Apple iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 1 III

The Apple iPhone 16e (2025) runs on the Apple A18, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $599 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads — 60/100 vs 56/100 (a 4-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3279); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone 16e is faster in AnTuTu (1,972,476 vs 1,232,200); the Apple iPhone 16e is noticeably lighter (167g vs 186g).

The Sony Xperia 1 III edges out the Apple iPhone 16e by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 16e

Performance 85
Display 61
Camera 30
Battery 19
Portability 80
Value for money 26

Sony Xperia 1 III

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

What makes Apple iPhone 16e better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 1972476 vs 1232200
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3254 vs 1500
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 8070 vs 3537
  • Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
  • Lighter: 167g vs 186g
  • Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $1299

  • Higher performance (85/100 vs 65/100)
  • Better portability (80/100 vs 65/100)

What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?

  • Bigger battery: 4500 vs 3279 mAh
  • Faster charging: 30W vs 20W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Faster wireless charging: 11W vs 7W

  • Better camera (46/100 vs 30/100)
  • Longer battery life (42/100 vs 19/100)
  • Better display (90/100 vs 61/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 16e vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Sony Xperia 1 III scores 4 points higher (60/100 vs 56/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16e leads (85/100 vs 65/100). In the "camera" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (46/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (42/100 vs 19/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16e — 26/100, 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 16e notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (85/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (46/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (42/100 vs 19/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16e notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (80/100 vs 65/100).

Apple iPhone 16e: The Apple iPhone 16e 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 16e Sony Xperia 1 III
Processor Apple A18 Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 1972476 1232200
Geekbench Single 3254 1500
Geekbench Multi 8070 3537
Display 6.1" OLED 6.5" OLED
Resolution 2532x1170 1644x3840
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 3279 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 20W 30W
Wireless charging 7W 11W
DXOMark (camera) — 105
Main camera 48 MP 12 MP
Ultrawide 0 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) 1200 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP65/IP68
Dimensions 146.7×71.5×7.8 mm 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm
Weight 167 g 186 g
Launch price $599 $1299

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 16e

  • Main: 48MP f/1.6
  • Front: 12MP
30
camera

Sony Xperia 1 III

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

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 16e

  • 6.1" OLED
  • Resolution: 2532x1170
  • 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 16e

  • 3279 mAh
  • Wired: 20W
  • Wireless: 7W
19
battery

Sony Xperia 1 III

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

Overall performance score

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

Apple iPhone 16e Apple A18
56/100
1972476 AnTuTu
Sony Xperia 1 III Snapdragon 888
60/100 -60.1%
1232200 AnTuTu

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

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 16e

$599

Sony Xperia 1 III

$1299

Launch price difference: $700. Apple iPhone 16e was $700 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 16e notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (85/100 vs 65/100).

display

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

camera

In the "camera" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (46/100 vs 30/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16e (42/100 vs 19/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16e notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (80/100 vs 65/100).

Frequently asked questions

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

The Sony Xperia 1 III edges out the Apple iPhone 16e by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

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

The Apple iPhone 16e has a MobileRank rating of 56/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.

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

The Sony Xperia 1 III leads on camera score (46/100 vs 30/100).

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

The Apple iPhone 16e leads on performance (85/100 vs 65/100).

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

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