Nokia XR21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III

The Nokia XR21 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads — 52/100 vs 46/100 (a 6-point difference). Key differences: the Nokia XR21 has the bigger battery (4800 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 64 MP vs 12 MP; the Sony Xperia 1 III is faster in AnTuTu (1,119,714 vs 592,015); the Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter (186g vs 231g).

The Sony Xperia 1 III edges out the Nokia XR21 by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nokia XR21
Performance 46
Display 67
Camera 43
Battery 42
Portability 24
Value for money
Sony Xperia 1 III
Performance 63
Display 90
Camera 20
Battery 42
Portability 65
Value for money 12
What makes Nokia XR21 better?
  • Bigger battery: 4800 vs 4500 mAh
  • Faster charging: 33W vs 30W
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 12MP

  • Better camera (43/100 vs 20/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1119714 vs 592015
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1488 vs 905
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3373 vs 2003
  • Lighter: 186g vs 231g

  • Higher performance (63/100 vs 46/100)
  • Better display (90/100 vs 67/100)
  • Better portability (65/100 vs 24/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nokia XR21 vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Sony Xperia 1 III scores 6 points higher (52/100 vs 46/100). In the "performance" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (63/100 vs 46/100). In the "camera" category, the Nokia XR21 leads (43/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (63/100 vs 46/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (90/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Nokia XR21 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (43/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100. In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III significantly outperforms the Nokia XR21 (65/100 vs 24/100).

Nokia XR21: The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use.
Sony Xperia 1 III: The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nokia XR21 Sony Xperia 1 III
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 592015 1119714
Geekbench Single 905 1488
Geekbench Multi 2003 3373
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.5" OLED
Resolution 1080x2400 1644x3840
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4800 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 33W 30W
Wireless charging 0W 11W
Main camera 64 MP 12 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 12 MP
Front camera 16 MP 8 MP
RAM 6GB 12GB
Storage 128GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 12 Android 11
Brightness (peak) 550 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP65/IP68
Dimensions 168.0×78.6×10.5 mm 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm
Weight 231 g 186 g
Launch price $1299
Camera comparison
Nokia XR21
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
43
camera
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 8MP
20
camera
Display comparison
Nokia XR21
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
67
display
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 6.5" OLED
  • Resolution: 1644x3840
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
90
display
Battery and charging
Nokia XR21
  • 4800 mAh
  • Wired: 33W
  • No wireless charging
42
battery
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 30W
  • Wireless: 11W
42
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nokia XR21 and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nokia XR21 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
46/100
592015 AnTuTu
Sony Xperia 1 III Snapdragon 888
52/100 +47.1%
1119714 AnTuTu

Sony Xperia 1 III leads Nokia XR21 by 47.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Nokia XR21
Price unknown
Sony Xperia 1 III
$1299
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (63/100 vs 46/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (90/100 vs 67/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nokia XR21 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (43/100 vs 20/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100.

portability

In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III significantly outperforms the Nokia XR21 (65/100 vs 24/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nokia XR21 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Sony Xperia 1 III edges out the Nokia XR21 by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nokia XR21 and the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Nokia XR21 has a MobileRank rating of 46/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 52/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nokia XR21 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Nokia XR21 leads on camera score (43/100 vs 20/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nokia XR21 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Sony Xperia 1 III leads on performance (63/100 vs 46/100).

Should you choose the Nokia XR21 over the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.