Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72) vs Samsung Galaxy S21+

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Side by side comparison between Sony Xperia 5 III vs Samsung Galaxy S21+ Plus phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

5/30/2021 3:03 PM, updated: 11/21/2023 5:02 AM

Compare Samsung Galaxy S21+ Plus X Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72) 12Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.1"
OLED

1080x2520

12
MP

8mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4500
mAh

(Non removable)

16Points Samsung Galaxy S21+ Compare Sony Xperia 5 III X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.7"
AMOLED

1080x2400

12.2
MP

10mp

8GB
RAM

Octa-core

4800
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21+

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!

12 Advantages Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	vs	16 Advantages Samsung Galaxy S21+
+2.84GHz 64bit Octa-core (5nm)5% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster	vs	2.9GHz 64bit Octa-core (5nm)
+256GB (230GB available)121% More internal storage for applications and files	vs	128GB (104GB available)
+Until 1TB microSD, microSDXCAdvantage More external storage for files using memory cards	vs	Not supported
+168 grams (5.88 ounces)19% Lighter	vs	200 grams (7 ounces)
+1 billion62 times More colors on the screen is better quality images and videos	vs	16 million
+1080x2520 pixels5% Higher resolution screen	vs	1080x2400 pixels
+449 PPI14% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	393 PPI
+1/1.7" inches4% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.	vs	1/1.76" inches
+f/1.7 (aperture)6% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.	vs	f/1.8 (aperture)
+30W20% More power (watts) to charge the battery faster. Sometimes, the charger that comes with the device doesn't have the same power supported by the device. Check before you buy it.	vs	25W
+3.5mm jackAdvantage Headsets with 3.5mm Jack size are more common and easy to find in stores	vs	Type-C reversible connector
+5.2 + A2DP/LEAdvantage Bluetooth 5.2 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster	vs	5.0 + A2DP/LE
8GB LPDDR4X	vs	+8GB LPDDR5Advantage This RAM type is better and more efficient.
UFS 3.0	vs	+UFS 3.1Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches)	vs	+7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)5% Thinner
OLED	vs	+Dynamic AMOLEDAdvantage Dynamic AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid
6.1"	vs	+6.7"10% Larger screen
(triple camera) 12MP + 12MP + 12MP	vs	+(triple camera) 12.2MP + 64MP + 12MP145% Higher resolution main camera
(front) 8MP	vs	+(front) 10MP26% Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
4K UHD (3840x2160)	vs	+8K UHD (7680x4320)3 times More image quality for recording videos with the primary camera
Android 13	vs	+Android 14Advantage Android 14 is newer and safer
(5G SA/NSA) 2000 Mbps	vs	+(5G Sub6) 5000 Mbps150% Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+UWB (Ultra Wideband)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
4500 mAh	vs	+4800 mAh7% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
Not supported	vs	+Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA)Advantage Wireless charging is another way to charge the battery.
2 slots (Dual-SIM) (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot)	vs	+2 slots (Dual-SIM) + e-SIM (Eletronic)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
Not supported	vs	+FMAdvantage The radio lets you listen to your songs and sports in general
USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go	vs	+USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-GoAdvantage Newer and faster USB version for transferring photos, mp3 or data.

29 Common items in both devices

Aluminum frame, glass front/back

HDR10+

120Hz

LED flash

Digital and optical zoom

PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras

OIS: Optical stabilization

+22 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

📱 Model features
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Change model
Model	Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Other model names	Xperia 5 III XQBQ72/B1/G1/B2/G2 (256GB+8GB RAM)	Galaxy S21 Plus 5G SM-G996B/DS
Country or region available	China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan	(Global, International)
Brand	Sony	Samsung
Release date	6/1/2021, Announced: 4/14/2021	1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021
Depth	8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches)	7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches)
Size (width x height)	68 x 157 millimeters (2.68 x 6.18 in)	75.6 x 161.5 millimeters (2.98 x 6.36 in)
Weight	168 grams (5.88 ounces)	200 grams (7 ounces)
Build, materials	Aluminum frame, glass front/back	Aluminum frame, glass front/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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Display type	OLED	Dynamic AMOLED
Screen size	6.1" inches	6.7" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~81.4% (screen-to-body ratio)	~88.8% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	1080x2520 pixels (21:9)	1080x2400 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points	Capacitive Multitouch 10-points
Pixel density (dot pitch)	449 PPI	393 PPI
Colors	1 billion	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 6	Gorilla Glass Victus
Refresh rate	120Hz	120Hz
Display features	HDR10+	1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display
🤖 Operating System
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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: 708521 (v9) Geekbench: 3550 (v5.1) GFXBench: 53fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 622276 (v8) Geekbench: 3476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
💽 Memory and storage
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
RAM memory	8GB LPDDR4X	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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 (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) VoLTE	LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE
Primary 5G network	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 (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) VoLTE	LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE
Secondary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
📷 Camera
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Back camera (main camera)	(triple 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	(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@24/30/60/120fps 1080p@30/60/120fps Zeiss optics	4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps
📸 Front camera
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Loudspeaker	Stereo sound 24-bit/192kHz	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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 UWB (Ultra Wideband)
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
Battery type	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	4500 mAh	4800 mAh
Charger, watts	30W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0	25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	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 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	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: Black, Green, Pink • Dynamic vibration system • PS4 Remote Play • DUALSHOCK 4 compatibility	• Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Gold, Red, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX
☢️ Radiation rate
	Sony Xperia 5 III (XQ-BQ72)	Galaxy S21+
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	feature not registered	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	feature not registered	0.541W/kg (head), 1.335W/kg (body)