Sony Xperia 1 VI Intro
That being said, there are some downgrades as well, so without further ado, let’s check everything about the new Sony Xperia 1 VI. This preview article will offer a preliminary look at the device, which we will soon expand to a full blown review with all tests and numbers and, of course, a final verdict. But let’s get to it, shall we?
Table of Contents:
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Sony Xperia 1 VI Specs
Wait what? No 4K display?
Let’s start with an overview of the Sony Xperia 1 VI specs:
Specs | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
---|---|
Size and Weight | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm, 192 grams |
Display | 6.5″, 19.5:9 OLED, 1-120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution (1080×2340) |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Software | Android 14 |
Cameras | Main: 48 MP (OIS, PDAF), Aperture size: F1.9; Focal length: 24 mm Ultrawide: 12MP, F2.2; Focal length: 16 mm Telephoto: 12MP, 3.5x-7.1x true optical zoom, 85-170mm Front: 12MP |
Battery Size | 5,000 mAh |
Charging Speeds | 30W wired charge 15 wireless charging |
Prices | 12/256GB for 1399 euros |
Sony Xperia 1 VI Design and Display
No more mister 21:9
![The textured Gorilla Glass is back! The available colors are Khaki Green, Platinum Silver, and Black - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![The textured Gorilla Glass is back! The available colors are Khaki Green, Platinum Silver, and Black - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
The textured Gorilla Glass is back! The available colors are Khaki Green, Platinum Silver, and Black
The new Xperia 1 VI measures 162×74mm, 3 millimeters wider and 3 millimeters shorter than its predecessor. The phone weighs just 192 grams, which is substantially lighter than many other flagships out there, which often go well above the 200-gram mark.
The overall design hasn’t changed that much. The Xperia 1 VI features the same ridged frame as the previous model and the same textured glass back. It’s supposed to emulate the grip of a real camera, and it’s certainly something different from what others are doing design-wise.
The same elongated camera system resides on the back in the upper left corner, and the cameras inside it are also pretty familiar. The display is still uninterrupted by cutouts and notches; we have the same symmetrical bezels at the top and bottom; the dedicated camera shutter button is present; and the same capacitive fingerprint scanner is here as well.
![The Xperia 1 VI retail box is as green as ever - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_168_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![The Xperia 1 VI retail box is as green as ever - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_168_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
The Xperia 1 VI retail box is as green as ever
There should be an unboxing image here, and we will provide one as soon as we get the phone. It’s almost pointless, though, because the Xperia 1 VI comes in the same recyclable paper box with nothing else inside as its predecessor. Don’t expect any case candy.
![Brighter but no 4K resolution - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_412_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![Brighter but no 4K resolution - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_412_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
Brighter but no 4K resolution
The usual side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner is on duty here. Normally, we like physical fingerprint scanners, but Sony had a fair share of issues with those, so we’re curious to see if the new one’s better.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Camera
Look, I can see my house from here!
![There's some extended zoom range in there - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_759_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![There's some extended zoom range in there - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_759_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
There’s some extended zoom range in there
The ultrawide camera is also carried over from the previous model. It’s the same 12MP, 1/2.5″ Exmor RS sensor under an f/2.2 lens. There are some changes to the telephoto camera. It now supports zoom ranges from 85mm to 170mm (3.5x to 7.1x) with everything in between, as the system can move the lens smoothly between the various focal lengths.
Stay tuned for some camera samples soon. It will be really interesting to test out the optical zoom, especially at 7.1x.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Performance & Benchmarks
Is that a vapor chamber?
![No more overheating issues hopefully - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_556_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![No more overheating issues hopefully - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_556_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
No more overheating issues hopefully
The Xperia 1 VI comes with 12GB of RAM, and it is available in two storage options, with 256GB and 512GB of onboard memory. Fret not, because the microSD card slot is still here, alive and kicking, and it supports cards with up to 1.5TB capacity.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Software
The change we’re talking about concerns the camera app. In the past, there were several apps, each taking care of one department in the camera store, so to speak. There was the photography pro app, then videography pro, and cinema pro, which governed the Hollywood-like movie-recording experience. Now those apps have all merged into one, called just Camera. Everything “Pro” is still inside, but Sony finally decided to make things simple for the non-pro user.
Other than that, it’s a typical Sony experience. Pretty clean Android with a bunch of extra features here and there. We’ll include a full rundown once we spend some time with the device.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Battery
A solid 5,000mAh cell
![Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_955_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_955_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
The difference is that now, when the phone finally has a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate and the screen has a tiny fraction of the pixels the predecessor had, Sony claims it’s a two-day phone.
We have to test this claim, of course, so stay tuned for our extensive battery tests. On the charging side, there seems to be no change. Sony doesn’t list the exact speeds supported, but we assume it’s 30W wired with support for 15W wireless charging.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Audio Quality and Haptics
![The audio jack is still there! - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_972_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![The audio jack is still there! - Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_972_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
The audio jack is still there!
The Xperia 1 VI comes equipped with a stereo, front-facing speaker system. We will judge its loudness and quality once the phone arrives at our test bench, but there’s some good news already. The 3.5mm audio interface is still present. Sony is reluctant to remove this audio connectivity, and we’re sure the fact will please many audiophiles out there.
Should you buy it?
![Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_197_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)
![Sony Xperia 1 VI Preview: Xperia goes mainstream?](https://www.phoneweek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1715787499_197_Sony-Xperia-1-VI-Preview-Xperia-goes-mainstream.jpg)