1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | The Xperia 1 VI is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, which may impact single-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 169g | 192g | The S21 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to carry around. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | The Xperia 1 VI's slightly larger screen offers a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer similar sharpness, though the minor difference in resolution is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 421 | 396 | S21 5G is slightly sharper but the practical difference is minimal for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. Differences are likely to be negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G significantly outperforms in outdoor visibility, likely to be a big problem for Xperia 1 VI in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Xperia 1 VI's newer chipset offers significantly better processing power, leading to faster apps, better multitasking and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,110,000 | Xperia 1 VI has a much higher benchmark score, translating to noticeably superior performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 750 (Adreno 750) | The Xperia 1 VI's GPU is much more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Xperia 1 VI's larger battery should offer longer battery life, though real-world endurance depends on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Xperia 1 VI should charge slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | S21 5G offers wireless charging while Xperia 1 VI offers bypass charging for gaming and reduced heat generation. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 1.17 µm | Xperia 1 VI captures more detail due to its higher resolution sensor and larger size; S21 5G has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80 µm | N/A | S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, which the Xperia 1 VI lacks. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", 1.22 µm | Xperia 1 VI's selfie camera should perform better due to the larger sensor and slightly wider aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.00 µm | Xperia 1 VI features a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm | Xperia 1 VI features a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm | N/A | S21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 5G can record in 8K for professional-grade video while Xperia 1 VI's 4k@120fps option is better for slow-motion. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | Overall: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | N/A | S21 5G's camera has been tested and scored for photo and video while Xperia 1 VI is missing |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | Overall: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | N/A | S21 5G's selfie camera has been tested and scored for photo and video while Xperia 1 VI is missing |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The S21 5G is significantly lighter and smaller, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and better for portability.
- Significantly Brighter Display: The S21 5G’s 1300 nits brightness significantly improves outdoor visibility, crucial for use in bright sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording, suitable for users who need the highest possible video resolution.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 15W wireless charging, which some users find very convenient.
- Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Has dedicated telephoto/portrait camera for better zoom and portrait shots
- Tested Camera Performance: DXOMark scores for mobile and selfie camera are available.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:
- Far Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a huge performance boost, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers a much better battery life.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Supports Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 7 for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved connectivity.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: Has dedicated telephoto and wide angle lens for a more versatile photography experience.
- Bypass Charging: Reduces heat generation when gaming.
- Higher RAM: 12GB of RAM for more efficient multitasking.
- More Storage: Comes in 256GB and 512 GB variants compared to 128GB and 256GB in S21.
Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Sacrifices performance for a more compact form and better outdoor display visibility.
- Xperia 1 VI: Is much larger and heavier and might not perform very well in bright sunlight due to significantly lower brightness of the display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize portability and comfort: Ideal for those who prefer a lighter, more compact phone that's easy to handle.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors: The brighter display ensures good visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Users who are fine with a performance that is not top of the line: Satisfactory for most daily tasks, social media, and casual gaming.
- Users who value wireless charging: For convenient charging on the go.
- Users looking for a balanced camera system: Good general-purpose camera with dedicated telephoto and macro.
- Users that need high quality video (8K): 8K is superior than 4K in terms of resolution and clarity.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Ideal Users:
- Power users and Gamers: Perfect for those who need the fastest performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Users who value longer battery life: The larger battery ensures the phone can last all day and more.
- Users who frequently use bluetooth and wifi: Newer versions offer better connectivity and speed.
- Users who value a versatile camera experience: Dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses allow for more creative photography.
- Users that value modern features: eSIM, bypass charging.
- Users who are looking for a large storage phone: 256GB or 512 GB internal storage is available.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21 5G: Ideal for commuting, casual outdoor photography, and daily productivity where comfort is important and you still need good visibility under the sun.
- Xperia 1 VI: Ideal for high-end mobile gaming, professional photography, demanding productivity tasks, media consumption, and travel, especially if you don't need to use your phone in very bright sunlight.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung S21 5G, being an older model, should be significantly cheaper, offering good value for the performance and features you get.
- The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a top-tier phone in terms of performance and newer features, it would be more expensive.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is device portability to you? If you want a lighter and more compact phone, the S21 5G is better.
- How important is screen brightness in bright sunlight? If you need to use your phone in bright sunlight often, the S21 5G is much better.
- How important is top-tier performance for gaming and demanding tasks? If you need the best performance, the Xperia 1 VI is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User - If you mainly use your phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, the S21 5G offers good enough performance and is more comfortable, especially for outdoor use under the sun.
- Scenario 2: Gamer/Power User - If you are into mobile gaming or need top-tier performance for productivity apps, the Xperia 1 VI is the best choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - If you love taking diverse photos, the Xperia 1 VI, thanks to its telephoto and wide-angle lens, would be better, but the S21 5G could be suitable for more casual usage with its telephoto + portrait and wide angle + macro cameras.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious Buyer - If you want to save money, the S21 5G will likely cost less than the Xperia 1 VI.
What I would choose and why!
Based on the detailed analysis, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has some compelling advantages such as a lighter weight, more compact size, better outdoor brightness, and wireless charging, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the clear winner in terms of performance, battery, camera versatility, and overall technology, which are the main things that I value.
My main reason for this choice is the significantly superior processing power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with 12 GB of RAM. For someone who often engages in demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking, this level of performance is not just an upgrade but a crucial necessity. The large battery, combined with fast charging, ensures that I don't have to worry about running out of power throughout a busy day, while the larger storage is very useful as well.
While the lack of wireless charging and a significantly dimmer screen on the Xperia 1 VI are valid concerns, the benefits of a newer generation phone outweigh those sacrifices in my use case.
The telephoto and wide-angle camera lenses add much more versatility, making it suitable for different shooting conditions. It is also important to note that the S21 5G came out at the beginning of 2021, while the Xperia 1 VI was just released in June 2024. This means that the latter will provide better software support over time.
