Table of Contents
Ten years ago, when Android was still in its “Wild West” days, Samsung came out with one of its strangest gadgets to date. Instead of just making Android phones, the company started making point-and-shoot cameras with a 4.8-inch touchscreen, 21x zoom lens, and Android 4.1. With its LTE link, it was easy to back up to different cloud services or share right away on Instagram. However, as smartphone sensors continued to improve, the need for dedicated cameras, even those that ran Android, faded away.
Even though Samsung’s attempt is probably seen as a failure now, Sony’s Xperia team seems to have the same kind of drive. Yes, the Xperia 1 V is a smartphone first and foremost, but the three cameras on the back of the device get almost all of the attention. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, it makes Sony’s latest, most expensive flagship phone stick out from other phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Whether or not that makes it a phone you should buy is a completely different question.
Sony Xperia 1 V Specifcations
The Sony Xperia 1 V has state-of-the-art features that make it an appealing smartphone option. Among its many noteworthy features are a 4K OLED screen, an advanced triple-lens camera, a speedy Snapdragon processor, 5G connectivity, and a stylish form factor.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5″ 1644 x 3840 21:9 OLED, 120Hz |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
| Dimensions | 165 x 71 x 8.3mm |
| Price | $1,400 |
| link | Check Price |
Design and Display
If you’re tired of how smartphone designs haven’t changed in a while, Sony’s range won’t change your mind. At its heart, the Xperia 1 V has the same design as the 2019 Xperia 1 II, right down to the location of the camera bump and the super-tall 21:9 aspect ratio. Consistency is important, but I don’t think the Xperia design language will ever catch on in our market, and that’s not even taking into account the company’s low sales.
So, what’s new about the style this year? Sony has made its matte glass feel different and added a new green color to it. The basic model is still black. To be honest, it feels more like plastic than glass, but I mean that in the best way possible. This is one of the most trappable phones I’ve held in a while, and the squared-off ends make it feel like it could survive a drop or two. You can buy this phone from its official website
Sony Xperia 1 V: Cameras
Let’s discuss the camcorder. A multi-aspect 52MP Sony sensor with an effective 48MP resolution was a significant upgrade to the primary imager. Sony claims that the new stacked design will allow them to match the noise performance and dynamic range (in low light) of a full-frame camera.
Other than that, the Xperia 1 V’s camera setup is identical: 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide-angle camera with autofocus, and 12MP front-facing camera with fixed focus. The front-facing camera can only record in 4K60, but the back cameras can capture in 4K120.
Sony Xperia 1 V: Battery life
Sony hasn’t taken any particularly novel approaches to battery sizes or charging rates in 2023. The Xperia 1 V retains the Xperia 1 IV’s 5000mAh battery. It supports rapid charging up to 30W via USB-C and 15W via Qi pad. That’s on par with Samsung, Apple, and Google, but considerably below China’s heavy hitters like the Mi 13 Pro.
The fastest charging power brick is not included, but I bet you already have one resting in a drawer. In a little over half an hour, we got to 50%, and the complete charge took about an hour and a half.
Sony Xperia 1 V: Pricing
The Xperia’s screen features a 4K resolution, making it stand out from other external monitor recorders like the Atmos, SmallHD, or Blackmagic, which typically have FHD displays.
The Xperia is a better value at $1,400 than a $1,000 iPhone 14 Pro and a $400 FHD display purchased separately. Preorders for the Sony Xperia 1 V can be placed as of 8 a.m. PT on July 25 for delivery on July 28. If you preorder the Xperia from Sony, you will receive a free pair of Sony LinkBuds, a $180 value.
Final Words
The Xperia 1 V is a great representation of Sony’s strongest qualities. The screen is gorgeously cinematic (even if a 4K screen is still an indulgence for a phone rather than a necessity), the speakers are loud and clear, and virtually all the features beloved by die-hard smartphone users are back. The company has apparently fixed its thermal throttling problems as well, so performance is consistently high.
It’s finally a little happy in the hands of amateur photographers thanks to improved computational photography and an automatic night mode. While its SIM-free pricing of £1299 is comparable to that of other premium smartphones, those who pre-order before the device’s release date will receive a complimentary pair of WH-1000XM5 headphones, a $350 value.
Sony Xperia 1 V review: The good and The bad
The improved cooling mechanism in the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is included in the 1 V.
The Good
- DSLR manual modes
- Long-lasting battery
The Bad
- Fingerprint sensor issues remain present
Questions and Answers
The item is not watertight. However, it is rated as water-resistant to IP65/68 standards.
When the temperature around you starts to rise, you may use the built-in functions of your Xperia® smartphone to keep yourself safe. The following factors may cause an increase in your device’s temperature: usage in extreme conditions (using beyond the range of 5°C to 35°C / 41°F to 95°F) or in bright sunshine.