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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a good balance with its midrange price, decent camera quality, and a plastic back that might be less premium feeling compared to glass. The battery life is slightly better, and it also has a marginally larger screen than the Sony Xperia 1 III. On the flip side, if camera quality is a high priority for you, the Sony Xperia 1 III could be a better choice despite its premium price; it offers robust camera features including a telephoto lens with a high focal length and the ability to record higher quality video. However, keep in mind that you'd be paying more for these additional camera capabilities and a glass back design. Both phones run on Android and have similar processors, so performance should be fairly comparable. 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 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 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
7.0
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good selfie capabilities, while the Sony Xperia 1 III is rated as fair in this aspect. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 FE generally offers a better experience across photo and video attributes like dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility compared to the Xperia 1 III, contributing to its overall stronger camera performance.
Photo Quality
6.9
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE captures better selfies than the Sony Xperia 1 III due to its higher selfie quality. The S21 FE's photo capabilities are enhanced by good software experience and resolution, while the Xperia 1 III, despite a strong software experience, is limited by its inferior resolution and selfie performance.
Battery
6.7 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$770
$899
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.9
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 1 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has higher video resolution and framerate capabilities, which contribute to its good video recording quality, along with better video software integration and stabilization for smoother footage. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III, despite offering solid video stabilization and microphone quality, falls behind with just fair video dynamic range and low light performance, impacting its overall video quality.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 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 | 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 | 6.13" x 2.93" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | (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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Sony Xperia 1 III
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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 S21 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.
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.
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