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

Sony continues to carve its niche with premium, camera-focused smartphones. The Xperia Pro-I and Xperia 1 V represent the pinnacle of their efforts, but which one offers the best experience? We'll break down the key differences to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 V emerges as the overall winner, boasting a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a brighter display, and improved battery life. While the Pro-I's unique external monitor connectivity is a niche advantage, the 1 V delivers a more compelling flagship experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia Pro-I Sony Xperia 1 V
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 262023, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 02Available. Released 2023, July 28
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), 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 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)187 g (6.60 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 2
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 cases-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS
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", 1.12µm-
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)48 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 PDAF
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@30/60fps, 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 Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
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, tri-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, 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, Khaki Green, Platinum Silver
ModelsXQ-BE62, XQBE62-B, XQ-BE62-B, XQ-BE62/B, XQ-BE42, XQ-BE42-B, XQ-BE42/B, XQ-BE72, XQ-BE52XQDQ62/B, XQ-DQ72, XQ-DQ54
PriceAbout 930 EUR€ 684.00 / $ 1,409.99 / £ 519.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 87h Endurance rating 115h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.6 LUFS (Average) -25.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 725839 (v9) GeekBench: 3540 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1127931 (v9) GeekBench: 4916 (v6) GFXBench: 96fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia Pro-I

  • Unique external monitor connectivity
  • Excellent 1-inch sensor camera
  • High-quality build

  • Older Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Shorter battery life
  • Higher price point

Sony Xperia 1 V

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Improved image processing

  • External monitor connectivity absent
  • Pricey

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 V takes a clear lead in the display department. Its 936 nits peak brightness significantly surpasses the Pro-I's 644 nits, resulting in a more vibrant and visible screen, especially outdoors. Both feature excellent color accuracy and a 120Hz refresh rate, but the 1 V's superior brightness is a noticeable advantage. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim on the 1V is nominal, but suggests excellent blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer exceptional camera capabilities, but with different strengths. The Pro-I's 1-inch sensor is a unique selling point, delivering excellent image quality in various conditions. The Xperia 1 V benefits from Sony's improved image processing algorithms and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's enhanced ISP, resulting in more refined photos and videos. Both offer excellent video recording capabilities, including 4K 120fps.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xperia 1 V provides a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the Pro-I. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the 1 V. The 1 V's newer CPU architecture also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 V demonstrates significantly better battery life. Its active use score of 12:24h and endurance rating of 115h are considerably higher than the Pro-I's 87h endurance rating. This translates to a longer-lasting device that can easily handle a full day of use.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia Pro-I is ideal for professional photographers and videographers who need the external monitor connectivity for precise framing and monitoring. The Xperia 1 V is a better choice for the average enthusiast who wants a top-tier camera, a stunning display, and flagship performance in a well-rounded package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Pro-I worth the extra cost?
Only if you absolutely need the external monitor connectivity for professional photography or videography. Otherwise, the Xperia 1 V offers a better overall value.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both offer excellent video recording, but the Xperia 1 V's improved image processing and more powerful chipset give it a slight edge.