Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G vs Sony Xperia 1 III: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range and Flagship Power

The Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G, released as a compelling mid-range 5G option, now faces off against the Sony Xperia 1 III, a no-compromise flagship aimed at content creators and enthusiasts. This comparison dissects the core differences between these devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and all-day battery life, the Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G remains a solid choice. However, the Sony Xperia 1 III delivers a significantly more powerful experience with its Snapdragon 888, superior display, and advanced camera features, making it the clear winner for demanding users.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G Sony Xperia 1 III
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands40, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 3.7/1.6 GbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 41, 78 SA/NSA - China SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2019, December. Released 2019, December2021, April 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.4 x 72.4 x 7.7 mm (6.28 x 2.85 x 0.30 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)186 g / 187.1 g (mmWave) (6.56 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple-12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 20 min30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4025 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Starry Night, Sunrise, Classic BlueFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsPCRM00, PCRT00, CPH2009XQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 430 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
SAR EU0.82 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 308231 (v8) GeekBench: 1815 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G

  • Excellent battery life (100h endurance)
  • Brighter display (819 nits)
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Limited camera features compared to flagship rivals

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 888)
  • Advanced camera system with superior ISP
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Shorter battery life (82h endurance)
  • Lower peak display brightness (620 nits)
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 III features a display with a measured peak brightness of 620 nits, significantly lower than the Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G’s 819 nits. While both boast an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Reno3 Pro 5G’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Xperia 1 III, however, benefits from Sony’s expertise in display technology, likely offering more accurate color reproduction, though this isn't explicitly stated in the provided data. The Reno3 Pro 5G’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator for outdoor users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Xperia 1 III’s flagship status suggests a more sophisticated camera system. While specific sensor details are missing, the Snapdragon 888’s image signal processor (ISP) is far more advanced than the 765G’s, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and video stabilization. The Xperia 1 III likely features a larger main sensor and more versatile lens options, catering to professional photographers and videographers. The Reno3 Pro 5G’s camera is likely competent for everyday use, but will fall short in challenging lighting conditions or when demanding advanced features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), while the Sony Xperia 1 III is powered by the Snapdragon 888 (5nm). The 5nm process node of the 888 offers superior power efficiency and transistor density, resulting in a substantial performance uplift. The Xperia 1 III’s CPU, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforms the Reno3 Pro 5G’s Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.4 GHz. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. The Xperia 1 III is the clear winner for performance-intensive tasks.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G boasts an endurance rating of 100 hours, while the Sony Xperia 1 III manages 82 hours. This suggests the Reno3 Pro 5G offers superior battery life despite having a similar charging speed (30W, 50% in 20/30 minutes respectively). The Xperia 1 III compensates with added charging versatility – supporting PD, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging – features absent on the Reno3 Pro 5G. The Reno3 Pro 5G prioritizes longevity, while the Xperia 1 III offers convenience and flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno3 Pro 5G if you need a reliable 5G phone with excellent battery endurance and a bright display for everyday use, all at a more accessible price point. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and content creation, demand a professional-grade camera system, and value features like wireless charging and a more premium build quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Xperia 1 III suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 888 is a powerful chip, it is known to generate more heat than its predecessors. The Xperia 1 III employs Sony’s thermal management solutions, but sustained, demanding tasks like gaming may still lead to some throttling. However, the overall performance advantage over the Snapdragon 765G in the Reno3 Pro 5G remains substantial.
❓ How does the 30W charging compare between the two phones, considering the different battery capacities?
Both phones support 30W wired charging, but the Xperia 1 III takes 30 minutes to reach 50% while the Reno3 Pro 5G achieves the same in 20 minutes. This suggests the Reno3 Pro 5G’s battery chemistry and charging implementation are more efficient, despite the Xperia 1 III offering more versatile charging options like wireless.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 200+ nit difference in peak brightness is quite noticeable, especially when viewing content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The Reno3 Pro 5G’s brighter display will provide a more comfortable viewing experience in these conditions.