Sony Xperia 1 IV review

Greatest Costs Right now: Sony Xperia 1 IV

Sony’s Xperia telephones have lengthy sat in an odd spot. The corporate insists that they’re units with mainstream enchantment, however the brand new Xperia 1 IV’s flagship options as an alternative appear designed to enchantment to a distinct segment crowd already aware of the corporate’s Alpha cameras. 

If you happen to’re a part of that area of interest, the 1 IV might effectively hit the spot – the distinctive design, distinctive show, and Alpha-inspired digital camera software program tick a variety of containers. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and the brand new Music Professional recording app might add enchantment to audiophiles too. 

However for the remainder of us, there are too many compromises elsewhere to make this cellphone a assured hit, not least within the unforgiving digital camera that rewards experience, however is just too inconsistent while you simply need to level and shoot. 

Design and construct 

• Slim and tall facet ratio 
• IP65/68 ranking and Gorilla Glass Victus 
• Device-free SIM and microSD card entry 

The Xperia 1 IV appears to be like an terrible lot like Sony’s earlier Xperia flagships – which can be to say that it doesn’t look very similar to anything in the marketplace. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

Sony nonetheless makes use of an uncommon 21:9 facet ratio for its shows, partly on the idea that it’s a superb match to the ultrawide facet ratios utilized in fashionable cinema. Throw within the reality it additionally features a slight bezel each above and under the show and the result’s a cellphone that’s taller and thinner than most rivals. 

It’s an uncommon form within the fashionable market, although I’m a fan. The slim form makes the cellphone snug to grip in a single hand, particularly since at 185g it’s comparatively gentle. It does make the display screen too tall to comfortably attain the highest with out adjusting your grip, however Android is designed so that you just not often have to anyway. 

The general look of the cellphone is much less outlandish. It’s delicate and easy, particularly within the black end, although the purple and white choices add a little bit extra of a flourish. I’m additionally a fan of the compact digital camera module, which is a welcome rebuke to the present development of cameras that sprawl throughout the entire rear of flagship fashions. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

The form isn’t the one oddity to the Xperia 1 IV. Take the water-resistance – as soon as once more Sony boasts of IP65/68 certification. That’s not a typo – in actual fact it means the cellphone is rated to be secure towards each low stress jets of water and immersion in water, primarily that means this has one of the best water-protection of any handset exterior of the devoted rugged cellphone market. 

It’s typically sturdy too, with an aluminium body and Gorilla Glass Victus on each the back and front. That mentioned, I’ve picked up small chips in two spots on the paint on the body, and a delicate scratch to black coating on the frosted glass rear, so that you’ll nonetheless need a case to maintain it in good nick. 

Different Sony-specific tweaks to the basic cellphone kind issue are photography-focussed. The apparent one is the inclusion of a knurled shutter button – which doubles as a shortcut to open the digital camera – however subtler is the tool-free entry to the dual-SIM and microSD card slot, giving creatives on the go fast entry to their recordsdata. 

Show and audio 

• Nonetheless the one 4K HDR OLED cellphone show round 
• 120Hz however not LTPO 
• Stereo audio system & 3.5mm jack 

All of Sony’s Xperia 1 telephones have featured 4K decision shows, and that hasn’t modified right here – even supposing the remainder of the market hasn’t caught up but. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

The large caveat there’s that for essentially the most half the cellphone runs at a QHD+ decision, and solely jumps as much as full 4K when displaying appropriate content material. And with no decision controls within the Settings menu, that is completely out of the person’s management. 

There are additionally a variety of cheap questions on how a lot a 4K decision issues on a cellphone this dimension, however in case you do anticipate to observe a variety of high-resolution content material – or need to have the ability to use the cellphone to test over your individual 4K footage at full decision – then that is primarily your solely possibility. 

Elsewhere, the show’s 120Hz refresh charge, HDR assist, and OLED tech are primarily par for the course in a contemporary flagship. One factor it does lack is LTPO assist, that means the refresh charge can’t scale all the best way between 1Hz and 120Hz to higher handle battery. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

See also  Monoprice 13-in-1 Dual HDMI dock review

Audio is spectacular too. As talked about above, that is mainly the one flagship cellphone round with a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it surely additionally helps Excessive-Decision Audio and LDAC for wi-fi headphones, together with aptX Adaptive, so that you received’t have to plug in to get nice audio high quality. 

The stereo audio system are punchy and crisp, and with assist for Dolby Atmos this can be a stable alternative for gaming and flicks, not simply music. 

Surprisingly, Sony can be pitching it as a tool for recording audio. The brand new Music Professional app is designed particularly for laying down recordings, permitting erstwhile musicians to report on-the-go.  

Dominic Preston / Foundry

You should utilize the cellphone’s built-in microphone, or join a wired (although not wi-fi) mic to enhance high quality. It’s doable to report a number of tracks inside one venture or use AI to separate devices from a single recording into distinct tracks. After recording you’ll be able to edit audio, cut back noise or reverb, and apply filters to duplicate the sound of Sony microphones or studio set-ups.  

The one actual limitation I’ve discovered is that initiatives are restricted to 10 minutes – so that you’ll need to report your prog rock epic elsewhere. 

Specs and efficiency 

• High specs 
• Liable to overheating 
• Wonderful haptics 

It’s arduous to fault the core specs of the Xperia 1 IV. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – till just lately essentially the most highly effective chip in the marketplace, and nonetheless the usual for 2022 Android flagships – mixed with 12GB of RAM and both 256GB or 512GB of storage, expandable additional with microSD if crucial. 

The cellphone’s precise efficiency is extra sophisticated. In lighter day-to-day use the cellphone breezes by way of every part you throw at it, so for the everyday person this may really feel quick and fluid, and can be prone to stick with it acting at that stage for a number of years. 

The issue is that the cellphone is liable to overheating. That is sadly frequent in 8 Gen 1 telephones, however seemingly exacerbated right here by Sony’s slim design, which doesn’t go away a lot area for cooling. The result’s that the 1 IV underperforms at occasions, posting among the many lowest Geekbench 5 CPU take a look at scores we’ve seen from any 8 Gen 1 {hardware}, although doing higher on the GFXBench graphical checks. 

Throttling apart, the heating issues additionally simply make the cellphone uncomfortable to make use of at heavy load. It genuinely will get unpleasantly scorching at occasions, which will probably be a selected downside for anybody hoping to make use of it for prolonged gaming classes. 

Networking at the least is superb, with 5G assist backed up by Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC.  

Biometrics come within the type of face unlock or a side-mounted fingerprint scanner constructed into the ability button. It’s broadly assumed that bodily sensors like this are superior to under-display choices, however at this level I’d disagree – I’ve discovered the scanner right here fiddly and unreliable. At occasions it struggles to recognise my finger, and at others it detects motion inside my pocket as makes an attempt to unlock to the purpose of requiring my passcode, making me miss the under-display scanners discovered elsewhere. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

To finish on an upbeat be aware, I’m a much bigger fan of the cellphone’s haptics. From notifications to typing suggestions, the little buzzes and vibrations of the Xperia 1 IV really feel improbable. I’m not often one to note haptics in some way, so I notably recognize the truth that these made me cease and take be aware. 

Battery and charging 

• Inconsistent battery life 
• Gradual-ish wired charging 
• Will get excessively scorching when charging 

With a beneficiant 5000mAh capability I anticipated a little bit extra from the Xperia 1 IV’s battery life, and it’s proved reasonably inconsistent. Some days I head to mattress with half the cell left to go, whereas different days it’s operating on fumes by the point the solar units – with little apparent correlation to my every day use. 

It finally balances out to pretty common battery life – for essentially the most half it’ll do a full day, however you’ll realistically need to cost it each evening.  

Dominic Preston / Foundry

Charging itself is a much bigger downside although. The charging speeds are high-quality, however nothing particular – the 30W wired charging topped the cellphone as much as 46% in half an hour in my take a look at, which is effectively behind some rivals however consistent with the likes of Apple, Google, and Samsung. Wi-fi charging is supported too. 

There are two issues although. One is that I’ve discovered the cellphone expenses inconsistently on third-party chargers – some are high-quality, whereas others cease and begin repeatedly. One evening it merely acquired to round 80% and stopped charging additional. This is able to be annoying sufficient if there was an official connector to fall again on, however Sony doesn’t even ship the cellphone with a USB-C cable, not to mention an influence adapter, so that you’ll both need to strive your luck with the plugs you already personal, or spend £50 on the official charger within the UK. It’s not even listed on the market within the US proper now. 

Even in case you discover a charger that works, the cellphone will get scorching. Keep in mind I discussed overheating whereas gaming? That’s nothing in comparison with the best way this cellphone heats up when it’s charging. The cellphone turns into scaldingly scorching when plugged in, even triggering Android’s automated overheating warning notifications in a single occasion – I’ve by no means seen that earlier than.  

Dominic Preston / Foundry

We’ve seen the identical overheating issues on two separate evaluate samples, suggesting that that is almost definitely a widespread downside, not merely a single faulty cellphone.  

The heating itself isn’t simply an annoyance, but additionally will increase the chance of battery degradation, that means the cellphone’s already inconsistent battery life might worsen sooner reasonably than later. 

Digicam and video 

• Telephoto with true optical zoom from 3.5x to five.2x 
• A number of complicated digital camera apps 
• Highly effective guide choices, however awkward automated 

It could be arduous to fault the ability of the digital camera {hardware} that Sony has packed into the Xperia 1 IV – together with a real trade first – however extra so than any of the remainder of the cellphone, it’s been designed for content material creators first, and common customers second. 

The rear of the cellphone affords a trio of 12Mp cameras: a principal lens with OIS at a brilliant aperture of f/1.7; an ultrawide at f/2.2; and an OIS-stabilised telephoto lens with true optical zoom, able to shifting from 3.5x to five.2x. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

This latter is a colossal {hardware} innovation, and a primary for the cellphone trade. The earlier Xperia 1 III additionally supplied a twin zoom possibility, however that lens may solely soar between the 2 mounted factors, whereas this could easily zoom between them. 

It’s tech that’s massively spectacular in idea, although in apply the hole between the 2 zoom ranges is so slight that there’s restricted sensible influence.  

All three lenses – plus the 12Mp, f/2.0 selfie digital camera – are able to taking engaging pictures, together with recording 4K HDR video. Publicity and color tuning are impressively constant throughout the three rear lenses, and in good gentle it’s uncommon to take a ropey shot. 

The issue is that this can be a low bar for contemporary flagships, and it’s in more difficult circumstances that the 1 IV falls brief. At evening, or in scenes with brilliant, direct gentle sources, the cellphone can’t at all times expose particular person parts appropriately, and particulars are sometimes misplaced.  

That is made worse by the truth that there’s no devoted Night time Mode in any respect, and in reality few additional modes in any respect – you get slow-mo, portrait, and panorama – however that’s it. 

That is presumably as a result of Sony has pitched the digital camera expertise in the direction of skilled customers who’re aware of its Alpha cameras and cozy taking issues into their very own palms reasonably than counting on automated choices. 

Even they’re prone to discover the software program setup sophisticated although. Sony has shipped the Xperia 1 IV with three digital camera apps. Photograph Professional is the place you go to take images – and regardless of the identify, it covers each pro-level settings and fundamental point-and-shoot stuff. 

Much more confusingly, Photograph Professional is additionally the place you go to movie fundamental video, with a easy set of choices. If that’s not sufficient for you, Video Professional steps as much as an array of settings designed to be acquainted to YouTubers and content material creators, whereas Cinema Professional provides one other layer of complexity together with ‘Appears’ – primarily a variety of filters based mostly on cinematic types. 

Dominic Preston / Foundry

Every of those digital camera apps is modelled very instantly on Sony’s Alpha digital camera interface, so skilled customers will really feel proper at dwelling – although will nonetheless need to get used to working with comparatively smaller sensors and lenses. 

Finally, whereas Alpha house owners might discover this cellphone a pure accompaniment to their digital camera, there merely aren’t sufficient concessions right here for everybody else. If you would like your cellphone to do many of the give you the results you want then there are numerous higher smartphone cameras accessible. 

Software program and updates 

• Easy, near-stock Android 12 
• Clunky official apps 
• Solely two Android model updates promised 

Sony ships the Xperia 1 IV with Android 12, and anybody who’s a fan of the elusive ‘inventory’ Android expertise will possible discover themselves joyful.  

Dominic Preston / Foundry

That is about as near the pure Android expertise as you may get – even with out the Pixel-exclusive modifications Google applies to its personal flagships – a lot in order that Sony doesn’t even give a branded identify for its tackle the working system. 

Android 12 brings with it new privateness controls and alerts when the microphone and digital camera are in use, which Sony has adopted. Curiously although, regardless of the near-stock settings it hasn’t included the Materials You choices to have the cellphone’s person interface color palette based mostly on the hues of your wallpaper – arguably the brand new Android model’s flagship function. 

There are another Sony-specific choices, corresponding to cut up display screen and the ‘facet sense’ bar on the sting of the show that offers you shortcuts to particular apps. There are few different extras right here although, the upside of which is comparatively little bloatware – past the aforementioned slew of a number of digital camera apps, Music Professional recording app, and a free trial of the Bravia Core streaming service – solely a few of that are uninstallable.

Dominic Preston / Foundry

Maybe a much bigger concern is Sony’s dedication to software program assist. The agency solely guarantees that the Xperia 1 IV will obtain two Android OS model updates – so possible as much as Android 13 and 14 – and an additional yr of safety patches. 

That was once the norm within the Android trade, however Samsung and Google have led the best way in guaranteeing three and even 4 Android updates, and different firms are following swimsuit, leaving Sony behind. Firm reps informed us they’re sticking with two as a result of they suppose most individuals improve handsets after two years anyway – however bear it in thoughts in case you favor to improve much less typically. 

Worth and availability 

As is usually the case with Sony flagships, maybe the most important impediment to mainstream adoption for the Xperia 1 IV is its sheer worth. 

Within the UK and Europe the cellphone is obtainable with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage for a hefty £1,299/€1,399 – already proper on the higher finish of the market. You should buy it within the UK direct from Sony, or from Amazon, EE, or O2.

Within the US it’s even steeper, solely accessible with an enormous 512GB of storage for $1,599, and received’t begin delivery till 1 September. You possibly can pre-order it now from Sony, Amazon, Greatest Purchase, and different retailers.

Try our full information on the place to purchase the Xperia 1 IV for the most recent offers and affords in each the UK and US.

Dominic Preston / Foundry

The Xperia 1 IV is without doubt one of the most costly telephones in the marketplace, outpacing the iPhone 13 Professional Max, Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely, or Oppo Discover X5 Professional, and even operating fairly near the Galaxy Z Fold 3 foldable. 

There’s no actual method to argue that it affords worth for cash at this worth, so that you’ll need to make certain that it affords what you’re searching for from a cellphone and that you just’re keen to pay a Sony premium to get it. 

Try our rankings of one of the best Android telephones and finest digital camera telephones for extra alternate options. 

Verdict 

The Xperia 1 IV is a difficult cellphone to evaluate. It’s a technological marvel, with a singular kind issue, unmatched show specs, and a world-first periscopic digital camera. Severe photographers – particularly these with expertise of Sony’s Alpha digital camera line – will even relish the wealth of guide controls and capturing choices for each images and movies. 

However that’s a small area of interest of customers, and anybody exterior that group will discover that the core of the Sony providing – a slim construct, quick specs, and succesful digital camera – may be discovered elsewhere for a lot much less, and rivals beat Sony on charging speeds, battery life, and long-term software program assist. 

Even dedicated followers will discover some frustrations right here, particularly with the difficult charging – sluggish at one of the best of occasions, unreliable with third-party energy adapters, and liable to heating as much as near-scalding temperatures. 

If the distinctive parts of Sony’s providing enchantment sufficient then you definitely’ll possible have the ability to overlook its flaws, however anybody else will discover a cellphone that refuses to satisfy them midway. That is an uncompromising flagship, one that you just’ll need to take by itself phrases or by no means. 

Specs

• 6.5in 120Hz 21:9 ‘CinemaWide’ 4K HDR OLED show
• Gorilla Glass Victus (back and front)
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• 12GB RAM
• 256/512GB storage
• microSD expandable as much as 1TB
• Rear digital camera:
  • 12Mp f/2.2. 16mm 124° ultrawide w/ dual-PDAF
  • 12Mp f/1.7 24mm 82° principal w/ dual-PDAF & OIS
  • 12Mp f/2.3 85mm 28° or f/2.8 125mm 20° variable telephoto w/ dual-PDAF & OIS
• 3D iToF sensor
• 12Mp f/2.0 83° front-facing digital camera (1/2.9in sensor)
• Stereo audio system
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Dolby Atmos
• Excessive-Res Audio assist (wired & wi-fi)
• 360 Actuality Audio (headphones & audio system)
• Knurled devoted shutter button
• IP65/68 mud/water resistance
• Twin-SIM
• 5G
• WiFi 6E
• NFC
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 5000mAh battery
• 30W wired charging
• Wi-fi charging & reverse wi-fi charging
• Android 12
• 185 grams
• 165mm x 71mm x 8.2mm