The Sony Xperia 1 VI is the 2024 flagship of the Xperia 1 series. Sony announced it on May 15, 2024, and it reached stores in Europe in early June 2024. In Europe, the 12 GB + 256 GB version launched at €1,399. In the UK, it cost £1,299. Sony did not release it in the US. A Scarlet color with 512 GB of storage followed in October 2024.
Design and display
The phone keeps the flat, boxy shape of earlier Xperia models. However, it drops the tall 21:9 screen for a more common 19.5:9 format. The 6.5-inch OLED panel has a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Xperia 1 V used a 4K panel.
The refresh rate adjusts between 1 Hz and 120 Hz. Sony says the new panel is 1.5 times brighter than the previous model. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 covers the front, and Gorilla Glass Victus protects the textured back. The body measures 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm and weighs 192 g. It is rated IP65 and IP68 for water and dust.
Performance
Inside is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12 GB of RAM. Storage options are 256 GB and 512 GB. Japan also gets a 16 GB + 512 GB SIM-free model. In addition, a microSD slot accepts cards up to 1.5 TB. Sony added a vapor chamber for cooling, a first for the Xperia 1 line.
Cameras
The rear setup has three cameras with ZEISS T* coating. The main camera uses a 48 MP 1/1.35-inch Exmor T sensor with an f/1.9 lens and optical stabilization. A 12 MP ultrawide camera covers a 16 mm view.
The biggest change is the telephoto. Its 12 MP periscope lens zooms optically from 85 mm to 170 mm, or up to 7.1x. It also offers optical stabilization and a telemacro mode. The rear cameras record 4K video at up to 120 fps. On the front, a 12 MP camera records 4K at 60 fps.
Battery and charging
The 5,000 mAh battery is rated by Sony for about two days of typical use. The phone supports USB Power Delivery charging, and Sony says it reaches about 50% in 30 minutes. It also supports Qi wireless charging and Battery Share for charging other devices.
Software and updates
The Xperia 1 VI shipped with Android 14 and a near-stock interface. Sony promises three Android version upgrades and four years of security updates. Other features include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, front stereo speakers and a fingerprint reader in the power button.
Should you buy the Xperia 1 VI?
The Xperia 1 VI suits buyers who want manual camera controls and a long optical zoom range. It also fits people who still use wired headphones or microSD cards. On the other hand, it is not sold in the US. Its Full HD+ screen also has a lower resolution than earlier models. The Xperia 1 VII has since replaced it as Sony’s flagship.
