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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a better overall camera quality, with more powerful zoom features, and it also offers 8K video recording, which the Sony Xperia 5 III does not. However, the Sony Xperia 5 III provides slightly longer battery life. Screen size on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is larger, which could be more enjoyable for media consumption but can make the phone bulkier in your pocket. Despite being less expensive, the Galaxy S21 Ultra maintains competitive performance and screen quality compared to the Xperia 5 III. Choose the Galaxy S21 Ultra for superior camera and larger screen, or the Xperia 5 III for slightly better battery life and a more compact device. Both phones run on Android, so the operating system experience will be relatively similar. 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 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a good selfie quality, which is superior to the fair rating of the Sony Xperia 5 III's selfie camera, making it a better option if selfie performance is very important to you. When considering camera versatility, the Galaxy S21 Ultra also excels with better photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the Xperia 5 III, offering a more versatile and capable camera system overall.
Photo Quality
7.8
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a better camera experience overall, with a good selfie score and higher marks in photo software experience and low light performance - attributes integral to photo quality. On the opposite end, the Sony Xperia 5 III provides a fair selfie experience and scores lower in both photo software experience and low light performance, leading to its less impressive photo quality.
Video Quality
7.1
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers superior video capabilities with excellent stabilization and low-light performance, as well as very good video dynamic range and microphone quality. In contrast, while the Sony Xperia 5 III offers a very good video software experience and stabilization, its video quality in low light, dynamic range, and microphone performance are only fair.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$423
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $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 | 6.8" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.5" x 2.98" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Sony Xperia 5 III
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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 Ultra 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.
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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.
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About the phone team
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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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