A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a larger screen and higher peak brightness, the Samsung Galaxy S21 could be an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize camera versatility, with features like a telephoto lens, higher resolution video recording, and glass construction for a more premium feel, then the Sony Xperia 5 III is worth considering, despite its higher price. The Sony Xperia 5 III also has a higher pixel density, suggesting a slightly sharper display, as well as a headphone jack and front-facing stereo speakers, which the Samsung lacks. Keep in mind that the Xperia 5 III has a slightly longer battery life, while both phones offer similar overall performance and quality, and both run on Android. 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
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts a better selfie camera, crucial for capturing high-quality self-portraits, and it also performs exceptionally well in terms of camera versatility, which includes a range of features from different camera lenses to software enhancements. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III has a fair selfie camera, which might not be as satisfactory for users who prioritize front-facing photo quality, and its camera system generally struggles with dynamic range and low light situations, areas where the Galaxy S21 exceeds.
Photo Quality
7.0
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers better selfie photos due to its higher selfie quality and a well-received photos software experience, while the Sony Xperia 5 III offers fair selfie photos, limited further by its poor dynamic range and low light performance, which may affect the overall photo quality in challenging lighting conditions.
Video Quality
6.6
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Sony Xperia 5 III both have only fair videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers better video quality primarily because it has superior video stabilization and dynamic range, hence providing smoother and more visually balanced footage. On the other hand, while the Sony Xperia 5 III offers good video resolution and framerate capabilities, its overall video experience is rated lower, particularly due to less effective stabilization and dynamic range, which can impact video smoothness and detail in varying lighting conditions.
Cost
$145
$450
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 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 | 6.7 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 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 | 5.0 | 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/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, 28, 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, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21
See more
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 5 III
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Sony Xperia 5 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 5 III vs. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 5 III vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 5 III vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Seth Peoples
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.
Efthimis Kotanidis
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.
Featured in
