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

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

Sony has supplied an Xperia 1 collection flagship Android cellphone yearly since 2019, so we’ve no purpose to imagine that the corporate will cease in 2023. The model’s cell division additionally seemingly turned a nook in 2021, making a quarterly revenue for the primary time since 2017. You due to this fact must assume that the corporate is dedicated to launching the Xperia 1 V with the intention to proceed this comparatively current run of business success.

The Japanese large hasn’t confirmed the Xperia V launch simply but, however it may be 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 — Could 11, 2022

Sony tends to be all over in relation to truly revealing Xperia 1 collection handsets. The primary two units had been revealed in late February, whereas the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 1 IV had 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 Could.

However Sony has a fame for making customers wait a very long time between the reveal and the on-sale date. For instance, the Xperia 1 V arrived in some international locations 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 consumer, and it means that Sony is sticking with the identical basic design because the earlier handset. Which means 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, however it positively suggests extra of the identical. So these hoping for a drastic overhaul may be dissatisfied right here.

Specs

Maybe essentially the most notable Xperia 1 function is the 4K/120Hz OLED display screen, and we’re anticipating the Xperia 1 V to supply this show once more. This implies you possibly can truly view 4K content material in native 4K in your cellphone.

Our predominant criticism with the Xperia 1 IV and III was that the cellphone didn’t supply a dynamic refresh fee. You had been both caught with 60Hz on a regular basis or 120Hz on a regular basis, so hopefully a dynamic choice is added that routinely switches between varied 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 basically if that is so.

Both method, we’re cautiously optimistic that the Xperia 1 IV’s disappointing sustained efficiency and efficiency basically will likely be a factor of the previous. We additionally hope the cellphone doesn’t run as scorching as final yr’s handset. Different Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 telephones appear to do an honest job of warmth dissipation, however a cellphone’s design, inner cooling techniques, and software program tuning all play a component 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 due to this fact 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 predominant digicam if it decides to undertake 8K video recording on the brand new cellphone.

The Xperia 1 IV stood out from the pack due to 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 seems 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 have a look at the value development above to understand that the Sony Xperia 1 V will doubtless price 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 strategy.

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 unsuitable with final yr’s cellphone (efficiency, zoom high quality, fashionable digicam modes, software program updates) whereas enhancing its strengths, then we may very well be in for an incredible expertise.

An extended-term replace pledge

Sony has all the time dissatisfied in relation to 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 due to this fact 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 price $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 truly stopping at any interstitial zoom ranges. Sony fastened this downside with the Xperia 1 IV, providing a variable telephoto shooter with steady zoom capabilities.

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

Extra launch markets

Sony retreated from a number of locales in 2018, selecting to stay with the likes of North America, Europe, and Asia. You had been due to this fact out of luck when you 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 lovers can simply purchase the Xperia 1 V.