Sony Xperia 1 V vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which flagship camera is better? (2023)

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Sony is one of the few OEMs sticking to its vision of offering the best feature set for photographers and audiophiles, even as the rest of the industry has moved on. But how well does its latest flagship stack up against the actual choice of many photo enthusiasts? We hitSony Xperia 1Vin return forSamsung en Galaxy S23 Ultrain this comparison.

Sony Xperia 1 V vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Specifications

Sony Xperia 1 V and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are top-shelf flagships. But while the Galaxy S23 Ultra represents the best Samsung has to offer in a traditional glass-panelled smartphone form factor, the Xperia 1V is Sony's second best, as the company occasionally goes nuts with Sony's flagship Xperia Pro .

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is overkill for the masses and the Xperia 1V is overkill for enthusiasts.

The differences in the approach of both flagships are clearly visible. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is designed to appeal to the average user who wants the best of the best, while the Sony is mainly aimed at photographers, audiophiles and enthusiasts.

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From the front, the Xperia 1 V maintains the signature Xperia look with a flat screen with solid bezels at the top and bottom. It looks quite dated but is very functional. Galaxy S23 Ultra goes hand in hand with a curved display with minimal bezels around it.

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Don't let the dated look of the Xperia 1V fool you, as the OLED screen has an impressive 4K resolution. However, this is not an LTPO display and can only switch between 60Hz and 120Hz. The Galaxy S23 Ultra's AMOLED screen has a relatively lower QHD+ resolution, but has a higher peak brightness and a better refresh rate of 1Hz-120Hz.

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The internal components of both phones are quite similar, withQualcomm Leeuwenbek 8 Gen 2power them both. A. You get options for more RAM and storage on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. But on the other hand, the Xperia 1V has microSD expandability up to 1 TB which is a significant advantage for enthusiasts.

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Enthusiasts will also appreciate the front-firing stereo speakers and amplifier arrangement on the Xperia 1V. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has stereo speakers, but one is on the bottom of the mid-frame and the other in the earpiece.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a weapon that no other phone has: integratedS-pen. This range of phones is the only one where you can get a stylus that integrates into the phone's body, giving you access to some exclusive features.

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Software expertise is where the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a big edge. The phone worksOne user interface5.1 based onAndroid 13. Samsung promises four Android updates and five years of security updates. Sony, on the other hand, only promises two Android updates and three years of security updates.

But the Xperia 1 V comes with Android 13 and Sony as standardXperia-interfaceskin makes fairly slight changes to the experience with just a few extra apps.

Sony Xperia 1 V vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: maatvergelijking

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There is a noticeable difference in the size of both phones. The Xperia 1 V measures 165 x 71 x 8.3mm and the Galaxy S23 Ultra measures 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9mm. The Xperia has a taller and narrower design to match the 21:9 aspect ratio of the screen. The Galaxy feels thicker and thicker, although it is a large phone in itself.

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Xperia 1 V weighs just 187g, which is surprisingly light for a device of this size. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, on the other hand, can certainly be classified as heavy at 233g.

The larger form factor and textured frame and rear of the Xperia 1 V make it easy to hold and grip.

No phone is a one-handed phone. But the proportions and light weight of the Xperia 1 V make it easy to grip and use, although it still takes some finger gymnastics to reach the top of the phone.

Sony Xperia 1 V vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: design and build

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The Sony Xperia 1 V shares the same design language as several of its predecessors. The Galaxy S23 Ultra does this too, but the lineup got a major shake-up a generation ago when it adopted a more Note-like style with the S Pen.

The Xperia 1 V retains many flat edges but no sharp corners. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has curved screen edges, but sharp corners. You will probably be well servedgood S23 Ultra caseto lighten the corners.

Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

Both Samsung and Sony have adopted the typical glass sandwich design, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back. The aluminum center frame provides strength and rigidity to both phones.

While the Galaxy S23 Ultra is smooth all around, Sony decided to add a bumpy texture to the glass back of the Xperia 1V, which makes it feel quite unique. The Sony's aluminum center frame is also ribbed, adding to the phone's grip.

Sony Xperia 1 V-contra Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:Camera

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Both the Sony Xperia 1V and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are great camera phones, but they do things differently. Sony trusts its enthusiasts to provide plenty of manual controls, while Samsung offers a simpler experience that gets the job done for just about anyone.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra flies high like a point-and-shoot camera, and the Xperia 1V invites you to take control.

The main camera on the Sony Xperia 1V is a 52MP CMOS sensor that drops down to a usable 48MP and then up to 12MP. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it has a 200 MP sensor that combines images to 12.5 MP.

Both cameras take excellent photos with a wide dynamic range. Soon we will add camera samples of Sony Xperia 1 V.

Examples of the main camera of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The ultra-wide camera works the same way on both phones, with a slight difference in sensor size.

Samples of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ultra-wide camera

The telephoto is where things get a little interesting. Sony uses two zoom levels in the telephoto, 3.5x and 5.2x, while Samsung uses dedicated sensors for the 3x telephoto and 10x telephoto.

Samsung Galaxy S23Ultra zoom cameravoorbeelden

The front camera on both phones is a 12MP shooter and both rely on the magic of the portrait mode photo software.

Samples of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra front cameras

Sony's trick with the Xperia 1V is to offer three professional camera apps (one for photos, two for video) with a whole bunch of parameters to play with. Samsung also offers manual photo and video modes which are quite practical, but fall short of the level of control that Sony offers. Sony takes it a step further by introducing a dedicated two-stage shutter release that photography enthusiasts will appreciate.

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Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra should be the choice for users who want to take more photos, while the Sony Xperia 1V should be the preferred choice for enthusiasts who want ultimate control over every image.

Sony Xperia 1 V vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: battery and charging

Robert Triggs / Android authority

Both devices are quite similar in terms of battery status and charging. Both come with a 5,000 mAh battery that should last a full day without any issues. We got around six to eight hours of screen time with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and we expect the Xperia 1V to approach that number as well. We'll update this comparison once we have the final data from the Sony phone.

When it comes to wired charging, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a small argument. It offers 45W wired charging, which takes about 60 minutes to fully charge. The Xperia 1 V offers 30W wired charging, which is quite slow.

Both phones have 15W wireless charging. It takes about 100 minutes to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Robert Triggs / Android authority

While no phone comes with a charger in the box, Sony doesn't even include a cable in the box. So you have to pick upfast charger recommendedfor both phones.

Sony Xperia 1 V-contra Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:Cena

The Sony Xperia 1V is available for pre-order in the US for $1,399 for the single 12GB/256GB version. The phone will go on sale in July 2023. Pre-ordering the phone will get you a $50 gift card and free LinkBuds.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a lower starting price of $1,199 for the 8GB/256GB version, while the equivalent 12GB/256GB version is $100 cheaper than the Sony. Samsung regularly offers the phone with good deals too, with $50 Samsung Credit, an enhanced trade-in, and a capacity increase included as part of the deal.

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Samsung en Galaxy S23 Ultra

New 200 MP main camera
Beautiful rendering
S Pen functionality

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Sony Xperia 1V

Monitor 4K
Powerful camera modes
DSLR companion

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Both phones are expensive, but the Galaxy S23 Ultra is relatively cheaper and Samsung's deals are often more attractive.

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The Sony Xperia 1 V makes the most sense for photography enthusiasts and creators as the company offers unparalleled control over all the gear you hold in the palm of your hand. The phone also makes sense for media enthusiasts, as this 4K display offers the highest pixel density on a current-generation smartphone. The presence of a 3.5 mm headphone jack, front stereo speakers and expandable storage is also appreciated by both segments.

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an over the top flagship for the masses. This is a recommendation for people who want a smartphone that just works without their intervention. It's also the only choice for people who value the S Pen and its capabilities. If you plan on keeping the phone for a long time, the longer update promise is best-in-class, even better than Google's.