A recent firmware update for the Sony Xperia 1 IV enhanced the performance of the telephoto camera.
The classic Xperia camera phone from Sony is back, and it looks better than ever. In addition to the most potent Snapdragon processor and one of the most exciting camera setups with a one-of-a-kind continuous optical zoom, the new Xperia 1 IV brings back the iconic 4K display.
The Xperia 1 IV maintains the classic Xperia form thanks to Sony’s consistency in design. A smartphone that can withstand water and has a good grip for mobile photography. Over the past few years, this has consistently been the situation. Other great improvements include a bigger battery and an upgraded back panel that now uses Gorilla Glass Victus. And louder speakers with more bass.
Most people will focus on these two significant changes to the camera first. The configuration of a 12MP main, a 12MP telephoto, a 12MP ultrawide, and a ToF camera is still in use.
What will you see here?
Price and Availability
The cost of the Sony Xperia 1 IV will deter all but the most devoted customers.
The phone is available in the US for $1,599.99, which gives you a 512GB storage device. In the UK, it costs £1,299.99 and comes with 256GB of storage. Don’t anticipate a debut in Australia because Sony hasn’t sold its most recent generations of phones there.
With the Xperia 1 IV, Sony released it with special consideration for Europe. While the US must wait until September 1 to use it, it was made available there on June 16. Although it would appear like there was a significant gap between launch and availability, it was far less than the business has often done with Xperia launches in the past. Therefore, although Sony competes on par with similarly priced storage powerhouses in the UK, it costs more in the US.
Sony Xperia 1 IV – Hardware and Design
The only visual differences between the new Xperia 1 IV and the Xperia 1 III are that the physical button that launched the Google Assistant last year has been removed, and The SIM tray has been relocating to the new device’s bottom. It indicates that the next phone will continue to be a rectangular glass metal slab which is somewhat longer and flatter than other phones currently on the market. Sony chose a 21:9 aspect ratio because it is the ideal phone for widescreen.
The 6.5-inch, 4K 120Hz OLED display from the Xperia 1 III from the previous year is back, although it’s much brighter this time. It’s a significant increase over last year’s generally subpar brightness level, though Sony could not provide specific statistics. While it isn’t as bright as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it is now more than adequate for use outside on sunny days. The screen brightness of the Pixel 6 Pro is unquestionably inferior to this.
Photo quality
Like the other high-end Xperia phones, the Xperia 1 IV’s primary camera produces excellent daytime images. As Sony stated, all photographs had accurate white balance, and the colors were consistently true to life. The 12MP samples are exceptionally clear and detailed. The natural rendering, notably noticeable over greenery and random detail, is the nicest feature. Apple has to learn from this and implement it.
The dynamic range also merits praise; it is generally excellent and is enhanced by Auto HDR, but it never overreaches. All the images show strong contrast, and some of the shadows are slightly darker than we would have wanted, but these are minor flaws.
Overall, the Xperia 1 IV’s primary camera produces some of the best modern smartphone images taken in daylight. Each image has admirably crisp centers and a wealth of detail. Due to the characteristics of the ultrawide-angle lens, the sharpness diminishes significantly outside the center.
Display
The Sony Xperia 1 IV’s display is much the same as that of the Mark 3 model. That means it has a 6.5-inch OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz, 4K resolution, and a 21:9 aspect ratio. As usual, it looks excellent.
The Xperia screen rarely reaches 4K, which is fine because you don’t need to see your compressed Instagram photos at that aspect ratio, and doing so would quickly deplete the battery. However, when you play games or watch clips with a higher resolution. High resolution kicks in, providing an excellent viewing experience.
Sony claims that the Xperia IV shines 50% brighter than its predecessor, which is the biggest improvement over the previous model. The phone screen was easier to view in bright outside environments than it had been in earlier generations, but we’d argue that it wasn’t bright enough.
Software
Sony’s extremely thin Android skin is placed on top of Android 12 on the Xperia 1 IV. The notification display on the phone is quite reminiscent of the one on the Pixel 6 Pro, and it functions much like pure Android. The “Side Sense” sidebar, which can be opened by double-tapping or swiping, is the most significant upgrade. It will either display a floating menu with frequently used applications. Or also start the application pairs in split-screen mode, depending on the trigger event.
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, the phone performs most tasks at a top level.
Is the Xperia 1 or 5 superior?
Based on what we’ve seen so far, the main distinction between the two devices is the screen. The Xperia 1’s screen is bigger and more detailed than the Xperia 5’s. The Xperia 5 may be the best option if you don’t emphasize on-screen quality, and it is somewhat less expensive than the Xperia 1.
Does Sony Xperia warrant a purchase?
Simply told, for Android specialists in 2021, the Sony Xperia 1 III could be the finest option. It never compromises and even provides a few things that rival products don’t. Of course, its cost, accessibility, and software may be its greatest weaknesses.
Is there a Sony Xperia in the UK?
The Xperia 1 is currently on sale in the UK, although preorders don’t have to be made directly from Sony: A free set of Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones (regularly $279) are included in the £1,299 pricing.
Conclusion
It is a well-rounded phone with a nice display, a strong CPU, and a long battery life. However, it has certain flaws, including a fingerprint reader that has trouble reading your print and a price that will probably turn off many potential consumers.
With its amazing continuous optical zoom for photos and ability to record 4K film at 120 frames per second on all three cameras, the Sony Xperia 1 IV offers some outstanding creative tools.
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