vivo X50 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 1 III: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Android Phones

The vivo X50 Pro and Sony Xperia 1 III represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The X50 Pro, released with the Snapdragon 765G, aimed to deliver a premium experience at a more accessible price point. The Xperia 1 III, equipped with the Snapdragon 888, doubled down on a no-compromise approach, targeting enthusiasts with its pro-grade camera and multimedia features. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and a balanced experience, the vivo X50 Pro emerges as the winner. While the Sony Xperia 1 III boasts a more powerful processor and brighter display, the X50 Pro’s competitive pricing and respectable performance make it a more practical choice for daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X50 Pro Sony Xperia 1 III
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, 12, 17, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2020, June 01. Released 2020, June 122021, April 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm (6.24 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight181.5 g (6.42 oz)186 g / 187.1 g (mmWave) (6.56 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, gimbal OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple-12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingNative Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging33W wired, 57% in 30 min30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
Type4315 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Light BlueFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsV2005A, 2006XQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 440 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
SAR EU0.34 W/kg (head)     0.88 W/kg (body)-
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAMRp 5,876,500-
256GB 8GB RAMRp 9,499,000-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 88h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 323736 (v8) GeekBench: 1937 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X50 Pro

  • Excellent value for money
  • Longer battery endurance rating
  • Gimbal stabilization for smoother video

  • Less powerful processor
  • Dimmer display
  • Lacks wireless charging

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Brighter and potentially higher refresh rate display
  • Advanced camera features and manual controls

  • Significantly higher price
  • Slightly lower battery endurance rating
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 III’s display significantly outshines the vivo X50 Pro in terms of peak brightness, reaching 620 nits compared to the X50 Pro’s 503 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Xperia 1 III’s panel likely benefits from its higher brightness for a more dynamic range. While neither specification details refresh rate, the Xperia 1 III is known for its 120Hz display, a feature absent in the X50 Pro, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations. The Xperia 1 III’s larger size also allows for a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as having strong camera capabilities, but their approaches differ. While both offer photo and video recording, the Xperia 1 III’s camera system is geared towards professional users, offering extensive manual controls and features like real-time tracking and 4K 120fps video recording. The X50 Pro’s camera system, while capable, is more focused on ease of use and delivering good results in a variety of conditions. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the Xperia 1 III’s emphasis on image quality and control suggests a more sophisticated camera experience. The X50 Pro’s gimbal stabilization is a notable feature, offering smoother video recording, but the Xperia 1 III’s advanced processing and manual controls provide greater creative flexibility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo X50 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7nm), while the Sony Xperia 1 III packs the more powerful SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 5nm process node of the Snapdragon 888 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 7nm Snapdragon 765G. The Xperia 1 III’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, three Cortex-A78 cores at 2.42 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.80 GHz – provides a substantial performance uplift over the X50 Pro’s octa-core setup (2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Both devices feature 8GB of RAM, but the Xperia 1 III’s faster chipset and potentially faster RAM type (likely LPDDR5 vs. the X50 Pro’s LPDDR4X) contribute to a snappier overall experience.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 III’s endurance rating of 82 hours is slightly lower than the vivo X50 Pro’s 88 hours, suggesting the X50 Pro offers marginally better battery life. However, this difference is likely offset by the Xperia 1 III’s faster 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes) compared to the X50 Pro’s 33W charging (57% in 30 minutes). The Xperia 1 III also adds wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities, offering greater convenience. The Snapdragon 888’s improved power efficiency, despite its higher performance, helps mitigate the impact of its larger display and more demanding processing tasks on battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X50 Pro if you need a capable 5G smartphone with a good camera and long battery life without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for everyday users, social media enthusiasts, and those who appreciate a sleek design. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if you prioritize top-tier performance, a professional-grade camera system with extensive manual controls, and a truly immersive multimedia experience, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Xperia 1 III suffer from overheating issues during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than its predecessors. While the Xperia 1 III incorporates cooling solutions, extended gaming at maximum settings can lead to thermal throttling, potentially reducing performance over time. The X50 Pro’s Snapdragon 765G, being less powerful, is less prone to overheating.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the vivo X50 Pro and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The vivo X50 Pro typically employs more aggressive image processing, aiming for vibrant and shareable photos straight out of the camera. The Sony Xperia 1 III prioritizes natural color reproduction and offers extensive manual control, allowing users to fine-tune the image to their preferences. The Xperia 1 III’s processing is geared towards a more professional workflow.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the vivo X50 Pro fast enough for most users?
While 33W isn't the fastest charging available today, it's still reasonably quick, delivering 57% charge in 30 minutes. For most users, this is sufficient for overnight charging or a quick top-up during the day. The Xperia 1 III’s 30W charging is comparable, but the addition of wireless charging provides added convenience.