Samsung Galaxy S23+ vs Sony Xperia 1 VI - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date February 17, 2023 June 3, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 91.39 cm³ 98.3 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.37 "/g 3.39 "/g
Weight 196 g 192 g
Height 157.8 mm 162 mm
Width 76.2 mm 74 mm
Thickness 7.6 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Green
  • Graphite
  • Phantom Black
  • Lavender
  • Cream
  • Lime
  • Black
  • Platinum silver
  • Khaki green
  • Scar red

Display

Screen Size 6.6 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.9 % 86.5 %
Pixel Density 393 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 1200 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1750 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 107.90 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 51.43 mAh/cm³ 50.86 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4700 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Adreno 740 Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Video Output

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23+Sony Xperia 1 VIPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6162 x 74 x 8.2Xperia 1 VI is taller and thicker, S23+ is slightly wider. Xperia might feel less comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight (g)196192Negligible weight difference in real-world usage.
Fingerprint SensorUnder displaySide-mountedPreference-based, side-mounted can be faster but less aesthetically integrated.
Display
Display Size (inches)6.66.5Virtually identical screen real estate.
Resolution (px)1080 x 23401080 x 2340Same resolution, sharpness will be similar due to similar screen sizes.
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XLTPO OLEDBoth offer excellent color and contrast. LTPO allows for variable refresh rate, potentially saving battery.
Refresh Rate (Hz)120120Both offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness (nits)1750Not specifiedS23+ likely offers better outdoor visibility. Missing Xperia brightness limits comparison.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Gen 3 provides a performance boost, potentially impacting demanding tasks and gaming.
CPUOcta-core (up to 3.36 GHz)Octa-core (up to 3.3 GHz)Gen 3's architecture improvements likely yield a performance advantage despite similar clock speeds.
RAM (GB)812Xperia offers more RAM for better multitasking and app switching.
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750Xperia's Adreno 750 should deliver improved graphics performance.
Camera
Main Camera (MP)5048Megapixel count isn't everything; sensor size and processing matter more. Detailed comparison requires sensor performance analysis, not provided.
Telephoto Zoom (Optical)3x7.1xXperia offers significantly greater optical zoom range.
Ultrawide AngleYes (12.2 MP)Yes (12.2 MP)Similar ultrawide capabilities based on specifications.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 4K@120fpsS23+ offers higher resolution video, Xperia offers higher frame rate slow-motion at 4K.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)47005000Xperia offers a larger battery, potentially lasting longer.
Fast Charging (W)4530S23+ charges significantly faster.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:

  • Brighter Display (based on available data)
  • Faster Charging

Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:

  • Newer, more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3)
  • More RAM (12GB vs 8GB)
  • Greater optical zoom range (7.1x vs 3x)
  • Larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs 4700mAh)
  • LTPO display for potential power saving

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23+: Users prioritizing a brighter display for outdoor use and faster charging speeds. Suitable for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming.

Sony Xperia 1 VI: Power users, mobile photographers/videographers who value performance, zoom capabilities, and longer battery life. Ideal for demanding tasks, gaming, and content creation.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Xperia 1 VI is generally more expensive.
  2. What are your primary use cases? (e.g., photography, gaming, everyday use)
  3. Which features are most important to you? (e.g., battery life, display brightness, camera zoom)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited Budget, Everyday Use: Samsung Galaxy S23+
  • Power User, Content Creator: Sony Xperia 1 VI

My Choice: Sony Xperia 1 VI

Reasoning:

While the S23+ offers faster charging and a potentially brighter display, the Xperia 1 VI's advantages in performance, RAM, camera zoom, and battery life are more compelling for my needs. The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with 12GB RAM, ensures future-proofing and smooth performance for demanding tasks. The significantly greater optical zoom range opens up more creative possibilities for photography. The larger battery capacity aligns with my preference for longer usage without frequent charging. Although the Xperia 1 VI might be pricier, the performance and feature upgrades justify the cost for a power user like myself. The lack of specified peak brightness for the Xperia is a concern, but the overall package leans heavily towards the Xperia for my usage.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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