newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and potentially more robust thermal design.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compared to the 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VI in a real-world scenario?
The OnePlus 12R can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 26 minutes, while the Xperia 1 VI requires significantly longer with its 30W charging. This means you can quickly top up the 12R during short breaks, whereas the Xperia 1 VI requires a more substantial charging period.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the Xperia 1 VI and OnePlus 12R noticeable for average users?
The 2.5+ hour difference in active use score is substantial. Average users will likely notice the Xperia 1 VI lasting comfortably through a full day, while the OnePlus 12R might require a top-up in the evening with moderate to heavy usage.