Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G vs. Sony Xperia 1 III: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Android Phones

The Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G and Sony Xperia 1 III represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Reno6 Pro 5G, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1200, aimed for a balance of performance and value. Conversely, the Xperia 1 III, with its Snapdragon 888, targeted content creators and enthusiasts demanding a no-compromise experience, albeit at a premium price. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing value and rapid charging, the Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. Its 65W charging significantly outperforms the Xperia 1 III’s 30W, and the Dimensity 1200 delivers comparable performance for everyday tasks. However, the Xperia 1 III excels for professionals needing advanced camera features and a refined multimedia experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno6 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, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2021, May 272021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 05Available. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions160 x 73.1 x 7.6 mm (6.30 x 2.88 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
Weight177 g (6.24 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)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 - International UFS 3.1 - ChinaUFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
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@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
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 YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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
Charging65W wired30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Aurora, Majestic Gold, Diwali EditionFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsPEPM00, CPH2249XQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 120 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
SAR1.17 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • Excellent value for money
  • Competitive performance with Dimensity 1200

  • Likely lacks the professional camera features of the Xperia 1 III
  • No wireless charging

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Professional-grade camera system with manual controls
  • High-brightness display for outdoor visibility
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Higher price point
  • Snapdragon 888 prone to thermal throttling

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 III boasts a 620 nit peak brightness, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Reno6 Pro 5G (brightness data unavailable, but likely lower). While both feature infinite (nominal) contrast ratios, the Xperia 1 III’s display is geared towards color accuracy, crucial for photo and video editing. The Reno6 Pro 5G likely prioritizes vibrant colors for media consumption, but lacks the professional calibration of the Xperia. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the Xperia 1 III, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed as having strong photo/video capabilities, but their approaches differ. The Xperia 1 III focuses on professional-grade features, including extensive manual controls and advanced video recording options. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Xperia 1 III likely features a larger main sensor, enabling better low-light performance and dynamic range. The Reno6 Pro 5G likely emphasizes computational photography and AI scene optimization. The Xperia 1 III’s camera app is geared towards experienced photographers, while the Reno6 Pro 5G aims for ease of use.

Performance

The Xperia 1 III’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) holds a theoretical advantage over the Reno6 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 1200 (6nm) due to the smaller fabrication node, potentially leading to better power efficiency. However, the Dimensity 1200’s Cortex-A78 cores are competitive, and real-world performance differences will be nuanced. The Xperia 1 III’s Cortex-X1 prime core provides a boost in single-core tasks. Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs, but the Xperia 1 III’s clock speeds are slightly higher across the board. Thermal management will be key; the Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load, while the Dimensity 1200 may offer better sustained performance.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 82 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing battery capacities (data unavailable for Reno6 Pro 5G). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Reno6 Pro 5G’s 65W wired charging is significantly faster than the Xperia 1 III’s 30W, achieving a 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes. The Xperia 1 III offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Reno6 Pro 5G. The faster charging of the Reno6 Pro 5G mitigates any potential battery capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G if you need blazing-fast charging, a smooth user experience for daily tasks, and excellent value for your money. It’s ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and those who prioritize convenience. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if you prefer a professional-grade camera system with extensive manual controls, a high-brightness display for outdoor use, and a more premium build quality, and are willing to pay a significant price premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the Xperia 1 III experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate considerable heat under sustained load, potentially leading to performance throttling. While Sony implemented cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may still result in reduced frame rates. The Dimensity 1200 in the Reno6 Pro 5G may offer more consistent performance over extended periods due to its 6nm process.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the Reno6 Pro 5G and the Xperia 1 III, and which is better for natural-looking photos?
The Reno6 Pro 5G likely employs more aggressive computational photography, enhancing colors and details, which may result in less natural-looking images. The Xperia 1 III prioritizes accuracy and offers extensive manual controls, allowing users to achieve a more natural aesthetic. For those seeking realistic photos with minimal processing, the Xperia 1 III is the better choice.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G a significant drawback?
While wireless charging is convenient, the Reno6 Pro 5G’s incredibly fast 65W wired charging largely mitigates this drawback. A full charge can be achieved in a very short time, reducing the need for overnight wireless charging. For users who prioritize speed over convenience, the wired charging is a compelling trade-off.