Sony Xperia 1 III vs Samsung Galaxy S21
Side by side comparison between Sony Xperia 1 III vs Samsung Galaxy S21 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
OLED
OLED
1644x3840
12
MP
MP
8mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Sony Xperia 1 III
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
14 Advantages 
12 Advantages | 30 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back / Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| LED flash |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| +23 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Change model | ||
| Model | Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 |
| Other model names | Sony Xperia 1 III (XQBC52V.UKCX, XQBC62/V, SO-51B, SOG03) | Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991B/DS |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Sony | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/25/2021, Announced: 4/14/2021 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71 x 165 millimeters (2.8 x 6.5 in) | 71.2 x 151.7 millimeters (2.8 x 5.97 in) |
| Weight | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) | 169 grams (5.92 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Display type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1644x3840 pixels (21:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 643 PPI | 424 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ HDR BT.2020 | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) Geekbench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (230GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 2000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 VoLTE America version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) Europe version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46) Asia version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46) | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | America version: SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78) Europe version: SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78) Asia version: SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79) | SA/NSA/Sub6 () |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 VoLTE America version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) Europe version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46) Asia version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 66) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46) | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (quad camera) 12 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.3|70mmf/2.8|105mm1/2.9"PDAFOIS4.4x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.2124°16mm1/2.6"PDAF 0.3MP depth TOF3D | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom3x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 120 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps 1080p@30/60/120fps Zeiss optics Exmor RS | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3872x2592 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/4" inches | 1/3.24" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 24-bit/192kHz Dolby Atmos Dynamic vibration system | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 1.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi Wireless charging (Qi/WPC) Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Frosted Black, Gray, Purple • 60Hz display in 4K resolution • PS5 Remote Play • DUALSHOCK 4 compatibility | • Colors: Phantom Gray, White, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Sony Xperia 1 III | Galaxy S21 | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.456W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) |