Sony Xperia 1 V review

11 May 2023


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Anonymous, 12 May 2023This phone looks like something from 2018. Nice top bezelsThe Galaxy A14 has a notch plus as-thick top bezels (of course that's an entry-level phone, but the point is that a notched/punched-hole screen doesn't necessarily mean overall thinner top bezels)

    Slavojic, 13 May 2023There are always discussions about headphone jacks and micr... moreAbsolute based legendary comment!

      Slavojic, 13 May 2023There are always discussions about headphone jacks and micr... moreSpeaking facts

        blue, 13 May 2023The battery life is a bad joke!I see you are not reading the fine print. Or trolling, who knows.
        Citation from the review, part 3: "Video test carried out in 60Hz refresh rate mode. Web browsing test done at the display's highest refresh rate whenever possible."
        Explanation: this Sony has a 4K advertised screen of 1644 x 3840 pixels. Other rivals, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, has a screen, consisting of 1440 x 3088 pixels. Moreover, another citation from the review, part 3: "the 4K resolution is not always active - that would be both a battery and app compatibility nightmare. Instead, the Xperia 1 V is rendering most of the content at extended Full HD resolution (2,560 x 1,096 px). The full 4K resolution is used primarily in multimedia apps such as Photos and video playback/streaming across different services." The Sony has almost 42% more pixels to drive in the video playback test. Also, in the web browsing test (citation from GSMArena feature labs: The tests: "The web browsing test is performed using an automated script that reloads a webpage every ten seconds."), as I see it, the page itself is stationary, there's no scrolling involved, so the LTPO technology could have eked out better results. But there are situations when using the phone where LTPO could not have helped.

          There are always discussions about headphone jacks and microSD slots. Can we please finally stop this absolutely unnecessary and nonsensical discussion?
          As I have experienced both headphone jacks and microSD slots and then losing such features here's what I have objectively inquired.

          Starting with the headphone jack first:
          1. As we see, this Sony has a 3.5 mm jack. It can be used for wired audio accessories, such as wired earphones, headphones and microphones. On top of the Bluetooth audio accessories, such as wireless earphones, headphones, microphones. That gives the device some versatility.
          2. There are additional accessories for a 3.5 mm jack that are not audio accessories, such as an IR blaster. That gives the device even more versatility and compatibility.
          3. There are no software roadblocks that some companies have introduced with Bluetooth. If the device and headphones have 3.5 mm jack, the headphones WILL work at 100% of their intended functionality.
          4. Headphone jack doesn't interfere with ingress protection. This phone is rated with IP65/IP68, the same as most Samsungs and iPhones which don't have the jack.
          5. The phones with a headphone jack don't have to be bigger in size. This Sony uses a tad less space than an S23+, both of which have almost same size display, and the 10 V is only a tad bigger than the S23.
          6. Wired 3.5mm accessories don't have batteries, as such, there's no batteries that need charging (and replacing!). Wired accessories sip only a small amount of the phone's battery when in use (and phones nowadays have big, sometimes HUGE batteries, so this is nothing to worry about), moreover, you only need to have the phone charged in order to use them. Also, there are lots of people who have first generation Buds or AirPods which batteries have pretty much died and there's no easy way to replace them. So they need to chuck them into the bin, losing the hundred or more dollars that they paid. [Personal inquiry: I bought Buds+ which were around 120 euro in late 2020 and got 2 years of warrranty (EU). In the 1.5 years of obtaining this device, I sent it to repair (got them new every time, to be exact) THREE times. There was always something with audio being quieter in one ear. When I got the 4th new pair, after around 9 months I saw that the battery couldn't keep up anymore. They always held around for 8hrs of continuous listening, now it's only around 5hrs, furthermore, at the moment BOTH ears became a lot quieter, I always have to listen at max volume. And no, I don't require hearing aids or something. Such things have never happened with my wired sets, even though I have used super cheap pairs of earphones and I am using HyperX Cloud Alphas for 4 years now.]
          7. Microphones are MILES ahead of Bluetooth ones. Even cheap earphones with a mic at a local Walmart sound better than my Buds+ or friends' AirPods Pro. It's not an elegant option, but I see why teens on TikTok use such mics for their challenges and such. Also, the Bluetooth sound quality penalty when in calls. Makes a night and day difference.
          For the record, I am not saying that wired options are always better. There are also objective reasons for why the wireless is the way, i.e. the obvious that there are no cables in the way, that they are fashionable and elegant, that they can be used with almost every device out there, ANC and ambient sound passthrough etc., however, for those, who are getting into fights of wired vs wireless, you must reconsider your mindset in order to not get lost in this always changing world. Giving us, the users, choice is never a bad thing and always a good thing.

          For the microSD slot:
          1. As we see, this Sony has a microSD card slot. This physical, external storage solution can provide the user with more storage to store files, such as videos, audio, photos, applications, etc. On top of the additional options, such as USB flash storage and cloud storage, etc. That gives the device some versatility.
          2. There are no software roadblocks or limitations that some companies have introduced with removing the microSD card. If the device has support for a microSD card, you can write literally anything onto it. Android games, Windows games (if someone did not know about this, people play full fledged AAA titles on their microSD cards, if they have a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally!), full fledged Windows OS, 4K videos, 8K videos, etc. Some cloud solutions give you the ability to mount your cloud drive in software as a disk in Finder or Windows Explorer, however, not many have such ability or require workarounds.
          3. MicroSD slot doesn't interfere with ingress protection. This phone is rated with IP65/IP68, the same as most Samsungs and iPhones which don't have the slot.
          4. The phones with a microSD slot don't have to be bigger in size. This Sony uses a tad less space than an S23+, both of which have almost same size display, and the 10 V is only a tad bigger than the S23.
          5. MicroSD slots are built-in into the phone and are away from external view, it means that it doesn't interfere with usability that other solutions may introduce. MicroSD cards don't obstruct the USB port, like USB flash drives, which means you can charge the phone and be happy with the always existing additional storage. The data in microSD cards can always be accessed, no matter the network you have, unlike cloud solutions, which rely on you having (good) internet connection and speed.
          6. Futureproofing. The microSD slot gives you the ability to cheaply and effortlessly upgrade your phone's storage in the future, if you ever have a need for it. It's better to shell out 50 greens for gigs that you need, unlike soldering new storage chips on the mainboard or buying a new phone altogether, just to get extra storage.
          7. MicroSD slot doesn't introduce privacy and security problems that other solutions introduce. Cloud solutions can be very insecure, depending on if and what is being used for data encryption and storage, how secure is the login to the cloud process, etc. They can also change policies however they like, i.e Apple's (thank god!) unsuccessful process of files stored in iCloud scanning for some illegal stuff. Yes, you may lose the microSD card, but you can always encrypt the card in a way that is almost bulletproof.
          For the record, I am not saying that microSD cards are always better. They also have their objective cons. And there are objective pros for cloud storage and other solutions, i.e. ability to access the same files from any internet connection and any computer system, cheaper cost (may depend on the deals you may get and on the prices advertised, etc). However, for those, who are getting into fights of microSD vs cloud or microSD vs no microSD, you must reconsider your mindset in order to not get lost in this always changing world. Giving us, the users, choice is never a bad thing and always a good thing.

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            • Anonymous
            • dSV
            • 13 May 2023

            blue, 13 May 2023The battery life is a bad joke!Look whose here , the Apple fan jealous off Sony

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              • blue
              • SXw
              • 13 May 2023

              The battery life is a bad joke!

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                • Anonymous
                • IBV
                • 13 May 2023

                Daany, 12 May 2023Sony enough with black/white, Black/white, Black/white spam... morelooks at my green 5 iv. "i didn't know you were black or white"

                  Anonymous, 13 May 2023When Sony basically singlehandedly pioneered most of smartp... moreToo late now with others bringing detail, aperture and reach, Sony or apple alike copying features from years ago, just who brings new cool features now?
                  Any brand improves sensors, focusing, ui etc., they just do not offer something I find exclusive and better. Not to mention this looks obviously like copying years old phones like huawei p20, still learning how to use more pixels.
                  Average phone at premium price, not much excitement, how can it be so boring. No need to know how tech works if the results are onviously behind the rest.
                  Just what they got "premium" in it that you can see in your daily life, I wish to know...

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                    • Anonymous
                    • IBV
                    • 13 May 2023

                    Wisenam, 13 May 2023No charger no usb cable,reasons for me not to buy I never ... morething has a 5k battery bigger then most flagships

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                      • AnonD-1070124
                      • n%j
                      • 13 May 2023

                      You made it so difficult, now i do not know what to choose iPhone Pro or Xperia... 😩😉

                        Ottonis, 12 May 2023You are 100% right! It's a pity they dropped the notif... moreMaybe people who are very socially active, I don't receive that many notifications so it's extremely useful to me. The notification LED light I have on my Xperia 5 II is one of the few features which ultimately made me choose this phone over Samsung alternative.

                        The fact that they dropped the notification LED is really sh*tty move by Sony imo. It's exactly these little "quality of life" features which give their phones some sense over Apple/Samsung alternatives. With even these disappearing, it's hard to justify the price tag.

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                          • Wisenam
                          • BiP
                          • 13 May 2023

                          No charger no usb cable,reasons for me not to buy I never buy without a charger,Sony want my money no chance,needs bigger battery

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                            • Anonymous
                            • mQS
                            • 13 May 2023

                            David, 11 May 2023Anyone else a bit disappointed with the textured back and r... moreGood point, i would've preferred it too for a bit more "premium feel" of being more smooth surface, but each has its own advantages and preferences

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                              • Anonymous
                              • mQS
                              • 13 May 2023

                              Anonymous, 11 May 2023It has 16GB unlock version for Japan. Imx989 does not hav... moreYou would think some what that guy's saying sounds so stupid it would be sarcasm about demanding over spec-ed devices every year but by the sounds of it i guess not lol

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                                • Anonymous
                                • mQS
                                • 13 May 2023

                                vrvly, 11 May 2023When they copy apple, but can't even bring hi res... ... moreWhen Sony basically singlehandedly pioneered most of smartphone features that are later adopted by everyone else; but general mass people are too willfully ignorant to know and understand even basic aspects of the tech they use.
                                Besides the modern format capacitive touchscreen smartphones, and propagation to adoption fingerprint sensors, Apple has rarely introduced anything new or original and are always years behind in adopting new tech
                                "HiRes" or whatever is just basically another marketing name like "retina" which doesn't even necessity provide the best or even most optimal results
                                Unless you mean just simply resolution which in of itself shows your tech illiteracy, and that you don't even have any idea of what's exact the new tech that in this new Sony sensor so there wouldn't be any point explaining since you've refused to learn anything about camera sensors for this long

                                Each company just had different approaches and design for a specific type of consumer take as much as possible while giving back the least they can afford
                                I would say no need to be such an willfully ignorant useful idiot for Apple but it comes without saying; just so expected and common, the exact kind of people and attitude that I suspect Apple might've always wanted to foster so they can more easily take advantage and use you as public meatshield while they making you believe it's your own idea to willingly do so

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • mQS
                                  • 13 May 2023

                                  sunsetnova, 11 May 2023mediocre battery lifeAnd you would even know because of any empirical data source that you could provide and share with us?

                                    Video Pro app record video in full 4K (3860x2160) at 120fps (only Cinema Pro rec at 21:9 4K cropped).

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • uCm
                                      • 13 May 2023

                                      No Dolby Vision on flagship in 2023? Please have some dignity by quitting the race, Sony

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                                        • Anonymous
                                        • bJb
                                        • 13 May 2023

                                        The point of having removable micro SD is let say you are on a vacation and you are taking a lot of photo and videos in 4k, you could pop out the card and swap out a fresh one instantly like mirrorless/dslr, so you doest need to pay for extra Cloud service/ or roaming/ limited data plan in other country, and you cant possibly switching on your laptop on the road constantly for USB-C back up right. it even can use as dual sim if u doest need that SD card, it is useful for heavy photographer but not so useful for casual usage.

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