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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  • Shui8
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  • 24 Jun 2019

[deleted post]While the Xperia 1 videography is undeniably great, the skills up to the beholder. And dont forget there are still cons on Cinema Pro app as per gsma mentioned. Eitherway credit to Sony as at least there are various improvement from their previous phone.

Check out this Cinematic Video taken using Huawei Mate 20 - https://youtu.be/M9rhRhgOThk

    VectorR, 24 Jun 2019I'm an experienced Android user who like to make great effo... moreThen you are not experienced.
    You still don't get it do you son? You are talking about the app, not the camera itself. Any flagship can take awesome footage if you go for it.
    Stop trolling enough is enough.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • vV5
      • 24 Jun 2019

      [deleted post]HDR should retain texture and detail, Samsung S10 HDR tend to make it flat means find no shadow no hightlight. A HDR should have some tolerance shadow and highlight WITH texture and detail retained!
      Samsung take softer image because it has more software algorithm to smear out the texture and detail, it is no way a DSLR will do like this. Furthermore when it is preview in Whatsapp the compressed image from a smeared image will even lost more detail if you zoom in to watch it.
      While the Xperia 1 isn't over sharpening the image but with more detail and texture are retained!

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        • Anonymous
        • 4QP
        • 24 Jun 2019

        [deleted post]You're troll. And I never said it was bad. You keep twisting everyone's word to suite whatever claim you want to make.
        And you are again avoiding the fact that the link you provided in fact proves my words correct and yours incorrect.

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          • Anonymous
          • 4QP
          • 24 Jun 2019

          Denis Thomas, 24 Jun 2019Natural is worse? Sorry but it's NATURAL for a reason. Whet... moreAccuracy is technically better. But that doesn't help you cause the only things the x 1 does better is color accuracy and not by any large means. And you can easily tone them down with the more advanced ui of the Galaxy. On top of already doing better in HDR, detail, video, and low light.

          But like you said for professional photographers just adjust a really quick easy setting or two is nothing. So you're only further proving the Galaxy has the edge.
          Is that a matter of Samsung having many years more experience in fine tuning phone sensors and especially the 12mp ones, or the ISP, or both and the lens? Possibly so. But the results speak for themselves.
          Is it possible given perfect tuning to both one...even the x1... Could possibly do slightly better? Probably...but by how much even?
          But Samsung has way more advantages while Sony's main advantage is slightly more accurate colors out of box. That's about it.

            Denis Thomas, 24 Jun 2019Natural is worse? Sorry but it's NATURAL for a reason. Whet... moreI'm an experienced Android user who like to make great effortless photos on $1k smartphone and I DON'T want to be bothered with alternative camera apps, playing with manual settings every time I want to catch a moment etc. Again, I expect to get effortless awesome shots in auto mode straight out of the box from $1k camera phone which Xperia 1 is positioned as. And unfortunately Sony can't deliver this again.

              Denis Thomas, 24 Jun 2019Natural is worse? Sorry but it's NATURAL for a reason. Whet... moreYes, exactly. Natural is worse indeed for mobile photography. And I can't see Xperia 1 photos to be natural at all. Here is another video from Concept Creator:
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3J3iGw_D80&t=367s
              How can blown out skies on Xperia 1 shots compared to Galaxy S10 be natural? Also look at the first flower shots. Galaxy S10 photos look better in most situations throughout that review. S10 dynamic range is beyond comparison. I see Sony photos look bad, not natural at all.

                Anonymous, 24 Jun 2019Accuracy is objectively better though. But even with the Ga... moreAnd finally something we agree on!

                  VectorR, 24 Jun 2019Whatever you like it or not but natural flatter dull photos... moreNatural is worse? Sorry but it's NATURAL for a reason. Whether you like it or not son it's a matter of preference.
                  Photographers like me who use their phones for photography demand flat natural photos and videos because they provide insane dynamic range and a much wider room for post processing.
                  I'm by no means your average smartphone user. I upload my photos and taking part in online challenges with them.
                  Your average smartphone user will say the photo that pops is the better one, a good photographer on the other hand will say meh.

                  It's true that the 2x zoom is useless, on any phone. Just go closer or move further from your subject to get the result you are after. This stands for all 2x zoom cameras and yes i agree that the periscope 5x zoom cameras are the way to go.

                  And as I already stated, your point of argument is an app here. Xperia 1 (as well as other latest flagship) is able to take amazing photos. The app is to blame here. Samsung's stock, Sony's stock etc they all have limitations and feature locks, especially the stock video app on both.
                  These apps are by no means the definition of the cameras on the phones themselves. For example Sony stock camera app has really limited HDR processing. Download another camera app (like open camera) and see the true potential of your phone.

                  Xperia 1 has by no means a bad camera, same goes for sammy etc. It's the stock camera app to blame here.
                  Experienced android users (not your average YouTuber who keeps a phone for a month, mind you) download apps that are way more advanced than stock phone apps.
                  Let it be for photography, video, music, storage and pretty much everything on a smartphone.
                  Do your argument is nonsensical, because it's about your clueless phone user who still takes photos holding the phone vertically. You are actually saying that Sony's camera app is bad and you don't know that. Still by all means it's not a bad app, it's just not as versitile as I would like to be.

                  So I'm sorry but get more advanced on the matter then have an opinion. Here is another example. The video from open camera is maybe noisy as hell, but the detail and exposure it has is miles ahead from the Sony stock video app.
                  https://youtu.be/uVlgBQ1pV5s

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4QP
                    • 24 Jun 2019

                    VectorR, 24 Jun 2019Whatever you like it or not but natural flatter dull photos... moreAccuracy is objectively better though. But even with the Galaxy you can switch to manual controls and tone down vibrancy.

                    I know we have manual mode but we should really get some control over processing and have a more calibrated option to choose from.
                    It's kind of sad how limited some things are still.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • 4QP
                      • 24 Jun 2019

                      Denis Thomas, 23 Jun 2019Ill share with you this.. let's talk about dynamic range an... moreOk... First of all... This was nothing but you side tracking the fact that you shared a link with a claim to which the video actually contradicted your claim.

                      And after being proven wrong you jump to another link to try to keep making your claim instead of admitting how excessively wrong you were.

                      And on top of that you did it whole making a million other claims just as wild.
                      First of all duh? Our image results of any decent sensor in a phone are limited by post processing. And for years that was especially true for Sony among others.
                      That video didn't stand out as best HDR in the world on a phone. You are so far stuck in your delusions of a Sony world it's scary.
                      But yes. It's a pleasing video and one thing you seemed to have improved was panning.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 4QP
                        • 24 Jun 2019

                        Denis Thomas, 23 Jun 2019You mean unbiased if they criticising Xperia ya? You seem... moreYou are the only one criticising here. You are saying they shouldn't be trusted because they mentioned the horrible resale value of a device or brand. However they clearly mentioned it in the aspect of that had they made the wrong purchase and wanted to sell it and get their monies worth back they could not.
                        Yet you are manipulating that into saying they only bought something to sell it and trying to make it sound negative on their end. Which is clearly not what they said.
                        Also who are you to say that even that's wrong or has something to do with hate or a reason for them to not be trusted. Someone could under certain circumstances make money that way... Or even maybe you know.... Try more devices that way.
                        But again it's clear to anyone with basic reading comprehension not even what they said.

                        And it's bias and bad mouthing if it's true about something you don't agree with??

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 4QP
                          • 24 Jun 2019

                          VectorR, 23 Jun 2019I won't believe it until I get all three above mentioned ph... moreYour either wrong or had faulty devices. Not only does enabling HDR make a difference but making it auto rather than on makes an even bigger difference. And the s9+ definitely can rival the pixel 2 and 3 in HDR.
                          The only catch is the auto exposure might be a little higher on the Galaxy at times which is as easy as tapping a lighter or darker area to adjust it.

                            Denis Thomas, 22 Jun 2019Then you doing it wrong. He is not credible at all when he ... moreWhatever you like it or not but natural flatter dull photos are worse than oversaturated ones like s10s indeed. And 98% of people making photos on a smartphone will agree with me :). That's why I prefer Galaxy S10+ photos over Pixel 3 for instance. Your S10 oversaturation statement is not correct by the way. Samsung cameras just add a pinch of vibrancy to the photos to make them look fresher and pleasing to eyes. This is what I'd do and what I'm doing with my Pixel 3 photos anyway :). Life is full of shades of grey, boredom and dullness so I like Samsung's, LG or Xiaomi approach to smartphones photo processing.

                              Denis Thomas, 22 Jun 2019And since we are here to claim stuff based on other people ... moreFlashingDroid is a Sony adorer and everybody knows that. It is pointless to talk about him. What about SuperSaf's review were S10+ completely destroys Xperia 1?
                              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGxxS9XQ-1w&t=276s
                              Very convincing detailed video review for me. But I know you will say that he is a Samsung fan :). Oh, forgot to mention about useless Xperia 1 2x zoom. Yes, S10+ has the same thing. But this is just pathetic comparing to what Huawei and Oppo flagships can offer. And again, not using advantages of 48MP sensor and pixel binning technology is another Sony's stupid mistake.

                                Anonymous, 23 Jun 2019Omg!!!! You shared a link claiming it shows the Xperia has ... moreIll share with you this.. let's talk about dynamic range and Xperia cameras again shall we? https://youtu.be/X7H9SEk29sY

                                XZ Premium beats everything in the market in dynamic range and all was needed was a little tweaking in the algorithm. It's camera is insanely good in everything, Im also a user in Gurushots? A website for photographers worldwide and I'm on my way to the top with XZ Premium. On the last challenge i participated I was in the top 20% worldwide without even a DSLR camera! Many other lower ranking photographers were even professionals. That's something for a smartphone don't you think?

                                The problem is that all manufacturers camera software overprocesses with over the top saturation and contrast. If you find an app that let's you unlock your cameras full potential you'll see that Xperia phones have insanely great cameras, that record perfect videos like the one I recorded.

                                Now after watching this video, show me 1 phone that has this insane dynamic range and natural processing. It's like you are there you can't deny that!! And all it takes is a small 6mb app. Any phone can produce professional videos if you think about it.

                                The argument here is about Sony's camera app, not Xperias camera as a whole.

                                Never again oversaturated and crushed shadows for me thank you.

                                  Anonymous, 23 Jun 2019Did you even watch it??? The s10 crushed the x 1 in HDR an... moreDude Xperia is awesome. It picks foliage details much better than Samsung's oil painting results. There was no oversharpening im afraid, it's detail. The grass in not one green uniform colour the Samsung awful camera picks, it's downright terrible. No one wants that.

                                    VectorR, 23 Jun 2019Usually before buying a smartphone I watch reviews from sev... moreYou mean unbiased if they criticising Xperia ya?
                                    You seem to be a marketing sheep if you mentioning the leading marketing companies. They don't have better phones because they market the hell out of them kiddo.
                                    If you buy a phone based on marketing and if you can sell it later,why buy it in the first place? This is a marketing companies do. They want to make you feel the need to buy the latest, they want you their sheep, even if your current phone does everything the new one does, only 10% worse.
                                    So why, why would anyone take you seriously if you do this? If you indeed buying and selling later you don't value the money you keep bragging about.
                                    So, that's all with you. Xperia 1 is as generic as Samsung s10 and p30 now, and yet you people still complaining.
                                    It seems you have a problem with the name Sony in general.

                                      AnonD-82756, 09 Jun 2019Yeah do you think its worth itPersonally I don't. I'd recommend the Asus ZenFone 6 "6z". Or if you want IP68 and wireless charging then I'd say get the Samsung S10 Plus. Better all-round phones, certainly better battery life on the ZenFone

                                        Denis Thomas, 22 Jun 2019Then you doing it wrong. He is not credible at all when he ... moreUsually before buying a smartphone I watch reviews from several entrusted people whos opinion coincided with my one before. Sometimes I read reviews and always look for xda-developers forums. Couple of really bad photo samples from real unbiased people and trusted reviewers were enough to stop me buying Xperia 1. So there is absolutely no need to waste money buying a new phone, mate. Especially when the re-sale value of Sony smartphones in my country is very poor. Yes, no one need Sony phones down here, sorry. Everyone is happy with Apple, Samsung and Huawei.

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