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Sony’s new flagship has arrived recently, and there are plenty of phones it’s competing against. One such device is Google’s flagship, and that’s the comparison we’re doing today. We’ll compare the Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI. These two phones are both big and bold, with rather compelling camera performance. They do differ in a number of ways, though, so this should be a rather interesting comparison.
The two phones not only look different but have an entirely different in-hand feel. Their internals are also considerably different, and so on. There’s a lot to talk about here, to be quite honest. So let’s get started, and I do hope that this comparison will at least help you a little bit with your decision on which device to get.
Specs
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI, respectively
– Screen size:
6.7-inch Super Actua AMOLED display (flat, 120Hz LTPO, HDR10+, 2,400 nits)
6.5-inch LTPO OLED display (flat, adaptive 120Hz, HDR)
– Display resolution:
2992 x 1344
2340 x 1080
– SoC:
Google Tensor G3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
– RAM:
12GB (LPDDR5)
12GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1.2um pixel size, OIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.95 aperture, 125.5-degree FoV, 0.8um pixel size), 48MP (telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, 0.7um pixel size, 5x optical zoom)
48MP (wide, f/1.9 aperture, 24mm lens, 1.12um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 123-degree FoV, 1.4um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF), 12MP (telephoto, f/3.5 aperture, 170mm lens, 1.0um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom, OIS, 4cm macro)
– Front cameras:
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
12MP (wide, f/2.0 aperture, 1.22um pixel size, 24mm lens)
– Battery:
5,050mAh
5,000mAh
– Charging:
30W wired, 23W wireless, reverse wireless (charger not included)
30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless (charger & cable not included)
– Dimensions:
162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm
162 x 74 x 8.2mm
– Weight:
213 grams
192 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3/5.4
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) & facial scanning
Side-facing fingerprint scanner
– OS:
Android 14
– Price:
$999+
€1,399+
– Buy:
Google Pixel 8 Pro (Best Buy)
Sony Xperia 1 VI (Amazon)
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Design
Both of these phones are made out of metal and glass. The thing is, they’re different in terms of shape. The Pixel 8 Pro has a slightly curved back towards the sides and a rounded frame. The Xperia 1 VI has a flat back, with a flat frame, and that frame is kind of pushed out compared to the rest of the phone. Both smartphones also include a flat display. The Pixel 8 Pro has a centered display camera hole, while the Xperia 1 VI uses thicker top and bottom bezels in order to avoid a display camera hole.
The physical buttons sit on the right-hand side of both smartphones. Their placement is different, though. The Pixel 8 Pro has a power/lock key above the volume up and down buttons. It’s the other way around for the Xperia 1 VI. Sony’s flagship also includes a shutter key at the lower part of its right side. Both smartphones also feature rounded corners, and triple cameras on the back.
Speaking of cameras, the camera layouts on the back are quite different here. The Pixel 8 Pro has a camera visor on the back which connects to the left and right frame sides… across the back of the phone. It has a pill-shaped cutout for the cameras, while the rest of the visor is covered by metal. The Xperia 1 VI has a more regular-looking camera island in the top-left corner. Three vertically aligned cameras are all a part of the camera camera island.
Both smartphones are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. Both devices are also quite slippery, and using a case is definitely recommended. They do feel nice in the hand, though, albeit completely different. They are about the same height, but the Xperia 1 VI is narrower due to a smaller display (it has a higher display aspect ratio). The Pixel 8 Pro is a bit thicker, and also heavier by 11 grams.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Display
The Google Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED display. That panel is flat, and it offers an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz (1-120Hz). HDR10+ content is supported here, while the Pixel 8 Pro’s maximum brightness goes up to 2,400 nits. The display aspect ratio here is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is at around 87%. The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI, on the flip side, has a 6.5-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) LTPO OLED display. That display is also flat, and it supports HDR content. It also offer an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, while it can project up to 1 billion colors. The display aspect ratio here is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is around 86%. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is here to protect the Xperia 1 VI display.
The bottom line is, both of these smartphones offer really compelling displays. They’re both vivid, sharp, and have great viewing angles. The touch response is also really good on both. The Pixel 8 Pro’s display is sharper, though, which is not something many people will notice, but it’s worth noting. Both panels do get plenty bright outdoors too, even though they’re not the brightest around. Chances are you’ll be happy with either one of these two displays.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Performance
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is fueled by the Google Tensor G3 processor. The device also includes 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Xperia 1 VI, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. That device comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. Both are well-equipped, but the Xperia 1 VI is the more powerful device on paper.
Does that reflect on actual performance? Well, yes, for the most part. Regular, everyday tasks are not a problem for either smartphone. Both of them fly through them, but if you compare them directly, the Xperia 1 VI is a bit faster in doing everything. It’s not a big difference, but it’s worth noting. That’s not surprising considering the more powerful SoC and faster RAM. The software has been adapted from stock Android, and it’s quite light, which also helps.
What about gaming? Well, the Pixel 8 Pro is not made for gaming, well, its SoC isn’t. Still, the phone does a good job with games, all but the most demanding titles, where it can perform a bit worse than some of the competition. The Xperia 1 VI does a good job, though its SoC and GPU start throttling too soon when it comes to graphically intensive titles. This is probably Sony’s way of keeping the heat under check, we’re not sure. It only happens with demanding titles, though.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Battery
There is a 5,050mAh battery included inside the Pixel 8 Pro. Sony’s flagship has a 5,000mAh battery on the inside. Both smartphones offer good battery life, but the Xperia 1 VI trumps the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 Pro’s battery life was rather odd at times, as it was all over the place. Lately, it usually goes under 7 hours of screen-on-time. The Xperia 1 VI is able to go over that mark, and then some.
That will all depend on your usage and use habits, of course. Talking about battery life is never easy, as your mileage may vary quite a bit. It will depend on what apps you use, if you’re playing games, what’s your signal strength, your usage habits, how much time you spend on 5G, and so on. We’re mostly using WiFi during our tests, and for the most part, games are only fired up for testing purposes, it’s not a common occurrence.
When it comes to charging, both smartphones support 30W wired charging. In addition to that, the Pixel 8 Pro offers support for 23W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Xperia 1 VI, on the other hand, supports 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. Neither phone includes a charger in the box, while the Xperia 1 VI doesn’t even include a charging cable.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 VI: Cameras
Both of these devices have three cameras on the back. Their setups are different, though, of course. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 50-megapixel main camera, backed by a 48-megapixel ultrawide unit (126-degree FoV), and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera (5x optical zoom). The Sony Xperia 1 VI, on the other hand, has a 48-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (123-degree FoV), and a 12-megapixel telephoto unit (3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom).
Just to be clear, both of these smartphones deliver great results. The pictures they provide are considerably different when compared, though. The Xperia 1 VI did improve quite a bit compared to the Xperia 1 V. It balances highlights a lot better, offers more detail, and more. The images provided by the Xperia 1 VI are detailed, well-balanced, and well-exposed. They look closer to real life than the pictures delivered by the Pixel 8 Pro.
With the Pixel 8 Pro, you’re getting that contrasty look that Pixel phones are well-known for. Many people love that look, and if you’re one of them, you’ll love what the Pixel 8 Pro delivers. You’re getting already processed images that look great most of the time. Ultrawide cameras on both phones keep up with the main ones in terms of colors, and they do a great job overall. The same can be said for telephoto shooters too, actually.
Even in low light, all three cameras are good, though the main ones do take the cake. The Pixel 8 Pro tends to offer brighter images, unrealistically so, but they look great nonetheless. The Xperia 1 VI does a fantastic job with low light photography, and keeps those light flares in check better than the Pixel 8 Pro.
Audio
When it comes to audio, both smartphones do include stereo speakers. The thing is, the ones on the Sony Xperia 1 VI are not only louder, but they sound better too. The Pixel 8 Pro’s speakers are not bad, but the Xperia 1 VI’s provide richer sound.
The Xperia 1 VI also has the advantage of offering an audio jack. If you’re still using wired headphones, you’ll certainly appreciate that. The only option on the Pixel 8 Pro for wired audio is the Type-C port. The Pixel 8 Pro does support Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connections, while the Xperia 1 VI comes with Bluetooth 5.4.