Okay, let's dive deep into a comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Realme 9 Pro. I'll be breaking down these devices with a keen eye for both the technical details and the practical implications for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Realme 9 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-08-25 | 2022-02-23 | The Realme 9 Pro is newer, so may benefit from more recent software optimization and features, but also newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | 164.3 × 75.6 × 8.5 mm | Xperia 1 III is narrower and thinner, potentially feeling more ergonomic in hand, while Realme 9 Pro is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 186g | 195g | Xperia 1 III is lighter, which can be significant for long periods of use and when carrying in your pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Both screens are similar in size, a minor difference of 0.1" |
| Resolution | 1644x3840 | 1080x2412 | Xperia 1 III has a significantly sharper, higher-resolution display, perfect for detailed visuals and media consumption. |
| PPI | 643 | 400 | Xperia 1 III display is far denser (643 vs 400), delivering much more defined and clear text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | Xperia 1 III's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making media more immersive and enjoyable. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth 120Hz display experience for fluid scrolling and gaming, ensuring a consistent refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have a 0 nits brightness rating, this is likely an error with the data, as neither would be a usable screen if this was the case. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Xperia 1 III’s Snapdragon 888 is a high-performance processor, offering faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 889,100 | 402,916 | Xperia 1 III provides noticeably faster speeds, better multi-tasking, and a superior overall performance, particularly in resource-intensive tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | Xperia 1 III’s Adreno 660 is significantly more powerful, leading to smoother graphics in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Realme 9 Pro captures more detail in photos. Xperia 1 III's larger pixel size may perform better in low-light, though it's a much lower resolution |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Realme 9 Pro's selfie camera offers higher resolution, while both have similar aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | Xperia 1 III has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, adding extra versatility and quality at different focal lengths. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.3 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Xperia 1 III’s wide lens captures more detail in its ultra-wide perspective compared to the 8MP of the Realme 9 Pro |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Yes | None | Xperia 1 III has an additional ToF 3D sensor for better depth and focus in portrait mode photos, and better AR. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 9 Pro offers macro photography for up-close shots, while the Xperia 1 III is limited to its telephoto and wide lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 120fps | 1080p 30fps | Xperia 1 III offers superior video recording quality with 4k capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 105, Photo: 107, Video: 92 | Not tested | Xperia 1 III is a strong performer in photography, as evaluated by DxOMark. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 9 Pro has a larger battery capacity, likely providing better battery life during daily use compared to the Xperia 1 III. |
| Charging | 30W | 33W | Realme 9 Pro provides slightly faster charging times with its 33W fast charging capacity, but is negligibly better than the 30W of the Xperia 1 III. |
| Charging Features | Bypass Charging | None | Xperia 1 III includes bypass charging, which is useful when gaming or performing heavy tasks for long periods of time while plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS Version | Android 11 | Android 12 | Realme 9 Pro ships with a more recent version of Android, with newer features, but both max out at Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Xperia 1 III has the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster internet, better security and less latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Xperia 1 III offers a newer Bluetooth standard with additional features for improved connectivity and better device pairings. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | Standard | Xperia 1 III has additional satellite support for greater location accuracy and speed. |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones allow for the use of dual sims. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256/512GB | 128GB | Xperia 1 III offers significantly more internal storage than the Realme 9 Pro, important if you keep a lot of media on your device. |
| RAM | 12GB | 6/8GB | Xperia 1 III's 12GB of RAM will allow for far more demanding applications to run and keep more apps running in the background. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage, so choose your device carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res | Hi-Res, Noise cancellation mic, Dual Mic | Xperia 1 III's audio is better overall. Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers will make media consumption a much better experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint | side-mounted fingerprint | Both devices have identical side-mounted fingerprint scanners. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xperia 1 III's Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior scratch and damage resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensor Array | Compass, Barometer, Hall | Geomagnetic | Xperia 1 III has additional environmental sensors for more precise data in various apps and a more complete overall sensor array. |
2. Key Insights
Sony Xperia 1 III Strengths:
- Superior Display: The OLED panel with its high resolution and pixel density makes visuals sharp and colors vibrant.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 and 12GB RAM ensure smooth multitasking and gaming.
- Professional-Grade Camera: The telephoto lens, ToF 3D sensor, and 4K video capabilities deliver excellent versatility.
- Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and Hi-Res audio significantly improve the audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster and more reliable wireless performance.
Realme 9 Pro Strengths:
- Lower price point: Being in a lower tier of the market, the Realme 9 Pro tends to have a lower price point.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers slightly longer usage between charges.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: The 64MP main lens provides more detail in photos when compared to the 12MP main sensor of the Xperia 1 III.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android right out of the box, though the device will eventually get the same max Android version as the Xperia 1 III.
- Macro Lens: The addition of a macro lens lets the Realme 9 Pro take very close-up shots.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Xperia 1 III has a weaker battery life compared to the Realme 9 Pro, as well as much weaker base camera performance, though the Xperia 1 III is better for video.
- The Realme 9 Pro has a much less impressive display, along with a much weaker CPU and GPU which will limit its usability in gaming and heavy applications.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III is best for:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality displays, audio, and versatile camera systems.
- Power Users: Professionals or gamers who require peak performance and smooth multitasking.
- Content Creators: Users who need advanced video recording features and high quality photos.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Individuals who prefer the latest connectivity and premium features.
Realme 9 Pro is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a balanced phone with good battery life without breaking the bank.
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable device for daily tasks, browsing, and casual photography.
- Light Gaming and Multimedia: Users who are less concerned with the latest specs and enjoy casual media consumption.
- Macro Photographers: Users who are interested in taking very close-up shots of small objects.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between the Xperia 1 III and Realme 9 Pro:
- What is your primary use case? If you are primarily concerned with media consumption, gaming or professional photo and video, the Xperia 1 III is the clear winner, though the Realme 9 Pro is a great everyday phone.
- How important is camera versatility to you? If you need telephoto capabilities and advanced video features, the Xperia 1 III is better. However, if you enjoy shooting close-up macro photos, the Realme 9 Pro is preferable.
- What is your budget? The Xperia 1 III is a premium device and likely much more expensive than the Realme 9 Pro. If budget is a major constraint, the Realme 9 Pro can provide a more accessible option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Media Buff" If you want the absolute best screen and audio experience, choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
- Scenario 2: "The Budget Conscious User" If you're looking for a solid phone that won’t break the bank, choose the Realme 9 Pro.
- Scenario 3: "The Power Gamer" If you are a gamer and want the best possible CPU and GPU power in your phone, and don't mind sacrificing battery life, choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
- Scenario 4: "The Casual User" If you simply want a good everyday device with a decent battery life, choose the Realme 9 Pro.
My Choice
Personally, I'd choose the Sony Xperia 1 III. While I appreciate the value proposition of the Realme 9 Pro and it is a more recent release, my preference skews heavily towards performance, and the Xperia 1 III delivers that in spades. The vastly superior display quality, coupled with the robust performance offered by the Snapdragon 888, is something I value highly. I also place a lot of emphasis on camera versatility and the Xperia 1 III’s inclusion of features like a telephoto lens, Time of Flight sensor, and excellent video recording make it a better pick for me. Finally, I think the build quality with its Gorilla Glass Victus protection and the audio enhancements are worth the extra expense.
