Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Variable zoom telephoto unique to any phone
- Expandable microSD storage
- Professional video tools
- Physical camera shutter button
- Headphone jack
Cons
- Expensive for what you get
- Aspect ratio divides opinion
- Thick body
- Average battery life
- Niche appeal
Full Review
Professional Photography Tools
Sony’s Alpha camera DNA runs deep in the Xperia 1 VI. The dedicated two-stage physical shutter button half-presses to lock focus, just like a DSLR. Cinema Pro and Photography Pro apps give manual control over every parameter – shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus peaking. For serious photographers, this is the only smartphone that feels like a real camera.
The Variable Telephoto
The 3.5-7.5x variable periscope telephoto is unique in smartphones. Rather than fixed focal length lenses, it optically covers the range between 3.5x and 7.5x, giving you any focal length in that range with optical quality rather than digital crop. This versatility is genuinely powerful for sports, wildlife, and portrait photography.
Expandable Storage and Headphone Jack
Both features have vanished from virtually every competitor. Sony keeps them alive, making the Xperia 1 VI genuinely friendly to photographers who shoot ProRAW and audiophiles who use wired headphones. The USB-C outputs proper audio too.
Display: Good but Not Great
The 6.5-inch OLED switched from 4K to 1080p this generation, which disappointed enthusiasts. In reality, 1080p at 6.5 inches is perfectly sharp and the panel’s brightness and colour accuracy are excellent. The 21:9 aspect ratio makes it ideal for watching films but awkward for horizontal scrolling.
Key Specifications
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB (microSD expandable) |
| Display | 6.5" OLED, 1-120Hz, 1080x2340 |
| Camera | 52MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3.5-7.5x periscope telephoto |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 30W wired, wireless charging |
| Price | From $1,299 |
Verdict
The Xperia 1 VI is for photographers and videographers who want professional-grade tools in a pocket device. The variable telephoto zoom and physical shutter button are unique features that no rival offers.