Between the Pixel 9 and Xperia 1 VI, the Pixel 9 comes out ahead in main camera and promised os updates, while the Xperia 1 VI wins on antutu and front camera. Overall, the Pixel 9 scores 63.5 and the Xperia 1 VI scores 65.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (63.5 vs 65.7). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the Pixel 9 if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, promised os updates.
Pick the Xperia 1 VI if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are antutu, front camera, wired charging, among others.
Both ship with comparable ram, refresh rate, 5g support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Google - Pixel 9 wins
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 4).
Why Sony - Xperia 1 VI wins
- ▲AnTuTu — 24.19% more. 1540000 vs 1240000.
- ▲Front camera — 14.29% more. 12 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 11.11% more. 30 W vs 27 W.
- ▲Battery capacity — 6.38% more. 5000 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
- ▲Weight — 6.00 g less. 192 vs 198.
- ▲Screen size — 3.17% more. 6.5 " vs 6.3 ".
- ▲Has Headphone jack.
- ▲Pixel density — 0.47% more. 424 ppi vs 422 ppi.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 198 g | 192 glead |
| Thickness | 8.5 mm | 8.2 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.3 " | 6.5 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 422 ppi | 424 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2700 nitslead | 1700 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 10.5 MP | 12 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4700 mAh | 5000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 27 W | 30 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | truelead |
| microSD slot | false | truelead |
Operating System
| Spec | Google - Pixel 9 | Sony - Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Pixel 9 or Xperia 1 VI?+
Xperia 1 VI has 6.4% more battery — 4700 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Which is lighter, Pixel 9 or Xperia 1 VI?+
Xperia 1 VI is 6g lighter — 198g vs 192g.
Is Pixel 9 waterproof?+
Pixel 9 has an IP68 rating.
Does Xperia 1 VI support 5G?+
Yes, Xperia 1 VI supports 5G.
Which has a better camera, Pixel 9 or Xperia 1 VI?+
Pixel 9 has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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