Launch date, rumors, specs, worth, what we need to see

Sony launches the Xperia 1 sequence of flagship telephones yearly, providing a high-end, premium-priced expertise. 2022 noticed the Japanese big ship maybe its most compelling Xperia 1 system but within the Xperia 1 IV. However what ought to we count on from the 2023 system? Right here’s every part we all know and suppose we all know concerning the Sony Xperia 1 V.

Sony has provided an Xperia 1 sequence flagship Android cellphone yearly since 2019, so we have now no motive to consider that the corporate will cease in 2023. The model’s cellular division additionally seemingly turned a nook in 2021, making a quarterly revenue for the primary time since 2017. You subsequently must assume that the corporate is dedicated to launching the Xperia 1 V to be able to proceed this comparatively latest run of business success.

The Japanese big hasn’t confirmed the Xperia V launch simply but, nevertheless it is perhaps just a little too early for that affirmation to be forthcoming. Extra on that under.

• Sony Xperia 1 — February 25, 2019
• Sony Xperia 1 II — February 24, 2020
• Sony Xperia 1 III — April 14, 2021
• Sony Xperia 1 IV — Might 11, 2022

Sony tends to be everywhere in the case of really revealing Xperia 1 sequence handsets. The primary two units have been revealed in late February, whereas the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 1 IV have been revealed in Q2.

We’re guessing that Sony will skip a MWC 2023 reveal for the Xperia 1 V, because the occasion is only a few weeks away on the time of writing and we haven’t seen any teasers from the corporate simply but. So we’d count on a reveal between March and Might.

However Sony has a fame for making shoppers wait a very long time between the reveal and the on-sale date. For instance, the Xperia 1 V arrived in some nations on June 16 (slightly below a month after the reveal) however solely hit the US on September 1. The Xperia 1 III was unveiled on April 14 however solely landed within the US on August 19. In different phrases, don’t be shocked if it’s important to wait a month or 5 after the reveal till the precise Xperia 1 V launch date.

Design

An obvious Sony Xperia 1 V picture was leaked earlier this month by way of a Weibo person, and it means that Sony is sticking with the identical basic design because the earlier handset. Meaning what seems to be a matte glass again and a plain, vertically stacked rear digicam system. Take a look at the leaked image under.

The picture doesn’t give us a full thought of what to anticipate from a design perspective, nevertheless it positively suggests extra of the identical. So these hoping for a drastic overhaul is perhaps disenchanted right here.

Specs

Maybe probably the most notable Xperia 1 characteristic is the 4K/120Hz OLED display, and we’re anticipating the Xperia 1 V to supply this show once more. This implies you’ll be able to really view 4K content material in native 4K in your cellphone.

Our most important grievance with the Xperia 1 IV and III was that the cellphone didn’t supply a dynamic refresh price. You have been both caught with 60Hz on a regular basis or 120Hz on a regular basis, so hopefully a dynamic choice is added that mechanically switches between numerous refresh charges as wanted.

As is the case with many high-end Android telephones in 2023, we’re anticipating the Sony Xperia 1 V to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. So that you shouldn’t have any complaints about gaming efficiency or efficiency normally if so.

Both method, we’re cautiously optimistic that the Xperia 1 IV’s disappointing sustained efficiency and efficiency normally shall be a factor of the previous. We additionally hope the cellphone doesn’t run as sizzling as final yr’s handset. Different Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 telephones appear to do a good job of warmth dissipation, however a cellphone’s design, inside cooling programs, and software program tuning all play an element right here. So we’ll simply have to attend and see.

One of many high causes to purchase a Sony smartphone is for the digicam expertise, with Sony’s previous couple of Xperia flagships providing professional digicam apps and extra. We’re subsequently anticipating these professional apps to make a return.

Sony has additionally doggedly caught to a triple 12MP digicam system for a number of generations now, so don’t be shocked if we see the identical digicam resolutions this yr. However the firm might want to supply a higher-resolution most important digicam if it decides to undertake 8K video recording on the brand new cellphone.

The Xperia 1 IV stood out from the pack because of its use of a 12MP variable telephoto digicam, able to switching from 3.5x all the best way as much as 5.2x. One explicit rumor factors to Sony providing a slim variable periscope digicam module from LG able to constantly zooming from 4x to 9x. The aforementioned picture leak additionally exhibits a triple rear digicam system with a periscope digicam. So it appears to be like like a periscope shooter is on board on the very least.

• Sony Xperia 1 II — $1,199.99
• Sony Xperia 1 III — $1,299
• Sony Xperia 1 IV — $1,599

You solely want to take a look at the worth development above to appreciate that the Sony Xperia 1 V will seemingly value an arm and a leg. The Japanese agency has embraced a premium technique to its smartphones, prioritizing excessive costs and a premium expertise over a volume-driven method.

The development of worth will increase from yr to yr means that the Xperia 1 V would possibly even be costlier than the $1,600 Xperia 1 IV. However we additionally wouldn’t be shocked if the corporate sticks with the present (nonetheless super-expensive) worth level.

In different phrases, you shouldn’t maintain your breath for the Xperia 1 V to dip under the $1,000 mark and even match the Galaxy S23 Extremely‘s $1,200 price ticket.

Nonetheless, if Sony can repair the place it went mistaken with final yr’s cellphone (efficiency, zoom high quality, fashionable digicam modes, software program updates) whereas enhancing its strengths, then we could possibly be in for a terrific expertise.

An extended-term replace pledge

Sony has at all times disenchanted in the case of replace commitments, with the Xperia 1 IV solely providing a measly two main OS updates and three years of safety patches. That’s completely mediocre in 2023 when Google, OnePlus, Samsung, and others are providing far longer Android replace insurance policies.

We’re subsequently holding out for Sony to convey a long-term replace pledge to the Xperia 1 V. This isn’t simply because it’s a flagship Android cellphone, but in addition as a result of the cellphone is anticipated to value $1,200 or extra. By comparability, even Samsung’s $300 telephones outlast Sony’s flagship telephones for software program updates.

The Xperia 1 III actually blazed a path with its variable telephoto digicam, able to switching between 2.9x and 4.4x however not really stopping at any interstitial zoom ranges. Sony fastened this drawback with the Xperia 1 IV, providing a variable telephoto shooter with steady zoom capabilities.

The principle challenge with this present variable digicam is that it presents a comparatively slender zoom vary (3.5x to five.2x). So we’d prefer to see the corporate providing a wider zoom vary, probably delivering 9x or 10x optical zoom. This fashion, the Galaxy Extremely vary can have some competitors on its palms in the case of long-range zoom.

Extra launch markets

Sony retreated from a bunch of locales in 2018, selecting to stay with the likes of North America, Europe, and Asia. You have been subsequently out of luck for those who wished to purchase a Sony cellphone in Latin America, Africa, the Center East, and India.

The corporate’s present technique appears to be paying dividends, so we are able to’t count on the corporate to return to an enormous geographical footprint. However we’d positively prefer to see a number of extra markets return to the desk so extra fans can simply purchase the Xperia 1 V.