Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
Samsung's Galaxy S25+ delivers superior value at $999.99 with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, brighter 2600-nit display (versus Sony's 2100 nits), and faster 45W charging. Its camera system excels with 8K video capability and a dedicated 3x telephoto lens. Sony's Xperia 1 VI justifies its $1399 premium through professional-grade optics—the 1/1.35" Exmor T sensor and continuous 85-170mm optical zoom appeal to photography purists, plus 4K@120fps HDR video. However, the Xperia's older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, lower resolution display (2340x1080 versus 3120x1440), and slower 30W charging lag behind Samsung's specs. Battery capacity favors Sony marginally (5000 vs 4900 mAh). For most users, the Galaxy S25+ offers better performance, brighter visuals, and exceptional value. Recommend the Samsung unless you specifically prioritize professional camera capabilities.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S25+ | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65/IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps HDR |
| Telephoto | 10 MP 3x optical | 12 MP, f/2.3-3.5, 85-170mm continuous optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4900 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W Qi2 | Qi wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2600 | 2100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset
- Sharp QHD+ 120Hz display with high brightness
- Compact and lightweight for a large-screen phone
- 12 GB RAM standard across the lineup
- Seven years of software support
Cons
- Camera hardware nearly unchanged from S24+
- No periscope telephoto like the Ultra
- Charging still at 45W in 2025
- Galaxy AI features partly require cloud
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Pros
- Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
- Compact form factor for a flagship
- Very long battery life
Cons
- Resolution dropped from 4K to FHD+ vs predecessor
- Slow 30W charging
- Premium price
- Niche appeal outside enthusiasts
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