Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Sony Xperia 5 III
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Sony Xperia 5 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm | The V21 5G is taller and wider, but the Xperia 5 III is thicker. The Xperia 5 III will feel more compact, while the V21 5G offers a larger screen. |
| Weight | 176g | 168g | The Xperia 5 III is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.1" | The V21 5G has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2520 | The Xperia 5 III has a slightly sharper screen due to its higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 449 | The Xperia 5 III display will appear slightly more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 5 III has smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in games and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither phone's max brightness is listed, limiting analysis of outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Xperia 5 III has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 880,000 | The Xperia 5 III is substantially faster, providing a superior performance experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the Xperia 5 III provides higher graphics processing power for smoother gaming and resource intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | The Xperia 5 III's larger battery will likely offer longer battery life, especially with heavy usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The V21 5G charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | Bypass charging on the Xperia 5 III reduces heat while gaming or charging and using at the same time. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm pixel size | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.80µm pixel size, Sony Exmor RS | The V21 5G has higher resolution, while the Xperia 5 III has larger pixels for better low-light performance, and is a Sony Exmor RS sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65" sensor, 0.70µm pixels, Samsung S5KGH1 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor, 1.12µm pixel size, Samsung S5K4H7 | The V21 5G has a higher-resolution selfie camera with a larger sensor, capturing more detail. The Xperia 5 III has larger pixels for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not present | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony Exmor RS | The Xperia 5 III has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.3, Sony Exmor RS | The Xperia 5 III captures wider images with higher resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | The V21 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with OIS, EIS | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | The Xperia 5 III offers more options with HDR recording and higher frame rates for slow motion. |
| Camera Features | Front Flash | Optical zoom, Continuous autofocus, RAW | The Xperia 5 III includes advanced camera features like optical zoom and RAW capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | The Xperia 5 III is upgradeable to Android 13, receiving newer features, security updates, and performance improvements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Xperia 5 III offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Xperia 5 III has a slightly newer version with additional features and better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Xperia 5 III supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer similar internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Adequate RAM for multitasking and smooth app performance on both phones. |
| Expandable | Not Supported | Not Supported | Neither phone supports additional storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Xperia 5 III provides a much better audio experience with enhanced clarity, spatial sound, and built-in stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Xperia 5 III's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is likely more ergonomic and faster. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | The Xperia 5 III has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint Sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint Sensor, Barometer, Hall | The Xperia 5 III has more sensors including a barometer, enhancing its capabilities for some apps and use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.44-inch screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 44MP front-facing camera will capture more detailed selfies.
- Faster Charging: With 33W fast charging, the V21 5G charges slightly faster than the Sony Xperia 5 III.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: The V21 5G includes a 2MP macro lens for close up photography.
- Front Flash: The V21 5G includes a front flash, an advantage for low light selfies.
Sony Xperia 5 III Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Dimensity 800U, ideal for gaming, and resource-intensive applications.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Standard Camera Sensor: Larger pixel sizes for better low light photos, and a more premium sensor.
- Telephoto Lens: The dedicated telephoto lens provides optical zoom capabilities.
- Superior Video Recording: The Xperia 5 III offers 4K@120fps recording with HDR, OIS, and EIS.
- Advanced Audio: The Xperia 5 III has Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers, providing better audio quality.
- Better Build Quality: The Xperia 5 III features Gorilla Glass 6 for better scratch resistance.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and multiple satellite systems for GPS.
- Bypass Charging: Keeps the battery from overheating while charging and using at the same time.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more ergonomic option than a standard fingerprint sensor.
- Software Upgrade Support: Receives upgrades to Android 13, while the vivo V21 5G is capped at Android 11
Significant Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G sacrifices performance for a larger screen and slightly faster charging, and better front-facing camera.
- The Xperia 5 III has a smaller screen and no dedicated macro camera in exchange for high performance, better cameras overall, and superior audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Casual Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a larger screen for video streaming, social media, and casual gaming.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who frequently take selfies and want a high-resolution front-facing camera and front flash.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for a decent performance at a more affordable price point.
- General Users: Those who prioritize simple features such as macro photography, while not needing powerful performance or advanced camera features.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on a larger display.
- Taking high-resolution selfies for social media.
- Everyday tasks and casual gaming.
- Macro photography
Sony Xperia 5 III Ideal User:
- Power Users & Gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire advanced camera features like optical zoom, RAW capture, and superior low-light performance.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate high-quality audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- Users Looking for Longevity: Those who value software updates and future compatibility.
- Users Wanting a Compact Phone: Those who would prefer a slightly smaller phone for portability.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Capturing professional-quality photos and videos.
- Enjoying immersive audio experiences.
- Utilizing advanced connectivity features.
- Preferring the long life of a phone due to receiving software updates.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Display Size: Do you prioritize raw processing power and a smoother display, or do you value a larger screen?
- Camera Features vs. Selfie Quality: Are you looking for an advanced camera with optical zoom, or is a high-resolution selfie camera more important to you?
- Budget vs. Longevity: Are you willing to pay more for a phone with better performance, audio, and future software upgrades?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If you prioritize a large screen for media and don't require high-end gaming, the vivo V21 5G is a solid choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If you need a powerful phone for gaming, photography and demanding tasks, the Sony Xperia 5 III is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want to capture professional-quality photos and videos, the Sony Xperia 5 III is the superior option, with its optical zoom, and superior sensors.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 III.
Reasons:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a substantially better performance experience, which is important to me for a fast, responsive phone, smooth app loading, and the ability to play graphically intensive games.
- Camera: As a user who enjoys taking photos, the telephoto lens, superior sensor quality, and advanced video recording features on the Xperia 5 III are very appealing. I'd also be able to capture better low-light images.
- Audio: I value audio quality for media consumption, and the stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support and high resolution playback of the Xperia 5 III are important features to me.
- Software Longevity: The fact that the Xperia 5 III is supported with upgrades to Android 13 means that it is a more future-proof option.
- Build Quality and additional features: The Gorilla Glass 6 on the screen is a very important feature, and features such as bypass charging, side mounted fingerprint sensor, and additional environmental sensors are all things that I'd value in a phone.
While the vivo V21 5G has a larger screen and slightly faster charging, the superior performance, camera capabilities, audio quality, and future software upgrades of the Sony Xperia 5 III make it a more compelling option for my needs. The smaller screen of the Xperia 5 III would be a worthwhile tradeoff for the increase in other features.
