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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a higher overall camera quality, including features like a periscope camera with impressive zoom and more megapixels in its main camera, which could result in better photo detail. However, if you prefer a more compact device with a higher pixel density screen that offers sharper visuals, and don't mind forgoing the additional camera features, the Sony Xperia 1 III could suit you better. Both offer premium experiences, but the Xperia 1 III has a slightly longer battery life, though this comes at a higher price than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Keep in mind that both run on Android, with the Samsung offering contemporary specs as a newer model, while the Sony model comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a dedicated shutter button for photography enthusiasts. 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 S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Excellent performance
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- The Sony Xperia 1 III has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.2
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a superior selfie camera, better photo software, dynamic range, and low-light performance, along with the highest versatility in camera options, contributing to its excellent camera reputation. The Sony Xperia 1 III, while still offering a good photo experience, falls behind particularly in selfie quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance, leading to its fair camera ranking.
Photo Quality
9.5
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III in photo quality primarily because of its superior selfie score and better overall camera capabilities, such as dynamic range and low light performance. While the Xperia 1 III's selfie performance is only fair, and it has deficiencies in dynamic range and low light capability, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts very good ratings in these areas, reflecting its prowess in capturing a wide range of lighting conditions and producing clear, high-quality images even in less than ideal lighting situations.
Video Quality
8.0
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra produces excellent videos due to high video resolution/framerate capabilities, a very good video software experience, and exceptionally well-regarded video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 III delivers fair video quality, mainly because while the video resolution/framerate is well-regarded, it falls short in video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality.
Battery
10.4 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,200
$899
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a price of $1,200 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 17, 2023 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 501 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 200 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.4 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.43" x 3.07" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.25 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 | 5.3 | 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)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | (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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Sony Xperia 1 III
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Dig into reviews and images
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 S23 Ultra 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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