Sony Xperia 1 IV Review A Flagship Smartphone with Cutting-Edge Features

Sony continues its tradition of delivering high-end smartphones with the Sony Xperia 1 IV. This flagship device builds on its predecessors by incorporating cutting-edge technology designed for those who demand premium performance, exceptional photography capabilities, and an immersive multimedia experience. With a focus on pro-level features, the Xperia 1 IV offers a standout camera system, a gorgeous 4K OLED display, and powerful internals, making it one of the most advanced smartphones available today.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the Sony Xperia 1 IV’s key features, performance, design, and how it stands out in a competitive smartphone market.

1. Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is sleek and sophisticated, combining a glass front and back with a metal frame. Its design follows the classic Xperia look with a tall, 21:9 aspect ratio that makes the phone easy to hold for a large device, though it is taller and narrower than many other smartphones in the market. This aspect ratio is perfect for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking, and is a key selling point for users who prioritize media consumption.

Premium Materials and Durability

The phone feels premium in the hand, and it’s clear that Sony has paid attention to details when it comes to the build. The IP68 rating ensures that the Xperia 1 IV is water and dust resistant, adding durability to the already robust design. The device is available in black, purple, and white, providing a few color options that suit various preferences.

Fingerprint Sensor and Button Layout

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, providing a fast and reliable method to unlock the device. Additionally, the volume rocker and camera shutter button are ergonomically positioned on the right side of the phone, giving the Xperia 1 IV a familiar feel for those accustomed to Sony’s smartphones.

2. Display: Stunning 4K OLED Experience

The Sony Xperia 1 IV boasts an impressive 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 1644 pixels, delivering exceptional clarity and color reproduction. As one of the few smartphones on the market with a 4K display, the Xperia 1 IV offers incredible detail and color accuracy, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.

Brilliant Colors and Sharpness

The HDR support, along with TRILUMINOS™ OLED technology, ensures vibrant and lifelike colors across the screen, while the CinemaWide display further enhances the immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re watching movies, editing photos, or playing games, the Xperia 1 IV’s display truly stands out in terms of brightness, sharpness, and overall visual appeal.

120Hz Refresh Rate

Sony has equipped the Xperia 1 IV with a 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling, animations, and gameplay. The 120Hz refresh rate paired with a 240Hz motion blur reduction feature creates a highly responsive touch experience, making the phone great for users who enjoy gaming or multitasking.

3. Performance: Powerhouse Internals

Under the hood, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is one of the most powerful processors available on the market today. Paired with 12GB of RAM, the phone delivers exceptional performance whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or running intensive applications.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers enhanced CPU and GPU performance, allowing for smooth performance even in the most demanding scenarios. Whether you’re editing videos, playing graphically intense games, or simply browsing, the Xperia 1 IV handles everything with ease.

Storage Options

The device comes with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, and it also features expandable storage via a microSD card, which is a rare feature in many flagship smartphones today. This allows users to expand their storage capacity, a key advantage for those who need extra space for media files, apps, or large game downloads.

5G Connectivity

The Xperia 1 IV supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast download speeds and smooth streaming, making it future-proof for upcoming 5G networks. Whether you’re using it for video streaming, gaming, or downloading large files, 5G support ensures that the phone remains cutting-edge for the foreseeable future.

4. Camera System: Pro-Level Photography

One of the standout features of the Sony Xperia 1 IV is its triple rear camera system, designed with professional photographers and videographers in mind. Sony has continued to refine its camera technology with a focus on delivering true-to-life, high-quality images, and the Xperia 1 IV is no exception.

Main Camera: 50MP Wide-Angle

The main camera is a 50MP wide-angle sensor with an f/1.9 aperture, which offers exceptional detail and dynamic range in both well-lit and low-light conditions. It’s a versatile sensor that can capture everything from wide landscapes to close-up shots with excellent clarity.

Ultra-Wide and Telephoto Lenses

The Xperia 1 IV also features a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 12MP telephoto lens that supports optical zoom up to 5x. The telephoto camera is one of the standout features of the device, offering impressive zoom capabilities without sacrificing image quality, making it great for capturing distant subjects in high resolution.

Eye Autofocus and Real-Time Tracking

Sony has also included its signature Eye Autofocus and Real-Time Tracking technology, which keeps subjects in sharp focus, even as they move. These features are particularly useful for action shots, sports photography, and capturing animals, providing a professional-level experience for mobile photography enthusiasts.

Video Capabilities: 4K 120fps Recording

For video enthusiasts, the Xperia 1 IV is capable of recording 4K video at 120fps on all its rear cameras, offering smooth and detailed footage. The Cinema Pro app allows for pro-level video recording with customizable settings for color grading, exposure, and frame rate, making the Xperia 1 IV an excellent tool for content creators.

5. Battery Life and Charging

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, providing solid all-day usage on a single charge. Even with the 4K display and powerful processor, the battery is optimized to last through a full day of typical use, including media consumption, gaming, and photography.

Fast Charging and Wireless Charging

The phone supports fast charging, with 30W fast charging capable of providing 50% charge in 30 minutes. Additionally, the Xperia 1 IV supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices like your wireless earbuds or smartwatch.

6. Software: Android Experience with Xperia Features

The Sony Xperia 1 IV runs on Android 12 with Sony’s custom interface, which adds a few additional features on top of the standard Android experience. While the user interface is relatively clean, it does come with some unique apps and settings to enhance multimedia and photography.

Xperia Features

Sony has incorporated several exclusive features such as the Side Sense panel for multitasking, the Gaming Mode to optimize performance while gaming, and DSEE Ultimate for enhancing audio quality. The Xperia 1 IV also comes with a suite of camera tools designed for those who enjoy manual photography controls, making it a great option for mobile photographers.

7. Pricing and Value

The Sony Xperia 1 IV comes with a premium price tag, which is to be expected for a flagship device. While it may not be as widely available as other flagship smartphones, its pro-level camera system, 4K display, and overall performance make it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market.

Worth the Price?

For those who value professional-grade photography, high-end performance, and a premium display, the Xperia 1 IV offers excellent value. However, for users who prioritize other features such as battery life or budget-friendliness, there may be other options worth considering.

8. Pros and Cons of the Sony Xperia 1 IV

Pros:

• Stunning 4K OLED display with HDR support and a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Pro-level camera system with 50MP, 12MP telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lenses.
• 4K 120fps video recording with Cinema Pro app.
• Fast performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and 12GB RAM.
• Expandable storage via microSD card.
• 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds.
• Premium build quality with IP68 water resistance.

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other flagship smartphones.
• Large and tall design may not be comfortable for all users.
• Limited availability in some regions.