1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand. Xperia 1 III is narrower, making one-handed use easier. |
| Weight | 227g | 186g | Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers a larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking. Xperia 1 III is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1644 x 3840 | Xperia 1 III's higher resolution results in a noticeably sharper display, ideal for detailed content. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 643 ppi | Xperia 1 III will show noticeably crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra excels in bright outdoor conditions with its significantly higher peak brightness. (Note: Sony's Brightness is an error, most likely should have higher value. But still will be less than Samsung's). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 generally offers better performance and efficiency, especially in gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 889,100 | Xperia 1 III demonstrates better benchmark performance, translating to smoother operation. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 generally provides better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.8µm | S21 Ultra captures more detail in good light, but Xperia 1 III's larger pixels might excel in low-light situations. |
| Telephoto Camera (Primary) | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Sony has a brighter lens for better telephoto shots in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | Not present | S21 Ultra has a dedicated lens for portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Not present | S21 Ultra offers the versatility of wide-angle and macro with one lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not present | 12MP, f/2.3 | Sony offers a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 0.7µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | S21 Ultra captures higher detail selfies; Xperia has wider aperture and larger pixel size |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Not present | Present | Sony has a sensor for advanced depth sensing capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution, while Xperia 1 III offers faster framerates in 4k, which is suitable for slow motion videos. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 105 | S21 Ultra has a higher overall camera score. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra has a high selfie camera score |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | S21 Ultra offers longer battery life, especially for heavy usage. |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | Xperia 1 III charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Bypass charging | S21 Ultra offers more charging options; Xperia has bypass charging for gaming. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 11 (up to 13) | S21 Ultra has more software support for future updates |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 + MIMO | WiFi 6 | S21 Ultra has more advanced WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 + ANT+ | 5.2 + LDAC + AAC | Xperia 1 III offers LDAC codec for better audio over Bluetooth. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | L1+L5, E1+E5a, QZSS | Xperia 1 III provides more precise GPS location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB | Both offer high-capacity options, but the base model of the S21 Ultra has 128 GB. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB | S21 Ultra offers the option for more RAM, enhancing multitasking capabilities |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows memory expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has a noise cancellation microphone, useful in calls, recordings and streaming. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Xperia 1 III has a faster, more convenient side-mounted sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.8" screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: 1500 nits peak brightness provides better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers higher resolution main camera, dedicated telephoto and wide angle lenses, and impressive selfie quality.
- 8K Video Recording: Provides professional-grade video quality.
- Larger Battery: 5000 mAh battery offers longer battery life.
- Wireless & Reverse Charging: Provides more convenient charging options.
- More RAM Options: Has 16GB RAM option for better multitasking performance.
- More software update support: Can receive up to Android 15.
Sony Xperia 1 III Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a crisper, more detailed display.
- Lighter Build: 186g weight is significantly more comfortable for extended use.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is slightly faster than the S21 Ultra.
- Better Benchmark Performance: Higher AnTuTu score translates to smoother performance overall.
- Improved Telephoto Lens: With the f/2.2 aperture.
- Dedicated Wide-angle Lens: Offers versatility in photography.
- ToF 3D sensor: Enables advanced depth sensing.
- Bypass Charging: Better for gaming.
- Better Bluetooth audio: Support for LDAC and AAC codecs.
- More Precise GPS: QZSS support for better location.
- Better Fingerprint Sensor: side-mounted fingerprint sensor is quicker to access.
- 4k@120FPS video recording: Ideal for slow motion capturing.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra is heavier, bulkier, with a less sharp display, and less software update support
- Xperia 1 III has a smaller display, less brighter, smaller battery, less versatile camera setup, and it lacks wireless and reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos and movies on their phones.
- Power Users: Multitaskers who demand top-tier performance and battery life.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera setup with a variety of lens options and high resolution.
- Outdoor Users: Those who use their phones in bright sunlight and need a high brightness display.
- Professional content creators: Those who take 8k videos.
Sony Xperia 1 III Ideal Users:
- Audiophiles: Users who prioritize high-quality audio playback through headphones.
- Gamers: Those who want the best gaming performance and don't mind a smaller screen.
- One-Handed Users: People who prefer a more compact phone for comfortable single-handed use.
- Photography Purists: Those who prioritize image quality and manual control in photography with dedicated lenses.
- Users who need precise location: Those who rely on GPS for accurate location and navigation.
Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Excellent for watching movies, editing photos, mobile gaming, outdoor navigation, and professional videography.
- Xperia 1 III: Great for mobile gaming, music listening, serious photography with manual control, and comfortable one-handed usage, accurate location tracking.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Screen Preference: Do you prioritize a larger screen with high brightness or a sharper, more compact display?
- Camera Priorities: Do you value versatility with many lens options, or quality with a few dedicated ones and manual controls?
- Usage Style: Do you prefer a large battery with wireless charging, or a lighter device with faster charging and better comfort?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need the best possible screen for media consumption and outdoor use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- If you value a compact, comfortable phone for one-handed use and mobile gaming: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
- If camera versatility with high resolution and wireless charging is crucial: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- If high-quality audio, better performance, 4K@120FPS recording, a sharp screen and precise navigation is important to you: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
My Choice:
Given my needs, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 III. The most important factors for me are its superior performance, sharper display, better comfort for extended use, and its exceptional camera features including manual control, advanced stabilization, 4K@120FPS recording and precise navigation. While I appreciate the S21 Ultra's larger screen and versatile camera system, I prioritize the aspects that the Xperia 1 III offers. I prefer the higher quality screen, better performance and better quality over the larger screen and wireless charging.
