Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Verdict
Samsung's Z Fold 3 delivers a revolutionary foldable experience with its expansive 7.6-inch inner display and dual-screen productivity, making it ideal for multitasking and content consumption. However, Sony's Xperia 1 VI counters with superior raw specifications: a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, significantly brighter 2100-nit display, larger 5000mAh battery, faster 30W charging, and notably a 48MP main camera with continuous optical zoom capabilities versus the Fold 3's fixed 2x telephoto. The Xperia 1 VI also weighs 79g less and offers Android 14 versus Android 11. While the Z Fold 3's foldable form factor provides unmatched versatility for power users willing to accept its 271g heft and premium $1799 price tag, the Xperia 1 VI delivers exceptional photography, superior processing power, and extended battery life at $400 less. For most users prioritizing camera quality and everyday performance, Sony wins decisively.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 if…
- →First foldable with IPX8 water resistance
- →S Pen support on inner display
- →120Hz on both inner and cover screens
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI if…
- →Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- →Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- →3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Pros
- First foldable with IPX8 water resistance
- S Pen support on inner display
- 120Hz on both inner and cover screens
- Under-display camera for seamless inner screen
- Multi-window multitasking
Cons
- $1799 is prohibitively expensive
- Heavy at 271 g
- Under-display camera quality is poor
- Same cameras as Fold 2
- S Pen not included and no storage silo
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
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, One UI 3.1.1 | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 271 g | 192 g |
| Material | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
| IP rating | IPX8 | IP65/IP68 |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm (unfolded) | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T |
| Front camera | 10 MP (cover), 4 MP under-display (inner) | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps HDR |
| Telephoto | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 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 | 4400 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | Qi wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 7.6 inches (inner), 6.2 inches (cover) | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, foldable | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2208 x 1768 (inner), 2268 x 832 (cover) | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz (both) | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 |
Related Comparisons
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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