Choosing between two premium smartphones can feel like picking your favourite child – they’re both expensive, both promise the world, and both will probably end up with a cracked screen within six months anyway. But if you’re tossing up between Sony’s Xperia 1 VI and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, there are some genuine differences worth considering before you hand over your hard-earned dollars.
What’s Actually Changed with Sony’s Approach
Sony’s made some interesting moves with the Xperia 1 VI that have ruffled feathers among long-time fans. The biggest change? They’ve ditched the ultra-wide 21:9 display that made previous Xperias look like little cinema screens. Now you’re getting a more conventional 19.5:9 aspect ratio – the same as Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The resolution has also taken a step back from 4K down to FHD+ (1080p). Before you panic about this “downgrade,” consider whether you’ve ever actually noticed the difference on a 6.5-inch screen. Most Australians won’t spot the difference in daily use, and your battery will thank you for the change.
What Sony hasn’t compromised on is their commitment to features other manufacturers have abandoned. The Xperia 1 VI still rocks front-firing stereo speakers (perfect for watching cricket highlights without headphones) and – wait for it – an actual headphone jack. In 2024, that’s practically heritage-listed technology.
Display and Design: More Similar Than You’d Think
Both phones sport OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, but Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra edges ahead with higher resolution and brightness. The Galaxy’s screen hits 501 PPI compared to Sony’s 396 PPI, though you’d need a magnifying glass to spot the difference in real-world use.
Samsung’s display also benefits from Gorilla Armor glass with anti-reflection coating – brilliant for using your phone at Bondi Beach without squinting like you’re staring directly into the sun. Sony’s display is bright enough for outdoor use, but Samsung’s coating gives it that extra edge when you’re trying to read texts in harsh Australian sunlight.
The design philosophies differ significantly. Sony’s kept those top and bottom bezels to house proper front-firing speakers, while Samsung’s gone for the all-screen look with a small camera cutout. It’s like comparing a classic Holden to a modern Tesla – both valid approaches, but appealing to different sensibilities.
Performance: Same Engine, Different Tuning
Here’s where things get interesting from a technical standpoint. Both phones run Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, but Samsung gets a special “Made for Galaxy” version that’s slightly overclocked. Think of it like getting a Commodore with a factory performance package versus the standard model.
In practical terms, both phones handle everything you’ll throw at them – from editing 4K videos of your mate’s wedding to running graphic-intensive games during those long Brisbane-to-Perth flights. Samsung’s version shows slightly better consistency under extreme stress, but unless you’re planning to use your phone as a space heater, you won’t notice the difference.
The bigger performance gap comes in software support. Samsung promises seven years of updates for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, while Sony sticks to three years of major updates and four years of security patches. For most Australians keeping phones for 3-4 years, this won’t matter much, but it’s worth considering if you’re the type to squeeze every year out of your device.
Camera Capabilities: The Heart of the Matter
This is where the real battle happens, and it’s not as clear-cut as you might expect. Sony’s brought their “true optical zoom” technology to the Xperia 1 VI, offering smooth zoom from 3.5x to 7.1x magnification. It’s genuinely impressive tech – like having a proper camera lens that physically adjusts rather than just cropping in digitally.
Samsung takes a different approach with two dedicated zoom lenses: a 3x for portraits and a 5x for longer-distance shots. While Samsung “downgraded” from their previous 10x lens, their software wizardry more than makes up for it. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s computational photography is simply outstanding.
For main camera performance, Samsung’s 200MP sensor gives you incredible detail and dynamic range. Photos look punchy and Instagram-ready straight out of the camera. Sony’s 48MP main camera is more understated, focusing on natural colours and professional-grade manual controls.
Real-World Camera Performance
If you’re the type who wants to point, shoot, and get great photos immediately, Samsung wins hands down. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera app is intuitive, and its AI processing makes your beach selfies and night shots look fantastic without fiddling with settings.
Sony’s approach appeals more to photography enthusiasts who enjoy tweaking settings. The Xperia 1 VI offers professional camera controls that would make a wedding photographer happy, but casual users might find them overwhelming when they just want to snap a quick photo of their flat white.
For video recording, both phones deliver excellent quality, but Samsung’s stabilisation and low-light performance edge ahead slightly. If you’re documenting your next road trip through the Outback, either phone will do the job brilliantly.
Battery Life and Practical Considerations
Both phones pack 5,000mAh batteries – enough to get through a full day of typical Australian smartphone use. Sony claims two-day battery life with their resolution downgrade, which is optimistic but possible with lighter usage.
Charging speeds favour Samsung significantly. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 45W charging gets you to 40% in just 15 minutes – perfect for those moments when you’re rushing to catch a flight from Melbourne to Darwin. Sony’s 30W charging is adequate but noticeably slower in emergency situations.
Price and Availability: The Australian Reality
Here’s where things get complicated for Australian buyers. Sony isn’t officially selling the Xperia 1 VI in many markets, including potentially limited availability in Australia. This means hunting down import models, dealing with potential warranty issues, and ensuring network compatibility.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile, is readily available through every major Australian retailer, carrier, and electronics store. It comes with full local warranty, support, and optimised network bands for our carriers.
The Bottom Line for Australian Buyers
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra emerges as the more practical choice for most Australians. It offers better camera performance for everyday use, longer software support, faster charging, and crucially, proper local availability and support.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI appeals to a specific audience: those who value unique features like the headphone jack, front-firing speakers, and professional camera controls. If you’re passionate about mobile photography and don’t mind hunting down an import model, the Xperia offers a distinctive experience.
For the average Australian smartphone user who wants excellent photos, reliable performance, and peace of mind with local support, the Galaxy S24 Ultra represents better value despite its higher upfront cost. The seven-year software support alone makes it a more sensible long-term investment.
Both phones are genuinely excellent, but in the practical world of Australian smartphone ownership, Samsung’s offering simply makes more sense for most people.