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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a larger screen with a slightly higher peak brightness, which may be better for consumers who prefer big displays and use their phones outdoors frequently. It also has a significantly higher battery life, making it ideal for users needing longer usage between charges. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 V has a higher pixel density which results in a sharper display but has a lower battery life in comparison. Both phones have high-quality cameras; however, the Samsung has a slightly better overall camera quality and additional features like a periscope camera for enhanced zoom capabilities. Both devices support 5G and are of premium build quality but the Xperia 1 V has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a dedicated shutter button, which could appeal to users who prefer traditional headphone connections and have an interest in photography. 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
- Best in class display quality
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 V
- The Sony Xperia 1 V has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.2
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 V has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes superior selfies, demonstrates remarkable camera versatility with a 10x zoom lens, and performs exceptionally well in both photos and video settings across various aspects like software experience, dynamic range, and low light. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 V offers a decent overall camera experience but falls short in selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, although it holds its ground in terms of software experience and camera versatility with a 5x zoom lens.
Photo Quality
9.5
6.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 V takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers better selfie quality than the Sony Xperia 1 V, which is significant for those who frequently take self-portraits. Both phones offer a very good photos software experience, yet the Galaxy S23 Ultra further excels in camera versatility and low light performance, enhancing overall picture-taking, whereas the Xperia 1 V performs fairly in these aspects.
Video Quality
8.0
6.4
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Sony Xperia 1 V takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers superior video capabilities thanks to its higher stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, complemented by better video software experience and microphone quality. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 V, while delivering very good video resolution and framerate, falls short in stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, which are critical for high-quality video capture.
Battery
10.4 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 V has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$1,200
$1,099
$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 V costs $1,099.
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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 V is 6.5 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 V compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 V |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $1,099 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 17, 2023 | May 28, 2023 | |
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 | SD8G2 | |
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 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 200 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.4 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.43" x 3.07" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.25 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 | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
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, 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 | 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 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 S23 Ultra 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
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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.
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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.
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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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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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