Sony Xperia 1 VI Review: Sony’s Best Phone Yet!
The mobile phone industry has seen incredible advancements in the last few years, with each major manufacturer pushing the envelope in terms of technology, design, and user experience. Among these manufacturers, Sony has always held a special place with its unique approach to mobile phones. The latest entry in their lineup, the Sony Xperia 1 VI, is a testament to their innovation and dedication to providing a superior user experience. In this in-depth review, we’ll explore why the Xperia 1 VI stands out as Sony’s best phone yet.

Sony Xperia 1 VI Design and Display
Stunning OLED Display
One of the standout features of the Sony Xperia 1 VI is its display. The phone sports a 6.5-inch Full HD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. While some might bemoan the downgrade from the 4K resolution of previous models, the display still offers stunning clarity and brightness.
- Size: 6.5 inches
- Resolution: Full HD+ (1080p)
- Panel Type: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
The pixel density remains impressive at approximately 390 PPI, ensuring that individual pixels are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye. This means the visual experience is immersive, vibrant, and perfect for everything from streaming videos to gaming.


21:9 Aspect Ratio
Sony has continued to embrace the cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, which provides a more immersive viewing experience for watching movies and videos. This aspect ratio, combined with the OLED panel, makes for an exceptional media consumption device.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Ergonomic Design
Sony has retained the narrow profile of its predecessors, making the Xperia 1 VI comfortable to hold and use with one hand. The device’s dimensions and weight are perfectly balanced to offer a premium feel without compromising on usability.
- Dimensions: 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
- Weight: 192 g (6.77 oz)
The phone’s design also includes some familiar, yet essential, features such as the dedicated shutter button, which makes photography on the go a breeze.
Build Quality
The Xperia 1 VI is built to last, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and a textured Gorilla Glass back. This ensures both durability and a premium feel. The phone’s frame is crafted from high-quality materials, providing a sturdy yet sleek design.
- Front Glass: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Back Glass: Textured Gorilla Glass
- Frame Material: [Insert frame material]
Sony Xperia 1 VI Performance and Battery Life
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Powerhouse
At the heart of the Xperia 1 VI is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which ensures top-notch performance across all applications. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or running demanding apps, this phone handles everything with ease.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 12 GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is known for its efficiency and power, providing a smooth and responsive user experience. Coupled with ample RAM and storage options, the Xperia 1 VI offers a seamless performance in all scenarios.
Unmatched Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Xperia 1 VI is its battery life. The 5,000 mAh battery, combined with Sony’s new dual-density battery technology, provides exceptional longevity. The phone easily lasts up to two days on a single charge, even with heavy usage.
- Battery Capacity: 5,000 mAh
- Battery Technology: Dual-density
Users will appreciate the adaptive refresh rate feature, which helps conserve battery by throttling the refresh rate based on the activity. This intelligent battery management ensures that you get the most out of each charge, making it ideal for power users and gamers alike.
Efficient Heat Management
Sony has also introduced a vapor chamber cooling system in the Xperia 1 VI. This advanced cooling technology helps to manage heat effectively, ensuring that the phone remains cool even during intensive tasks like gaming or 4K video recording.
- Cooling System: Vapor chamber
- Temperature Management: Effective even during heavy use
Sony Xperia 1 VI Camera Capabilities
Versatile Camera System
The Xperia 1 VI continues Sony’s tradition of providing excellent camera systems. While the primary camera setup remains largely unchanged, the new telephoto lens with a 7.1x optical zoom adds a significant upgrade.
- Primary Camera: 48MB
- Telephoto Lens: 7.1x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 12MB
The unified camera app now combines both pro and point-and-shoot functionalities, making it easier for users of all skill levels to capture stunning photos. The improvements in computational photography, especially in low light, are noticeable and appreciated.
Improved Low Light Performance
Low light photography has seen significant improvements, thanks to enhanced computational photography techniques. The Xperia 1 VI captures more detail and reduces noise in low light conditions, making night shots clearer and more vibrant.
- Low Light Photography: Improved detail and reduced noise
- Night Mode: Enhanced for better performance
Sample Photos
Throughout the month of testing, the Xperia 1 VI proved to be a reliable companion for capturing memories. The natural color reproduction and the enhanced detail in photos are impressive.


Unified Camera App
The unified camera app on the Xperia 1 VI integrates all the camera features into one seamless application. This means that both novice photographers and professionals can find the right tools at their fingertips. The app offers a range of settings from automatic mode to full manual control, catering to every level of photography expertise.
- Camera App: Unified with pro and point-and-shoot modes
- Manual Controls: Full manual controls for professional use
- Automatic Mode: Easy-to-use for quick shots
Additional Features
Retained Classics
Despite the numerous advancements, Sony has wisely kept some of the most beloved features of their previous models. These include the shutter button, the headphone jack, and the SD card slot.
- Shutter Button: Yes
- Headphone Jack: Yes
- SD Card Slot: Yes
Enhanced Audio Experience
The Xperia 1 VI boasts improved speakers that are louder and more directional, providing an immersive sound experience. An updated DAC ensures that wired audio sounds better than ever.
- Speakers: Improved, front-facing
- DAC: Updated for better wired audio
Audio Quality
The audio experience on the Xperia 1 VI is unparalleled. The improved speakers deliver clear and rich sound, making media consumption and calls more enjoyable. The updated DAC enhances the wired audio experience, providing audiophile-grade sound quality for those who prefer wired headphones.
- Speaker Quality: Clear and rich sound
- Wired Audio: Enhanced by updated DAC
Connectivity and Usability
While the phone supports 5G, it’s worth noting that users in the United States might face some challenges due to compatibility issues with certain networks. However, with a few tweaks in the settings, 5G can be enabled for most carriers.
- 5G Support: Yes, with manual adjustments
- SIM Support: Nano SIM and eSIM
Enhanced Security
Security features on the Xperia 1 VI include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. This design choice ensures quick and secure access to the phone while avoiding the issues associated with under-display fingerprint sensors.
- Fingerprint Scanner: Side-mounted, integrated into the power button
- Face Recognition: Not included
Build Quality and Durability
The Xperia 1 VI is built to last with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and a textured Gorilla Glass back. This ensures both durability and a premium feel.
- Front Glass: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Back Glass: Textured Gorilla Glass
User Experience
Everyday Use
The transition from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Xperia 1 VI was smoother than expected. The phone’s unique features and enhancements make it a joy to use daily.
- Ergonomics: Excellent for one-handed use
- Performance: Smooth and reliable
- Battery Life: Lasts up to two days
Software Experience
Sony’s mostly stock Android experience is another highlight of the Xperia 1 VI. The user interface is clean, responsive, and free of unnecessary bloatware, providing a pure Android experience that many users prefer.
- Operating System: Mostly stock Android
- Bloatware: Minimal
Gaming and Multimedia
With its high refresh rate and powerful processor, the Xperia 1 VI excels in gaming and multimedia consumption. The bright, high-quality display and the enhanced audio make it perfect for these purposes.
- Gaming Performance: Top-tier
- Multimedia: Excellent display and audio quality
Immersive Experience
The combination of the 21:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and improved speakers creates an immersive experience whether you’re gaming, watching movies, or streaming content.
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9 for a cinematic experience
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz for smooth visuals
- Speakers: Improved for immersive sound
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- Exceptional battery life
- Versatile camera system with a 7.1x optical zoom
- Retained features like the shutter button, headphone jack, and SD card slot
- Improved low light photography
- Clean, stock Android experience
- Enhanced audio quality
Cons
- Availability issues in the United States
- Lack of facial recognition
- 5G compatibility challenges
- No significant design change from the previous generation
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a remarkable phone that combines cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design. While it may not have the highest resolution screen or the most extensive software update support, its strengths far outweigh these minor drawbacks. From its stunning display and powerful performance to its versatile camera system and exceptional battery life, the Xperia 1 VI is undoubtedly Sony’s best phone yet.
For those looking for a unique and powerful mobile experience, the Xperia 1 VI is a worthy investment. Despite some availability issues and minor compromises, the phone’s overall performance and feature set make it a standout choice in the crowded smartphone market.
The Sony Xperia 1 VI offers a compelling blend of features that cater to both casual users and tech enthusiasts. Its unique combination of high-end specifications, ergonomic design, and retained classic features like the shutter button and headphone jack make it a versatile and attractive option for a wide range of users.
If you value a phone that provides a cinematic viewing experience, top-tier performance, and exceptional battery life, the Xperia 1 VI should be at the top of your list. Sony has managed to refine and enhance their flagship phone in meaningful ways, making the Xperia 1 VI a strong contender in the premium smartphone segment.