Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Sony Xperia 1 VI
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-06 | 2024-06-03 | Xperia 1 VI is significantly newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | Xperia 1 VI is slightly taller and thicker, making it feel a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 176g | 192g | V21 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen real estate; both offer similar visual experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness; both provide clear visuals. |
| PPI | 409 | 396 | Nearly identical pixel density, resulting in similar screen clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 1 VI offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, though real-world performance may vary. (Note: Peak brightness is usually not zero.) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Xperia 1 VI's chipset is significantly faster, providing much better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 2,110,000 | Xperia 1 VI is dramatically faster, ideal for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 | Xperia 1 VI has a much more powerful GPU for demanding graphics tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 VI has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | V21 5G charges slightly faster, but the larger battery of Xperia 1 VI might lead to longer total charging time. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, Non-removable | Xperia 1 VI offers more advanced battery features like bypass charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm pixel size | 48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 1.17µm pixel size, Sony IMX888 | While V21 has higher resolution, Xperia has larger sensor pixels and a bigger sensor size, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm pixel size, Samsung S5KGH1 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", 1.22µm pixel size, Sony IMX663 | V21 5G has higher resolution, but Xperia likely captures better low-light selfies due to larger sensor pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5", 1.00µm pixel size, Sony IMX650 Exmor RS | Xperia 1 VI has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature missing in V21 5G. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm pixel size, Sony IMX563 | Xperia 1 VI offers higher resolution and larger pixels resulting in better quality in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | V21 5G has a macro lens for close-up shots, while Xperia 1 VI lacks this. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with OIS | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 VI offers more versatile video recording capabilities with higher frame rates and HDR. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, CDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Xperia 1 VI has several additional features including a more advanced autofocus system, night mode, and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14, upgradeable to 17 | Xperia 1 VI has a much newer Android version, guaranteeing longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Xperia 1 VI supports the latest WiFi standards for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | 5.4, LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, GAVDP, GAP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, SPP, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HDP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Xperia 1 VI has a newer Bluetooth version with more audio codecs and connection protocols. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Xperia 1 VI supports more satellite systems, potentially giving better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Xperia 1 VI offers eSIM capabilities for more flexibility with mobile carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Xperia 1 VI offers higher internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Xperia 1 VI has more RAM, facilitating smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Xperia 1 VI provides superior audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xperia 1 VI's side-mounted sensor is generally more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Xperia 1 VI has much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Pedometer | Xperia 1 VI has additional sensors, useful for more advanced applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for extended use and pocketable.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 33W charging is marginally faster.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Higher resolution selfies
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: Faster chipset, much higher benchmark score.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers better visual experience.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh for longer battery life.
- Advanced Battery Features: Bypass charging, reverse charging, and wireless reverse charging.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capability.
- Superior Camera Features: Larger sensor, better low-light performance, RAW capture, Night mode.
- Newer Android Version: Guaranteed longer software support and updates.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage capacity and RAM for demanding users.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for better audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Additional Sensors Barometer, Hall, Pedometer.
Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G is lighter and has faster charging, but falls far behind in all other areas.
- The Xperia 1 VI is heavier and slightly thicker, and has a slower charging speed, but offers much better performance, a more versatile camera, and a longer software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious: Users looking for a more affordable option.
- Light Usage: Users who primarily browse social media and make calls.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize front-facing camera resolution.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users looking for a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Everyday browsing and communication.
- Occasional photography in good lighting conditions.
- Casual gaming that does not require high graphics performance.
Sony Xperia 1 VI - Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the best performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who value a high-quality display and audio experience.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the newest technologies and software updates.
- Users Requiring a Long-Lasting Battery: Users who need all-day battery life.
Use Cases for Sony Xperia 1 VI:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-resolution video streaming and content creation.
- Professional productivity tasks on-the-go.
- Users who need advanced connectivity features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What's my budget? The vivo V21 5G is significantly cheaper.
- What are my primary use cases? If it's performance and photography, the Xperia 1 VI is better.
- How long do I plan to keep the phone? The Xperia 1 VI offers much better software support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious & Basic User - Recommendation: vivo V21 5G. Its lower price and lighter build are appealing.
- Scenario 2: Performance User - Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 VI. The much faster performance and superior features are worth the extra cost.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 VI. Its versatility and advanced camera features make it the superior option.
- Scenario 4: User needing a long-lasting battery - Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 VI. The larger battery paired with better efficiency offer more endurance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI. While the vivo V21 5G is lighter and has a slightly faster charging speed, the Xperia 1 VI offers a vastly superior experience in nearly every other aspect. The substantial performance leap provided by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with a much more versatile camera system, and better overall features would be worth the additional cost.
I am personally interested in a phone with great performance, a versatile camera, and long-term software support, and the Xperia 1 VI hits these marks significantly better than the Vivo V21 5G. Furthermore, I value a phone with a high refresh rate display and am interested in the additional features and better audio offered by the Xperia 1 VI. The larger battery and better build quality also make the Xperia 1 VI a more future-proof option, making it the obvious choice for my needs.
