Design and Build: Form Factor Philosophy
The most immediate difference lies in their physical presence. The Xperia 1 VI is the undisputed flagship, commanding attention with its tall, narrow 6.5-inch 4K OLED display and classic squared-off Sony design language. It feels substantial and premium in hand, a device for those who appreciate a larger canvas. In contrast, the Xperia 5 VI embraces its “Compact” heritage, though it’s far from small. It features a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display in a significantly narrower and more manageable body. This design prioritizes unparalleled one-handed usability. Both share the same premium materials: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back with a textured aluminum frame, and both retain the invaluable dedicated shutter button and the practical 3.5mm headphone jack. The 1 VI is for the user who wants a maximalist media experience, while the 5 VI is for the purist who values pocketability and ergonomics above all else.
Display Technology: 4K Brilliance vs. FHD+ Practicality
This is the core division between the two models. The Xperia 1 VI’s display is its crown jewel: a 6.5-inch 4K (3840 x 1644) OLED panel with an ultra-fast 120Hz refresh rate (1-120Hz LTPO). Sony has moved to a new 19.5:9 aspect ratio, making it wider and better for consuming modern video content. It supports BT.2020 color space and 10-bit HDR, offering breathtaking clarity, color accuracy, and detail for streaming high-resolution video, reviewing professional photos, or mobile gaming. It is, simply put, one of the best screens on any smartphone. The Xperia 5 VI’s 6.1-inch FHD+ (2520 x 1080) OLED display is also excellent, sharing the same 120Hz refresh rate (1-120Hz LTPO), new 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and HDR support. The pixel density is lower, but on a screen of this size, it remains incredibly sharp for all everyday uses. The key advantage here is battery efficiency; driving far fewer pixels translates directly to longer screen-on time. For most users, the 5 VI’s display is more than sufficient, but for videophiles and creatives, the 1 VI’s 4K panel is unmatched.
Camera System: Professional Suite vs. Streamlined Power
Both phones share the same groundbreaking primary camera hardware, built upon Sony’s Exmor T for mobile dual-layer transistor sensor technology. The main 52MP (effective 48MP) sensor with a wide f/1.9 lens and OIS is identical on both, capturing exceptional light and detail. The variable optical telephoto zoom is also identical: a 52MP (effective 12MP) sensor with a continuous 85mm-170mm (3.5x to 7.1x optical equivalent) focal range and OIS. This is a class-leading feature, offering incredible versatility for composition. The difference emerges with the third lens. The Xperia 1 VI retains a triple-lens system with a dedicated 12MP ultrawide sensor. The Xperia 5 VI, however, makes a significant compromise by omitting the ultrawide camera entirely. This is its single biggest concession. For some, this is a deal-breaker; for others who rarely use ultrawide, it may not be. Both phones feature the full suite of Sony’s professional photography and videography apps: Photography Pro, Videography Pro, and Cinema Pro, offering manual control that rivals professional cameras.
Performance and Hardware: Power Parity
Under the hood, there is absolutely no difference. Both the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 5 VI are powered by the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This ensures blistering performance, flawless multitasking, and elite-tier gaming capabilities. You will not notice a speed difference between the two in any application or game. Both offer UFS 4.0 storage options (likely 256GB/512GB). They also share identical connectivity specs: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and 5G support. This parity means your choice is not about power but about the experience wrapped around that power.
Battery Life and Charging: Endurance Champion
Here, the Xperia 5 VI pulls ahead decisively. Despite its considerably smaller physical size, it packs a robust 5000mAh battery. Coupled with its less power-hungry FHD+ display, this combination makes it an absolute endurance champion, easily lasting a day and a half of heavy use or two full days of moderate use. The Xperia 1 VI also features a 5000mAh battery, which is impressive for a device with a 4K screen. It will deliver solid all-day battery life, but it must power a much more demanding panel, so it cannot match the longevity of its smaller sibling. Both phones support 30W wired fast charging (with a compatible charger, not included in the box), wireless charging, and Sony’s handy Battery Care feature to preserve long-term health. If battery life is your primary concern, the Xperia 5 VI is the clear winner.
Audio and Extras: A Shared Sonic Philosophy
Sony’s audio heritage is fully represented in both models. They feature identical front-facing stereo speakers that are among the best in the industry, offering clear, powerful, and distortion-free sound. The 3.5mm headphone jack with high-quality DAC support and LDAC Bluetooth codec support is present on both, making them a dream for audiophiles. Other premium features like IP65/68 dust and water resistance, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, and microSD card expansion for storage are also shared across both devices. There is no differentiation in this department.
Price and Target Audience: The Final Decision
The Xperia 1 VI will command a premium price, positioning itself as the ultimate flagship for enthusiasts and professionals. It is the device for the user who demands the absolute best in mobile display technology, a complete and versatile triple-camera system without compromise, and a larger form factor for media consumption and creative work. The Xperia 5 VI, while still a premium device, will be priced lower due to its FHD+ display and missing ultrawide camera. Its target audience is the power user who prioritizes three things above all: compact, one-handed ergonomics, class-leading battery endurance, and flagship performance in a smaller frame. It is the ultimate “no-compromise-on-performance-but-practical” phone. Your choice ultimately boils down to whether the 1 VI’s 4K screen and ultrawide camera are worth the extra cost, larger size, and slightly reduced battery life compared to the 5 VI’s exceptional ergonomics and stellar battery performance.