Design & Build Quality
Sony first announced the Xperia 1 series back in 2019, with the launch of the original Xperia 1. Over the years, the smartphone has undergone lots of changes when it comes to the internals, but the design and look of the device remain quite similar. Even in the latest model, you are expected to get the same theme and construction, with a slim and long body that has a unique 21:9 aspect ratio for the display.
The rear features a unique matte texture that is reminiscent of the Sony professional cameras and is great when it comes to an in-hand feel, as well as avoiding fingerprints. The rear and front panels are both expected to be flat, with the sides featuring a flat aluminium frame. The device is expected to feature the same minimalist look, with the Sony logo sitting in the middle and the Xperia brand name sitting near the bottom.
Specifications
The smartphone is expected to feature a relatively small 6.5-inch display that looks a bit larger due to its unique aspect ratio. You can expect at least an FHD resolution, if not better, and up to 120Hz refresh rate, which is quickly becoming the standard for the segment. Some even speculate that the company might bump it to 144Hz or even 165Hz, but that won’t be confirmed until the launch.
On the inside, you can expect the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, paired with at least 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The real major change for the device will be the camera setup, which is expected to give up the ToF camera and the RGB IR sensor in favour of larger camera sensors that offer better performance. The main sensor will remain a 12MP unit, while the ultrawide will get a massive upgrade to 48MP. There will also be a new 12MP periscope camera, which will help with the zoom performance.
While there is no news on the battery size or charging speeds, we can expect to get at least a full day’s use out of the device, thanks to the more efficient processor and more responsive display. We will once again expect it to feature proper integration with the Sony professional lineup of mirrorless cameras, so you can use the smartphone as an external display for professional shoots. Everything else will be revealed with the launch.
Price & Availability
Sony has not announced the expected price of the device, but we do expect it to match or even exceed the latest Pixel 7 series. The smartphone is expected to be launched at the upcoming Mobile World Congress event and will be available for sale in the global market in the coming months.
