Buy it for the camera – triple lens Sony Xperia 1 full review: warm colours and stabilised video, and a beautiful build
- Sony’s latest handset the Xperia 1 is attractive and well made, with an ultra-wide screen
- It doesn’t have the strongest battery out there, but it is enough for a day’s use
Sony returns this summer with the release of the Xperia 1, a flagship model first announced in February at the Mobile World Congress that sports an ultra wide 21:9 aspect ratio 4K HDR OLED display and a triple lens camera.
We have now seen the widescreen format – designed to show films recorded in CinemaScope that was popular in the 1950s and 60s – in the Xperia 10 and 10 Plus that came out in March, but the three rear cameras are a first for the Japanese brand.
With “cinematic” display and audio as well as advanced image processing technologies, the Xperia 1 promises to deliver the best entertainment experience on a smartphone.
But is that enough to persuade existing Sony enthusiasts to upgrade – or even lure new users – in an already crowded and super competitive market?
Design and hardware
Standing at 167mm, the Xperia 1 is a pretty tall phone. Measuring 72mm in width, its slender shape is reminiscent of a remote control. But the build of this handset is premium, with glass covering its front and back and a polished aluminium frame wrapping the 8.2mm sides.