Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra unless you need a similar-weight phone. The numbers tell the story: 200MP camera crushes the Xperia's 48MP, and with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, the display is stunning in bright sunlight. In real-world use, the S24 Ultra's 5000mAh battery provides up to 30 hours of video playback, perfect for binge-watching on long flights. On the flip side, the Xperia 1 VI might appeal for its unique 85-170mm optical zoom lens and expandable storage, but it misses key US 5G bands and isn't officially sold in the US, making it a risky buy.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony Xperia 1 VI
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 VI

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony Xperia 1 VI
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.3(41)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Adreno 750 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1.5TB) |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.5" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz Adaptive, Powered by BRAVIA |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) — *Note: Downgraded from 4K on previous models* |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 1Hz - 120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 1,300 nits (Typical High Brightness) / ~1,500 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 48MP (Effective) / 52MP (Total), f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.35" Exmor T, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | 12MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 123-degree FOV, AF (Macro support) |
Telephoto Camera | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 12MP Continuous Optical Zoom, f/2.3-3.5, 85mm-170mm, OIS, Tele-macro |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | 3.5x to 7.1x Continuous Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 21x (AI Super Resolution) |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 4K HDR @ 120fps (All lenses) |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.9" Exmor RS, 4K @ 60fps |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 5,000mAh |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) | 30W USB-PD (50% in 30 min) — *Charger not included* |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | 15W Qi Wireless Charging + Reverse Wireless Charging |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Global Bands - Limited US Carrier Support), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Video Out (DisplayPort) |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | IP65/IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Front) / Victus (Back) |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in (162 x 74 x 8.2 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 6.77 oz (192 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Full-stage stereo speakers, Dedicated Shutter Button |
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
✓ Pros:
- • Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- • Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
- • Integrated S Pen for productivity and creative tasks
- • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 'for Galaxy' performance with 12GB RAM standard
- • 7-year commitment for both OS and security updates
✗ Cons:
- • Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- • 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
- • High starting price
- • Shutter lag can still be noticeable with moving subjects
- • No Qi2 wireless charging support (magnetic alignment)
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Sony Xperia 1 VI
✓ Pros:
- • Exclusive 85-170mm true continuous optical zoom lens
- • Rare flagship features: 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD slot
- • Outstanding battery life (often rated 2 days) with 5,000mAh cell
- • Display is significantly brighter and more power-efficient (LTPO) than predecessors
- • Professional-grade camera apps (Photography Pro, Video Pro) merged for ease of use
✗ Cons:
- • NOT officially sold in the US (No warranty, missing key US 5G bands like Band 71)
- • Display resolution downgraded to 1080p (loss of unique 4K identity)
- • Charging speed (30W) is very slow compared to price-tier competitors
- • Expensive import price ($1,300+) for a phone with limited support
- • Box contents are empty (No charger, no cable)
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the Sony Xperia 1 VI's 48MP. That said, grab the Xperia 1 VI if you need a lighter phone at 6.77oz, but be prepared for limited support.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you want a top-tier camera for photography, need a high-resolution display for streaming, or prefer a device with long software support. (6.8" display, 8.18 oz weight)
Choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI if: you want a lighter phone at 6.77oz, appreciate having a headphone jack, or need expandable storage for your media.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 VI are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra excels if you value exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Sony Xperia 1 VI is better if you prioritize exclusive 85-170mm true continuous optical zoom lens. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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