Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Realme C61. These two phones represent different ends of the smartphone spectrum, and understanding their differences is key to picking the right one for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a structured breakdown of the key specs, with an emphasis on what they mean for you:
| Feature | Sony Xperia 1 III | Realme C61 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm | The Realme is slightly taller and wider, the Sony is a bit thicker. The difference is noticeable but not drastic for handling. |
| Weight | 186g | 188g | Negligible difference, both feel similar in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | Realme C61 has a bit more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1644x3840 | 720x1600 | Massive difference. The Sony's display is incredibly sharp (448% more pixels), resulting in crisp text and images. The Realme's resolution is standard for budget phones and noticeable less detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 643 | 260 | Sony's display is much sharper and more detailed due to the higher pixel density. Text and images will look significantly clearer, especially noticeable for reading and viewing detailed content. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The Sony's screen will look much more vivid and engaging. Realme uses standard LCD, which is sufficient for daily use but will lack the dynamic range. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Sony's screen feels smoother in daily use, especially when scrolling through social media, webpages, and in supported games. Both will feel fluid but Sony feels slightly more refined. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This data may be incorrect, as both phones would not be functional at 0 nits brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Unisoc Tiger T612 | The Sony's Snapdragon 888 is a significantly more powerful chip, designed for flagship performance. The Unisoc in the Realme is a budget chip for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 889,100 | 252,597 | A huge performance gap. Sony is significantly faster for app loading, multitasking, and gaming. The Realme struggles with demanding tasks and may feel slow and laggy at times. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 660 is a higher-end GPU that performs significantly better in graphics-intensive applications and games. Sony is more suited for demanding games and graphic intensive apps. The Realme will only support basic games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 32MP | The Realme has higher pixel count, which can result in more detail, but pixel size matters more for low-light performance. The Sony's 12MP sensor uses large 1.8µm pixels (not noted for the Realme) for better light capture. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | Sony's wider aperture allows more light to enter the lens, typically resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP | 5MP | The Sony's front-facing camera should produce better images with higher detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | Sony can capture distant subjects with greater detail. The Realme is limited to digital zoom for far-off subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | Sony can capture expansive scenes with its dedicated wide angle lens. |
| ToF 3D sensor | Yes | No | Sony uses a Time-of-Flight sensor to improve depth perception in photos and can enhance AR and depth based applications. |
| Portrait Mode(Depth) | No | Yes | The Realme has a dedicated 2MP lens for depth mapping in portrait mode photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Sony's video capabilities are vastly superior with higher resolution, frame rates, and image stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 105 (Mobile) | N/A | The Sony Xperia 1 III has been tested by DXO mark with good results. No data is provided for the Realme. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Realme has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W | 45W | The Realme charges faster, reducing downtime and enabling quick top-ups. |
| Battery Features | Bypass Charging | None | The Sony supports bypass charging which prevents battery degradation when gaming while plugged in, a nice plus for gamers. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | The Realme ships with a more recent version of Android, but the Sony has the advantage of being part of the Android One program and is guaranteed major software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | The Sony supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | The Sony has a newer Bluetooth version with improved energy efficiency and data transfer rates. The Sony has more bluetooth features. |
| GPS | Dual band GPS | Single band GPS | The Sony has dual band GPS offering better accuracy and performance. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB/512GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Sony offers more storage and the base configuration has 256GB. The Realme offers a base storage of 64GB. |
| RAM | 12GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Sony provides significantly more RAM, ensuring smoother multitasking and handling resource-heavy applications, especially with gaming and video recording. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The Sony has more advanced audio capabilities, including Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, which enhances the audio experience with better sound quality and 3D spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer a convenient and secure method of unlocking the phone. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Sony uses the superior Gorilla Glass Victus for increased scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Full suite including Barometer | Basic sensors | The Sony has a full sensor suite with accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity, barometer, and hall sensors making it better suited to AR and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Sony Xperia 1 III: This is a performance and media powerhouse. Its stunning 4K OLED display, flagship processor, advanced camera system (including telephoto, wide angle and TOF sensors), and premium build quality make it a top-tier device for demanding users. The high-res audio and feature packed connectivity enhances the user experience.
- Realme C61: This device is designed for budget-conscious users who need a large screen and long battery life. It handles basic tasks well but falls short in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities compared to the Sony. The focus is on basic functionality and longer battery life.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Sony Xperia 1 III Users:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want cutting-edge technology, top-tier performance, and a premium experience.
- Content Creators: Those who need a high-quality display, excellent video recording, and advanced camera features.
- Mobile Gamers: Players who want smooth performance, fast loading times, and a top-notch display experience.
- Users seeking top quality audio: The Sony has enhanced audio capabilities and offers enhanced spatial audio.
Realme C61 Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for an affordable phone that covers the basics.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phones for communication, browsing, and light social media.
- Users needing Long Battery Life: A larger battery is beneficial for those needing power throughout the day.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself to help choose:
- How important is performance and display quality to me?
- If you need a smooth and responsive device for gaming and multitasking, the Sony is the clear winner. If you only need basic functionality the Realme is the right choice.
- What is my budget?
- The Realme is designed to be affordable and should be significantly less expensive. If your budget is constrained, the Realme is more suitable.
- Do I need a high-end camera system?
- If you prioritize high-quality photos, videos, and advanced zoom features, the Sony's camera is far superior to the Realme. If you are looking for a basic phone camera, the Realme will work.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Power User - You frequently game, use editing apps, and multitask.
- Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 III. The higher performance, superior display, excellent camera, and large storage are crucial.
- Scenario 2: The Everyday User - You mainly use your phone for calls, texts, social media, and web browsing.
- Recommendation: Realme C61. The longer battery life is a plus, and it should handle basic tasks well.
- Scenario 3: The Multimedia Pro: You record and share videos and consume multimedia content.
- Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 III. Superior display, camera system and connectivity make this a clear choice.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Sony Xperia 1 III. Despite being older, it provides an all-around significantly superior user experience. The vastly improved display and processor make every interaction smoother, apps launch faster, and the camera captures impressive photos and videos. The premium feel and feature packed experience make this the clear choice for me. While it may be more expensive, the investment delivers a far better device experience. It's also important to note that the data about brightness for both phones appears incorrect which further skews the analysis towards the Sony due to it's high quality display and color accuracy.
The Realme C61 is an entry-level device with some compromises, but it caters to a different user base. If you prioritize affordability over performance and camera quality and just need a basic phone, the Realme is a suitable choice. But for those seeking a premium smartphone experience and appreciate top-tier technology, the Sony Xperia 1 III is the winner despite being released much earlier.
