Apple iPhone Air vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $999 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 52/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 12 MP; the Apple iPhone Air is faster in AnTuTu (2,568,709 vs 1,119,714); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 186g).
Apple iPhone Air
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Higher AnTuTu: 2568709 vs 1119714
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 1488
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 3373
- Faster charging: 40W vs 30W
- Better main camera: 48MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 11W
- Lighter: 165g vs 186g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 20/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 65/100)
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 3149 mAh
- Longer battery life (42/100 vs 26/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 85/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Apple iPhone Air scores 23 points higher (75/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (92/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (42/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 62/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 12/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (92/100 vs 63/100). 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 Air significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (73/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (42/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (96/100 vs 65/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 2568709 | 1119714 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 1488 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 3373 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone Air leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 129.4% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $300. Apple iPhone Air was $300 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (92/100 vs 63/100).
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 Air significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (73/100 vs 20/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (42/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (96/100 vs 65/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III by 23 points (75/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 52/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 20/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on performance (92/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.