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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Google Pixel 6a is significantly less expensive. Although it has a smaller screen, lower resolution, and a less powerful processor compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Pixel 6a offers a longer battery life. The Xperia 1 III, on the other hand, boasts a larger, higher resolution display, more RAM, and better overall screen and camera quality but at a premium cost. The Xperia also has a high refresh rate screen, which the Pixel lacks, as well as additional features like a dedicated shutter button and expandable storage via an SD card. Both phones run on Android, have 5G capabilities, and support wireless charging, but if camera and screen quality are top priorities and you don't mind spending more, the Xperia 1 III could be a better choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
6.0
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a has a higher-rated selfie experience, which is considered very important, and its overall photos software experience is rated as the best, indicating a superior user interface for capturing and managing images. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III, while having a good selfie experience and versatile video capabilities, falls short in key areas such as photos dynamic range and low light performance, giving the Pixel 6a an edge in camera quality.
Photo Quality
7.4
5.9
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes very good photos because of its superior photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has a fair selfie score which indicates a lower performance in key photo-taking areas.
Video Quality
7.2
6.0
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 6a produces better video content overall with higher scores in video resolution/framerate, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, which has fair stabilization but lower performance in video software experience, dynamic range, and low light scenarios.
Battery
7.6 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$400
$899
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Sony Xperia 1 III
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2021
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Sony Xperia 1 III
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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