Apple iPhone 17 vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Apple iPhone 17 (2025) runs on the Apple A19, 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 17 leads — 76/100 vs 60/100 (a 16-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3692); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone 17 is faster in AnTuTu (2,156,126 vs 1,232,200); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 17 has the stronger camera (157 vs 105).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17
Sony Xperia 1 III
What makes Apple iPhone 17 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2156126 vs 1232200
- Better Geekbench Single: 3608 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 8810 vs 3537
- Faster charging: 40W vs 30W
- Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 11W
- Lighter: 177g vs 186g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Higher performance (88/100 vs 65/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 46/100)
- Better portability (73/100 vs 65/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 3692 mAh
- Longer battery life (42/100 vs 29/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 85/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Apple iPhone 17 scores 16 points higher (76/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 leads (88/100 vs 65/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 leads (86/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (42/100 vs 29/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 — 66/100, 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 17 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (88/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (86/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (42/100 vs 29/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 17 is a bit better (73/100 vs 65/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 2156126 | 1232200 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3608 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8810 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2622x1206 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3692 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | 105 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 149.6×71.5×8.0 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 177 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 17
- 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2622x1206
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 17
- 3692 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 17 and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 17 leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 75.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Apple iPhone 17 was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (88/100 vs 65/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (86/100 vs 46/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (42/100 vs 29/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 17 is a bit better (73/100 vs 65/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 17 is noticeably better than the Sony Xperia 1 III — the overall rating gap is 16 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 17 has a MobileRank rating of 76/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 17 leads on camera score (86/100 vs 46/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 17 leads on performance (88/100 vs 65/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone 17 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.