Sony Xperia 1 VI Review: Hadn’t Screen This Coming

In relation to smartphones, Sony has at all times completed issues just a little in a different way. 

Its latest Xperia handsets have been one thing of an outlier, choosing a tall, slim design that’s constructed for 21:9 widescreen content material. Within the case of the Xperia 1 V, there was additionally 4K show. 

Nevertheless, each of these issues are gone on the Xperia 1 VI, Sony’s flagship for 2024. As a substitute, the 19.5:9 facet ratio is way more consistent with rivals just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, whereas a Full HD+ decision is definitely decrease than most equally priced handsets. 

Does the Xperia 1 VI do sufficient in different areas to make this obvious downgrade value it? I used it as my essential telephone for over every week to search out out.

Discover out what telephones Sony is up in opposition to in our greatest smartphones chart.

Design & Construct

• Shorter, wider construct than earlier than
• Enticing however fragile rear design
• 3.5mm headphone jack

The Xperia 1 VI represents an enormous shift in design for Sony. That tall, slim construct we’ve come to affiliate with Xperia handsets is gone, changed by one thing that’s much more mainstream. 

The overall dimensions of the telephone haven’t modified massively – it’s simply 3mm shorter and 3mm wider than the Xperia 1 V – nevertheless it appears like extra.  

In comparison with Xperia handsets I’ve used prior to now, it’s a lot simpler to carry and means one-handed utilization is now potential (albeit not significantly comfy). Regardless of being barely heavier than earlier than, it’s nonetheless one of many lighter telephones round, at 192g. 

I firmly consider that this transfer advantages the consumer expertise, however there’s little question the 1 VI feels lots like some other Android flagship. The hallmark of a Sony telephone has been misplaced, which is able to disappoint some individuals. 

The corporate has added a splash of character on the again, with a alternative of three colors: Platinum (the model I examined), Black or Khaki Inexperienced. I’ve seen all three in particular person, and the inexperienced one is my private favorite. 

This isn’t your commonplace glass-backed telephone, although. A textured matt coating means you don’t get the build-up of disagreeable fingerprint smudges or different seen grime which are commonplace on shiny telephones. 

It additionally makes the telephone extra grippy, however that didn’t cease it falling out of my hand whereas utilizing Google Maps on the road. Regardless of a drop of solely round 1m, the glass on the prime shattered and there was a big dent within the aluminium body. 

That is shocking, given the again of the telephone is provided with Gorilla Glass Victus, which producer Corning particularly says survived “drops onto onerous, tough surfaces from as much as 2 metres” in inner testing.  

The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the entrance is supposedly even more durable, however on this proof, I’d be frightened about the way it would possibly fare. If you happen to plan on utilizing the telephone round any onerous surfaces, I’d extremely advocate a case. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nevertheless, one space the place I’m assured in its safety is water and dirt. The Xperia 1 VI has each IP65 and IP68 resistance, which means it may well survive submersion in as much as 1.5m of water for half-hour and is totally sealed in opposition to mud. 

In contrast to most telephones, there are a couple of attention-grabbing issues to notice on the edges of the telephone. Probably the most important is a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a uncommon sight on any handset, not to mention a flagship. One other is the SIM tray, which might simply be opened and closed while not having a fiddly ejector software. 

Sony can be one of many few manufacturers resisting the under-display fingerprint sensor. It’s nonetheless constructed into the facility button on the Xperia 1 VI, and straightforward to arrange, quick and dependable. Another corporations ought to take observe. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The very last thing to say right here is the vibration motor, which delivers a few of the most lifelike haptics I’ve used on a telephone. The suggestions whereas typing, managing open apps and taking photographs is an actual pleasure. 

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.5-inch, Full HD+ show
• 120Hz LTPO OLED
• Twin stereo audio system

It could have extra mainstream enchantment, however there’s no doubting that the Xperia 1 VI’s show is a big downgrade on paper. 

The 4K, 21:9 panel is gone, changed by a Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) model at 19.5:9. If you happen to’re one of many individuals who loved watching 4K films in your telephone, this may come as an enormous disappointment. 

Nevertheless, if that’s not necessary to you, the Xperia 1’s display will most likely swimsuit you higher. The 6.5-inch OLED is now LTPO, which means it may well routinely drop all the way in which all the way down to 1Hz once you don’t want that clean 120Hz refresh charge, benefitting battery life. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The display additionally will get impressively vivid – I recorded 723 nits, and a side-by-side demo subsequent to the Xperia 1 V proved how a lot brighter it may well get. In consequence, out of doors visibility is superb, even in direct daylight. 

Additionally, except for supported movies, the decrease decision isn’t as a lot of a difficulty as you would possibly count on. Content material nonetheless appears clear and crisp in all situations, and it’s value remembering that many 1440p telephones (such because the Galaxy S24 Extremely) are set to 1080p by default. 

Regardless of dropping its headlining function, the Xperia 1 VI’s show is way more versatile and sensible than its predecessor.

There are not any adjustments to the twin stereo audio system, which means they nonetheless produce clear, balanced audio with a pleasant hit of bass. Nevertheless, the utmost quantity is decrease than on most, and it’s susceptible to distortion as issues get louder. 

In fact, the three.5mm jack means you may simply join headphones or audio system by way of Bluetooth or a bodily wired connection. And in contrast to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VI additionally now helps Hello-Res LDAC audio wirelessly, which is a pleasant enchancment that audiophiles can get enthusiastic about. 

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB RAM
• Excellent all-round efficiency
• 256GB storage, expandable as much as 1.5TB

Like most Android flagships in 2024, the Xperia 1 VI is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. 

It’s Qualcomm’s newest and biggest telephone chipset on the time of writing, and it reveals. Alongside 12GB of RAM, efficiency is just very good in all situations. 

The vast majority of the time most individuals spend on a telephone entails duties that may’t push the Xperia 1 VI near its efficiency limits. My typical day by day duties embrace internet shopping, messages, e mail, watching movies and taking some photographs, usually shortly switching between them. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

All through all of it, there wasn’t even a touch of hesitation, not to mention any noticeable slowdown. A few app crashes I skilled are nearly actually software program bugs reasonably than any lack of energy. 

While you need to take issues up a notch, the Xperia 1 VI may deal with it. I performed a couple of of the Play Retailer’s most demanding video games – Asphalt 9, Name of Responsibility: Cellular, Genshin Affect and PUBG Cellular in an in the end futile try and push the telephone to its limits. 

It’s onerous to think about any state of affairs the place the 1 VI wouldn’t have sufficient efficiency, even for essentially the most devoted energy customers. 

Nevertheless, you’ll have to cope with a big build-up of warmth. It occurs whereas taking part in these video games, as you would possibly count on, but in addition often throughout on a regular basis duties equivalent to taking photographs or watching YouTube. When charging, it turns into uncomfortably scorching to the contact. 

This shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, however I used to be anticipating extra environment friendly cooling from such an costly gadget.  

Sony Xperia 1 VI benchmarks

The one configuration out there within the UK provides 256GB of storage. That may appear a bit restricted, however you may simply add as much as 1.5TB by way of the microSD card slot. 

The Xperia 1 VI’s connectivity has additionally been upgraded to absolutely the newest requirements – I’m speaking Wi-Fi 7 (by way of a future software program replace) and Bluetooth 5.4. You additionally get 5G, in fact, and NFC for contactless funds. 

Cameras

• 50Mp essential
• 12Mp 3.5-7.1x telephoto
• 12Mp ultrawide
• 12Mp selfie

When it comes to digital camera {hardware}, the Xperia 1 VI is basically unchanged in comparison with its predecessor. 

It means the telephone remains to be utilizing Sony’s customized Exmor T, a 48Mp, f/1.9 essential lens. That’s regardless of the corporate’s 1-inch LYT-900 getting used on the Xiaomi 14 Extremely, one of the best digital camera telephone you should purchase proper now. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

In consequence, photographs from the Xperia 1 VI are superb, however a step down from the best round. Not making any adjustments appears like a missed alternative for Sony in such a aggressive discipline. 

Regardless of this, in good lighting situations, you’re unlikely to be disenchanted. The overwhelming majority of check photographs I took had been very good, providing glorious element and dynamic vary. In contrast to most telephone cameras, photographs are additionally impressively true to life. 

Publicity generally is a little extra temperamental, however once you get it proper, photos look very skilled. In my expertise, it’s equally effectively suited to each the pure world and concrete environments. 

You should utilize the primary lens for portrait-style photographs, although I most well-liked to face just a little additional again and go for the telephoto as a substitute.  

The 12Mp, f/2.3 lens can transfer constantly between 3.5x and seven.1x optical zoom, making it extra versatile than most different digital camera telephones. There’s a small drop-off in high quality in comparison with 1x photographs, nevertheless it’s nothing like as important as digital zoom. 

And the ‘bokeh’ background blur is superb, doing an excellent job of detecting the place the topic ends and the background begins. I examined it on an individual, canine and chicken, and there have been no weaknesses. 

One other huge motive to make use of the telephoto lens is for close-up macro photographs, that are hands-down one of the best I’ve ever taken on a smartphone. Whether or not you need to take photographs at 120mm, 360mm (equal) or one thing in between, the helpful focus peaking function ensures you get an ideal shot each time. 

There’s a clear step down in high quality once you swap to the 12Mp ultrawide, nevertheless it’s not as dramatic as one some telephone cameras. You may nonetheless get some spectacular photos with that full 123˚ discipline of view. 

Nevertheless, all three lenses wrestle much more in low gentle. You will get some superb photographs at evening, nevertheless it often struggles with shadows and noise. I’ve examined a couple of glorious low-light telephone cameras just lately – this isn’t one in every of them. 

The 12Mp front-facing digital camera is way more spectacular, providing clear, detailed selfies and the choice for lifelike background blur. 

The Xperia 1 VI nonetheless has a novel two-stage bodily shutter button, the place a half press is used to focus earlier than you press down totally to seize it. Alongside a quantity rocker that doubles as zoom controls, it feels lots such as you’re utilizing a devoted digital camera.

One huge plus level for the Xperia 1 VI is that Sony now not has three separate digital camera apps – the choices from Images Professional, Video Professional and Cinema Professional are all now included in the primary digital camera app. 

Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a sense that the telephone is finest for individuals who need to take advantage of these pro-level settings. With a little bit of high quality tuning, you may most likely take stellar photographs, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a way in need of one of the best level and shoot telephone cameras. 

On condition that there was once two apps devoted to it, it’s additionally value mentioning video. The Xperia 1 VI can seize footage in as much as 4K at 60fps, although this may use lots of cupboard space. The default FHD at 30fps is ok, however publicity and element each take a success in comparison with stills. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 5000mAh battery
• Two-day battery life more often than not
• 30W wired charging, 15W wi-fi

The Xperia 1 VI has a 5000mAh battery, which is a quite common capability for contemporary smartphones. 

Nevertheless, Sony is claiming two full days of battery life, which made me do a double take after I first noticed it. Can the telephone actually final 48 hours or extra on a single cost? 

Because it seems, sure it may well! All through my testing time, I used to be going two and even three full days between costs, regardless of utilizing the telephone for 2-3 hours per day. 

Granted, this was principally whereas on Wi-Fi and dealing from residence. However even on these days with excessive brightness, cellular information and GPS navigation, I ended the day with loads of cost to spare. 

Our common PCMark battery check displays that – a rating of 14 hours and 55 minutes ranks it simply exterior the highest 10 finest battery life telephones we’ve reviewed. 

Nevertheless, charging isn’t fairly as spectacular. The Xperia 1 VI solely helps 30W wired USB-C speeds, and there’s no charger included within the field. Utilizing a 65W one I personal, it reached 52% after half an hour, with 0-100% taking 80 minutes. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Qi wi-fi charging at 15W and reverse wi-fi charging are additionally supported.

Software program & Apps

• Runs Android 14
• Clear, slick consumer expertise
• 3 years OS updates, 4 years safety

Out of the field, the Xperia 1 VI runs Android 14, the newest model of Google’s working system on the time of writing. 

The software program expertise is refreshingly near what you’ll discover on Pixel telephones, with no cluttered design or off-putting pop-ups or advertisements. It appears like Android as Google supposed it to be. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The truth is, the one actual distinction I seen is what Sony calls ‘Aspect sense’. Primarily, it’s a shortcut bar that gives easy accessibility to key apps and features. Personally, I discovered it extra annoying than helpful, however it may well simply be turned off. 

Sony has included a couple of apps of its personal – Music Professional, Video Creator and Exterior monitor – however most could be uninstalled. And shifting all the primary digital camera features inside one redesigned app makes an enormous distinction.

When it comes to updates, Sony is supporting the telephone with three main OS variations and 4 years of safety patches. Meaning it ought to stand up to and together with Android 17, plus additional help till 2028. 

It’s not dangerous, however just a little underwhelming by trendy requirements. Samsung and Google each provide seven years of each on their flagships, whereas even the Xiaomi 14 and 14 Extremely provide 4 OS and 5 safety. 

Value & Availability

At launch, the Xperia 1 VI prices £1,299 within the UK when purchased outright. 

It’s out there direct from Sony, but in addition by way of Amazon, AO and Very. 

Alternatively, you may see one of the best contract choices within the widget beneath. 

Nevertheless, in contrast to the Xperia 1 V, the 1 VI isn’t out there within the US. 

That outright worth within the UK places it in direct competitors with a few of the costliest flagships round, together with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely (from £1,249), Xiaomi 14 Extremely (from £1,299) and iPhone 15 Professional Max (from £1,199). 

For most individuals, a type of shall be a better option. 

Do you have to purchase the Sony Xperia 1 VI?

The Xperia 1 VI is a big change for Sony, bringing the design and show of its flagship consistent with different Android telephones. Whereas it’d sound like a downgrade, the telephone advantages because of this. 

Different highlights embrace robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 efficiency, glorious battery life and superb zoom and macro photographs. 

Nevertheless, the remainder of the digital camera expertise is a step down from one of the best digital camera telephones round, whereas sluggish charging and occasional overheating points are irritating. 

In the end, once you’re paying this kind of cash for a telephone (or committing to a protracted, costly contract), it is advisable to make sure that it’s the suitable gadget for you. And for most individuals, these flaws imply that’s not the case. 

Specs

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset   
• 12GB RAM  
• 256GB inner storage (expandable as much as 1.5TB by way of Micro-SD) 
• 6.5-inch, 1080 x 2340 LTPO OLED show, 120Hz  
• 48Mp, f/1.9 essential digital camera with OIS   
• 12Mp, f/2.3-3.5 telephoto digital camera with 3.5x-7.1x optical zoom and OIS 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digital camera 
• 12Mp, f/2.0 front-facing digital camera 
• 5000mAh battery   
• 30W wired charging
• 15W wi-fi charging
• Reverse wi-fi charging 
• 5G   
• Twin stereo audio system   
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4 
• NFC   
• IP65/IP68 water and dirt resistance   
• Android 14 
• 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm 
• 192g