Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.3 mm | S21 Ultra is wider and thicker, potentially less comfortable for single-handed use; Xperia 1 V is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 187g | Xperia 1 V is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front and back, Aluminum frame | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front, Gorilla Glass Victus back, Aluminum frame | Both offer premium build quality and scratch/drop protection, Xperia 1 V has a newer generation of front glass, potentially more durable |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1644x3840 | Xperia 1 V has higher resolution, resulting in a noticeably sharper and more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 643 | Xperia 1 V has significantly higher pixel density, making text and images appear clearer and more refined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly brighter, providing superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 V's newer chipset delivers much faster processing, better efficiency and improved AI, impacting overall speed and responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,365,441 | Xperia 1 V has significantly higher benchmark performance, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Xperia 1 V's GPU provides better gaming performance and graphics processing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 48MP | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution images, allowing for more detail and cropping. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.4" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger sensor, improving low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.17µm | Xperia 1 V's larger pixels improve light sensitivity, leading to better low light pictures |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP | Not available | S21 Ultra has a dedicated lens for portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 12MP | S21 Ultra has much higher selfie resolution, capturing more detail. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/2.93" | S21 Ultra has slightly larger sensor, potentially better dynamic range in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 10.8MP | 12MP | Xperia 1 V has slightly higher resolution for telephoto shots |
| Telephoto Lens Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.5" | S21 Ultra has a larger telephoto sensor, theoretically capturing more light. |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/4.9 | f/2.3 | Xperia 1 V has a wider telephoto aperture, improving low light performance on zoom shots |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2 MP | Not available | Xperia 1 V features a dedicated ultrawide lens, allowing for more expansive shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 12.2 MP | Samsung S21 Ultra has dedicated ultrawide lens that doubles as macro. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 Ultra offers 8K video, while Xperia 1 V offers high frame rate 4K video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, offering comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia 1 V charges faster. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless, No Charger In Box, Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | S21 Ultra has more robust wireless charging options. Xperia 1 V's bypass charging can help reduce battery degradation during intensive use when plugged in |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Larger Display: 6.8" screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Brighter Screen: 1500 nits brightness provides superior visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher Resolution Standard Camera: 108MP main camera for detailed shots and cropping.
- Telephoto + Portrait Lens: Dedicated portrait camera for enhanced portrait photography.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 44MP selfie camera captures more detailed self-portraits.
- More comprehensive wireless charging options
- Hi-Res Audio
Sony Xperia 1 V Advantages
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: More comfortable to hold and carry.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a crisper image.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer Snapdragon chipset for superior speed and responsiveness.
- Better Low Light Performance with larger pixel size
- Newer Bluetooth Version
- Wider Telephoto Aperture
- Dedicated Ultrawide Lens: Provides more flexibility in photography.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces charging time.
- Bypass Charging: Reduces battery degradation during intensive use while plugged in.
- eSIM Support: Digital carrier switching for added flexibility.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Older chipset and heavier design, not ideal for users prioritizing performance and portability.
- Xperia 1 V: Less bright display and missing dedicated portrait lens, less appealing for users valuing outdoor visibility and diverse photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users
- Media Enthusiasts: Large, vibrant display is great for watching videos and browsing content.
- Outdoor Users: High brightness for clear visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Focus: Versatile camera system with high resolution and portrait lens.
- Use Cases: Watching movies, playing games, taking photos in various lighting conditions, and extensive photo editing.
Sony Xperia 1 V Ideal Users
Price-to-Value
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G may be available at a lower price due to its older age, providing good value for its features.
- The Sony Xperia 1 V is a newer device, it will likely be more expensive. However, offers cutting-edge performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you prioritize performance or display brightness? If you are a power user, the Xperia 1 V with its newer chipset would be better. If you prioritize brightness, then the S21 Ultra is the better choice.
- How important are portability and weight to you? If you want a smaller and lighter phone, the Xperia 1 V is a better choice. The S21 Ultra is larger and heavier.
- What are your main camera needs? If you need 8K video, a versatile zoom lens and 44MP selfie camera, the S21 Ultra is the better choice. If you want better low light performance with more pixel size, a wider telephoto aperture and an ultrawide lens, the Xperia 1 V may be preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the gamer: The Sony Xperia 1 V is the clear choice due to its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, faster GPU, smoother performance, and larger pixel size.
- For the multimedia consumer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G with its larger, brighter display, as well as high res audio support, and portrait lens for enhanced photography would be the superior choice.
- For the professional on the go: The Sony Xperia 1 V, with its slim design, fast chipset, and additional eSIM, would be better suited for a work environment.
- For the budget-conscious buyer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G would be better due to the high value at a lower price point.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Sony Xperia 1 V. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has strengths such as a brighter screen, higher resolution standard and selfie camera, and a portrait lens, I value performance, and portability more. The Xperia 1 V has a significantly better performing chipset, a lighter and slimmer body and a much higher screen resolution. Additionally, the Xperia 1 V offers new features like bypass charging, which helps maintain battery health. I also value a good ultrawide lens for more flexibility in photography. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a fantastic phone, the Xperia 1 V's advantages in performance, portability, and cutting edge features are better suited for my needs.
