Vivo X70 Pro+ vs Sony Xperia 1 III: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android

The vivo X70 Pro+ and Sony Xperia 1 III represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The X70 Pro+ prioritizes camera innovation and rapid charging, while the Xperia 1 III focuses on a creator-centric experience with a unique 21:9 display and emphasis on manual controls. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X70 Pro+ emerges as the stronger all-rounder. Its superior camera system, coupled with significantly faster charging speeds (55W vs 30W), provides a more convenient and feature-rich experience. However, the Xperia 1 III’s display and creator tools appeal to a niche audience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X70 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 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, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 - SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2021, September 092021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 17Available. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.5 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g / 213 g (7.37 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
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF, gimbal OIS-
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)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (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 -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging55W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangeFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsV2145A, V2114XQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 720 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X70 Pro+

  • Significantly faster charging (55W wired, 50W wireless)
  • Potentially superior camera performance in various scenarios
  • Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility

  • Software experience may not appeal to purists
  • Lack of detailed display specifications (PWM dimming)

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Unique 21:9 display for immersive multimedia
  • Emphasis on manual camera controls and natural image processing
  • Creator-focused features and software

  • Slower charging speeds (30W wired)
  • Lower peak display brightness
  • 21:9 aspect ratio may cause app compatibility issues

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 III boasts an infinite contrast ratio, indicative of its OLED panel, but falls behind the X70 Pro+ in peak brightness, measuring 620 nits compared to the vivo’s 1022 nits. This difference translates to better outdoor visibility for the X70 Pro+. While both utilize the Snapdragon 888 series, the Xperia 1 III’s 21:9 aspect ratio is a defining feature, catering to multimedia consumption and multitasking, but potentially causing compatibility issues with some apps. The X70 Pro+’s more conventional aspect ratio offers broader compatibility. Neither specification details PWM dimming rates, a crucial factor for users sensitive to flicker.

Camera Comparison

Both devices excel in camera capabilities, but approach it differently. While both are capable of excellent photo and video, the X70 Pro+’s camera system is likely to be more versatile due to its focus on computational photography and potentially larger sensors (details not provided). Sony emphasizes manual control and a more ‘natural’ image processing style, appealing to photography enthusiasts. The lack of specific sensor size information prevents a definitive comparison, but the X70 Pro+’s reputation suggests a stronger emphasis on low-light performance. Both phones offer video recording, but the X70 Pro+'s faster charging allows for more recording time between charges.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series, but the X70 Pro+ features the slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm) versus the standard Snapdragon 888 (5nm) in the Xperia 1 III. While the CPU core configuration is largely identical – Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) for the X70 Pro+ and (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) for the Xperia 1 III – the higher clock speed of the X70 Pro+’s prime core offers a marginal performance advantage. Thermal management will be key, and without detailed testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone sustains peak performance for longer.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve similar endurance ratings – 84 hours for the X70 Pro+ and 82 hours for the Xperia 1 III – despite the X70 Pro+ having a potentially smaller battery (size not specified). This is largely due to the X70 Pro+’s significantly faster charging capabilities. 55W wired, 50W wireless, and even 10W reverse wireless charging provide unparalleled convenience, allowing for a full charge in under an hour. The Xperia 1 III’s 30W wired charging, while supporting PD and reaching 50% in 30 minutes, is considerably slower. The inclusion of reverse wireless and wired charging on the X70 Pro+ adds further utility.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X70 Pro+ if you need a consistently excellent camera system, particularly for stills, and value blazing-fast charging. It’s ideal for social media enthusiasts and those who prioritize convenience. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if you’re a content creator who demands precise color accuracy, manual camera controls, and a unique cinematic display experience, and are willing to trade some battery convenience for these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the X70 Pro+ offer a noticeable performance boost over the standard 888 in the Xperia 1 III for gaming?
While the Snapdragon 888+ offers a slight CPU performance advantage, the real-world difference in gaming is often minimal. Both phones are capable of running demanding games at high settings. Thermal management will be the deciding factor – how well each phone sustains peak performance over extended gaming sessions. Without specific thermal testing data, it’s difficult to definitively say which performs better long-term.
❓ The Xperia 1 III emphasizes manual camera controls. Is the X70 Pro+’s camera app equally flexible for experienced photographers?
The X70 Pro+’s camera app offers a robust set of manual controls, but it’s geared towards a more streamlined experience. While you can adjust ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, it doesn’t offer the same level of granular control as the Xperia 1 III. The X70 Pro+ excels in automatic modes and computational photography, making it easier to capture great shots quickly.
❓ How does the 21:9 aspect ratio of the Xperia 1 III affect video playback and content creation?
The 21:9 aspect ratio provides a more cinematic viewing experience for videos formatted in ultrawide aspect ratios. For content creation, it allows for a wider field of view when recording video. However, it can also result in letterboxing (black bars) when viewing content in standard aspect ratios, and some apps may not fully utilize the screen real estate.