Tech Blog #178 | Sony Xperia 1 VI - More Mainstream Approach

Sony flagship smartphones are popular in Sri Lanka. Actually, it is a bit controversial because those devices won't be released in Sri Lanka. But the devices are there. Actually, those are Japanese 2nd hand devices. The main feature of these smartphones are cameras and camera apps, which are so complex. The other thing is the 4K display, which is useless in day-to-day usage. Seems like Sony has answered those problems this time. Let's talk about it with the review of the Sony Xperia 1 VI.

The Xperia 1 VI's body measures 8.2mm in thickness and weighs 192 grams. It features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, and an aluminum frame. With IP65/IP68 dust and water resistance, it is ideal for adventure photography. The rear panel's matte, grippy texture helps prevent fingerprints and oil marks, while the side frame's textured strips enhance grip. The power button, doubling as a fingerprint reader, is side-mounted, fast, reliable, and responsive, although some may prefer an under-display option. Available in Black, Platinum Silver, and Khaki Green, the Xperia 1 VI maintains a unique yet functional design.

The display is a 6.50-inch LTPO OLED with 1B colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR BT.2020 support with 1080P resolution, resulting in 396 ppi. The LTPO technology allows for variable refresh rates, contributing to better power efficiency. The screen supports 10-bit color depth, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and AI-powered algorithms for enhanced contrast, color, and clarity. With improved sunlight legibility and peak brightness up to 1,310 nits, the display delivers an excellent viewing experience under direct sunlight.

The Xperia 1 VI is Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offers top-tier performance with an octa-core CPU configuration and Adreno 750 GPU. The device comes in two memory variants: 256GB of ROM with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of ROM with 12GB of RAM, both supporting UFS 4.0 storage and microSDXC expansion. Running on Android 14, the Xperia 1 VI features optimized performance, including an FPS optimizer for balancing framerate, graphics quality, and power consumption.

The camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor with dual-pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP telephoto lens with continuous optical zoom ranging from 3.5x to 7.1x, and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. The front camera boasts a 12MP sensor with 4K video recording capabilities. The rear cameras support 4K HDR video recording at various frame rates and offer 5-axis gyro-EIS and OIS for stability. The front camera also supports 4K video recording with 5-axis gyro-EIS, ensuring high-quality video capture from both ends. And now, all the camera apps are packed in to one and it is quite convenient to use.

The Xperia 1 VI is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, supporting 30W wired charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. Despite the same battery capacity as its predecessor, the new chipset and more efficient display significantly enhance battery life. The device charges to 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible charger, although the full charge time remains around 90 minutes, which is consistent with Sony's traditionally slower charging speeds.

The Xperia 1 VI will be priced competitively to attract a wider audience while retaining its appeal to creators and power users. With its flagship performance, versatile camera system, high-quality display, and thoughtful design, the Xperia 1 VI offers a balanced package that caters to both existing Sony fans and potential new users. While it may not include a charger or cable in the box, its overall capabilities make it a strong contender in the high-end smartphone market.