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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is important to you, the Sony Xperia 1 III offers superior camera features, including HDR video recording and higher quality still photo and video capture. However, it comes at a higher price compared to the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. The Xperia also provides more storage and RAM, which can be crucial for multitasking and media storage, but again, at a premium. On the other hand, the S20 FE has a longer battery life, which means it could last longer on a single charge, and is more affordable. The tradeoff for the S20 FE's lower price is a camera that, while good, isn't as highly rated as the Xperia's, and a body made of plastic rather than glass. Both phones have similar screen sizes and both are Android devices, but if price is a major consideration and you don't need the absolute best camera or the extra storage, the S20 FE could be the better option for you. 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 S20 FE
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
7.8 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$198
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a price of $198 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and Sony Xperia 1 III both have only fair overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III both have fair selfie cameras, which means they deliver satisfactory self-portrait photos without excelling in that aspect. When considering other factors such as camera versatility and low light performance for both photos and videos, they offer an average experience with some strengths in areas like the microphone quality for video recording.
Photo Quality
6.3
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S20 FE to have only fair photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE's selfie capabilities are limited by its fair selfie quality, and the Sony Xperia 1 III also delivers fair selfie results, suggesting that neither device excels in this very important aspect. However, when considering additional factors like photos software experience and photos low light performance where the Sony Xperia 1 III has the edge, and camera versatility which is good for both phones, users seeking better performance in these other aspects might lean towards the Xperia despite comparable selfie performance.
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 S20 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has better overall video capabilities, with good stabilization and low light performance making it suitable for capturing smooth and clear videos in various conditions. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III, despite having very good video resolution and frame rate capabilities, has only fair video software experience and stabilization, which may result in less smooth video recording in certain situations.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 FE | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$198 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 2, 2020 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 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 | 7.8 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.29" x 2.93" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.70 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 41, 66, 71 | (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 | Cloud Navy, Cloud Red, Cloud White, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavendar, Cloud Mint | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | March 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a fine phone. The flat display glass may turn off some, but the 120Hz refresh rate turned me on. I really liked the overall size and usability of the phone, and the six different colors mean you’ll likely find a version to suit your personal style. Other pros include solid performance, excellent battery life, and straightforward software."
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 S20 FE 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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Phones Expert
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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