1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | The S21 Ultra is wider and thicker, making the Xperia 1 IV more comfortable for single-handed use and pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 185g | The Xperia 1 IV is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption, gaming. The Xperia 1 IV is more compact for one handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 IV has a significantly sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 643 | The higher PPI of Xperia 1 IV results in a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra has superior outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Note: Sony Xperia 1 IV's brightness spec is missing from data. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in Xperia 1 IV is newer and faster than the Exynos 2100 resulting in better performance in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,076,100 | The Xperia 1 IV offers noticeably smoother performance, faster loading times, and better overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 730 (Adreno 730) | The Adreno 730 in the Xperia 1 IV is generally better for demanding gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar all-day battery life under average use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Xperia 1 IV charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | Bypass Charging | S21 Ultra offers more versatile charging options (wireless, reverse charging), but neither comes with a charger in the box. Xperia 1 IV offers bypass charging allowing the phone to directly powered from source and reduce battery wear when plugged in. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lens | 108MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.80 µm | The S21 Ultra captures more detail with 108MP in well-lit conditions. The Xperia 1 IV has better low-light performance with larger pixel size, capturing more light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1.22 µm | N/A | The S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto and portrait lens for better zoom and portrait photography compared to the Xperia 1 IV which doesn't have this lens. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 0.70 µm | 12MP, f/2.0, pixel size missing | The S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies with its higher megapixel count and also offers additional software processing power. The Xperia 1 IV might have better low light capture due to larger aperture however pixel size spec is missing. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1.22 µm | 12MP, f/2.3, 1.00 µm | The Xperia 1 IV has wider aperture and slightly more detail from its telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2, pixel size missing | The Xperia 1 IV offers more versatility with a wide-angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1.40 µm | N/A | The S21 Ultra offers a separate lens for macro photography capturing small object with good clarity. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | Pixel size missing | Xperia 1 IV offers depth sensing capabilities for more accurate portrait mode bokeh effects, and AR applications. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | The S21 Ultra has 8K video capability. The Xperia 1 IV has a wider range of 4K frame rate options and supports 4K@120fps. Both have slow motion capability. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | 105 (Photo: 107, Video: 92) | The S21 Ultra scores higher in overall camera performance, especially in photo and video quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | N/A | S21 Ultra’s selfie camera performance is significantly better than other phones, according to DxOMark. Xperia 1 IV selfie camera not tested. |
| Features | 8K Video, Laser AF, Night Mode | Ultra stable video, | Both offer comprehensive camera features, but S21 Ultra adds 8K video capture, laser auto-focus and night mode and the Xperia 1 IV ultra stable video recording. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive experience for media consumption.
- Brighter Screen: Better visibility in direct sunlight (1500 nits).
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: Captures more detailed images (108MP) in good lighting.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Lens: Offers better zoom capabilities and portraits.
- Better Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies with higher megapixel count and also has additional software processing.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: More flexible charging options (15W wireless charging and 9W reverse wireless charging).
- Noise cancellation microphone: Enhanced audio quality with a dedicated microphone for noise cancellation.
- 8k Video: Allows users to capture and create professional quality video content.
- Higher DxOMark Score: Superior photo and video quality according to tests.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Faster performance with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper visuals due to higher pixel density.
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: More comfortable for single-handed use and pocketable.
- Faster Charging: Slightly quicker charging times (30W).
- Wider Aperture on Some Lenses: Better low-light photography performance.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers versatility with a wide-angle lens.
- ToF 3D sensor: Provides more accurate portrait mode and depth sensing for AR apps.
- Bypass Charging: Allows the phone to be powered directly without charging the battery when connected to power.
- More GPS Satellites Supported: Better location accuracy.
- Advanced Audio Codecs: Supports LDAC and AAC for higher quality audio playback through Bluetooth devices.
- Ultra Stable Video Recording: Allows users to capture steady videos.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier, bulkier, older chipset, and higher price.
- Xperia 1 IV: Lower main camera resolution, no dedicated telephoto + portrait lens, and brightness is missing from data.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a large, bright display for media consumption and gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts who want high resolution images and telephoto versatility.
- Users who value wireless and reverse charging capabilities.
- Users who value high quality audio recording with a noise canceling microphone.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos, gaming, and viewing content in direct sunlight.
- Capturing detailed photos in well-lit conditions and telephoto shots.
- Powering other devices using reverse charging.
- Creating high quality video content with 8k capabilities.
Sony Xperia 1 IV:
Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed for demanding tasks, gaming, video editing etc..
- Users who want a compact, lightweight phone.
- Photographers who prioritize low-light performance and flexibility with lens selection.
- Users who value high quality audio output from bluetooth devices using advanced audio codecs.
- Users who require steady video recording.
- Users who value an accurate GPS.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Capturing photos in various lighting conditions and using wide-angle photography.
- Listen to music using wireless headphones.
- Navigating in urban or rural environments with accurate location tracking.
- Recording steady video on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Screen Size and Brightness: Do you prioritize a larger screen with high brightness for media consumption, or a sharper screen with a more compact design?
- Camera Versatility vs. Low-Light: Do you prefer a higher-resolution main camera with dedicated telephoto lenses, or a more versatile system with wider apertures for low-light performance and a wide-angle lens?
- Performance vs. Charging Options: Do you value faster performance and charging speeds, or the convenience of wireless and reverse charging capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For media lovers and photographers who take lots of photos in bright light: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its larger, brighter display, high-resolution camera, and versatile charging options.
- For gamers, mobile professionals, and anyone who values performance and compact design: Choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV for its faster processor, sharper screen, lighter build, low light camera performance, and better GPS capabilities.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 IV. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a brighter screen and a potentially more versatile camera system on paper, my priority lies in overall performance and a more manageable form factor.
Here’s my reasoning:
- Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset in the Xperia 1 IV provides a more substantial performance boost, which translates to smoother operation, quicker app loading, and better gaming. As someone who uses my phone for both work and entertainment, this added responsiveness is significant.
- Design: The lighter and slimmer design of the Xperia 1 IV makes it much more comfortable for daily use. It’s easier to handle with one hand and less bulky to carry around. While the S21 Ultra's display size is appealing, the Xperia 1 IV's size strikes a better balance between screen real estate and usability.
- Low-light camera performance and versatility: The wider aperture and wide angle lens of the Sony Xperia 1 IV makes it more versatile in different situations especially low-light conditions.
- Advanced Audio: The advanced bluetooth audio codecs allows higher quality music to be enjoyed using wireless devices.
- More Accurate GPS: Better GPS capabilities for more accurate location tracking when navigating.
While the S21 Ultra’s 8K video is a nice-to-have, I don't prioritize video at such high resolution for my personal use. The Xperia 1 IV still delivers great video quality and has 4k 120fps which is sufficient for me and has added OIS and EIS which gives more stable video footage. Also the addition of bypass charging on the Xperia 1 IV can prevent battery degradation over long periods of time.
Ultimately, the Xperia 1 IV strikes a better balance between performance, design, and versatility for my specific needs, making it my preferred choice.
