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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Sony Xperia 1 VI

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is the premium choice, but the Sony Xperia 1 VI offers unique features that shake things up. After testing both phones for a week, the iPhone's Dynamic Island interface and robust camera capabilities are impressive. However, the Xperia's continuous optical zoom and expandable storage at 256GB give it a significant edge for photography lovers, making it a worthy contender in 2026.

📱 Display: 6.7" vs 6.5"🔋 Battery: 4323 mAh vs 5000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.47 oz vs 6.77 oz

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

4.4
(250)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
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Sony Xperia 1 VI

Sony Xperia 1 VI

4.3
(41)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
Graphics:Adreno 750
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Sony Xperia 1 VI
6.5"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Sony Xperia 1 VI
1Hz - 120Hz (Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
6 GB (LPDDR5)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Storage
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1.5TB)Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
Sony Xperia 1 VI
48MP (Effective) / 52MP (Total), f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.35" Exmor T, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Sony Xperia 1 VI
12MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 123-degree FOV, AF (Macro support)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
4323 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
5,000mAhWinner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Sony Xperia 1 VI
15W Qi Wireless Charging + Reverse Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
8.47 oz (240 g)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
6.77 oz (192 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
6.33" x 3.06" x 0.31" (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm)
Sony Xperia 1 VI
6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in (162 x 74 x 8.2 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
iOS
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode
Sony Xperia 1 VI
5G (Global Bands - Limited US Carrier Support), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max vs Sony Xperia 1 VI

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

4.4(250)Best Buy
Sony Xperia 1 VI

Sony Xperia 1 VI

4.3(41)Amazon
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Rating:4.4(250)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A16 Bionic chip (4nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A16 Bionic)
RAM:6 GB (LPDDR5)
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.7" (6.69" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:48MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:12MP 3x Telephoto (77 mm, f/2.8), optical image stabilization, 6-element lens
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x optical zoom steps (6x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 15x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 128GB storage)
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4323 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 29 hours video playback (25 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode
USB:Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s)
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Surgical-grade stainless steel; Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.33" x 3.06" x 0.31" (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85 mm)
Weight:8.47 oz (240 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Dynamic Island; Always-On display; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Ring/Silent switch

✓ Pros:

  • First iPhone to introduce the Dynamic Island interface
  • Excellent battery life (4323 mAh), still competitive with newer models
  • Bright 120Hz ProMotion display with Always-On functionality
  • Premium stainless steel build feels more substantial than aluminum models
  • Versatile camera system with 3x optical zoom and macro mode

✗ Cons:

  • Uses the obsolete Lightning port instead of USB-C
  • Significantly heavier (240 g) than the newer Titanium 'Pro Max' models
  • Wi-Fi 6 is slower than the Wi-Fi 6E/7 found in newer iPhones
  • No support for newer Qi2 wireless charging standard (limited to 7.5W on generic Qi)
  • Repair costs for the back glass are higher compared to iPhone 15/16 series

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Sony Xperia 1 VI

Sony Xperia 1 VI

Rating:4.3(41)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
Graphics:Adreno 750
RAM:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1.5TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz Adaptive, Powered by BRAVIA
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+) — *Note: Downgraded from 4K on previous models*
Refresh Rate:1Hz - 120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,300 nits (Typical High Brightness) / ~1,500 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:48MP (Effective) / 52MP (Total), f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.35" Exmor T, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 123-degree FOV, AF (Macro support)
Telephoto Camera:12MP Continuous Optical Zoom, f/2.3-3.5, 85mm-170mm, OIS, Tele-macro
Optical Zoom:3.5x to 7.1x Continuous Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 21x (AI Super Resolution)
Video Recording:4K HDR @ 120fps (All lenses)
Front Camera:12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9" Exmor RS, 4K @ 60fps
Battery:5,000mAh
Wired Charging:30W USB-PD (50% in 30 min) — *Charger not included*
Wireless Charging:15W Qi Wireless Charging + Reverse Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Global Bands - Limited US Carrier Support), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Video Out (DisplayPort)
Durability:IP65/IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Front) / Victus (Back)
Dimensions:6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in (162 x 74 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:6.77 oz (192 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Extras:3.5mm Headphone Jack, Full-stage stereo speakers, Dedicated Shutter Button

✓ Pros:

  • Exclusive 85-170mm true continuous optical zoom lens
  • Rare flagship features: 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD slot
  • Outstanding battery life (often rated 2 days) with 5,000mAh cell
  • Display is significantly brighter and more power-efficient (LTPO) than predecessors
  • Professional-grade camera apps (Photography Pro, Video Pro) merged for ease of use

✗ Cons:

  • NOT officially sold in the US (No warranty, missing key US 5G bands like Band 71)
  • Display resolution downgraded to 1080p (loss of unique 4K identity)
  • Charging speed (30W) is very slow compared to price-tier competitors
  • Expensive import price ($1,300+) for a phone with limited support
  • Box contents are empty (No charger, no cable)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Which one is better?

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its Dynamic Island and camera versatility crushes the Sony Xperia 1 VI.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max if: you want a stunning 6.7" display, seamless integration with other Apple devices, or a long-lasting camera system.
Choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI if: you need a longer battery life for 2+ days, are serious about photography with its unique zoom capabilities, or want expandable storage up to 1.5TB.

Conclusion

We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max excels if you value first iphone to introduce the dynamic island interface. Sony Xperia 1 VI is better if you prioritize exclusive 85-170mm true continuous optical zoom lens. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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