Sony Xperia 1 VI vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The Sony Xperia 1 VI and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone engineering. While both devices leverage the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery life, display technology, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which flagship reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a natural display, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is the superior choice. Its 17:27-hour active use score significantly outperforms the S24 Ultra’s 13:49, despite the S24 Ultra’s slightly brighter display and faster charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 1 VI Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 152024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 03Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye trackingLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/3.5, 170mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom, OIS, 4cm macro @ 120mm, no AF 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF-
Video4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, HDR10+
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video outputUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Platinum silver, Khaki green, Scar redTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsXQEC54EUKCB.GC, XQEC54EUKCG.GC, XQEC54EUKCS.GC, XQ-EC72SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
Price$ 1,299.99 / £ 829.00 / € 977.98$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

Sony Xperia 1 VI

  • Significantly longer battery life (17:27h active use)
  • Potentially more color-accurate display
  • Streamlined Android experience

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Less detailed camera system information

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Faster wired charging (45W)
  • Likely more versatile camera system
  • Brighter display (1447 nits)

  • Shorter battery life (13:49h active use)
  • One UI can be feature-bloated for some users

Display Comparison

Both the Xperia 1 VI and S24 Ultra boast impressive displays powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP, but differ in key metrics. The S24 Ultra achieves a peak brightness of 1447 nits, exceeding the Xperia 1 VI’s 1310 nits, making it marginally better in direct sunlight. However, the Xperia 1 VI’s display is likely tuned for greater color accuracy, a hallmark of Sony’s display technology, though specific color gamut coverage isn’t provided. Both are likely to utilize LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, optimizing battery consumption. The S24 Ultra’s larger screen size will provide a more immersive experience for media consumption, while the Xperia 1 VI’s aspect ratio may be preferred by those who value a more compact form factor.

Camera Comparison

The provided data only indicates that the S24 Ultra has a 'Photo / Video' camera. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a direct comparison is limited. Samsung typically emphasizes computational photography and versatile zoom capabilities, while Sony prioritizes natural color reproduction and manual control. The S24 Ultra likely features a more complex multi-camera system, offering greater flexibility in shooting scenarios. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Xperia 1 VI suggests a focus on refining core image quality rather than adding numerous auxiliary lenses.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) chipset, but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU peaks at 3.39GHz, slightly higher than the Xperia 1 VI’s 3.3 GHz. While this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most everyday tasks, it *could* translate to marginally faster performance in sustained, CPU-intensive workloads. Both utilize a similar core configuration (1x Cortex-X4, 3x Cortex-A720, 2x Cortex-A720, 2x Cortex-A520). The thermal management capabilities of each device will be crucial in preventing throttling under load, a factor not specified in the provided data. Both likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the speed and capacity are unknown.

Battery Life

The Xperia 1 VI’s active use battery score of 17:27 hours is a significant advantage over the S24 Ultra’s 13:49 hours. This suggests superior power efficiency, potentially due to software optimization or a more efficient display panel. While the S24 Ultra supports faster 45W wired charging (65% in 30 minutes) compared to the Xperia 1 VI’s 30W (50% in 30 minutes), the Xperia 1 VI’s longer battery life mitigates the need for frequent top-ups. Both offer 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, though the S24 Ultra’s reverse wireless is limited to 4.5W compared to the Xperia 1 VI’s unspecified wattage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI if you need exceptional battery endurance, a more color-accurate display for content creation, and prefer a more streamlined Android experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds, a more versatile camera system (despite similar processing power), and the extensive feature set of One UI.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24 Ultra exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chipset, sustained performance is heavily reliant on thermal management. Without independent thermal testing data, it's difficult to say definitively if the S24 Ultra throttles. However, Samsung's history suggests aggressive cooling solutions are employed, but the larger screen and feature set could contribute to heat buildup.
❓ How does the Xperia 1 VI’s 30W charging compare to the S24 Ultra’s 45W in real-world scenarios?
Although the S24 Ultra charges faster on paper, the Xperia 1 VI’s superior battery life means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The 30W charging is still sufficient to provide a substantial charge in a reasonable timeframe, and the longer battery life offsets the slower charging speed for many users.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the Xperia 1 VI a cause for concern?
Not necessarily. Sony often prioritizes image processing quality and natural color reproduction over sheer megapixel count or lens variety. The absence of detailed specs suggests a focus on refining core camera performance rather than chasing trends. Sony's expertise in image sensors and optics should translate to excellent image quality.