ZTE Voyage 3D vs Sony Xperia 1 IV: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Approaches

The ZTE Voyage 3D and Sony Xperia 1 IV represent opposite ends of the smartphone spectrum. The Voyage 3D aims to disrupt with its integrated 3D display and affordable price point, while the Xperia 1 IV doubles down on the premium flagship experience, prioritizing photography, videography, and a refined user experience. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and overall performance, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and established camera system deliver a superior experience. However, the ZTE Voyage 3D offers a unique 3D experience at a significantly lower price, making it compelling for niche users.

PHONES
Phone Names ZTE Voyage 3D Sony Xperia 1 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 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, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2024, June 272022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 27Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.5 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)165 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
Weight190 g (6.70 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 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x Cortex-A76 & 4x Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetUnisoc T760 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, MyOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 3.X
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple-12 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCUnspecifiedYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.030W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlack, Violet, White
Models-XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
PriceAbout 190 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)

ZTE Voyage 3D

  • Unique 3D display experience
  • Significantly lower price point
  • PD3.0 fast charging

  • Less powerful Unisoc T760 chipset
  • Likely inferior camera performance
  • Missing premium features like wireless charging

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
  • Exceptional camera system
  • Versatile charging options (wired, wireless, reverse wireless)

  • Significantly higher price
  • May require more careful thermal management
  • Premium price may not justify benefits for all users

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 IV boasts a 6.5-inch display capable of reaching 602 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the Voyage 3D’s display specs are not provided, its key feature is its 3D capability, which fundamentally alters the viewing experience. The Xperia 1 IV’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a high-quality OLED panel, likely with excellent black levels. The absence of refresh rate information for the Voyage 3D suggests it likely doesn't match the smoothness potentially offered by the Xperia 1 IV, which could support a 120Hz panel based on Sony’s history.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but the Xperia 1 IV is expected to excel. Sony’s expertise in camera technology, combined with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s image signal processor, delivers superior image quality and video recording features. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Xperia 1 IV likely features a larger main sensor and more advanced image stabilization (OIS). The Voyage 3D’s camera system is likely more basic, focusing on providing acceptable results rather than competing with flagship-level performance. We can assume the Xperia 1 IV will offer more advanced features like 4K video recording at higher frame rates and more sophisticated computational photography.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) chipset is a significant leap ahead of the Voyage 3D’s Unisoc T760 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz, alongside Cortex-A710 and A510 cores, offering substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance. The Unisoc T760, with its mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores, is geared towards efficiency and affordability, but will struggle to match the Xperia 1 IV in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the ZTE Voyage 3D and Sony Xperia 1 IV share a 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing internal capacities (which are not specified for the Voyage 3D). However, the charging capabilities differ. The Xperia 1 IV supports 30W wired charging with PD3.0, PPS, and can reach 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Voyage 3D offers 33W wired charging with PD3.0. While slightly higher wattage, the lack of wireless charging and PPS support on the Voyage 3D positions the Xperia 1 IV as the more versatile option for charging convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the ZTE Voyage 3D if you are fascinated by 3D technology and want to experience it on a smartphone without a flagship price tag. You'll accept compromises in processing power and camera quality for this novelty. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV if you are a content creator, photography enthusiast, or simply demand the best possible performance and a premium smartphone experience, and are willing to pay a substantial premium for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the 3D display on the ZTE Voyage 3D just a gimmick, or is it genuinely useful?
The usefulness of the 3D display is subjective. It offers a novel viewing experience, particularly for media designed for 3D, but it may not appeal to all users. It's best suited for those actively seeking a 3D smartphone experience and willing to accept potential trade-offs in other areas.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 1 IV suffer from overheating issues?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was known to have thermal throttling issues in some devices. However, Sony has a history of effective thermal management, and the Xperia 1 IV incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate this. While it may get warm under sustained heavy load, it's unlikely to experience severe throttling that significantly impacts performance.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Xperia 1 IV compare to other flagship phones?
The Xperia 1 IV's 30W charging is relatively slower compared to some competitors offering 65W or even 120W charging. However, the inclusion of PPS and the ability to reach 50% in 30 minutes still provides a reasonable charging experience, and Sony prioritizes battery health over ultra-fast charging speeds.
❓ What kind of 3D content is compatible with the ZTE Voyage 3D?
The ZTE Voyage 3D supports various 3D content formats, including side-by-side and over-under 3D videos. It also has software to convert 2D content into 3D, although the quality of the conversion may vary. Dedicated 3D apps and games are also available, enhancing the immersive experience.