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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize an excellent screen and camera, the Sony Xperia 1 III could be worth the higher price, offering a sharper display with more pixels per inch, and overall high camera quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides good value for money with a larger screen, longer battery life, and still maintains quality camera features, but at a budget price. Both phones have Android operating systems, but only the Xperia 1 III offers a 3.5mm headphone jack, expandable storage via an SD card, and front-facing stereo speakers for better sound quality. For the Samsung device, you trade-off display resolution and some camera features for a more affordable price and longer battery performance. 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 battery life
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is noted for having a strong selfie camera, which is complemented by a very good overall photo software experience, fair dynamic range, and good performance in low light, making it quite versatile. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III, despite its camera versatility, is held back by a fair selfie camera quality, a less effective dynamic range, and relatively poor performance in low light conditions.
Photo Quality
7.0
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes better selfies according to our selfie quality assessment, offering you high-quality images of yourself and your surroundings, making it a strong competitor if selfies are a priority for you. In contrast, while the Sony Xperia 1 III provides a good overall camera experience, its selfie capabilities are rated lower, suggesting that it may not perform as well when capturing front-facing photos, especially in varying lighting conditions or when the dynamic range is a concern.
Video Quality
6.6
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Sony Xperia 1 III both have only fair videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides a better overall video experience with top video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance which is why it takes good videos. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III, despite its edge in video resolution and frame rate, falls short in video software experience, stabilization, and particularly low light performance, resulting in just fair video quality.
Battery
8.0 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$340
$1,306
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a price of $340 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $1,306.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$340 | $1,306 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 394 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
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 | 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 | 8 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4800 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 | 6.36" x 2.98" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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 | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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+ 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
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Phones evaluated
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Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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