Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S25 delivers exceptional value at $799.99 with flagship performance through the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a vibrant 2600-nit Dynamic AMOLED display, and versatile camera system featuring OIS on the main sensor. Its 4000mAh battery supports 25W charging and weighs just 162g for comfortable handling. Sony Xperia 1 VI commands premium pricing ($1399) for professional-grade imaging with continuous optical zoom (85-170mm), larger 5000mAh battery, and higher resolution sensor (1/1.35" Exmor T). However, it runs the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, dimmer display (2100 nits), and carries 192g weight. For most users seeking cutting-edge performance and excellent cameras without excessive cost, the S25 is the superior choice. Xperia 1 VI appeals specifically to photography enthusiasts valuing zoom versatility and sensor quality over overall value proposition.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 162 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP65/IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 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 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W Qi2 | Qi wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 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
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
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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