Sony Xperia Pro vs. Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: A Deep Dive for Power Users

The Sony Xperia Pro and Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate represent vastly different philosophies in the smartphone world. The Xperia Pro, built around the older Snapdragon 865, targets professionals needing a direct HDMI output and 5G connectivity for on-the-go workflows. Conversely, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, is a gaming behemoth designed for maximum performance and immersive experiences. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly superior performance and efficiency, coupled with a brighter display and faster 65W charging. While the Xperia Pro offers a unique HDMI output, its aging processor and limited charging capabilities make it a niche device.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia Pro Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 Sub6, mmWave1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2020, February 24. Released 2021, January 272023, April 13
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions170.2 x 76.2 x 10.2 mm (6.70 x 3.00 x 0.40 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225.1 g (7.94 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 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 SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 740
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal512GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, micro HDMIUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
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/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Native Sony Alpha camera support-
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackStorm White
PriceAbout 2000 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia Pro

  • Dedicated HDMI Output for Professional Monitoring
  • 5G Connectivity for Remote Workflows
  • Sony’s Color Science for Accurate Image Reproduction

  • Outdated Snapdragon 865 Chipset
  • Slow 21W Charging
  • Limited Gaming Performance

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Unmatched Performance
  • 65W Fast Charging (PD3.0, QC5)
  • Bright and Vibrant Display

  • Gaming-Focused Design May Not Appeal to Everyone
  • Lacks Dedicated HDMI Output
  • Potentially Bulky Design

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1095 nits, compared to the Xperia Pro’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays likely offer excellent color accuracy, the ROG Phone’s higher peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for HDR content. The ROG Phone’s higher refresh rate (likely 144Hz, based on ROG Phone history) further enhances gaming smoothness, a feature absent on the Xperia Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The Xperia Pro, historically, focuses on color accuracy and natural image processing. However, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate benefits from the newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, enabling improved noise reduction, dynamic range, and potentially better low-light performance. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the ROG Phone’s newer chipset provides a computational photography advantage. The Xperia Pro’s strength lies in its direct HDMI output for external monitoring, a feature absent on the ROG Phone.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a generational leap over the Sony Xperia Pro’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+). The Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, offers a significant IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the Cortex-A77 in the 865. Furthermore, the 4nm process node provides superior thermal efficiency, meaning the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate will sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The ROG Phone’s likely LPDDR5X RAM also contributes to faster data transfer speeds, enhancing overall responsiveness.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s more powerful processor. This is likely due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s improved efficiency. However, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s 65W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC5 support) is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 42 minutes. The Xperia Pro’s 21W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to replenish the battery. The ROG Phone also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a convenience feature missing on the Xperia Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia Pro if you are a professional videographer or content creator who *absolutely* requires a direct HDMI output to monitor and a dedicated 5G connection for live streaming or remote production. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you prioritize mobile gaming, demand the highest possible performance, and value features like fast charging and a vibrant, high-brightness display. The ROG Phone is also a better all-rounder for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the Xperia Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 is showing its age. While it can run these games, you'll likely experience noticeable frame drops and throttling, especially during extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a vastly smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the HDMI output on the Xperia Pro truly useful for professional videographers, or is it more of a gimmick?
The HDMI output is a core feature for professionals. It allows for direct monitoring of the camera feed on an external display, ensuring accurate color representation and focus. This is crucial for critical work where relying solely on the phone's screen isn't sufficient. It bypasses any internal processing, offering a clean feed.
❓ How effective is the cooling system on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate during prolonged gaming sessions?
ROG Phones are renowned for their advanced cooling systems. The ROG Phone 7 Ultimate likely incorporates a combination of vapor chamber cooling, graphite sheets, and potentially even an external fan accessory (sold separately) to effectively dissipate heat and prevent thermal throttling, allowing for sustained peak performance.
❓ Can the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate be used for professional video editing, or is it primarily a gaming device?
While primarily a gaming device, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and ample RAM can handle basic video editing tasks. However, the lack of a dedicated HDMI output and the gaming-centric software may not make it the ideal choice for professional workflows compared to the Xperia Pro.