vivo X80 vs Sony Xperia 1 IV: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The vivo X80 and Sony Xperia 1 IV represent distinct philosophies in the flagship Android space. The X80, powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9000, aims for raw performance and rapid charging at a competitive price. Conversely, the Xperia 1 IV, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, prioritizes a holistic multimedia experience, focusing on camera versatility and a refined software approach. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and charging speed, the vivo X80 emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 9000 delivers comparable performance to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, coupled with significantly faster 80W charging. However, the Xperia 1 IV excels for content creators and those deeply invested in Sony's ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X80 Sony Xperia 1 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China1, 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, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2022, April 252022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 29Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm or 8.8 mm165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g / 206 g (7.16 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR, 1500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MC10Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (Global), OriginOS Ocean (China)Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 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
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, 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, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 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, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, 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/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), 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
Charging80W wired, 50% in 11 min Reverse wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCosmic Black, Urban Blue, OrangeBlack, Violet, White
ModelsV2183A, V2144XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 560 EUR$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X80

  • Significantly faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially better sustained performance due to Dimensity 9000's thermal efficiency
  • Likely more competitive pricing

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Camera details are limited, making a direct comparison difficult

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Professional-grade camera system with advanced video features
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Sony’s refined software experience

  • Slower 30W wired charging
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to thermal throttling
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 IV boasts a 602 nit peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors, but lacks specifics on panel technology beyond an 'infinite' contrast ratio. The X80’s display specs are not provided, but vivo typically employs AMOLED panels known for vibrant colors. The Xperia 1 IV’s focus on a 21:9 aspect ratio caters to video consumption, while the X80 likely adopts a more conventional 19.5:9 ratio. Without knowing the X80’s refresh rate, it’s difficult to assess motion clarity, but the Xperia 1 IV’s display is geared towards cinematic viewing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed as having strong photo and video capabilities, but details are sparse. The Xperia 1 IV’s strength lies in its professional video features and Sony’s image processing expertise. Without sensor size or aperture information for either device, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Sony’s history suggests a focus on natural color reproduction, while vivo often leans towards more vibrant, saturated images. The absence of details on the X80’s camera system makes it hard to assess its capabilities beyond marketing claims.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Cortex-X2 prime core, but the Xperia 1 IV’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 operates at 3.00 GHz, slightly underclocked compared to the X80’s Dimensity 9000 at 3.05 GHz. The Xperia 1 IV’s Cortex-A710 cores are clocked higher at 2.50 GHz versus the X80’s 2.85 GHz. Both use the same Cortex-A510 efficiency cores. The 4nm fabrication process is shared, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to be more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load, potentially impacting long gaming sessions. The Dimensity 9000’s architecture may offer better sustained performance due to its more efficient design. Both devices likely feature LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed isn't specified.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). However, charging speeds are drastically different. The vivo X80’s 80W wired charging can reach 50% in just 11 minutes, a significant advantage over the Xperia 1 IV’s 30W charging, which takes 30 minutes for the same level. The Xperia 1 IV adds wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the X80. The faster wired charging of the X80 is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X80 if you need a powerhouse performer for gaming and everyday tasks, and value incredibly fast charging speeds. It's the ideal choice for users who want top-tier specs without the premium price tag. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV if you prioritize a professional-grade camera system with extensive video capabilities, a more refined software experience, and wireless charging convenience, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 1 IV known to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load, which can lead to thermal throttling and reduced performance during prolonged gaming. While Sony likely implements cooling solutions, the Dimensity 9000 in the X80 generally exhibits better thermal efficiency.
❓ Does the vivo X80 support high frame rate gaming, like 90fps or 120fps in popular titles?
While not explicitly stated, the Dimensity 9000 is capable of supporting high frame rates in many popular games. However, performance will depend on the game’s optimization and the device’s thermal management. It's likely to handle most titles at 60fps, with some potentially reaching 90fps or higher with graphics settings adjusted.
❓ What kind of video recording features does the Sony Xperia 1 IV offer that the vivo X80 might lack?
The Xperia 1 IV is geared towards professional videography, offering features like 4K 120fps recording, S-Cinetone color profiles for a cinematic look, and external monitor support. The X80 likely offers standard video recording capabilities, but may not have the same level of advanced features and control.
❓ How does the reverse charging functionality on the Xperia 1 IV compare to the vivo X80's reverse wired charging?
The Xperia 1 IV offers reverse *wireless* charging, allowing you to charge compatible devices by placing them on the phone's back. The X80 offers reverse *wired* charging, requiring a cable connection. Wireless charging is more convenient, but wired charging is generally faster and more efficient.