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

Sony consistently delivers unique smartphones catering to content creators and enthusiasts. The Xperia Pro-I and Xperia 1 IV are prime examples, both boasting impressive features but targeting slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your investment.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 IV emerges as the overall winner, offering a newer chipset, slightly better battery life, and wireless charging. While the Pro-I's 1-inch sensor is a significant draw for photographers, the 1 IV's broader appeal and modern features make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia Pro-I 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, 48, 66, 711, 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 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/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2021, October 262022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 02Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions166 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.54 x 2.83 x 0.35 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
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Built-in strap-holeIP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
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 (~82.5% 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 casesRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, 12-bit RAW, HDR, eye trackingZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple12 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)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-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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPortUSB 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 supportNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsFrosted BlackBlack, Violet, White
ModelsXQ-BE62, XQBE62-B, XQ-BE62-B, XQ-BE62/B, XQ-BE42, XQ-BE42-B, XQ-BE42/B, XQ-BE72, XQ-BE52XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 930 EUR$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 87h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.6 LUFS (Average) -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 725839 (v9) GeekBench: 3540 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia Pro-I

  • Dedicated 1-inch sensor for exceptional image quality
  • External monitor connectivity for professional workflows
  • High-quality build and design
  • Excellent video recording capabilities

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Shorter battery life compared to the 1 IV
  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Higher price point

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for improved performance
  • Longer battery life with wireless charging
  • More versatile camera system with improved telephoto
  • Slightly brighter display

  • 1-inch sensor not present
  • Design can be polarizing
  • Price remains high

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The Xperia 1 IV, however, edges out the Pro-I with a slightly higher measured brightness of 602 nits versus 644 nits (though the Pro-I's peak brightness might be higher in certain conditions). The Xperia 1 IV also boasts a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, contributing to deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Both offer excellent viewing experiences, but the 1 IV has a slight advantage.

Camera Comparison

This is where the biggest difference lies. The Xperia Pro-I’s standout feature is its 1-inch sensor, delivering exceptional image quality, especially in low light. However, the Xperia 1 IV offers a more versatile camera system with improved telephoto capabilities and enhanced video recording features. Both phones offer excellent image processing, but the 1 IV’s overall versatility gives it an edge.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) provides a noticeable performance boost over the Pro-I’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). While both handle everyday tasks with ease, the 1 IV excels in demanding games and multitasking. The newer architecture and improved efficiency of the 8 Gen 1 contribute to smoother performance and potentially better thermal management.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 IV secures a slight victory in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 100 hours compared to the Pro-I’s 87 hours. While both offer all-day battery life for moderate usage, the 1 IV’s more efficient chipset contributes to its longer endurance. The 1 IV also includes wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent in the Pro-I.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia Pro-I is ideal for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize a dedicated 1-inch sensor and external monitor connectivity. The Xperia 1 IV is a better fit for users seeking a well-rounded flagship experience with a powerful processor, excellent display, and versatile camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Pro-I worth the extra cost for photographers?
If you're a professional photographer who frequently uses external monitors and prioritizes the 1-inch sensor's image quality, the Pro-I might be worth the investment. Otherwise, the 1 IV offers a more balanced package.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both phones offer excellent video recording, but the Xperia 1 IV has slightly improved features and stabilization.