Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Sony Xperia 1 VI

Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Sony Xperia 1 VI side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), 12MP vs 48MP camera…

Samsung

Xperia 1 VI

$1,299

10categories won

7 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone

Information Gain

Which one wins?

MxMob Algorithmic Verdict

Sony Xperia 1 VI takes the overall win

Overall Pick

The Sony Xperia 1 VI proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Xperia 1 VI leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Xperia 1 VI. Choose the Xperia 1 VI if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 FE 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.

🔋 BatteryXperia 1 VI

Xperia 1 VI takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 30W charging.

🎮 GamingXperia 1 VI

Xperia 1 VI provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) and 12GB RAM.

📸 CameraXperia 1 VI

Xperia 1 VI takes photography with 48MP optics and 7.1x optical telephoto capabilities.

🏷️ ValueGalaxy S21 FE 5G

Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $349 vs $1299.

Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.

Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Xperia 1 VI: specifications compared

Display

Display comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Screen size	6.4"	6.5"
Resolution	1080 x 2340	1080 x 2340
Pixel density	403 ppi	396 ppi
Refresh rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Peak brightness	1200 nits	1500 nitsWinner

Performance

Performance comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
Process node	5 nm	4 nmWinner
AnTuTu score	810,000	1,680,000Winner
Geekbench multi	3650	6890Winner
Maximum RAM	8 GB	12 GBWinner
Maximum storage	256GB	512GBWinner

Camera

Camera comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Main sensor	12 MP	48 MPWinner
Rear cameras	3	3
Optical zoom	3x	7.1xWinner
Ultrawide	12 MP	12 MP
Selfie camera	32 MPWinner	12 MP
Max video	4K at 60fps	4K at 120fps HDR across all three rear lenses

Battery and charging

Battery and charging comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Capacity	4,500 mAh	5,000 mAhWinner
Wired charging	25 W	30 WWinner
Wireless charging	15 W	15 W

Design

Design comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Weight	177 gWinner	192 g
Thickness	7.9 mm	8.2 mm
Water resistance	IP68	IP65/IP68
Build	Aluminum frame, plastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front	Ribbed aluminum tactical frame, micro-textured Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 tactile back, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front

Software and support

Software and support comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
Operating system	Android 12	Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15 / 16)
OS updates	4 yearsWinner	3 years
Security updates	5 yearsWinner	4 years

Connectivity and value

Connectivity and value comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Sony Xperia 1 VI
Specification	Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Xperia 1 VI
5G	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz)
Storage expansion	None	microSD
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
Launch price	$349Winner	$1,299