1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-06-11 | The Xperia 1 IV is a newer phone, potentially offering more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | The Xperia 1 IV is taller and slightly thicker, making the S21 5G more compact and potentially easier to handle, especially for single-handed use. S21 is lighter by 16g. |
| Weight | 169g | 185g | The S21 5G is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | Xperia 1 IV's larger screen provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 IV has a much sharper display due to significantly higher resolution, resulting in crisper text and images, especially noticeable with detailed content. |
| PPI | 421 | 643 | Higher PPI on the Xperia 1 IV translates to finer details and smoother visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide excellent color reproduction, deep blacks and good viewing angles. The difference is not very significant in terms of user experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer the same smooth scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 5G has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Xperia's brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 1 IV offers better overall performance and efficiency due to its newer architecture, resulting in faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,076,100 | The Xperia 1 IV has superior performance, handling demanding tasks and games more efficiently. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 GPU in the Xperia 1 IV delivers better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Xperia 1 IV's larger battery provides longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia 1 IV slightly charges faster with 30W. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Bypass charging | The S21 5G offers convenient wireless and reverse wireless charging. Xperia 1 IV allows for bypass charging to reduce battery stress while gaming or prolonged usage. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 12MP, f/1.7, no sensor size mentioned | The Sony has a slightly wider aperture, allowing for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | S21 5G has dedicated telephoto and portrait lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.0, no sensor size mentioned | Xperia 1 IV has slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially taking better selfies, but sensor size and pixel size are missing. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5" | The Xperia 1 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for improved optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2, no sensor size mentioned | The Xperia 1 IV has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing wider scenes. |
| ToF 3D sensor | N/A | ToF 3D Sensor | Xperia 1 IV has a ToF 3D Sensor for better depth sensing. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | N/A | The S21 5G offers Wide Angle and macro shots using the same sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 5G records at a higher 8k resolution. Xperia records up to 4k@120, with OIS and EIS for more stable videos. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 111, Selfie 132 | Mobile: 105 | S21 5G scores better in general DxoMark scores. Xperia Selfie score is missing. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, triple camera, Night mode | Quadruple camera, ultra stable video | The S21 5G offers 8K recording and night mode, while the Xperia 1 IV emphasizes its quad-camera system and ultra-stable video recording capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Xperia 1 IV has a newer OS out of the box, and will receive more updates in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have the same modern Wi-Fi standards for high-speed connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Xperia 1 IV has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially with better energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc., QZSS | Xperia 1 IV offers more accurate positioning due to more GPS options. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Xperia 1 IV supports the latest eSIM technology, which allows digital SIM switching and more convenience. S21 5G has 2 physical sim slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Xperia 1 IV has larger storage options for those who require more storage for media and apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12/16 GB | The Xperia 1 IV has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones do not offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both provide great audio quality, but Sony provides Hi-Res Audio which is preferred by audiophiles. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xperia 1 IV has a more convinient side mounted fingerprint sensor for quicker unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have same screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Geomagnetic, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Both phones have comprehensive sensor suites for advanced functionality, but S21 5G offers geomagnetic sensor. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and pocket, better for single-handed use.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Dedicated telephoto and portrait lens.
- 8K Video Recording: Captures higher-resolution video, useful for professional content creation.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: More versatile charging options.
- Lower Dxomark Selfie Score.
- Geomagnetic sensor for more accurate compass and map apps.
Practical Implications: The S21 5G is better suited for users who value a compact phone, need good outdoor visibility and want flexible charging solutions. It also provides additional sensors such as geomagnetic sensor.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Newer Model: Potentially longer software support and newer features.
- Higher Display Resolution: Sharper, more detailed visuals, especially noticeable in media and detailed content.
- Superior Performance: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities due to the better chipset and GPU.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life between charges.
- Better Main camera with slightly wider aperture.
- More RAM: Better performance in multitasking and heavy games.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Ultra Wide lens for more versatile photography.
- eSIM Support: More versatile connectivity options.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor for convienient unlocking.
- Hi-Res Audio for the best possible audio quality.
Practical Implications: The Xperia 1 IV excels for users who prioritize display quality, raw performance, extended battery life, versatile camera capabilities, and a newer device.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 5G sacrifices performance and display sharpness for compactness and better brightness.
- The Xperia 1 IV is heavier and bulkier than S21 5G. Also its brightness is not known which may be an issue in bright sunlight use.
- The S21 5G sacrifices versatile camera and battery life for the telephoto and portrait lens.
- The Xperia 1 IV sacrifices higher video resolution for more versatile photo lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who value a compact, easy-to-handle phone, with good outdoor visibility for everyday use, without sacrificing the camera.
- Use Cases:
- Daily general use including social media, web browsing and calling.
- Commuting and outdoor activities, where a lightweight phone and bright screen are beneficial.
- Users who want to wireless charge their phone and even reverse charge other accessories.
- Users who make use of geomagnetic sensor for enhanced compass functionalities.
Sony Xperia 1 IV:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, professional photo and video capabilities, and overall high-end experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need top-tier performance and smooth graphics.
- Media consumers who want an immersive viewing experience with a crisp, detailed display.
- Photography enthusiasts who need versatile camera capabilities, including telephoto zoom and ultrawide angles.
- Power users who require multitasking and smooth app switching.
- Audiophiles who appreciate Hi-Res Audio quality.
- Professionals who need cutting-edge mobile technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Form Factor: Do you prefer a compact phone for easy handling, or do you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and immersive experience?
- Performance: Do you primarily use your phone for everyday tasks, or do you need high performance for gaming, multitasking, and professional use?
- Battery and Camera: Is battery life or camera versatility more important for your usage patterns?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for calls, texts, social media, and some web browsing, and want a compact form, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will likely be a better fit due to its brighter display and easy handling.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer: If you are a power user, gamer, or media enthusiast, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is a superior choice due to its raw power, excellent display quality, and versatile camera setup, especially if you need good battery life.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: For users who value versatility and camera features, the Sony Xperia 1 IV offers dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle lenses, and more features. If you like to record videos in the highest resolution available, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G might be better.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While I appreciate the compact design and brighter display of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, my use case tends to lean towards media consumption, gaming, and performance intensive applications. The larger, higher-resolution display of the Xperia 1 IV would make a significant difference in my daily experience, especially when reading and browsing through rich media content.
Additionally, the significantly better chipset and 4GB more RAM would greatly enhance my phone usage. The larger battery and more versatile camera would also be advantageous for my use cases. The extra RAM, better chipset, and larger battery would outweigh the compactness and brightness offered by the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for my needs. While the lack of brightness on Sony is a concern, assuming it is on par or at least close to S21 5G would make the Xperia 1 IV an obvious choice for me.
