Apple iPhone 16 vs Sony Xperia 1 III

The Apple iPhone 16 (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 16 leads — 68/100 vs 60/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3561); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone 16 is faster in AnTuTu (1,972,476 vs 1,232,200); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 has the stronger camera (147 vs 105); the Apple iPhone 16 is noticeably lighter (170g vs 186g).

The Apple iPhone 16 edges out the Sony Xperia 1 III by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 16

Performance 84
Display 61
Camera 78
Battery 24
Portability 79
Value for money 50

Sony Xperia 1 III

Performance 65
Display 90
Camera 46
Battery 42
Portability 65
Value for money 30

What makes Apple iPhone 16 better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 1972476 vs 1232200
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3100 vs 1500
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 7700 vs 3537
  • Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
  • Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 11W
  • Lighter: 170g vs 186g
  • Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299

  • Higher performance (84/100 vs 65/100)
  • Better camera (78/100 vs 46/100)
  • Better portability (79/100 vs 65/100)

What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?

  • Bigger battery: 4500 vs 3561 mAh
  • Faster charging: 30W vs 27W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz

  • Longer battery life (42/100 vs 24/100)
  • Better display (90/100 vs 61/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Apple iPhone 16 scores 8 points higher (68/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 leads (84/100 vs 65/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 leads (78/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (42/100 vs 24/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 — 50/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 30/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (84/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (78/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (42/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (79/100 vs 65/100).

Apple iPhone 16: The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Sony Xperia 1 III: The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Apple iPhone 16 Sony Xperia 1 III
Processor Apple A18 Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 1972476 1232200
Geekbench Single 3100 1500
Geekbench Multi 7700 3537
Display 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED 6.5" OLED
Resolution 2556x1179 1644x3840
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3561 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 27W 30W
Wireless charging 25W 11W
DXOMark (camera) 147 105
Main camera 48 MP 12 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 12 MP
Front camera 12 MP 8 MP
RAM 8GB 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB
OS iOS 18 Android 11
Brightness (peak) 2000 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP65/IP68
Dimensions 147.6×71.6×7.8 mm 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm
Weight 170 g 186 g
Launch price $799 $1299

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 16

  • Main: 48MP f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Front: 12MP
78
camera

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Main: 12MP f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 8MP
46
camera

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 16

  • 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2556x1179
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
61
display

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • 6.5" OLED
  • Resolution: 1644x3840
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
90
display

Battery and charging

Apple iPhone 16

  • 3561 mAh
  • Wired: 27W
  • Wireless: 25W
24
battery

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 30W
  • Wireless: 11W
42
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Apple iPhone 16 and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 16 Apple A18
68/100
1972476 AnTuTu
Sony Xperia 1 III Snapdragon 888
60/100 -60.1%
1232200 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone 16 leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 60.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 16

$799

Sony Xperia 1 III

$1299

Launch price difference: $500. Apple iPhone 16 was $500 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (84/100 vs 65/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (90/100 vs 61/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (78/100 vs 46/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (42/100 vs 24/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 is a bit better (79/100 vs 65/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Apple iPhone 16 edges out the Sony Xperia 1 III by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 and the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Apple iPhone 16 has a MobileRank rating of 68/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Apple iPhone 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 46/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Apple iPhone 16 leads on performance (84/100 vs 65/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 over the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.