Sony Xperia 1 VI Review: Features, Price, and Performance
Sony Xperia 1 VI
- Network Technology: GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G
- Launch: Announced May 15, 2024, Released June 03, 2024
- Body:
- Dimensions: 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
- Weight: 192 g (6.77 oz)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM + eSIM (Dual SIM option)
- Protection:
- IP65/IP68: Dust and water-resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 minutes)
- Drop resistant: Yes, MIL-STD-810G compliant
Display:
- Type: LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
- Size: 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm² (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Platform:
- OS: Android 14, upgradable to 3 major Android updates
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
- GPU: Adreno 750
Memory:
- Card Slot: microSDXC (shared with SIM slot)
- Internal Storage:
- 256GB 12GB RAM
- 512GB 12GB RAM
- UFS 4.0
Main Camera (Triple):
- 48 MP (wide), f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
- 12 MP (telephoto), f/2.3, 85mm (3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom), f/3.5, 170mm, OIS, 4cm macro @ 120mm, no AF
- 12 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 16mm, 123˚ field of view, 1/2.5", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
- Features: Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, eye tracking
- Video: 4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie Camera:
- 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm
- Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
- Features: HDR
Sound:
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
- Audio Features:
- 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res & Hi-Res wireless audio
- Dynamic vibration system
- Snapdragon Sound
Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
- Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
- Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
- NFC: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
Features:
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
- Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery:
- Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh
- Charging:
- 30W wired (PD3.0, PPS), 50% in 30 minutes
- 15W wireless
- Reverse wireless
Miscellaneous:
- Colors: Black, Platinum silver, Khaki green, Scar red
- Models: XQEC54EUKCB.GC, XQEC54EUKCG.GC, XQEC54EUKCS.GC, XQ-EC72
- Price:
- $964.50
- £909.00
- €1,081.38
Performance:
- AnTuTu: 1,612,156 (v10)
- GeekBench: 6119 (v6)
- 3DMark: 4731 (Wild Life Extreme)
Display:
- Max Brightness: 1310 nits (measured)
Loudspeaker:
- Loudness: -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Battery (New):
- Active Use Score: 17:27h
Design and Construction :
The Xperia 1 VI maintains the familiar Xperia design language, which is sleek, minimal and professional. It features high-quality glass and an aluminum frame, giving it a robust and premium feel. The phone maintains its signature 21:9 aspect ratio. This elongated shape is especially great for multimedia consumption, as it offers a more cinematic experience, whether watching movies or playing games. The front and back are made from Corning Gorilla Glass, which protects against scratches and drops.
Despite its large screen size, the Xperia 1 VI is relatively slim and lightweight, but it's still one of the larger smartphones. It's IP68 water- and dust-resistant, a key selling point for those who value the durability of their device. It also has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, as well as a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rarer on flagship models. This makes the Xperia 1 VI a great choice for audiophiles who still prefer wired headphones.
Display: A Cinematic Experience :
The Sony Xperia 1 VI features a 6.5-inch OLED display with 4K resolution (3840 x 1644 pixels), which is better than the Full HD+ displays offered by most competitors. This makes the Xperia 1 VI an absolute highlight for those who care about display quality. The 21:9 aspect ratio is not just a marketing gimmick. It is intended to mirror the cinematic aspect ratio and provide users with a more immersive viewing experience when watching movies and videos or playing compatible games. The display supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), delivering vibrant colors and high contrast, perfect for high-resolution content. Sony's BRAVIA XR engine improves color accuracy and clarity, making the screen even more realistic. The refresh rate is 120Hz, making scrolling and gaming smoother and touch response more accurate.
The addition of Cinema mode supports multiple color spaces, including BT.2020, for more accurate color reproduction, allowing you to experience movies closer to the creator's original vision.
Performance: Power under the hood :
The Xperia 1 VI is packed with power inside to meet any demand. The device is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which delivers top performance and ensures that multitasking, games, and resource-intensive applications run smoothly. Equipped with 12GB of RAM (even more on the higher-end configuration), the Xperia 1 VI ensures a lag-free experience even during heavy multitasking and demanding apps.
Storage options start at 256GB, which should be enough for most users, but it also has the added benefit of a microSD card slot for storage expansion, another feature that is becoming increasingly rare on high-end phones. This is a bonus for users who want to store large video files, photos, and games without worrying about running out of storage space.
The phone runs Android 15 overlaid with Sony's custom UI. Xperia UI is relatively clean and offers a wide range of customization options without overwhelming users with unnecessary software. Sony usually provides software updates in a timely manner, so software support extends the lifespan of the device.
Camera: Professional-level photography :
Sony has always placed a great deal of emphasis on camera technology, and the Xperia 1 VI is no exception. It features a triple camera setup that is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The main camera is a 48MP wide-angle sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, combined with a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 12MP telephoto lens that supports optical zoom. This setup enables a wide range of photography, including professional portraits, stunning landscapes, and detailed close-ups.
Sony's Eye AF technology, which uses AI to track the subject's eyes for sharp focus, remains a standout feature, especially in portraits and action photography. The real-time tracking system helps keep moving subjects in focus, making it an ideal feature for sports and fast-paced photography.
For video enthusiasts, the Xperia 1 VI offers 8K video recording capability at 30 frames per second, a rare find in smartphones. The camera system also supports HDR video recording, giving you a competitive advantage in producing high-quality video content. Additionally, the Xperia 1 VI features Cinema Pro mode, which allows manual control over settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, allowing filmmakers to capture cinematic videos directly from the phone.
On the front, the Xperia 1 VI features a 12MP selfie camera that can record 4K video, making it a great choice for content creators who value both photo and video quality.
Battery and Charging :
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which is a decent size for a flagship device. Sony has optimized the power consumption of the phone to last a full day with normal use. However, during intensive use (such as gaming or streaming 4K videos), the battery may drain faster due to the 4K display. Charging speeds are 30W, which isn't as fast as some competitors, but it's still enough to charge the phone to 50% in around 30 minutes. The Xperia 1 VI also supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, so you can use your phone to charge accessories and other devices.
Audio: Immersive Sound Quality :
One of the areas where Sony excels is audio, and the Xperia 1 VI continues that tradition. It supports Dolby Atmos and has front-facing stereo speakers, providing a great audio experience. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, so audiophiles can connect high-quality wired headphones without having to rely on adapters. The phone also supports Hi-Res Audio, making it a strong contender for those who care about sound fidelity.
Conclusion :
In summary, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is a strong offering for users looking for a high-quality multimedia experience, especially in the areas of photography, display, and sound. It offers flagship-level performance, a stunning 4K OLED display, professional camera tools, and great audio capabilities, all in a premium design. It might not be for everyone, especially those who value battery life and fast charging, but it's certainly the best choice for creative professionals, content creators, and multimedia enthusiasts looking for a smartphone that excels in these areas.
