The Xperia 1 VI isn’t a standout phone like its predecessor, but that’s a good thing

In terms of smartphones, Sony has at all times executed issues a bit of in a different way. 

Its latest Xperia handsets have been one thing of an outlier, choosing a tall, slender 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 an alternative, the 19.5:9 facet ratio is rather more in step 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 cellphone for over per week to search out out.

Discover out what telephones Sony is up towards 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, slender construct we’ve come to affiliate with Xperia handsets is gone, changed by one thing that’s much more mainstream. 

The full dimensions of the cellphone 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 attainable (albeit not significantly snug). Regardless of being barely heavier than earlier than, it’s nonetheless one of many lighter telephones round, at 192g. 

I firmly imagine that this transfer advantages the person expertise, however there’s little doubt the 1 VI feels lots like every other Android flagship. The hallmark of a Sony cellphone 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 individual, and the inexperienced one is my private favorite. 

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

It additionally makes the cellphone 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 high shattered and there was a major dent within the aluminium body. 

That is stunning, given the again of the cellphone is provided with Gorilla Glass Victus, which producer Corning particularly says survived “drops onto exhausting, 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 anxious about the way it would possibly fare. Should you plan on utilizing the cellphone round any exhausting 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 could survive submersion in as much as 1.5m of water for half-hour and is totally sealed towards mud. 

Not like most telephones, there are a number of attention-grabbing issues to notice on the perimeters of the cellphone. Essentially 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 without 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 simple to arrange, quick and dependable. Another corporations ought to take word. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

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

Display & 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 major downgrade on paper. 

The 4K, 21:9 panel is gone, changed by a Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) model at 19.5:9. Should you’re one of many individuals who loved watching 4K motion pictures in your cellphone, it will come as an enormous disappointment. 

Nevertheless, if that’s not essential to you, the Xperia 1’s display will most likely swimsuit you higher. The 6.5-inch OLED is now LTPO, which means it could robotically drop all the best way right down to 1Hz while you don’t want that easy 120Hz refresh charge, benefitting battery life. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The display additionally will get impressively vibrant – I recorded 723 nits, and a side-by-side demo subsequent to the Xperia 1 V proved how a lot brighter it could get. Because of this, outside visibility is great, even in direct daylight. 

Additionally, apart from supported movies, the decrease decision isn’t as a lot of a problem as you would possibly anticipate. Content material nonetheless seems to be 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 characteristic, the Xperia 1 VI’s show is rather 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 vulnerable 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
• Very good 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 best cellphone chipset on the time of writing, and it reveals. Alongside 12GB of RAM, efficiency is solely very good in all situations. 

The vast majority of the time most individuals spend on a cellphone entails duties that may’t push the Xperia 1 VI near its efficiency limits. My typical every day duties embody net shopping, messages, electronic mail, watching movies and taking some pictures, usually rapidly switching between them. 

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 virtually definitely software program bugs somewhat than any lack of energy. 

Whenever you wish to take issues up a notch, the Xperia 1 VI may deal with it. I performed a number of of the Play Retailer’s most demanding video games – Asphalt 9, Name of Responsibility: Cell, Genshin Impression and PUBG Cell in an finally futile try to push the cellphone to its limits. 

It’s exhausting to consider any scenario the place the 1 VI wouldn’t have sufficient efficiency, even for essentially the most devoted energy customers. 

Nevertheless, you’ll have to take care of a major build-up of warmth. It occurs whereas enjoying these video games, as you would possibly anticipate, but additionally sometimes throughout on a regular basis duties resembling taking pictures or watching YouTube. When charging, it turns into uncomfortably sizzling 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 accessible within the UK provides 256GB of storage. Which 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, after all, and NFC for contactless funds. 

Cameras

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

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

It means the cellphone continues 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, the perfect digicam cellphone you should buy proper now. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Because of this, pictures 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 disillusioned. The overwhelming majority of check pictures I took had been very good, providing glorious element and dynamic vary. Not like most cellphone cameras, pictures are additionally impressively true to life. 

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

You should use the primary lens for portrait-style pictures, although I most well-liked to face a bit of additional again and go for the telephoto as an alternative.  

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

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

One other massive purpose to make use of the telephoto lens is for close-up macro pictures, that are hands-down the perfect I’ve ever taken on a smartphone. Whether or not you wish to take pictures at 120mm, 360mm (equal) or one thing in between, the helpful focus peaking characteristic ensures you get an excellent shot each time. 

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

Nevertheless, all three lenses battle much more in low mild. You may get some superb pictures at evening, nevertheless it repeatedly struggles with shadows and noise. I’ve examined a number of glorious low-light cellphone cameras just lately – this isn’t one among them. 

The 12Mp front-facing digicam is rather more spectacular, providing clear, detailed selfies and the choice for reasonable 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 digicam.

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

Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a sense that the cellphone is finest for individuals who wish to take advantage of these pro-level settings. With a little bit of advantageous tuning, you may most likely take stellar pictures, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a way in need of the perfect level and shoot cellphone cameras. 

Provided that there was 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 it will use numerous cupboard space. The default FHD at 30fps is okay, 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 once I first noticed it. Can the cellphone actually final 48 hours or extra on a single cost? 

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

Granted, this was largely whereas on Wi-Fi and dealing from house. However even on these days with excessive brightness, cell 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

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

Software program & Apps

• Runs Android 14
• Clear, slick person 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 meant it to be. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Actually, the one actual distinction I seen is what Sony calls ‘Aspect sense’. Basically, it’s a shortcut bar that provides easy accessibility to key apps and capabilities. Personally, I discovered it extra annoying than helpful, however it could simply be turned off. 

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

When it comes to updates, Sony is supporting the cellphone 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 assist till 2028. 

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

Worth & Availability

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

It’s accessible direct from Sony, but additionally by way of Amazon, AO and Very. 

Alternatively, you may see the perfect contract choices within the widget beneath. 

Nevertheless, not like the Xperia 1 V, the 1 VI isn’t accessible within the US. 

That outright value 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 kind of will likely be a better option. 

Must you purchase the Sony Xperia 1 VI?

The Xperia 1 VI is a major change for Sony, bringing the design and show of its flagship in step with different Android telephones. Whereas it’d sound like a downgrade, the cellphone advantages consequently. 

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

Nevertheless, the remainder of the digicam expertise is a step down from the perfect digicam telephones round, whereas sluggish charging and occasional overheating points are irritating. 

Finally, while you’re paying this type of cash for a cellphone (or committing to an extended, costly contract), you must make sure that it’s the appropriate 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 digicam with OIS   
• 12Mp, f/2.3-3.5 telephoto digicam with 3.5x-7.1x optical zoom and OIS 
• 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam 
• 12Mp, f/2.0 front-facing digicam 
• 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