Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Sony Xperia 1 IV

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Sony Xperia 1 IV, launched in June 2022, are both flagship smartphones that offer distinct approaches to the premium mobile experience. While the Galaxy S21 Ultra emphasizes a large, vibrant display and a versatile camera system with extensive zoom capabilities, the Xperia 1 IV focuses on a unique 4K display, a dedicated camera experience with continuous optical zoom, and a traditional headphone jack. Both devices run on the Android operating system, providing a familiar software environment, but their hardware philosophies cater to different user preferences.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and repairability.

• Software Updates: The Galaxy S21 Ultra, released in January 2021, received four major Android OS updates, concluding with Android 15 (One UI 7) in May 2025, and security updates until January 2026. The Sony Xperia 1 IV, launched in June 2022, typically receives two major Android updates, meaning it likely concluded its OS updates with Android 14 and security updates until May 2025. This difference means the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a longer period of official software support.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra received a repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating it is challenging to repair due to the extensive use of glue for the battery, display, and rear panel. The Sony Xperia 1 IV has a reported repairability score of 5.5 out of 10, suggesting it is somewhat easier to repair, though still involves adhesive.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the latest software features and security patches for the longest possible duration may find the Galaxy S21 Ultra to have a slightly extended practical lifespan due to its longer update commitment. However, for those comfortable with older software versions or custom ROMs, both devices can remain functional for several years beyond their official support.

Both devices offer robust performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though with different underlying hardware generations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Ultra is equipped with a powerful processor from early 2021, capable of handling intensive applications and gaming smoothly. The Xperia 1 IV features a newer generation processor from early 2022, which provides a slight edge in raw computational power and efficiency for very demanding tasks.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S21 Ultra offers configurations with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, alongside storage options up to 512GB. The Xperia 1 IV comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, with the added benefit of expandable storage via a microSD card slot. Both provide ample memory for fluid multitasking and sufficient space for apps and media, but the Xperia's expandable storage offers more flexibility.
• Battery Behavior: Both phones feature a 5000 mAh battery. User experiences with the Galaxy S21 Ultra generally report good battery life, often lasting a full day even with heavy use. The Xperia 1 IV's battery life is also noted to be long-lasting, capable of getting through a full day, though some users have reported it to be less than expected given the capacity, potentially due to the high-resolution display.

The display experience on these two smartphones presents a clear contrast in priorities and visual characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3200x1440 pixels), offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Xperia 1 IV sports a 6.5-inch OLED display with a unique 4K resolution (3840x1644 pixels) and a 21:9 aspect ratio, designed for a cinematic viewing experience.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Galaxy S21 Ultra can reach a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The Xperia 1 IV's display is also bright, with improvements over its predecessor, though specific peak brightness figures are less emphasized in general user reviews compared to its 4K resolution.
• Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 Ultra's larger, wider display is well-suited for general media consumption and productivity. The Xperia 1 IV's 21:9 aspect ratio and 4K resolution cater specifically to users who prioritize watching movies in their native format or require extreme pixel density for creative work.

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but they approach mobile photography with distinct philosophies.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a quad-camera setup with a 108 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, and two 10 MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, respectively. This setup provides extensive zoom capabilities, including a 100x 'Space Zoom' (hybrid digital zoom). The Xperia 1 IV has a triple 12 MP camera system, including a main, ultrawide, and a unique continuous optical zoom telephoto lens (85-125mm equivalent, approximately 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom).
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 Ultra is praised for its versatile camera system, particularly its zoom capabilities and overall image quality, though some users note that the 108MP main sensor can sometimes produce less nuanced photos than other flagships. The Xperia 1 IV emphasizes a more manual, 'camera-like' experience, with features like real-time eye autofocus and granular controls, appealing to photography enthusiasts. Its continuous optical zoom is a significant differentiator.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones are capable of high-quality video recording. The Galaxy S21 Ultra supports 8K video at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The Xperia 1 IV can record 4K video at up to 120fps on all rear lenses, offering more flexibility for slow-motion capture. The Xperia 1 IV also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is absent on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, catering to users who prefer wired audio.