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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Google Pixel 8 and the Sony Xperia 1 III involves considering several factors. The Pixel 8, being more affordable, also offers a strong camera performance, solid battery life, and the latest Android experience directly from Google with potentially better long-term software support due to its release date. The Xperia 1 III, though at a premium price, boasts a higher screen resolution, more RAM for potentially smoother multitasking, a unique photography feature set including a dedicated shutter button, and both phones have 5G connectivity. If cost is a major concern and you're looking for value, the Pixel 8 is tough to beat; however, if you prioritize display quality and camera versatility and are willing to pay more, the Xperia 1 III might appeal to your needs. 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 8
- Very 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
8.4
6.0
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 leads with a stronger performance in areas crucial for photography, such as software experience, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and camera versatility, while the Sony Xperia 1 III falls short, especially in dynamic range and low-light performance. The Pixel 8 also has a higher selfie quality score compared to the Xperia, which aligns with it being very important for consumer choice.
Photo Quality
8.5
5.9
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 8 outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III in selfie quality, which is very important for many users. This, along with better scores in photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, contributes to the Pixel 8's excellent photo-taking abilities, whereas the Xperia 1 III scores are lower in these aspects, making its photo quality fair in comparison.
Video Quality
7.6
6.0
The Google Pixel 8 takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 8 delivers an excellent video software experience with exceptional stabilization and dynamic range, providing superior performance in low light conditions and offering high-quality microphone sound. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III, while offering a good stabilization and microphone quality, falls behind with a fair video software experience and less impressive performance in dynamic range and low light conditions.
Battery
7.3 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$699
$899
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 8 has a price of $699 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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How the Google Pixel 8 and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 428 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4575 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 18 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.93" x 2.79" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
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 8 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.
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About the phone team
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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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