GREAT XPECTATIONS Sony Xperia 1 VI

Sony's pricey new handset mainstreams in a bid to widen the line's appeal with an upgraded zoom camera

£1,299 sony.co.uk

SPECIFICATIONS

Display 6.5-inch 1080 x 2340 pixels 120Hz LTPO OLED RAM 12GB Storage 256GB / 512GB OS Android 14 Camera 48 MP main, 12 MP rear, 12 MP front Battery capacity 5000 mAh Connectivity USB-C, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.4 Dimensions 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm Weight 192 g

Sony smartphones have niched down over the years, focusing on enthusiast camera features and cinema-wide screens. But this year Sony is going for the mainstream.

The Xperia 1 VI is, on paper, pared back in some aspects when compared to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 V. Its screen is Full HD, not 4K, it misses out on pro video features as seen in the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and past Sony phones, and Sony has also ditched the 21:9 aspect ratio, in favour of a more traditional 19.5:9 screen. What's up? The Xperia 1 VI is still a very Sony phone with flat sides, a flat front and back, and the same finishes we saw on the previous model. Weighing 192g and measuring 8.2mm thick, it's relatively light, and not too chunky.

With IP68 water and dust resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, the Xperia 1 VI is relatively hardy, though there's no pre-fitted screen protector or case in the box.