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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a high-quality camera and superior performance, the Sony Xperia 1 V is an excellent choice with a glass build, higher resolution display, and more RAM, but it comes with a premium price tag. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers solid performance, a plastic build, and a respectable camera at a budget-friendly price, with the added advantage of being lighter in weight, but you'll compromise on screen resolution and camera capabilities compared to the Xperia 1 V. Both devices run Android and offer OLED screens and similar battery life, but the Xperia 1 V doubles the storage space and supports the latest WiFi and Bluetooth standards. 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 S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 V
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 V has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 V is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$145
$1,099
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Sony Xperia 1 V costs $1,099.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Sony Xperia 1 V both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is esteemed for its overall camera performance, particularly for its selfie capabilities which are ranked as very good, while the Sony Xperia 1 V has a fair selfie score by the same measure. Considering the importance of selfie quality and the overall camera versatility, the Galaxy S21 holds an edge over the Xperia 1 V for those prioritizing front-facing camera performance.
Photo Quality
7.0
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 to have good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 V takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos thanks to a strong selfie performance and well-regarded software experience that enhances overall photo quality, which includes elements like resolution, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 V delivers fair photos where the selfie performance isn't as strong, directly affecting its standing in the very important selfie category, despite similar capabilities in other photography aspects.
Video Quality
6.6
6.4
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Sony Xperia 1 V both have only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a better video quality with the top score in stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, ensuring smooth, clear, and well-lit videos, along with good microphone quality for clear audio capture. The Sony Xperia 1 V has a higher resolution and framerate, very good for video software experience, but it falls short in stabilization, dynamic range, and particularly low light performance, which may result in shakier, less vibrant videos with more noise in dimly lit conditions, although it also provides very good microphone quality.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Sony Xperia 1 V compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Sony Xperia 1 V |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $1,099 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | May 28, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 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) | Yes (5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.60 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Sony Xperia 1 V
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Will Sattelberg | June 2023
"The Sony Xperia 1 V is unlike anything else you'll find on the market today. With an ultra-tall 4K OLED panel, a textured glass back for added grip, and all of the manual controls Alpha fans could ask for, this is nothing like modern Android flagships — something that might win over some old-school smartphone fans."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Sony Xperia 1 V
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
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8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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