Sony Xperia 1 VI deals

Sony Xperia 1 VI - what you need to know

Sony Xperia phones have a tradition of challenging the norm. They incorporate their top-of-the-line camera technology into smartphones designed for those who are looking for something more than simple point-and-shoot options.

The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a modern flagship phone that is packed with traditional elements that many users will have missed. The Sony Xperia VI features a dedicated camera button (with a clicky two-stage feel), front-firing speakers, a SIM card slot that can be opened by hand, a microSD card expansion slot and the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack that’s long been missing on most other smartphones.

Its specifications make it a strong choice for photographers and video enthusiasts. It has expandable storage, a physical camera button, and fantastic camera hardware that you would expect from Sony.

Sony Xperia 1 VI specifications

• Dimensions: 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)
• Weight: 192 g (6.77 oz)
• SIM: Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
• Size: 6.5 inches
• Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio
• Storage: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
• Cameras:
• Ultra-wide: 16mm, f/2.2 lens with a 12MP 1/2.5-inch sensor.
• Wide: 24mm, f1.9 lens with a 52MP (48MP effective) 1/1.35-inch sensor
• Telephoto: 85-170mm, f/2.3-f/3.4 continuous zoom lens with a 12MP 1/3.5-inch sensor.
• Features: Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
• Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
• Connections: USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Colours: Black, Platinum Silver, Khaki green, Scar red

Pros and cons of the Sony Xperia 1 VI

Pros

• New screen dimensions finally matches rivals
• Strong performance and long battery life
• Seriosuly impressive telephoto camera

Cons

• No pro video mode at launch
• Geared towards photography enthusiasts, so not as simple as other point-and-shoot cameras

How good is the Sony Xperia 1 VI display?

Somewhat confusingly, the Sony Xperia 1 VI display has seen a downgrade since the 1 V. It went from a 4K screen to a Full HD+, which is a significant drop. However, you’re not likely to notice since very few mobile apps offer 4K streaming. This can also help extend your phone’s battery life, especially in conjunction with the 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, which optimises for smooth motion, but only when necessary.

Another change is the shift to a more conventional aspect ratio. The previous 21:9 ratio would cut off the black letterboxing bars at the top and bottom of the screen, which was great when watching movies. The new 19.5:9 ratio is the same as that of other flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S24.

According to Sony, the Xperia 1 VI’s 6.5-inch screen is “powered by Bravia”, Sony’s TV division, so you’re sure to have a good viewing experience.

How good is the Sony Xperia 1 VI battery?

The Sony Xperia 1 VI has a 5000mAh battery that charges 30W via USB-C and 15W on a Qi wireless charging pad. This is a decent battery size and should give you about two days of average use. But if you’re doing a lot of filming, photography or watching video content, you might need to recharge.

How good is the Sony Xperia 1 VI camera?

The Sony Xperia 1 VI has three rear-facing cameras: a wide 24mm 52MP camera, an ultra-wide 16mm 12MP camera, and a telephoto 85-170mm 12MP camera.

The telephoto camera features a continuous zoom lens, which essentially gives you the benefits of a quad-camera (or even a penta-camera) system seen in the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

While both the wide and ultra-wide cameras are decent for everyday use, the real USP of this device is the 85-170mm telephoto camera. A continuous zoom periscope camera is a pretty impressive technological feat, and considering it maintains a wide f/2.3-f/3.4 aperture, you’ll get bright, clear images with a fantastic zoom. Add to that the macro focus, which lets you focus on subjects as close as 4cm.

How do you choose the best Sony Xperia 1 VI deals?

The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a top-of-the-range smartphone, therefore it is one of the more expensive handsets out there. In order to get the best deal on an Xperia 1 VI, you’ll need to balance how much data you need and how much you are able to pay upfront.

As a top-end device, the Xperia 1 VI tends to offer more comprehensive deals with larger amounts of data. However, it’s rare that most casual users will need more than 50GB of data a month, so don’t pay for more if you don’t need it.