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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and are open to a higher price, the Sony Xperia 1 III has a superior camera system for both photo and video quality. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S10 still offers a decent camera experience at a lower cost. The Xperia 1 III also features a higher refresh rate screen, which makes for smoother visuals, particularly if you enjoy gaming or watch a lot of videos, but it impacts battery life which is similar on both phones despite the difference in refresh rate. The Galaxy S10 has a slightly smaller screen, which could be either a pro or con depending on your preference for phone size. Both devices support wireless charging, have OLED displays, and offer expandable storage, ensuring neither will likely disappoint for general use. 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 Samsung Galaxy S10
- The Samsung Galaxy S10 has no clear advantages over the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.4
6.0
The Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has poor camera performance primarily due to its software limitations and lackluster selfie abilities which directly impact photo resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Conversely, the Sony Xperia 1 III, while also having limitations with dynamic range and low-light performance, offers a better camera experience overall, including fair selfie quality, thanks to its more capable software.
Photo Quality
5.4
5.9
The Sony Xperia 1 III and Samsung Galaxy S10 both have poor photos, though the Sony Xperia 1 III takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has poor selfie quality due to its lower selfie camera performance and lack of versatility compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, which has fair selfie quality and better overall camera versatility. Additionally, the Xperia 1 III benefits from a very good photos software experience, which contributes to its higher selfie photo performance, while the Galaxy S10 is rated as having just a good photos software experience.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$145
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has a price of $145 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 1 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S10's video capabilities are hindered by lower scores in software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III, which performs better in these aspects and hence results in fair videos. Additionally, while both phones have comparable microphone quality, the overall inferior video attributes of the Galaxy S10 contribute to its poor video taking capability.
Battery
5.6 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has 5.6 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 8, 2019 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 550 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD855 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.6 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3400 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.9" x 2.77" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.54 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | N/A | (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 | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S10
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Caitlin McGarry | October 2022
"The Galaxy S10 offers superfast performance and a beautiful display, with a less distracting camera cutout than on the larger, pricier S10 Plus. If all you're looking for is a well-rounded, well-crafted Android flagship that can do it all — including work with a pair of good old-fashioned wired headphones — for a price you can sleep easy at night spending, the Galaxy S10 remains an unbeatable proposition."
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 Samsung Galaxy S10 or the Sony Xperia 1 III
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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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Why trust us
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
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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