BeastCompare

iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Sony Xperia 1 III: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 16 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 80.0/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Apple · 2024

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max
80/ 100
Launch price$1,199
Sony · 2021

Sony Xperia 1 III

Sony Xperia 1 III
80/ 100
Launch price$1,300
Head-to-head

iPhone 16 Pro Max wins 4 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max
4 wins
Sony Xperia 1 III
Sony Xperia 1 III
1 win
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
iPhone 16 Pro MaxSony Xperia 1 III
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedSony Xperia 1 III
    80
    90
  • CameraiPhone 16 Pro Max
    85
    75
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 16 Pro Max
    60
    40
  • BatteryTie
    78
    78
  • DisplayiPhone 16 Pro Max
    88
    86
  • ConnectivityiPhone 16 Pro Max
    95
    75
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueTie
    55
    55
Key differences
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery4,685 mAh vs 4,500 mAh
  • Sony Xperia 1 III charges faster30W vs 27W
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has a sharper main camera48 MP vs 12 MP
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen6.9" vs 6.5"
  • Sony Xperia 1 III is lighter186 g vs 227 g
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max launched cheaper$1,199 vs $1,300
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has a sharper selfie camera12 MP vs 8 MP
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has newer Bluetooth5.3 vs 5.2
  • Sony Xperia 1 III has more RAM12 GB vs 8 GB
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has faster Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • ✓$101 cheaper at launch ($1,199 vs $1,300)
  • ✓Bigger 4,685 mAh battery (+185 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
Reasons to buy Sony Xperia 1 III
  • ✓41 g lighter (186 g vs 227 g), easier to hold
  • ✓12 MP main camera
  • ✓6.5" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationiPhone 16 Pro MaxSony Xperia 1 III
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 16 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLEDOLED 21:9 CinemaWide
Screen Size6.9"6.5"
Resolution & Density2868x1320 (460 ppi)3840x1644 (643 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz
Brightness2,000 nits peak1,000 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Sony Xperia 1 III Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorApple A18 Pro (3nm)Snapdragon 888 (5nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsApple GPU (6-core)Adreno 660
Operating SystemiOS 18Android 11
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory8 GB LPDDR12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB256GB / 512GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 16 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Sony IMX90312 MP, f/1.7, OIS, ZEISS T*
Telephoto Zoom12 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS12 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.3, OIS
Ultrawide Camera48 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/1.98 MP, f/2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Sony Xperia 1 III Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm165 x 71 x 8.2 mm
Weight227 g186 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity4,685 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired Fast Charging27W wired fast charging30W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging11W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.35.2
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.0USB-C 3.2
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$1,199$1,300
Our verdict

iPhone 16 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 80.0/100

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (4,685 mAh vs 4,500 mAh) and sharper main camera (48 MP vs 12 MP). The Sony Xperia 1 III is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (30W vs 27W).

Buy iPhone 16 Pro Max if you want

Higher-resolution main camera: 48 MP vs 12 MP · Brighter screen: 2,000 nits vs 1,000 nits

Buy Sony Xperia 1 III if you want

More RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB · Lighter: 186 g vs 227 g (41 g less)

Common questions

Which is better: iPhone 16 Pro Max or Sony Xperia 1 III?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (4,685 mAh vs 4,500 mAh) and sharper main camera (48 MP vs 12 MP). The Sony Xperia 1 III is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (30W vs 27W). BeastScore: iPhone 16 Pro Max 80.0/100, Sony Xperia 1 III 79.5/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between iPhone 16 Pro Max and Sony Xperia 1 III?

iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 4685 mAh battery. Sony Xperia 1 III has a 6.5-inch display and 4500 mAh battery.

How do iPhone 16 Pro Max and Sony Xperia 1 III compare for speed?

iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 80/100 for performance; Sony Xperia 1 III scores 90/100.

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