Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Sony Xperia 1 V, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm | Xperia 1 V is taller and slightly thicker, may be less comfortable for small hands or one-handed use |
| Weight | 169g | 187g | S21 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods and carrying around |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both offer excellent scratch and drop resistance, Xperia 1 V has slightly newer generation of glass which may be incrementally more durable |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | Xperia 1 V offers a slightly larger screen, making it better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 V provides a significantly sharper image, with far more detail for content consumption like high-resolution photos and video. |
| PPI | 421 | 643 | Xperia 1 V has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably crisper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; both technologies are high quality but OLED is newer. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G's higher brightness ensures better outdoor visibility. Xperia 1 V's brightness spec is missing, cannot compare its outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 V's newer chipset provides significantly faster processing, better efficiency, better app performance, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,365,441 | Xperia 1 V shows much higher benchmark performance which translates into a smoother and more responsive experience, especially with demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 740 (Qualcomm Adreno 740) | Xperia 1 V's GPU offers substantially better graphics performance. Better for graphics intensive gaming and creative applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 1.17µm | Xperia 1 V captures more detail due to higher resolution, however, with slightly smaller pixel size which has implications for low-light performance; Samsung S21 5G has wider aperture which can help in low light photos. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | Not Available | S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots and portrait effects. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | Xperia 1 V offers a slightly sharper selfie camera with a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.00µm | Xperia 1 V has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots with dedicated sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Xperia 1 V offers a wide-angle lens for capturing broader perspectives, landscapes, and group shots with dedicated sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Not Available | S21 5G has a wide angle + macro lens for wide-angle and close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | S21 5G offers 8K recording and some 4k recording at 60fps; Xperia 1 V offers smooth, stabilised 4k video but limited to 120fps. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 V has a significantly larger battery, potentially lasting longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 1 V charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | Bypass Charging, reverse wireless | S21 5G offers faster wireless charging, however, Xperia 1 V has the more advanced bypass charging which reduces heat and increases battery life during gaming and long heavy usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle for users with smaller hands and those who prefer a lighter phone.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility due to higher maximum brightness which is important in sunny areas.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers high resolution videos for professional-grade usage.
- Wireless charging at 15W: Provides convenience with fast wireless charging speeds.
- Telephoto + Portrait: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots and portrait effects
- Wide Angle + Macro: Offers an extra wide angle + macro sensor for close up shots and wide angle photos.
- Lower Price (Likely): Older model, hence likely available at a lower price which offers value to those on a budget.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Provides enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls and better audio immersion
Sony Xperia 1 V Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and graphics for a smoother, more responsive experience, particularly for gaming and multitasking.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density, resulting in a more detailed visual experience.
- Larger Battery: Offers a longer battery life which is crucial for demanding users or people who are always on the go.
- Improved Camera System: Newer, better sensors, dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses that improve flexibility with more detail.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.3 offers improved energy efficiency and connection stability compared to Bluetooth 5.0.
- Bypass Charging: Advanced charging feature that keeps the battery cooler for improved longevity of battery life during demanding use.
Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Sacrifices performance and camera versatility for a lower price and lighter form factor.
- Xperia 1 V: Bigger and heavier, sacrificing portability for better overall performance. It also lacks the high 1300 nits brightness of S21 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a capable phone with a good display and camera at a lower price.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: Those who value portability and comfort for one-handed use.
- Users needing bright display: Those who live in sunny areas and need clear readability in bright conditions.
- Users interested in 8K video: Professionals who create videos for work.
- Users who value wireless charging: Those who prefer the convenience of a wireless charger.
- Users who take close-up shots: Those who like to take wide angle and macro shots.
- Users who value better audio: Those who need noise cancelling microphone for calls.
Specific Use Cases:
- Casual day-to-day use
- Social media browsing
- Casual photography
- Basic mobile gaming
- Taking close up and wide angle shots.
- Taking calls in a noisy environment
Ideal User for Sony Xperia 1 V:
- Power users: Looking for top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with dedicated lenses.
- Media consumers: Those who prioritize a high-resolution screen for watching videos and movies.
- Users needing a long battery life: People who are on the go and don't have access to a charger.
- Users who play heavy mobile games: Those who need a cool phone during demanding gaming sessions
- Users who value advanced audio codecs: Those who listen to high quality lossless audio and need LDAC and AAC support.
Specific Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming
- High-quality photography and videography
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies
- Multitasking with resource-intensive applications
- Long days where battery life is important
- Listening to music in high resolution lossless audio quality.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself when deciding between these two phones:
- What is my budget? The S21 5G is older, and can be found at a lower price, if budget is a concern.
- Do I prioritize portability or performance? S21 5G is lighter, Xperia 1 V provides a better, faster and more advanced experience.
- How important are the camera differences? S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video recording, a brighter display, however, Xperia 1 V is superior overall with a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle sensors, for improved versatility.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize affordability, portability, 8K video, bright display and wireless charging, and a telephoto camera the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better option. It offers a balance of features and capabilities at a likely more accessible price point.
- If you need the absolute best performance, a superior display, better battery life, advanced camera sensors with dedicated lenses, advanced audio codecs and enhanced thermal management for demanding use, choose the Sony Xperia 1 V. It caters to users who are willing to pay extra for premium capabilities and features.
My Choice
Given my preferences and use case, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 V. While the S21 5G is a capable device, the substantial performance boost, superior camera system with its dedicated lenses, improved display quality with higher pixel density and much larger battery capacity on the Xperia 1 V is more important for me. I value a smooth, responsive experience and the versatility of a powerful camera system and a long-lasting battery more than the lighter form factor of the S21 5G. The added benefits of bypass charging and a much faster newer processor along with a larger battery make it the better overall device for my daily usage. While the lack of brightness spec for Xperia 1 V is a concern, the overall package of features and performance makes it the better choice.
