Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Motorola Moto G04s. We'll go beyond the spec sheet, focusing on how these differences translate into real-world user experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-25 | 2024-04-29 | The Moto G04s is significantly newer, potentially benefiting from newer software and manufacturing advancements. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Xperia is taller and thinner, while the Moto G04s is shorter but wider. The difference is slight, but may affect handling for some. |
| Weight | 186g | 178.8g | The Moto G04s is slightly lighter, which may be preferred for long usage sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Virtually identical screen size; negligble difference in size. |
| Resolution | 1644 x 3840 | 720 x 1612 | The Xperia's display is significantly sharper, resulting in crisp text, detailed images, and overall superior visual quality. |
| PPI | 643 | 269 | Xperia offers much higher pixel density, leading to a noticeably sharper and clearer display compared to Moto G04s, especially noticeable in small text and detailed images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The Xperia's OLED screen provides richer blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the Moto G04s. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Xperia's display is slightly smoother with its 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in more fluid animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same brightness level, but this value is 0 nits which cannot be the case. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Unisoc T606 | The Snapdragon 888 is a much more powerful chip, offering significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Antutu Score | 889,100 | 220,000 | The Xperia has a much higher benchmark score, indicating significantly faster overall performance in tasks such as opening apps, browsing the internet, and running demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Xperia’s Adreno 660 GPU offers vastly superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother and more enjoyable gaming and graphic-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera Main | 12MP f/1.7 | 50MP f/1.8 | The Moto G04s has a higher resolution main camera, but the Xperia has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 5MP f/2.2 | Xperia has a higher resolution selfie camera and a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | None | The Xperia features a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom for enhanced photography versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.3 | None | The Xperia has a wide-angle lens, providing more flexibility for capturing a wider perspective. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | None | Xperia features a Time of Flight sensor that can help with improved depth sensing in photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K 120fps | 1080p 30fps | The Xperia offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, with higher resolutions and frame rates along with stabilization. |
| Camera DxOMark | 105 (Mobile) | Not Available | Xperia has a professional mobile camera, with tested capabilities. |
| Features | Quad, RAW, 4K video, OIS | LAF | Xperia is packed with camera features, including the ability to capture RAW photos and record in 4K, while Moto G04s has a laser autofocus. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Moto G04s has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life, but this may not translate due to the performance differences. |
| Charging | 30W Fast | 15W Fast | The Xperia supports faster charging, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Bypass Charging | None | Sony Xperia 1 III has a bypass charging feature. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III:
Strengths:
- Display: The OLED panel with its high resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage, offering an unmatched visual experience.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides flagship-level performance for demanding games and applications.
- Camera: The triple-lens setup, combined with advanced features like 4K recording and RAW support, offers excellent photographic versatility.
- Build Quality: Better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Software Support: While it launched with Android 11, it was officially updated to Android 13.
Competitive Advantages: The combination of a superior display, top-tier processing power, and an advanced camera makes the Xperia 1 III a premium option for those who prioritize quality and performance.
Trade-offs: It lacks a battery as big as the one present in Moto G04s. It is an older device and so may lack some of the modern improvements seen in later devices.
Motorola Moto G04s:
Strengths:
- Battery Life: Larger battery capacity may offer longer use between charges.
- Software: Launched with Android 14.
- Price: It's likely to be significantly more affordable than the Xperia 1 III, making it a strong value proposition.
Competitive Advantages: The Moto G04s is a practical and affordable choice for those who need a reliable phone without demanding high performance.
Trade-offs: The Moto G04s has a significantly lower resolution, IPS LCD and 90Hz display. It has a much less capable processor and GPU. The camera is only capable of lower resolution video and lacks some advanced features like optical zoom. The build quality is more basic.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III: This phone is best for:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want top-of-the-line display, performance, and camera technology.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who watch videos, play games, or edit photos on their phone and need the best visual quality.
- Photography Lovers: People who want the most comprehensive camera features with optical zoom, wide-angle, and pro-level settings.
- Power Users: Those who require strong performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
Motorola Moto G04s: This phone is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who are looking for a reliable phone without spending a lot of money.
- Everyday Users: People who use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and texting.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last a full day without needing to be charged constantly.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between these phones:
- How much do I value display quality and performance? If these are crucial for you, the Xperia 1 III is the better choice. If basic display and performance is enough, the Moto G04s may be suitable.
- What is my primary use case? If you do photography, gaming, or watch lots of content, Xperia is the best option. If you use your phone for simple tasks and want a basic device at a lower price, go for the G04s.
- What is my budget? The Moto G04s is aimed at a budget market and is likely far cheaper than the Xperia 1 III. If budget is the main factor, go with the Moto G04s, but be ready to compromise.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: If you play games with intense graphics the Xperia 1 III is the best option thanks to its vastly superior chipset.
- Scenario 2: Social Media and Light Use: The Motorola Moto G04s will be sufficient for browsing social media, texting, and some light use.
- Scenario 3: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The Xperia 1 III with its comprehensive camera features is better.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life Need: The Motorola G04s will have slightly better battery life thanks to the larger battery. However, if display and performance are a priority, the Xperia 1 III still offers all-day battery life.
Final Recommendation
If I were choosing between these two, I would personally pick the Sony Xperia 1 III. Here's why:
- Flagship Experience: As someone who loves technology and appreciates top-tier specs, the Xperia offers the best experience in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. I prefer the immersive experience of a high resolution OLED display with a high refresh rate for content viewing and gaming. The top tier performance chipset is very important to me, since I want a fast and responsive device for multitasking and running demanding applications.
- Photography: As someone who enjoys photography, the versatility and quality of the Xperia's camera, which offers both optical zoom and pro-level settings is something I value a lot. I also value being able to record 4K video with advanced video stabilization.
- Long Term Use: While it is an older device, it is still a very capable phone and has received software updates to Android 13.
While the Motorola Moto G04s is a practical choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, the Xperia 1 III provides a much more premium experience. The difference is significant, and I believe that is worth the premium for a more feature-rich, enjoyable experience.
