Sony Xperia 1 V review
The Sony Xperia 1 V is a unique smartphone that packs advanced features in its camera department. The device boasts a fresh new XMOR T sensor, which is 1.7 times larger than last year's flagship phone, resulting in better low-light performance and excellent color reproduction. While it excels in capturing natural colors, the dynamic range could be stronger. The primary sensor delivers impressive results, with vivid subjects and pleasant contrast. However, capturing stunning bright blue skies is a challenge for this camera. The addition of an ultra-wide-angle snapper (16mm XMOR RS) is useful but not particularly special. The telephoto shooter (85-125mm Exmore RS) allows up to 15.6 times zoom but struggles in bright light and softer indoor conditions. The Cinema Pro app provides full control over focus, sensor selection, and settings for video recording. It can shoot Ultra HD footage at up to 120 frames per second with all three lenses, offering impressive flexibility. However, colors and detail levels may suffer when switching outside of the main sensor. In terms of general usage, the Xperia 1 V feels like a well-rounded smartphone, with a comfortable design, decent battery life, and snappy performance. The device offers plenty of storage options through micro SD cards and expandability is available, which is a plus. However, it misses out on some key flagship features like wireless charging. Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 V is a step up from last year's model, offering excellent camera capabilities for those looking for DSLR-style controls or point-and-shoot performance. It's worth considering, especially for creators who want more flexibility in their smartphone. The device's price tag may be steep (over £1000), but it's an impressive offering nonetheless.
Build Quality and Design
The Sony Xperia 1 V is a smartphone that exudes a sense of premium quality from the moment you hold it in your hands. The build quality is top-notch, with a sturdy construction that feels reassuringly solid in your palm. The phone's design is sleek and minimalist, with clean lines and a subtle curve to its edges. The glass back is smooth to the touch, and the metal frame adds a nice weight to the device without making it feel too heavy or cumbersome. The overall aesthetic is understated yet sophisticated, perfect for those who prefer a more discreet smartphone look. One of the standout features of the Xperia 1 V's design is its attention to detail. Every aspect of the phone has been carefully considered, from the precision-cut glass to the subtle texture on the metal frame. Even the camera module, which might have been an afterthought in some phones, feels integral to the overall design. The buttons and ports are well-placed and easy to use, with a satisfying click to the power button and a smooth operation of the SIM card tray. The phone's dimensions are comfortable to hold, and the weight distribution is evenly balanced, making it feel like an extension of your hand rather than a separate device. In short, the Sony Xperia 1 V's build quality and design are a testament to the company's commitment to crafting high-quality devices that look and feel great in your hand. While some might find the design a bit too understated, fans of premium smartphones will appreciate the attention to detail and solid construction that goes into this device. Overall, the Xperia 1 V is a well-designed smartphone that feels like a worthy investment for those who value a premium build quality experience.
Battery Life
Battery Life: A Mixed Bag The battery life of the Sony Xperia 1 V is a mixed bag. On one hand, it's impressive to see this flagship device pack in a substantial 5000mAh battery. However, real-world usage suggests that the actual battery life falls short of expectations. In our testing, we found that the phone easily lasts a day with moderate use - including social media browsing, emails, and some gaming. However, if you're an intense user who's constantly streaming music or videos, playing games, or using GPS navigation, you might find yourself scrambling for a charger by mid-afternoon. The battery life is also affected by the display. The 4K OLED screen is stunning, but it consumes more power than lower-resolution displays. Additionally, the phone's feature-rich software and relatively fast processor also contribute to increased power consumption. On the positive side, the phone's charging speed is commendable. With Quick Charge support, you can top up your battery from empty to 80% in about an hour. However, if you're used to devices with even faster charging speeds, you might find this a bit underwhelming. Overall, while the battery life of the Sony Xperia 1 V is decent, it's not exceptional. If you're looking for a device that can easily last two days on a single charge, you might want to consider other options. However, if you prioritize features and display quality over battery life, this phone is still a great choice.
Display
The Sony Xperia 1 V boasts an impressive 6.1-inch 4K OLED display, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The first thing that struck me was the vibrant color accuracy and excellent contrast ratio. Whether I was browsing through photos or watching videos, the visuals popped with stunning clarity. One of my favorite features is the X1 Ultimate for Mobile engine, which provides an unparalleled viewing experience. The display's ability to produce deep blacks and rich colors makes it perfect for cinematic content. The 4K resolution also ensures that every detail is preserved, whether you're watching a movie or scrolling through your photos. The OLED panel's true blacks and high contrast ratio make for an immersive experience, even in bright lighting conditions. I was impressed by how well the display handled sunlight, with minimal glare and no washed-out colors. In terms of color accuracy, the Xperia 1 V excels, providing a natural and lifelike representation of hues. Whether you're viewing photos or watching videos, the display's true-to-life color reproduction is impressive. The only minor criticism I have is that the display could benefit from a higher refresh rate. While it's not necessarily a deal-breaker, it would be nice to see Sony upgrade to a 120Hz or 144Hz panel in future models. Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 V's display is a significant step up from its predecessor and provides an exceptional viewing experience. With its vibrant colors, excellent contrast ratio, and true blacks, this phone's screen is one of the best I've seen on any smartphone. If you're looking for a device with an outstanding display, the Xperia 1 V should be at the top of your list.
Camera
The camera on the Sony Xperia 1 V is a significant improvement over its predecessor, with a fresh new XMOR T sensor that promises better low-light performance and more vivid subjects. In daylight conditions, the camera delivers stunning results, with crisp and detailed photos. The colors are natural and well-reproduced, with no signs of over-processing or artificial enhancement. The camera's ability to capture vibrant contrast is impressive, and it consistently delivers great shots with a wide dynamic range. The new XMOR T sensor is indeed 1.7 times larger than the one in last year's flagship phone, and this translates to improved performance in low-light conditions. While not quite as impressive as the Galaxy s23 Ultra or the Xiaomi 13 Ultra for night photography, the Xperia 1 V still manages to produce decent results with minimal noise and artifacts. The camera app is intuitive and easy to use, with a range of manual controls available for those who want more creative freedom. The Cinema Pro app offers full control over focus, exposure, and other settings, making it ideal for videography enthusiasts. One area where the Xperia 1 V falls short is in its ultra-wide-angle and telephoto capabilities. While the 16mm XMOR RS Ultra-wide angle camera takes decent shots, it's not as consistent as the primary sensor when it comes to color capture. The variable 85-125mm Exmore RS telephoto shooter also struggles with noise and softness, especially in bright light or softer conditions. The selfie camera is a solid effort, taking respectable photos even in difficult lighting conditions. However, it's not quite as impressive as some of its rivals in this department. Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 V's camera is a significant step up from last year's model and delivers great results in most situations. While it may not be the best in class for certain features or scenarios, it's still a capable and versatile camera that will satisfy most users' needs.
Price and Value
The Sony Xperia 1 V is an intriguing device that checks several boxes for enthusiasts and creators, but its price point raises questions about its value proposition. Priced at over £1000 in the UK, the Xperia 1 V is positioned as a flagship smartphone, but it lacks some key features found on other top-tier devices. For instance, it doesn't have an LP display or support for the latest wireless charging standards. While the phone's camera capabilities are impressive, with a high-quality primary sensor and features like burst mode and excellent autofocus, the secondary cameras, including the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, feel somewhat underwhelming compared to other flagships. The selfie camera is solid but not exceptional. Considering its price, one would expect more from the Xperia 1 V's display, battery life, or additional features. However, for those who value the phone's unique blend of creative tools and features like a headphone jack and microSD card expandability, it may still be worth considering. Ultimately, the Xperia 1 V's high price point will make it unaffordable for many buyers. While it is an improvement over last year's model, its value proposition needs to be carefully weighed against other flagship options in the market.
Performance
The Sony Xperia 1 V is a powerhouse smartphone that delivers exceptional performance in various aspects. The device's 12GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor ensure seamless multitasking, rendering it ideal for demanding users. In our tests, the Xperia 1 V demonstrated impressive speeds, effortlessly handling graphics-intensive games and resource-hungry apps. The phone's UI remained snappy, even with multiple background processes running concurrently. We also noticed minimal lag or stuttering during everyday use, making this device perfect for those who rely on their phone as a primary productivity tool. The camera app is another area where the Xperia 1 V shines. With its robust processing power and dedicated camera hardware, the phone can capture stunning photos with impressive detail and color accuracy. The addition of advanced camera features like 4K recording at up to 120fps adds another layer of versatility to this device. In terms of gaming performance, the Xperia 1 V offers an exceptional experience. With its potent processor and ample RAM, users can enjoy smooth gameplay even in graphically intensive titles. We also appreciated the device's ability to cool itself efficiently, ensuring that temperatures remained within a comfortable range during extended gaming sessions. Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 V is a high-performance smartphone that exceeds expectations in terms of processing power, camera capabilities, and overall performance. If you're looking for a device that can handle demanding tasks with ease, look no further than this exceptional Android flagship.