Sony Xperia 1 VII vs. vivo X90: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Flagship Android Power

The Sony Xperia 1 VII represents a continuation of Sony’s unique approach to flagships – prioritizing multimedia and a professional user experience. Conversely, the vivo X90 aims for a broader appeal with a focus on fast charging and a more mainstream design. This comparison dissects these two distinct philosophies, focusing on where each phone excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a consistently smooth experience, the Sony Xperia 1 VII takes the lead. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and exceptional 43:30h battery endurance outweigh the vivo X90’s faster 120W charging, making it the better all-rounder.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo X90	Sony Xperia 1 VII

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China	-

Launch
Announced	2022, November 22	2025, May 13
Status	Available. Released 2022, November 30	Available. Released 2025, June 04

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back or eco leather back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions	164.1 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm	162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	196 g / 200 g (6.91 oz)	197 g (6.95 oz)
	IP64 dust/water resistant	-

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution	1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~452 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+	LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 9200 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPU	Immortalis-G715 MC11	Adreno 830
OS	Android 13, Funtouch 13 (Global), OriginOS 3 (China)	Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB UFS 3.1 - 128GB	-

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	-
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF	48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/3.5, 170mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom, OIS, 4cm macro @ 120mm, no AF 48 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
Video	1080p@30/60fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	-
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	6.0, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass

Battery
Charging	120W wired, 50% in 8 min Reverse wired	30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	4810 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Asteroid Black, Breeze Blue, Red	Moss Green, Orchid Purple, Slate Black
Models	V2241A	XQ-FS54, XQFS54EUKCG.GC, XQFS54EUKCV.GC, XQFS54EUKCB.GC, PDX256
Price	About 300 EUR	€ 1,338.99 / $ 1,394.99 / £ 1,149.94

EU LABEL
Battery	-	43:30h endurance, 1400 cycles
Energy	-	Class B
Free fall	-	Class B (181 falls)
Repairability	-	Class D

vivo X90

Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
Competitive performance with Dimensity 9200
Sleek and modern design (implied)
Reverse wired charging

Potentially shorter battery lifespan compared to Xperia
Less emphasis on multimedia features

Sony Xperia 1 VII

Exceptional battery endurance (43:30h)
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
Bright and color-accurate display (1475 nits)
Long-lasting battery with 1400 cycles

Slower 30W wired charging
Higher price point (likely)

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 VII boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1475 nits, crucial for outdoor visibility. While the vivo X90’s display specs aren’t provided, Sony’s emphasis on color accuracy and professional-grade display calibration is a key differentiator. The Xperia 1 VII likely utilizes a more advanced panel technology, potentially LTPO, for adaptive refresh rates and improved efficiency, though this isn't confirmed. The Xperia's larger screen size (implied by its positioning) also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the vivo X90, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Sony’s Xperia 1 VII benefits from the company’s extensive camera expertise. The Xperia line typically prioritizes natural color reproduction and detailed image processing. The larger sensor size (implied by Sony’s camera focus) and advanced image stabilization (OIS) contribute to superior low-light performance and video recording capabilities. The Xperia 1 VII’s image processing is geared towards professional photographers and videographers, offering more control and flexibility.

Performance

The Xperia 1 VII’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) represents a substantial leap in performance and efficiency over the vivo X90’s Mediatek Dimensity 9200 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, with clock speeds up to 4.32 GHz, offer a significant advantage in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The 3nm process node translates to better thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. While the Dimensity 9200 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is positioned as a top-tier processor designed for demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s battery endurance of 43:30h is a standout feature, demonstrating exceptional power efficiency. While the vivo X90 offers incredibly fast 120W wired charging (50% in 8 minutes), the Xperia 1 VII’s longevity reduces the need for frequent charging. The Xperia 1 VII’s 30W charging (50% in 30 minutes) is slower, but the 1400 charge cycles suggest a longer overall battery lifespan. The Xperia 1 VII’s active use score of 15:32h further reinforces its superior battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X90 if you need blazing-fast charging and prioritize getting back to 100% quickly, even if it means more frequent top-ups. It’s ideal for users who are constantly on the go and can’t afford downtime. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VII if you prefer a phone that lasts all day and beyond, with a focus on multimedia consumption and a more refined, professional-grade experience. It’s perfect for content creators and power users who demand sustained performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9200 in the vivo X90 experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?

While the Dimensity 9200 is a powerful chip, the 4nm process node is less efficient than the 3nm node used in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This means the vivo X90 is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced performance over time.

❓ How does the 30W charging on the Xperia 1 VII compare to the 120W charging on the vivo X90 in real-world usage?

Although 120W charging sounds impressive, the Xperia 1 VII’s exceptional battery life means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The 30W charging is sufficient to top up the battery overnight, and the longer battery lifespan (1400 cycles) offsets the slower charging speed in the long run.

❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the vivo X90 a cause for concern?

While the vivo X90 likely features a capable camera system, Sony’s Xperia 1 VII benefits from the company’s decades of experience in camera technology. Sony typically prioritizes image quality and control, offering features that appeal to photography enthusiasts.

❓ What kind of user would benefit most from the Xperia 1 VII's longer battery life?

Professionals and frequent travelers who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day would greatly benefit from the Xperia 1 VII's exceptional battery life. The ability to go a full day (or more) without needing to charge is a significant advantage for those who are constantly on the move.