Sony Xperia 1 review

08 June 2019
Sony has completely revamped its Xperia series yet again, and this year the common denominator is the cinematic screen. Every new Xperia smartphone gets a 21:9 panel for the most immersive viewing experience, but the Xperia 1 is special. It is the Xperia Premium reborn, with a large 6.5" OLED 4K HDR display and today we'll get to know it better.

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Dometalican, 08 Jun 2019Glad I wasn't the only one thinking this way. This was a ma... moreI'm going to have to disagree with your assessment of the review:
1) The battery life isn't that bad. Most reviewers give it 1 days worth which is average. Disappointing yes but average and quite good given it's a 4K screen.
2) Lack of a headphone jack on a smartphone should only be a concern if you're the type to listen to Radio while on the go. I live in a 3rd world Caribbean island and believe me, most people nowadays use Bluetooth headphones on their smartphones, even if their phone has a headphone jack. Wires are annoying and get in the way, especially while you're commuting.
3) "Not good enough audio" only really applies to audiophiles. These tests and comparisons for audio in the review are really detailed and I applaud GSMArena for going above and beyond but the majority of people really aren't gonna notice the difference and those who do, aren't gonna use a smartphone to get that high-quality music.
4) EVERY CAMERA produces some level of noise
5) The price will drop in the months to come as all Android flagships do.
And
6) Wireless charging well tbh it's disappointing it doesn't come with it and to be fair wireless charging would be really useful for some. So, I agree it should have included wireless charging :(
Case in point: The phone does deserve 4.6 / 5.0 and even if it doesn't, 4.2 ain't much of a difference, stop nitpicking and overthinking a review that is totally left up to the person reviewing and hence will contain bias.

    Anonymous, 08 Jun 2019All phones do worse at night not because Stabilization but ... moreI dont know exactly what trickery Sony uses, but it is ridiculously good for lowlight video.

    And just did some more thorough examinations of lowlight shots to other competitors. I must say Im even more impressed than before this review: lowest noise levels, max detail levels....
    I mean, the phone picked up detail of strains of grass in the dark areas in front of buildings... sth other just do a messy mush of.
    Example:
    https://m.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_1-review-1941p5.php#image87

    Incredible stuff.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • LQv
      • 08 Jun 2019

      Nick Tagataka, 08 Jun 2019RAW format is not the practical solution as many people now... moreGoogle Pixel and natural photos?

      It does not exist. I saw a blind test this week, they used A6400 as reference. Pixel 3 was the one totally opposite to the APSC.
      Photos are too artificial.

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        • Anonymous
        • LQv
        • 08 Jun 2019

        Tann Hauser, 08 Jun 2019H265 uses less bitrate, so yes less data for SoC to process... moreAll phones do worse at night not because Stabilization but the AF that keeps hunting in low light. No matter PDAF, Dual Pixel or Hybrid AF.

          Including headphones with a phone that will always need an adapter to actually be used with the phone is pathetic

            Levy, 08 Jun 2019No wireless charging, poor fingerprint reader performance a... moreGSMArena never said "poor fingerprint reader" what they would have stated, is the following:
            "Unfortunately, the fingerprint experience is a mixed bag. While the sensor is always-on, it doesn't work on touch but requires some pressure, slightly above the average at that. And then its accuracy is less than perfect. So, with having to press more than usual and with the recognition being not so satisfying, we'd say Sony needs to work on its performance to provide a satisfactory user experience."

              So much negativity in this comment section, for a smartphone most DO NOT OWN.
              The fingerprint sensor seems to me, to be the only real downside to the device. Inconsistency can be annoying and being the owner of an XZ premium, with a similar side mounted FPS, I could totally understand why. However, it has always worked 9 times outta 10 which is good enough for me. The only thing I really disliked about it, was the fact that I would have to press the FPS first in order for it to scan my fingerprint and then unlock the device as opposed to the Xperia 1 which has an always-on FPS that is ready to scan your print, the moment you place something on the sensor. This is what I like about the Xperia 1's FPS and would consider a plus. Therefore, I would leave whatever other reservations I have about it, for when I actually have the phone. GSMArena never said it has the worst sensor, just that it is lacking and needs further refinement.

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                • Anonymous
                • IWR
                • 08 Jun 2019

                Levy, 08 Jun 2019No wireless charging, poor fingerprint reader performance a... morebattery life is good and the fingerprint scanner can be corrected with a future update

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                  • Anonymous
                  • YhZ
                  • 08 Jun 2019

                  GSMA posts a review and purple instantly goes out of stock with Clove

                  :(

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                    • anonymous
                    • 4S2
                    • 08 Jun 2019

                    Levy, 08 Jun 2019No wireless charging, poor fingerprint reader performance a... moreNitpicking?

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                      • sergio
                      • L3G
                      • 08 Jun 2019

                      Horrible 1:1 photos ! The same and the same again. Someone please fire the developers !

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                        • Batil
                        • L1q
                        • 08 Jun 2019

                        The only thing stands between me and X1 is that cheap battery!
                        Shame on Sony.

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                          • Mike9625
                          • C7x
                          • 08 Jun 2019

                          sohail shafayat, 08 Jun 2019what if I'm disappointed at battery life? I don't want 4K a... moreThen just don't purchase it, and stop complaining. But take the facts, it's not impressive at all or bad either, considering that you will have such a great panel working on 4k all the time.

                            Anonymous, 08 Jun 2019I heard the Steadyshot works better when you aet H265 inste... moreH265 uses less bitrate, so yes less data for SoC to process by EIS.... therefore better OSS stabilisation.

                            Wish arena did some lowlight video stabilisation tests too, as Xoeria1 really shines in that aspect, with almost zero jitter or blur at all.
                            Sth none other phone can achieve as of yet.

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                              • Levy
                              • q{r
                              • 08 Jun 2019

                              No wireless charging, poor fingerprint reader performance and below average battery life are all deal breakers imo.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • IWR
                                • 08 Jun 2019

                                [deleted post]what he is trying to say that is sony's market share in mobile sector is very small
                                l agree but with correct pricing and good marketing it has the potential to become one of the major players

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • n9P
                                  • 08 Jun 2019

                                  Just compared the photos of Xperia 1 and Galaxy S10+. I was very surprised when I saw the blurriness on the Edges of Galaxy S10+'s low-light picture. The colours are just like real, I always loved Sony for the close to real colours. However they could improve the oversharpen shadows IMHO.

                                    Sony is still irrelevant in mobile.

                                    I'm a PlayStation fan. Not a Sony fan. Most Sony fans don't know the difference.

                                      TheGoldenMellifluous, 08 Jun 2019Great! Now we have a film full of comments about just-revie... moreAgreed wholeheartedly.

                                      Sony might have just released a smartphone that will finally interest its non-fans. It has flaws here and there, from the minor ones to the major one. But it is finally interesting, unlike last year's mediocrity. I'm so glad that it is finally a possible candidate for the best smartphone of the year, just like many years ago.

                                        Shanti Dope, 08 Jun 2019"Then you give a link to the comparison based on the tool "... moreIf you think you're right and know so many facts, why don't you tell me exactly how can you say those stuff about other phones, while you're an obvious sony fan? Proof it to me before you can ask other people to proof something to you.

                                        Then you said I said something that I can't back up with proofs? Think again, this time with an open mind. You're the one that can't proof anything since you don't have many of those phones, including Xperia 1 anyway. Then, I said something about being truthful, unbiased, and aware of facts, not only to sony fans but especially to others too. What do you want me to proof anyway?

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