Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Honor Magic5 Pro. As a tech journalist, I'm all about translating specs into real-world experiences, so let's get started.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specs, presented in a way that highlights their practical implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Honor Magic5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-25 | 2023-03-31 | Magic5 Pro is significantly newer, with more recent tech. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | Xperia 1 III is taller but narrower; Magic5 Pro is wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 186g | 219g | Xperia 1 III is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for long-term handling. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.81" | Magic5 Pro offers a larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1644x3840 | 1312x2848 | Xperia 1 III boasts a far sharper display. |
| Pixel Density | 643 PPI | 460 PPI | Xperia 1 III's text and images will appear noticeably crisper. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide fluid scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1800 nits | Honor Magic5 Pro is significantly brighter, much better in sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Magic5 Pro's newer chip offers faster processing and improved power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 889,100 | 1,406,562 | Magic5 Pro is notably faster in all tasks from gaming to multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Magic5 Pro's GPU is substantially better for graphics-intensive applications and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.6 | Magic5 Pro has higher resolution and a wider aperture, so it likely captures more light and detail |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | - | Xperia 1 III has a dedicated telephoto lens, great for optical zoom |
| Telephoto + portrait | - | 50MP, f/3.0 | Magic5 Pro has a dedicated Telephoto + portrait lens, great for portrait photography |
| Wide Angle lens | 12MP, f/2.3 | - | Xperia 1 III has a dedicated wide angle lens, great for landscapes |
| Wide Angle + Macro | - | 50MP, f/2.0 | Magic5 Pro has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens, great for macro photography and landscapes |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.4 | Magic5 Pro has higher resolution, Xperia 1 III has wider aperture for low light. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | Yes, 0.3MP | Both phones feature a Time-of-Flight sensor. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 105 | 152 | Magic5 Pro has a much better camera, more detail and better dynamic range |
| DXOMark Photo Score | 107 | 154 | Magic5 Pro has a much better camera, more detail and better dynamic range |
| DXOMark Video Score | 92 | 144 | Magic5 Pro has a much better camera, more detail and better dynamic range |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both are excellent for video capture, Xperia can do up to 120fps in 4K |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5100mAh | Magic5 Pro’s larger battery should offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 66W | Magic5 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W | Magic5 Pro supports fast wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | No | 5W | Magic5 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 14) | Magic5 Pro offers a more modern Android experience. |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Honor Magic5 Pro has better WiFi performance, faster connection, access to 6 GHz band |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both devices are very similar in this category |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5 | Honor Magic5 Pro has better GPS performance with more satellites supported, more precise tracking |
| SIM | Nano SIM | Nano SIM / eSIM | Honor Magic5 Pro has eSIM support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Both phones offer ample storage options. |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | Magic5 Pro can be configured with more RAM for intensive tasks |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | DTS/DTS X | Both offer quality sound through stereo speakers, Sony has slightly better spatial audio |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Xperia 1 III's side sensor may be more intuitive to use |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xperia 1 III has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | Gravity Sensor | Xperia 1 III has a barometer, Honor Magic5 Pro has gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III:
- Strengths: The Xperia 1 III stands out with its incredibly sharp 4K display, making it a top choice for content creators and those who want the highest possible detail on screen. It also features high-quality audio, perfect for media consumption. The dedicated physical camera button is something you don't see often, and it feels very premium. Its lighter weight and slimmer profile might be preferable for some users.
- Competitive Advantages: The standout feature is its display with very high resolution and pixel density, plus a high-quality audio experience. Its camera boasts a telephoto and wide angle lens not found in the Magic 5 Pro.
- Trade-offs: It uses an older processor, the Snapdragon 888, which, while still capable, doesn't match the newer chip in the Honor Magic5 Pro. The camera performance is good, but not the same as the new model. The screen is noticeably dimmer than on the Magic 5 Pro, and this could make outdoor use challenging.
Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Strengths: The Honor Magic5 Pro is a powerhouse with a much newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that beats the performance of the Sony. Its display is much brighter, so outdoor visibility is great. It also has a more versatile camera system, including superior results in the DXOMark test, with more flexibility in shooting modes. Its larger battery and fast charging are very practical advantages.
- Competitive Advantages: The Magic5 Pro has a significantly better processor, battery, camera system, and display brightness. The ability to wirelessly charge is also a significant advantage.
- Trade-offs: It’s heavier and thicker than the Xperia 1 III, which may not be ideal for everyone. Its display, while large and vibrant, doesn’t have the same pixel density as the Xperia. The operating system on the Honor could be an obstacle to those who prefer stock android, as it uses Honor's own skin.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III:
- Ideal User: Those who value display quality above all else. Content creators that want high resolution images and videos on their device. Users that watch movies and tv shows in high quality. Users that prefer a more compact phone.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video editing, high-quality multimedia consumption.
- Price-to-Value: As an older flagship, it's price might be more competitive than the Magic5 Pro, but it might be worth getting something newer.
Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users that want the best performance, great photos and videos, and great battery life.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, advanced photography and videography, all day use without worrying about battery life.
- Price-to-Value: The Magic5 Pro is positioned as a top-tier device, offering the latest technology, so the price is higher.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help users decide:
What's more important: display sharpness or screen brightness and speed?
- If you prioritize the absolute sharpest display with pixel density, and don't mind a dimmer display, choose the Xperia 1 III.
- If you value a bright display for outdoor use with better overall performance, choose the Magic5 Pro.
How important is cutting-edge performance and camera versatility?
- If you need top-of-the-line performance for gaming and high-end tasks, choose the Magic5 Pro.
- If you don't need the latest chipset, the Xperia 1 III still delivers a very good experience.
How does battery life and charging speed factor into your daily usage?
- If you need long battery life and fast charging, choose the Magic5 Pro.
- If you are fine with good battery life and average charging speed, the Xperia 1 III will be sufficient.
Final Thoughts
Both phones are great devices and cater to different users. If you want the sharpest screen you can get on a smartphone, the Sony is the only option for you here. However, if you are looking for the best possible modern technology in the mobile market, the Magic 5 Pro is the phone you should pick.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Honor Magic5 Pro. While the Sony’s 4K display is impressive, the overall package of the Magic5 Pro is more compelling for my needs. I prioritize speed and camera versatility for my daily life as a tech journalist. The significant gains in performance with the newer chipset, coupled with superior camera performance, make it the more appealing choice for me. Plus, the brighter display for easy outdoor visibility is a major win. The faster charging and wireless charging capability also are things I use all the time. While the weight and thickness are a trade-off, the benefits far outweigh those disadvantages.
