Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 V
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra dominates with a massive 200MP main camera, 10x periscope telephoto, and brighter 2200-nit display compared to Sony's 1000-nit panel. The Samsung's 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen offers superior brightness for outdoor visibility, while Sony counters with a 6.5-inch 4K OLED (3840x1644 vs 3088x1440) that delivers exceptional clarity and color accuracy. Sony's Exmor T sensor produces exceptional low-light performance despite lower megapixel count, and its Cinema Pro mode appeals to videographers seeking 4K at 120fps with professional controls. Samsung charges faster at 45W versus Sony's 30W, though both pack identical 5000mAh batteries and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors. Sony weighs notably less at 187g versus Samsung's 234g, making it more pocketable. Samsung provides up to 1TB storage versus Sony's 512GB maximum. For camera versatility and performance, Samsung's Ultra wins decisively with superior zoom range and overall speed. Sony suits users prioritizing display precision, compact design, and cinematic video capabilities. The price gap ($200) favors Samsung's value proposition given its hardware advantages.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if…
- →200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- →Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 V if…
- →4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- →New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- →Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
- Bright 2200-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Cons
- Very heavy at 234 g, tiring for extended use
- Thick 8.9 mm body compared to rivals
- 45W charging is slow for a $1199 flagship
- No significant camera hardware upgrade over S22 Ultra main sensor
Sony Xperia 1 V
Pros
- 4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
- 3.5mm headphone jack retained
- 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Cons
- $1399 is extremely expensive
- 30W charging is very slow for the price
- Software updates are slow compared to rivals
- Niche market appeal limits availability
- Auto mode camera lags behind Pixel and iPhone
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 234 g | 187 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS | 52 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T sensor) |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Telephoto | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical | 12 MP, f/2.3, 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.8 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | OLED |
| Resolution | 3088 x 1440 | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2200 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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