Sony Xperia Pro vs Xperia 1: A Clash of Flagship Titans

Sony consistently delivers unique smartphones, and the Xperia Pro and Xperia 1 are prime examples. Both offer premium features and a focus on photography, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Pro boasts a newer Snapdragon 865 and a built-in HDMI input for professional workflows, making it ideal for content creators. However, the Xperia 1 offers a slightly better overall package with its exceptional display and longer-lasting battery, making it a strong contender for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia Pro Sony Xperia 1
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, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 Sub6, mmWave-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, February 24. Released 2021, January 272019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions170.2 x 76.2 x 10.2 mm (6.70 x 3.00 x 0.40 in)167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225.1 g (7.94 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
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 (~76.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDR BT.2020OLED, HDR BT.2020
 Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use casesRuns at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal512GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.XUFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
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)12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, micro HDMIUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-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 support-
Battery
Charging21W wired, PD18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Gray, Purple, White
Models-J8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L
PriceAbout 2000 EURAbout 500 EUR
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 79h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia Pro

  • Newer Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Built-in HDMI input for professional workflows
  • Excellent camera system
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Shorter battery life compared to Xperia 1
  • Higher price point
  • Less vibrant display than Xperia 1

Sony Xperia 1

  • Stunning 4K OLED display with infinite contrast
  • Exceptional battery life (79h endurance)
  • Versatile triple-lens camera system
  • More affordable than Xperia Pro

  • Older Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • Lacks HDMI input
  • Less optimized for professional workflows

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 shines with its 6.5-inch 4K OLED display, boasting an infinite contrast ratio and a measured 665 nits of brightness. While the Xperia Pro has a slightly smaller 6.0-inch OLED display, its brightness isn't as high. The Xperia 1's display is arguably the winner for overall visual quality and immersion.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but with different strengths. The Xperia 1 offers a versatile triple-lens setup with a focus on natural-looking images. The Xperia Pro, while sharing similar hardware, benefits from Sony's professional workflow optimizations and HDMI output for external monitoring. Camera performance is very close, but the Pro caters to professionals.

Performance

The Xperia Pro holds a performance edge thanks to the Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is a generation newer than the Xperia 1's Snapdragon 855. This translates to slightly faster processing speeds and improved 5G connectivity. However, in everyday use, both phones feel incredibly responsive.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 79 hours. The Xperia Pro's battery life is respectable, but not as exceptional as the Xperia 1's. This is a significant advantage for the Xperia 1, especially for users who prioritize all-day power.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia Pro is best suited for professional photographers and videographers who need a dedicated external monitor connection and prioritize raw performance. The Sony Xperia 1 is a better choice for users who value a stunning display, long battery life, and a more balanced smartphone experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Pro worth the extra cost?
If you're a professional photographer or videographer who needs HDMI output and the latest chipset, then yes. Otherwise, the Xperia 1 offers a better value proposition.
❓ Which phone has the better camera for casual users?
Both have excellent cameras, but the Xperia 1's natural-looking images and versatile lens options make it a great choice for casual users.