Sony Xperia 1 vs Xperia XZ3: A Detailed Showdown

Sony has a reputation for producing unique smartphones, often prioritizing features like exceptional displays and camera capabilities. The Xperia 1 and Xperia XZ3 represent different eras of Sony's smartphone strategy. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which device comes out on top.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia 1 boasts a superior display and more powerful chipset, making it the better performer overall. However, the XZ3 offers slightly better battery life and wireless charging, potentially appealing to users prioritizing longevity and convenience. Ultimately, the Xperia 1 is the more future-proof choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia 1	Sony Xperia XZ3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - H8416, H9436, H9493
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - H8416, H9436, H9493
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat19 1600/150 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2019, February 25. Released 2019, May 30	2018, August 30. Released 2018, October 05
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions	167 x 72 x 8.2 mm (6.57 x 2.83 x 0.32 in)	158 x 73 x 9.9 mm (6.22 x 2.87 x 0.39 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	178 g (6.28 oz)	193 g (6.81 oz)
	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)	IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 6	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)	1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, HDR BT.2020	P-OLED, HDR BT.2020
	Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases Triluminos display X-Reality Engine	Triluminos display X-Reality Engine

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)	Octa-core (4x2.7 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)	Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPU	Adreno 640	Adreno 630
OS	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model only
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	UFS 2.1

Main Camera
Features	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	-	19 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.22µm, predictive PDAF
Triple	12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, predictive dual pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm	-
Video	4K@24/25/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps, HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	13 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)	1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS)

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system	24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE	5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired, PD2.0	18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless (Qi)
Type	Li-Ion 3330 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, Gray, Purple, White	Black, Silver White, Forest Green, Bordeaux Red
Models	J8110, J8170, J9110, J9150, SOV40, SO-03L	H9436, H8416, H9493
Price	About 500 EUR	About 510 EUR

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -85.2dB	Noise -91.2dB / Crosstalk -88.7dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 79h	Endurance rating 90h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.502 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	-26.7 LUFS (Good)	Voice 71dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB
Performance	AnTuTu: 356734 (v7), 418206 (v8) GeekBench: 10985 (v4.4), 2753 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 284555 (v7), 295468 (v8) GeekBench: 8607 (v4.4), 2137 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sony Xperia 1

Superior Display (120Hz, higher brightness)
More Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 855)
Triple-Lens Camera with Variable Focal Lengths
Sleek Design

Slightly Shorter Battery Life
No Wireless Charging
Potentially Higher Price

Sony Xperia XZ3

Excellent Battery Life (90h Endurance Rating)
Wireless Charging
More Compact Size
Potentially Lower Price

Older Chipset (Snapdragon 845)
Less Immersive Display
Camera slightly less refined

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 features a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a significantly more immersive and smoother visual experience than the XZ3's 6-inch OLED display. While both boast 'infinite' contrast ratios, the Xperia 1's higher brightness (665 nits vs 4.502 in sunlight) provides better visibility outdoors. The XZ3's sunlight readability is good, but the Xperia 1 is noticeably better.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer excellent camera systems, but the Xperia 1 generally has the edge. The Xperia 1 features a triple-lens setup with variable focal lengths, offering greater creative flexibility. While both capture good photos and videos, the Xperia 1's processing tends to be more refined. The XZ3's camera is still very capable, especially in good lighting conditions.

Performance

The Xperia 1's Snapdragon 855 chipset is a generation newer and more powerful than the XZ3's Snapdragon 845. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. While the XZ3 is still capable, the Xperia 1 offers a more responsive and future-proof experience.

Battery Life

The XZ3 edges out the Xperia 1 slightly in battery endurance, with a rated 90h versus 79h. However, real-world usage can vary. The XZ3 also includes wireless charging, a feature absent in the Xperia 1.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia 1 is ideal for photography enthusiasts, content creators, and those who value a premium display experience. The Xperia XZ3 is a good option for users seeking a reliable, well-rounded smartphone with solid battery life and wireless charging, especially at a potentially lower price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia 1 worth the extra cost over the XZ3?

If you prioritize display quality, performance, and camera versatility, the Xperia 1 is worth the investment. However, if battery life and wireless charging are more important, and you're on a budget, the XZ3 remains a compelling option.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

The Xperia XZ3 received updates for a longer period. Sony's software support has improved, but the XZ3 had a head start. Check current software versions for both devices before purchasing.