In-Depth Review
Sony Xperia 1 III Review
By MobGadgets Editorial Team
Updated October 07, 2026 • 12 min read
I. Overview
The Sony Xperia 1 III is the latest flagship smartphone from Sony, released in April 2021. It comes with numerous upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 II. Some of the notable improvements include a better camera system, a faster processor, and a larger battery. The Xperia 1 III also features a sleek and elegant design that is sure to catch the attention of many tech enthusiasts.
II. Design and Build
The Xperia 1 III features a unique design that is both sleek and elegant. It comes with a glass back and front, with an aluminum frame holding the two together. The device measures 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm and weighs 186 g, making it easy to hold and carry around. The device also features an IP65/IP68 rating, which means it is water and dust resistant.
One of the most striking features of the Xperia 1 III is its 6.5-inch 4K OLED display. The display is one of the best in the market, with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The display also supports HDR and has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes it perfect for gaming and streaming videos.
III. Memory
The Xperia 1 III comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot that can support up to 1TB of additional storage.
IV. Connectivity
The device supports 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for the next generation of mobile networks. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1.
V. Performance
The Xperia 1 III is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is the latest and most powerful processor from Qualcomm. The processor is coupled with the Adreno 660 GPU, which provides excellent graphics performance. The device also has a vapor chamber cooling system that helps to keep the device cool even during heavy use.
In terms of benchmarks, the Xperia 1 III performs exceptionally well. In the Geekbench 5 test, the device scored 1128 for single-core and 3650 for multi-core. In the 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme test, the device scored 8155. These scores are among the highest in the market, making the Xperia 1 III one of the most powerful smartphones available.
VI. Camera
The Xperia 1 III features a triple-lens camera system that includes a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The device also has a 3D ToF sensor for improved autofocus and depth sensing.
The camera system on the Xperia 1 III is one of the best in the market, with excellent image quality and a range of features. The device supports up to 20fps burst shooting, which is perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a real-time tracking feature that allows you to keep the subject in focus even when they are moving.
VII. Battery Life
The Xperia 1 III comes with a 4500mAh battery, which is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The device also supports fast charging, with a 30W charger included in the box. The device also supports wireless charging, which is a nice touch.
In terms of battery life, the Xperia 1 III performs well. With moderate use, the device can last up to a day and a half on a single charge. With heavy use, the device can last a full day.
VIII. Pricing
The Xperia 1 III is priced at $700 in the United States,
IX. Comparison with Other Related Phones
The Xperia 1 III competes with other flagship smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Xperia 1 III is more expensive than some of these devices, it offers unique features such as the 4K OLED display, the triple-lens camera system, and the vapor chamber cooling system.
X. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent 4K OLED display
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Triple-lens camera system with real-time tracking
- Water and dust resistant design
- Fast charging and wireless charging support
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
- No headphone jack
- Limited availability
XI. Verdict
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 III is an excellent smartphone that offers premium features and excellent performance. While it is quite expensive, it is worth the investment for those who want a device that stands out from the crowd. The device's unique features such as the 4K OLED display and the triple-lens camera system make it an excellent choice for content creators and photography enthusiasts. If you have the budget for it, the Xperia 1 III is definitely worth considering.
The Sony Xperia 1 III is the latest flagship smartphone from Sony, released in April 2021. It comes with numerous upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 II. Some of the notable improvements include a better camera system, a faster processor, and a larger battery. The Xperia 1 III also features a sleek and elegant design that is sure to catch the attention of many tech enthusiasts.
II. Design and Build
The Xperia 1 III features a unique design that is both sleek and elegant. It comes with a glass back and front, with an aluminum frame holding the two together. The device measures 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm and weighs 186 g, making it easy to hold and carry around. The device also features an IP65/IP68 rating, which means it is water and dust resistant.
One of the most striking features of the Xperia 1 III is its 6.5-inch 4K OLED display. The display is one of the best in the market, with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The display also supports HDR and has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes it perfect for gaming and streaming videos.
III. Memory
The Xperia 1 III comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also has a microSD card slot that can support up to 1TB of additional storage.
IV. Connectivity
The device supports 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for the next generation of mobile networks. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1.
V. Performance
The Xperia 1 III is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is the latest and most powerful processor from Qualcomm. The processor is coupled with the Adreno 660 GPU, which provides excellent graphics performance. The device also has a vapor chamber cooling system that helps to keep the device cool even during heavy use.
In terms of benchmarks, the Xperia 1 III performs exceptionally well. In the Geekbench 5 test, the device scored 1128 for single-core and 3650 for multi-core. In the 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme test, the device scored 8155. These scores are among the highest in the market, making the Xperia 1 III one of the most powerful smartphones available.
VI. Camera
The Xperia 1 III features a triple-lens camera system that includes a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The device also has a 3D ToF sensor for improved autofocus and depth sensing.
The camera system on the Xperia 1 III is one of the best in the market, with excellent image quality and a range of features. The device supports up to 20fps burst shooting, which is perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a real-time tracking feature that allows you to keep the subject in focus even when they are moving.
VII. Battery Life
The Xperia 1 III comes with a 4500mAh battery, which is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The device also supports fast charging, with a 30W charger included in the box. The device also supports wireless charging, which is a nice touch.
In terms of battery life, the Xperia 1 III performs well. With moderate use, the device can last up to a day and a half on a single charge. With heavy use, the device can last a full day.
VIII. Pricing
The Xperia 1 III is priced at $700 in the United States,
IX. Comparison with Other Related Phones
The Xperia 1 III competes with other flagship smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Xperia 1 III is more expensive than some of these devices, it offers unique features such as the 4K OLED display, the triple-lens camera system, and the vapor chamber cooling system.
X. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent 4K OLED display
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Triple-lens camera system with real-time tracking
- Water and dust resistant design
- Fast charging and wireless charging support
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
- No headphone jack
- Limited availability
XI. Verdict
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 III is an excellent smartphone that offers premium features and excellent performance. While it is quite expensive, it is worth the investment for those who want a device that stands out from the crowd. The device's unique features such as the 4K OLED display and the triple-lens camera system make it an excellent choice for content creators and photography enthusiasts. If you have the budget for it, the Xperia 1 III is definitely worth considering.
