Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. This isn’t just a spec sheet showdown; we’re going to dissect what these numbers mean for you, the user, in your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Xperia 1 III is taller and thinner, ROG Phone 8 Pro is wider and thicker; consider hand comfort and pocketability |
| Weight | 186g | 225g | Xperia 1 III is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1644 x 3840 | 1080 x 2400 | Xperia 1 III has much sharper display, better for detailed images and text clarity. |
| PPI | 643 | 388 | Xperia 1 III's display is noticeably sharper than the ROG Phone. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, little practical difference between OLED and AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides smoother animations, particularly useful in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers vastly superior outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more powerful and efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 889,100 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly faster performance, smoother gameplay, and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much more powerful GPU for demanding tasks and high-end gaming |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5500 mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly longer potential battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 30W Fast | 65W Fast | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster. |
| Features | Bypass Charging | None | Xperia 1 III allows direct power to the device bypassing the battery while plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Res | 12MP | 50MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.9 | Xperia 1 III lets in slightly more light for better low light photos. |
| Standard Sensor | Sony Exmor RS | Sony IMX890 | ROG Phone 8 Pro uses a newer sensor generation, likely with improved image processing |
| Selfie Lens Res | 8MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro captures significantly sharper selfies. |
| Telephoto Res | 12MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more detailed zoomed images. |
| Telephoto Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Xperia 1 III lets in slightly more light for better low light zoom photos. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP (dedicated) | 13MP (Macro) | Xperia 1 III has a dedicated wide-angle camera. ROG Phone 8 Pro has a combined wide angle/macro lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | Xperia 1 III can potentially capture enhanced depth data for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 120fps | Up to 8K 24fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports significantly higher video resolutions. |
| DXOMark | 105 (Mobile) | N/A | Xperia 1 III offers known performance in photography, with a good result. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, RAW | Triple Camera, Gimbal | Xperia 1 III offers RAW capture for better photo editing, while ROG has Gimbal OIS. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 16) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers newer OS and updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has slightly newer Bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | Multiple GPS systems | Multiple GPS Systems | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports a few extra satellite systems for potentially better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256GB or 512 GB | 512GB or 1024GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16GB or 24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much more memory for demanding tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS:X, 3 Microphones | Both offer high-quality audio experiences, suited to different scenarios. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic (under display) | Xperia 1 III offers a side-mounted sensor, potentially more accessible. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Strengths:
- Sharper Display: Its 4K OLED screen is exceptionally sharp, perfect for those who value detail and clarity.
- Advanced Camera Features: The Xperia 1 III offers RAW image capture and a dedicated wide-angle lens, giving more creative control for photography. It also offers an impressive 120fps recording at 4K resolution.
- Lighter Build: Being significantly lighter makes it more comfortable for prolonged usage.
- Bypass Charging: This is a great feature to prolong the battery's lifespan, allowing direct power when plugged in for long gaming sessions.
- More Audio Codec support: Wider array of Bluetooth audio codecs, including Sony's own LDAC.
- Trade-offs:
- Older Processor: The Snapdragon 888 is still good, but it's a generation behind, so it may struggle with more intensive tasks.
- Lower Brightness: The display can struggle in direct sunlight compared to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Lower Battery Capacity: Less battery capacity translates to a shorter usage between charges.
- Older Android Version: Comes with an older version of Android
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance, making it ideal for gamers and power users.
- Brighter Display: Its display reaches 2500 nits, providing excellent visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth, enhancing the gaming and overall visual experience.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: The larger battery capacity and faster charging keeps the device running for longer and ready to go faster.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more storage space and memory, essential for modern gaming and multitasking.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with the latest version of Android
- 8K Video: Capability to record up to 8K video
- Gimbal OIS: A highly advanced OIS method for superior stabilization during video recording
- Trade-offs:
- Larger and Heavier: The device can be less comfortable to hold for long periods.
- Lower Display Resolution: Its display isn't as sharp as the Xperia 1 III, though it is still vibrant and smooth.
- Less Depth Camera Control: Lacks a dedicated ToF sensor for enhanced depth control in images.
- No Dedicated Wide-Angle: Uses a macro lens, sacrificing the wide-angle lens seen in the Xperia.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Ideal For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate manual controls, RAW capture, and high-quality stills.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching high-resolution content and prioritize a sharp display.
- Users on the Go: Those who value a lightweight and comfortable device that balances performance and ergonomics.
- Use Cases:
- On-site photography, when high-resolution stills are needed and can be edited on the fly.
- Enjoying high-resolution video with a stunning display.
- Everyday usage where a lighter device is more comfortable.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Ideal For:
- Mobile Gamers: Those who want the highest frame rates, smoothest graphics, and best possible performance.
- Power Users: Users who need a device that can handle heavy multitasking, video editing and demanding applications.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright, clear display in sunny conditions.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games with the best performance and smoothness.
- Video editing where more storage space, RAM, and processing power is required.
- Outdoor usage, using GPS apps, taking photos or playing games in bright environments.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, consider these questions:
- What is your primary use case? Is it photography, high-resolution video consumption, or gaming and heavy multitasking?
- How important is screen sharpness versus smoothness and outdoor brightness? Do you prioritize a super-detailed display or a very smooth and bright one?
- Is battery life or portability more important? Do you need the device to last as long as possible, or do you prefer something more lightweight and comfortable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The Photographer: If you value a traditional camera experience with RAW capture, a dedicated wide-angle lens and enjoy high-resolution video recording, the Sony Xperia 1 III is likely the better choice.
The Gamer/Power User: If your priority is the ultimate performance, battery life and smooth gameplay, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers vastly more performance. It's built for gamers, with a high refresh rate, powerful chipset, and the necessary battery capacity.
The Everyday User: If you value comfort, portability, and need high-quality video, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a strong option. However, you should note that you are sacrificing in certain areas, such as battery life and screen brightness. If these are important, then consider the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
What I Would Choose and Why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd lean towards the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Here's why:
As a tech journalist, I need a device that can handle a variety of tasks. I tend to use my phone heavily for browsing, writing, social media, image and video consumption and editing, and of course, gaming. The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers the latest and greatest chipset with the best RAM and storage options. I also find myself in multiple lighting environments so the display brightness of 2500 nits would be a lifesaver.
While the Xperia 1 III has an amazing display, I need the overall performance of the ROG Phone 8 Pro, as I tend to push my devices to their limits. Also, the added battery life and significantly faster charging would come in very useful.
