Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $599 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leads — 63/100 vs 60/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 12 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is faster in AnTuTu (1,436,963 vs 1,232,200); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has the stronger camera (127 vs 105); the Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter (186g vs 209g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Sony Xperia 1 III
What makes Samsung Galaxy S23 FE better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1436963 vs 1232200
- Better Geekbench Single: 1662 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 4188 vs 3537
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 15W vs 11W
- Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $1299
- Higher performance (69/100 vs 65/100)
- Better camera (63/100 vs 46/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
- Faster charging: 30W vs 25W
- Lighter: 186g vs 209g
- Better display (90/100 vs 80/100)
- Better portability (65/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE scores 3 points higher (63/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leads (63/100 vs 46/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE — 40/100, 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III are nearly equal (69/100 vs 65/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (63/100 vs 46/100). In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100. In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 1436963 | 1232200 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1662 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 4188 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 127 | 105 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1450 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 158.0×76.5×8.2 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 209 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $599 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 10MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 16.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $700. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was $700 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III are nearly equal (69/100 vs 65/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (63/100 vs 46/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, both devices are on the same level — 42/100.
portability
In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE edges out the Sony Xperia 1 III by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has a MobileRank rating of 63/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 60/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leads on camera score (63/100 vs 46/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a better fit for active users. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.