Alright, let's dive deep into this head-to-head comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the realme 8. On paper, these two phones appear to cater to different segments of the market, but a closer look reveals some interesting differences and trade-offs. I'll break down the specs, highlight the real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table outlining the critical specifications of each phone and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | realme 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-25 | 2024-05-28 | The realme 8 is a significantly newer phone with newer tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable smartphones. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | Xperia 1 III is taller and thinner; realme 8 is wider and thicker; realme 8 might feel bulkier overall. |
| Weight | 186g | 191g | Xperia 1 III is slightly lighter which may enhance user experience. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | realme 8 offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1644 x 3840 | 1264 x 2780 | Xperia 1 III's screen is much sharper, with noticeably better clarity and detail. |
| Pixel Density | 643 PPI | 450 PPI | Xperia 1 III's display appears much clearer, improving the viewing experience. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar quality, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Screen brightness will be limited and not suitable for outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Both are flagship-level chipsets, realme 8 is newer and has the potential to be more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 889,100 | N/A | Xperia 1 III benchmark available. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 732 | realme 8's GPU is newer which may offer slightly improved graphics performance and efficiency. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 0mAh | Xperia 1 III has a significantly larger battery and should last longer. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Xperia 1 III charges much faster and more efficiently. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Standard Features | Xperia 1 III can power the phone while bypassing the battery during charging, reducing battery degradation. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.7, Sony Exmor RS, 1.80 µm pixel size | N/A | Xperia 1 III's standard lens includes a larger sensor and advanced features. realme 8 lacks a standard camera. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", Samsung S5K4H7, 1.12 µm pixel size | N/A | Xperia 1 III's selfie lens has a moderate resolution but the realme 8 has no information. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony Exmor RS | N/A | Xperia 1 III’s telephoto lens provides optical zoom capabilities. The realme 8 has no telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.3, Sony Exmor RS | N/A | Xperia 1 III offers an ultra-wide perspective. The realme 8 has no wide angle lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Available | N/A | Xperia 1 III includes a ToF sensor for depth information. The realme 8 has no ToF 3D sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 III offers higher quality video with advanced stabilization, and slow-motion option. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 105, Photo: 107, Video: 92 | N/A | Xperia 1 III's camera has been rated much higher overall. |
| Camera Features | Extensive suite, including Optical Zoom, PDAF, RAW | Minimal | Xperia 1 III offers a pro-level camera experience with advanced features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | realme 8 has a much newer OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Unknown | Xperia 1 III supports the latest Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, Extensive feature set | Unknown | Xperia 1 III has more updated Bluetooth and a more extensive feature set. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Unknown | Xperia 1 III has better GPS support for enhanced location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Unknown | Xperia 1 III supports Dual SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB | Unknown | Xperia 1 III has more storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 12 GB | Unknown | Xperia 1 III offers more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Xperia 1 III has a much better and well-rounded audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xperia 1 III features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xperia 1 III offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive Suite | Basic | Xperia 1 III offers a wide array of sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III Strengths:
- Superior Display: The Xperia 1 III boasts an incredibly sharp, high-resolution 4K OLED display with a high pixel density, providing exceptional clarity and color accuracy.
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with the Snapdragon 888 chipset and ample RAM, the Xperia 1 III offers top-tier performance for demanding tasks and games.
- Advanced Camera System: The Xperia 1 III includes a sophisticated camera setup with multiple lenses, advanced autofocus, and a variety of professional-level features, offering a very good mobile photography experience.
- Enhanced Audio: With Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers, the Xperia 1 III provides a premium audio experience for music and media consumption.
- Robust Build Quality: The phone has a sturdy build and features Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and drop resistance.
realme 8 Strengths:
- Newer Software: The realme 8 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box.
- More Recent Chipset: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, a very recent release, should be very efficient and faster for day-to-day tasks, and gaming.
- Bigger Display: The realme 8 has a slightly bigger display than the Sony Xperia.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xperia 1 III:
- It's older.
- Its battery capacity should be better, but it still may not provide the best battery life.
- realme 8:
- No information in certain areas such as cameras.
- It appears to be missing several features, such as advanced camera capabilities, advanced audio, and superior build quality.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Sony Xperia 1 III:
- Ideal for: Professional photographers, videographers, media enthusiasts, and those who prioritize top-tier display and audio quality.
- Use Cases: High-quality content creation, multimedia consumption, mobile gaming, and professional photography.
- realme 8:
- Ideal for: Users looking for a modern Android experience.
- Use Cases: Basic photography and media consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize image quality and performance?
- If yes, the Sony Xperia 1 III is the better option.
- Is having the latest version of Android more important?
- If yes, the realme 8 wins with a more updated OS.
- What is your budget and how much do you want to spend?
- Based on their specifications, the realme 8 should be cheaper. However, the Sony Xperia 1 III may be priced lower due to its age.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Sony Xperia 1 III. Here's why:
- The Display: As a tech journalist and mobile enthusiast, I greatly appreciate a high-quality display. The 4K resolution and excellent color accuracy on the Xperia 1 III are incredibly appealing.
- The Camera: I am a big fan of mobile photography, and the versatility of the Xperia 1 III's camera system, complete with optical zoom and advanced manual controls, gives me a lot of options for capturing a variety of shots.
- The Build Quality: The protection provided by the Gorilla Glass Victus screen makes me feel more comfortable using it every day.
- Audio: I value a good audio experience, and the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers on the Xperia 1 III is definitely worth considering.
While the realme 8 is a more recent phone with an updated OS, I believe the Xperia 1 III offers a better user experience for my particular use case.
