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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a great choice if you're looking for a larger screen and a more budget-friendly price, with a solid overall camera performance. However, if you prioritize having the latest technology, superior camera quality, and longer battery life, and are willing to pay a premium price, the Sony Xperia 1 V is your go-to, especially with its higher storage capacity. Keep in mind that the Xperia 1 V will also offer crisper visuals with a higher resolution display. Both phones run on Android and have similar always-on display features, without a curved screen edge. The choice ultimately depends on whether you value cutting-edge specs and higher camera capabilities over screen size and cost savings. 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
- The Sony Xperia 1 V has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Key differences
Cost
$340
$1,099
$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 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+ provides a superior selfie camera experience compared to the Sony Xperia 1 V, indicating it takes better front-facing photos, which is very important for many users. While both have good overall photo-taking abilities with useful features for dynamic range and low light performance, the Galaxy S21+ edges out in terms of versatility and selfie photo quality.
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+ is acknowledged for superior selfie quality due to its better photos selfie score, indicating generally higher performance in capturing self-portraits compared to the Sony Xperia 1 V, which has a lower selfie quality evaluation. Additionally, factors such as resolution, software experience in handling photos, dynamic range, and low light performance are also better for the Galaxy S21+, adding to its overall proficiency in taking photos, including selfies.
Video Quality
6.6
6.4
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Sony Xperia 1 V both have only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is commended for its video stabilization and microphone quality, which combined with its top-notch video resolution and framerate, result in superior video capture capability compared to the Sony Xperia 1 V. Although the Xperia 1 V provides an excellent video software experience and high video resolution, its fair ratings in video stabilization and dynamic range limit its video performance in varied shooting conditions.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 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 6.7 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 V is 6.5 inches.
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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 | |||
$340 | $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 | 6.7" | 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 | 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 | 8 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4800 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 | 6.36" x 2.98" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 6.60 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 | 5.3 | |
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 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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Dig into reviews and images
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 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
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
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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