1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-08-25 | Xperia 1 III is newer, potentially with longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | S21 is more compact and easier to handle, Xperia 1 III is taller and slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 169g | 186g | S21 is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | Xperia 1 III has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 III has much sharper, more detailed display, better for media consumption and detailed work. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 643 | Xperia 1 III offers significantly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color and contrast; OLED is a similar technology to AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is significantly brighter, better for outdoor visibility. Note: 0 nits for the Xperia is likely an error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 in Xperia 1 III has a slight edge in benchmark scores, potentially better performance for intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 889,100 | Xperia 1 III scores higher, indicating slightly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 in the Xperia 1 III might perform better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Xperia 1 III offers longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia 1 III charges faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, No Charger in-box | Bypass Charging | S21 offers wireless and reverse charging, Xperia 1 III offers bypass charging which reduces heat while gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555 | 12MP, f/1.7, Sony Exmor RS | Xperia 1 III has a wider aperture (f/1.7), potentially better in low light. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" (Zoom) | 12MP, f/2.2 (Dedicated) | S21 has a dedicated high resolution telephoto, Xperia 1 III has a dedicated lens with more versatile options |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" (Macro) | 12MP, f/2.3 | S21 has a combined wide angle and macro sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", Samsung S5K4H7 | S21 has a higher resolution, Xperia 1 III has a wider aperture. |
| Additional Camera Features | Triple Camera setup. | Quadruple Camera + TOF 3D. | Xperia 1 III includes dedicated Telephoto, Wide Angle lens, and a TOF sensor for depth sensing. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps | Xperia 1 III records 4K at higher frame rates, S21 has the advantage of 8K video recording |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 Overall, 118 Photo, 90 Video | 105 Overall, 107 Photo, 92 Video | S21 performs better in photo tests, Xperia 1 III has slightly better video performance. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 Overall, 125 Photo, 145 Video | Not Tested | S21 has better front camera quality based on DxOmark, but not available for Xperia 1 III. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | S21 likely to receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xperia 1 III has newer Bluetooth, potentially with better performance and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xperia 1 III has better location accuracy with QZSS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Xperia 1 III offers more base and max storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Xperia 1 III has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have good audio, Sony offers Hi-Res while Samsung offers noise canceling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Xperia 1 III has a more convenient and potentially faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer similar high-level scratch and drop resistance for the screen. |
| Sensors | Geomagnetic, Barometer, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Barometer, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Samsung has additional Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (1300 nits) makes it much better for outdoor use.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and better DxOMark selfie score.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers more convenient charging options.
- 8K Video Recording: Can record in 8K resolution, suitable for professional video content creation.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: For more accurate direction finding and positioning.
- Longer Software Support: Expected to receive OS upgrades up to Android 15.
Sony Xperia 1 III Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Much higher resolution (1644x3840) and pixel density (643 PPI) for superior clarity.
- Higher Performance: Slightly better performance due to Snapdragon 888 chipset and higher AnTuTu scores.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is faster than S21's 25W.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding applications.
- More Storage Options: Comes with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of recording 4K videos at 120fps for smooth, high-quality videos.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle Lenses: Offers more versatile camera system.
- Hi-Res Audio: For high quality audio experience.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports additional QZSS satellite system.
- Bypass Charging: Reduces heat generation while gaming.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Sacrifices display sharpness and overall performance for a more compact size and better outdoor visibility, along with wireless charging and 8K recording.
- Sony Xperia 1 III: Trades the smaller size, better brightness and selfie camera of the S21 for a sharper display, higher performance, more versatile camera and longer battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize outdoor visibility: Its bright display makes it suitable for use in sunny conditions.
- Social media enthusiasts and content creators: With a good selfie camera, 8K video and wireless charging.
- General users seeking a compact, feature-rich phone: Good balance between features and comfortable handling.
- Users looking for a good all-around phone: A good mix of performance, camera and features for the typical user.
Sony Xperia 1 III is ideal for:
- Multimedia consumers and professionals: The extremely sharp display is excellent for watching videos and detailed work.
- Gamers: The stronger GPU, higher RAM, and bypass charging will provide a better gaming experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: With dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle lens, it provides versatile camera options for different scenarios.
- Users who value premium audio: Hi-Res Audio provides an excellent audio experience.
- Users who want the best possible performance and future-proofing: The more powerful chipset and newer Bluetooth are features aimed for longevity.
- Users who value a premium build and features: With a premium feel, better battery life and more storage, this is a premium phone for a premium user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness and quality over brightness? If yes, the Xperia 1 III is the better choice. If brightness and outdoor visibility is more important, then the S21 is better.
- Is having the latest and best performance the highest priority? If yes, then the Xperia 1 III is better with the Snapdragon 888 and higher AnTuTu scores.
- How important are wireless charging, reverse charging and 8k video? If these features are important, then the S21 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography: If you frequently take photos outdoors in bright sunlight, the S21's brighter screen is an advantage.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming: The Xperia 1 III is better for gaming due to its more powerful GPU, more RAM, and bypass charging.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Consumption: The Xperia 1 III excels for watching high-resolution videos due to its superior display.
- Scenario 4: Value-conscious buyer: The Galaxy S21 is a more value option, offering a solid all-around experience, and usually is cheaper due to its age.
My Choice
Given the choice between the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Sony Xperia 1 III, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: The significantly higher resolution and pixel density of the Xperia 1 III's display is a massive draw for me. As a frequent user of mobile devices for video consumption and reading, the sharpness of the Xperia's screen is very important.
- Enhanced Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers superior performance, ensuring a smoother experience for heavy multitasking and gaming, making it more future-proof.
- Versatile Camera System: I appreciate the flexibility of the dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses on the Xperia, offering more creative options than the S21.
- Better Battery and Charging: The larger battery and faster charging are practical advantages for daily use.
- Premium Audio: As someone who enjoys listening to music on my phone, Hi-Res Audio is a nice addition.
- Longer Life: The newer chipset and Bluetooth version make it a more future-proof device, and the larger battery provides more usage without needing a charge.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G does have benefits such as a brighter display and wireless charging, these are not as critical to my typical use as the superior display, performance, and camera versatility of the Xperia 1 III. The differences in performance, display quality, and the camera system make the Xperia 1 III a better overall package for my needs, despite being potentially more expensive.
