Sony’s latest flagship phone, the Xperia 1 VII, is here, and it’s a fascinating blend of technology pulled from across Sony’s diverse hardware portfolio. This isn’t just another Android phone; it’s a showcase of Sony’s expertise in cameras, TVs, and audio players, all rolled into one premium device.
The Xperia 1 VII retains the familiar Sony design language, but packs some serious upgrades. On the camera front, it boasts a new 48-megapixel ultrawide lens with a significantly larger sensor than its predecessor, addressing a known weakness in the Xperia 1 VI. The main and telephoto lenses remain unchanged, but the addition of an AI-based auto-framing mode, borrowed from Sony’s Alpha camera technology, promises smoother video recording with automatic subject tracking. This feature, however, does reduce video resolution to Full HD to accommodate the cropping.
Sony’s audio prowess shines through as well, with high-end components directly from their Walkman line. This includes the use of higher-quality solder in the headphone jack (yes, it still has one!) and support for AI-based DSEE Ultimate upscaling, alongside Hi-Res, LDAC, and Dolby Atmos audio formats. Even the stereo speakers get a bass boost for improved audio quality.
The 6.5-inch OLED display benefits from Bravia technology, featuring smarter adaptive brightness. Sensors on both the front and back of the phone work together to more accurately adjust brightness, color gamut, and color temperature based on the surrounding environment.
Under the hood, the Xperia 1 VII is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage (via microSD). Other features include an IP65/68 rating for water and dust resistance, wireless charging, and a substantial 5,000mAh battery. However, it’s worth noting that Sony’s commitment to software updates is somewhat limited, with only four years of OS updates and six years of security patches promised – less than competitors like Samsung and Google.
The Xperia 1 VII will be available in the UK and Europe, starting at £1,399 / €1,499 (approximately $1,700). Unfortunately, there’s currently no indication of a US release. For those willing to pay a premium for a phone that showcases Sony’s technological expertise across multiple divisions, the Xperia 1 VII may just be the perfect device.
