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Say hello to the latest camera-centric phone from Sony: the Xperia 1 VI!

If you’re sure you’re experiencing the ultimate deja vu right now, let me assure you: you’re not.

Just in the last few weeks, Sony Xperia 1 VI leaked many times several times, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

Now, however, Sony’s 2024 flagship is official, so let’s put those rumors to rest and see what the deal is with this great looking phone.

Right away: you’ll notice something very different about the Xperia 1 VI from the outside. Yes, the aspect ratio – or aspect ratio – of the display has changed.

Instead of the tall (and unique) 21:9 aspect ratio, the Xperia 1 VI comes in Aspect ratio 19.5:9identical to the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

This display takes inspiration from Sony’s Bravia TVs (more on that in a minute).

The real deal, however, is the fact that the Xperia 1 VI comes with a 7.1x optical zoomsignificantly ahead of the Xperia 1 V’s optical zoom, which reached 5.2x zoom.

Sony specifies that 7.1x optical zoom is “planned to arrive in the next Android OS version update,” so it remains to be seen what they mean by that and how the telephoto camera will perform out of the box.

Photographic whistles and bells

We usually start the phone performance report with details about the chipset and other “traditional” specifications.

However, the Xperia 1 line doesn’t fall into any category that could be called ‘traditional’ – or at least it tries not to.

Let’s face it, the Xperia was, and still is, a photography (and video)-centric device.

So, let’s dive right into it!

Users can expect a triple rear camera setup:

• Main camera: 24mm equivalent focal length
• Ultra-wide camera: 16mm equivalent focal length
• Telephoto camera: 85mm-170mm optical zoom

That Exmor goodness is still here!

The main camera is developed by Sony Exmor T for mobile devices sensor. Couple that with the obligatory AI processing (it’s 2024 after all!) and users should get pretty decent results. I’m highly skeptical of Sony’s own claim of “image quality equivalent to full-frame cameras”, but hey, marketing is a cruel racket.

Overall, Exmor T for mobile should allow for less noise and a wider dynamic range in low light, and should make videos look full of cinematic color expression.

Macro shots with telephoto

If you like macro, get this, there is no dedicated macro lens, but the telephoto is available with a maximum zoom of approximately 2x and a minimum focal length of 4cm.

AF tracking from Sony: the bee’s knees

The Xperia 1 VI is newly equipped with AF Tracking with Human Pose Estimation – an AI feature cultivated with the Alpha series cameras (you know, Sony’s world-famous dedicated cameras!)

The rear camera integrates AI human skeleton recognition technology, enabling precise AF tracking even in difficult shooting scenarios due to potential obstacles obscuring the view of the subject. This advanced functionality provides consistent and accurate tracking, optimizing image capture in a variety of environments.

New camera app

The Xperia 1 VI’s camera app has undergone a significant update, Sony says. The app now features a user-friendly interface designed for hassle-free navigation. This improvement prioritizes convenience without compromising the range of creative tools available, such as dedicated shooting modes and customizable color presets.

There’s touch tracking that can automatically set brightness and color adjustments, along with the introduction of the new Pro video mode. This one offers detailed control over video capture settings and users can effortlessly capture both stills and videos with intuitive control and precision.

The shutter button grows and grows

A welcome upgrade: The Xperia 1 VI features a larger shutter button than its predecessor, the Xperia 1 V, offering improved control when taking photos.

The display draws inspiration from Bravia TVs

Apart from being photo-centric flagships, the Xperia 1 phones are known for their top quality displays. The Xperia 1 VI will not disappoint as it promises state-of-the-art display technology inherited from the Bravia 9 TV.

The main goal is to improve contrast, color and clarity. This technology works for your own content and even streaming services.

The Xperia 1 VI features a Full HD+ display that can be adjusted between 1 and 120Hz for energy-efficient operation with LTPO technology. As you know, LTPO technology for mobile phone screens helps to save battery life by dynamically adjusting the screen refresh rate based on the displayed content.

As mentioned before, this Sony champion comes with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Also, the tech giant claims to offer the brightest display in Xperia history, providing a visually stunning user experience.

It also has a new Sunlight Vision mode for better visibility in difficult outdoor lighting conditions.

In addition, this new Sunlight Vision mode provides improved visibility in outdoor environments by not only illuminating the image, but also performing artificial intelligence image processing to prevent overexposed highlights by analyzing footage and ambient brightness in real time.

Sony reveals that the new display is 1.5 times brighter than the previous model.

Yes, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is in the house

You didn’t expect a 2024 Sony flagship without a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, did you?

Most likely, the Xperia 1 VI will not top the Top 10 in the benchmark ranking, but so what? Having The internal Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset means you’ll get fast, reliable and more than adequate performance. This powerful processor “enhances the Xperia 1 VI’s AI capabilities, offering unrivaled camera, audio, gaming and display performance,” claims Sony.

Indeed, there is a new Game Enhancer feature: “FPS Optimizer”!

FPS Optimizer dynamically optimizes CPU usage and frame rate based on the gaming environment. Touch input has been refined, offering three tracking speeds and two levels of press accuracy, providing an unparalleled gaming experience for both gaming and live streaming where the fastest reactions are a must.

The 240Hz touch sampling rate is said to allow for “unparalleled responsiveness, delivering near-instant responses to touch input for faster in-game actions and enhanced control,” but you’ll have to see for yourself if it’s any good .

The phone features Game Enhancer and a vapor chamber for improved heat management, promising a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience, even during long gaming sessions.

In addition, Ly Raiser adjusts image details in dark areas of the game, making it easier to see opponents in the dark.

Design: hot and tangible

Sony Xperia phones look good – did I say that already? Or was I describing them as unique? Does not matter.

Xperia 1 VI will delight users with a textured back panel – think comfort, functionality and beauty. And grip. Yes, the grip (any photographer will confirm that this is very important) and the convex microfabrication of the hard glass have been improved, along with a matte finish that makes it more resistant to fingerprints and surface scratches.

Available in a choice of colors to suit your style:

• black
• Platinum silver
• Khaki green

It also has a new packaged ring strap that can be attached to the lid: even more stability! Additionally, the stand supports both horizontal and vertical orientation for added convenience.

The Xperia 1 VI maintains a sleek profile, measuring just 8.2mm thick (that’s thinner than previous Xperia models) and weighing just 192g.

Battery: give me power!

The Xperia 1 VI is powered by a 5000mAh battery that should not be overlooked. The battery is rated for two days of typical use, Sony claims. There is a heat dissipation component in the steam chamber. Not only does it support fast charging, reaching approximately 50% capacity in just 30 minutes, Battery Care and Xperia Adaptive Charging ensure that the battery will not be overtaxed while charging, giving you four years of healthy battery life.

In addition, the Xperia 1 VI supports the new wireless standard Wi-Fi 7, which is due to appear later in 2024. This latest communication standard enables high-speed data exchange, improving the user experience.

New sound for users

Sony doesn’t release a 3.5mm headphone jack. I like!

With a new premium audio circuit for 3.5mm wired headphones, a new high-performance speaker and innovative audio technologies, the Xperia 1 VI promises to sound great.

The performance of the speaker has undergone significant improvements. By reducing distortion at high volumes and optimizing low-frequency output, Sony claims there is a “noticeable increase” in sound pressure level.

Xperia 1 VI lets you explore the latest technologies and formats of the audio industry by supporting:

• High definition audio
• Wireless high-resolution audio
• LDAC (technology that enables high-quality wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth connections)
• Bluetooth LE Audio (Low Energy)
• Snapdragon sound

When paired with selected wireless headphones, enabling the AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) connection mode further improves sound quality, even in “busy urban environments”.

Accessibility features

Sony doesn’t want people to be left behind because of physical differences. Here’s how inclusive they are:

From voice control to increased text size, the Xperia 1 VI includes a range of accessibility features, allowing everyone to communicate freely, regardless of their individual needs. For example, the Xperia 1 VI includes a feature that uses sounds to inform users of the camera’s horizontal metering information while shooting. Additionally, Sony has introduced unique improvements to Android’s TalkBack feature, ensuring that on-screen menus are read in a user-friendly sequence, improving accessibility for all users.

Pricing, availability and software updates

The Xperia 1 VI will be available to buy from early June for approximately €1,399 / £1,299. The handset will come with 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates.