Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Sony Xperia 1 VI. We'll break down the specs, discuss the real-world impacts, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table that focuses on practical implications for users:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | Xperia is taller and slightly thicker; S21 FE feels more compact. |
| Weight | 177g | 192g | S21 FE is noticeably lighter, better for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible size difference; both offer a great viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2340 | Identical; both offer sharp images for their size. |
| PPI | 403 | 396 | Very similar; both appear crisp and detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 FE significantly better in bright sunlight; Xperia 1 VI lacks brightness information. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Xperia 1 VI is significantly faster and more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 2,110,000 | Xperia 1 VI has more than twice the raw power, noticeable in demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Xperia 1 VI provides superior graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.9 | Xperia 1 VI captures higher-resolution images with a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0 | Not Available | S21 FE offers dedicated portrait shots |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.0 | S21 FE has a higher resolution front-facing sensor, but Xperia has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.3 | Xperia 1 VI offers optical zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Xperia 1 VI provides a wider field of view. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 13MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | S21 FE excels at closeup shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 120fps | Sony's stabilization in video will give smoother shots but both will give great 4K video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 VI has a larger battery; will likely last longer. |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | Xperia 1 VI charges slightly faster; both should charge reasonably fast. |
| Battery Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | Bypass Charging, Reverse Wireless | S21 FE has Wireless charging while Xperia 1 VI has bypass charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 16) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Xperia 1 VI offers a newer, more up-to-date operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Xperia 1 VI supports faster, newer WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Xperia 1 VI supports a more recent version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Xperia 1 VI has a more precise GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Xperia 1 VI supports eSIM and has more versatile connectivity. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Xperia 1 VI provides more internal storage; great for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12 GB | Xperia 1 VI has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos | S21 FE includes noise cancellation on its microphone; great for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xperia 1 VI has more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both have great screen protection; Xperia has the updated version. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Pedometer | Similar features. Xperia 1 VI has a pedometer and S21 FE has a geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Strengths: More compact and lighter design, significantly brighter display for outdoor use, solid camera system with a versatile array of lenses and capabilities, includes wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Notably better display brightness for outdoor visibility and more diverse camera options.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset and lower performance than Xperia 1 VI, smaller battery, not as up-to-date operating system.
- Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Strengths: Superior performance with a modern chipset, a higher-resolution main camera with larger sensor, larger battery and faster charging, more up-to-date operating system, eSIM support.
- Competitive Advantages: Leading performance in the flagship category, and more future proof with software updates.
- Trade-offs: Heavier design, lacks wireless charging, and no front-facing flash
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a compact, lightweight phone with a display that shines outdoors. Great for casual photographers who want a variety of shooting options.
- Use Cases: Ideal for those who spend a lot of time outside, use their phone frequently for social media, enjoy taking selfies, and want to shoot video and photos on the fly.
- Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts who want cutting-edge performance, gamers who need the best graphics, content creators who want top-tier video recording, and those who value battery life and are looking for a future proof phone.
- Use Cases: Best for demanding tasks, graphic-intensive gaming, professional photography and videography, and for users who want a phone that can keep up with the latest apps and updates.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is display brightness to you?
- If you're often in bright, outdoor conditions, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G's higher brightness might be crucial. However, we don't have the brightness for the Sony, it is possible it may be as bright, but that's unconfirmed.
- What's your primary usage?
- For everyday use with lighter tasks, the S21 FE 5G is good. If you are a heavy user, doing more demanding tasks and prefer to use the phone for years to come, the Sony Xperia 1 VI will suit better.
- What features are more important?
- If Wireless charging and compact design are important, then the S21 FE will suit, whereas if you need a more future-proofed device with newer technology and a much more powerful chipset, the Sony will fit the bill.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you need a good all-rounder that can handle most tasks and provide a solid camera experience the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is better.
- The Power User: If you need the best performance, want to future proof, capture professional grade photos and video, then choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has its charms with its lighter design and higher screen brightness, the performance gap is too significant to ignore. As a tech journalist, I often run multiple demanding apps and love having the fastest loading speeds. The Xperia 1 VI's superior processor, larger battery, newer OS, higher res main camera and support for more recent standards make it the better choice for my use case. The ability to take better photos and video is also a big plus for a content creator like myself. While it is disappointing it does not have wireless charging, the inclusion of faster wired charging and bypass charging makes up for this loss.
