Sony Xperia 1 VI Camera Review: The TRUTH Revealed!

[@THETIESKY]

I prefer minimal bezels over a crap holepunch or notch interfering with my media. It's the shutter bug, audiophile dream phone.

[@whyismyusernametaken...]

I just upgraded to the Xperia 1 VI, came from the Oneplus 8. I agree that I'm a little disappointed in the auto mode, but once I get into the manual mode I'm blown away. The software is also a little lacking, there's not much for customization compared even to Pixel's Android. However, I really appreciate it and I bought it for $970 USD so I'm really happy about the purchase. Don't regret it one bit and still would have preferred it to the Pixel 9 Pro because of the SD card slot. I don't want Sony to get comfortable though, there's definitely still more to work on.

[@Djoki1]

They only need to extend software support to at least 5 years for the 1 series. Theyre charging top dollar for that device and yet it has software support equal or worse than phones that cost 3-4 times less. Auto mode does leave things to be desired. Im sure Sony could figure out some image processing algorithm that can be as good as Vivo and Xiaomi even. The problem is if they are willing to go all in on good software. Considering Sony's mobile division is quite small, it might be too much of a risk.

[@cs.b.9857]

One of best phones around.

[@feistyfoxsecurity]

If you have blur in your lens, send it back - obviously defective. Never had that kind of issue on my Xperia 1 vi. Aside from that, good video.

[@SebastianDylag]

What if I told You it's actually a test unit from Sony themselves... Ohh and from what I know, many other reviewers said the same thing when they compared it with other photos that have a telephoto lens 🤔

[@feistyfoxsecurity]

@SebastianDylag well I wouldn't argue the point, you know your side better than me. Does your Xiaomi 14 Ultra fog up? Mine did and I sent it back, couldn't get a decent shot sometimes. All phones have issues sometimes. Currently using the Xperia and also the new Vivo x200 pro which is an amazing phone

[@SebastianDylag]

To be completely honest I've had Xiaomi 13t pro since release and Xiaomi 14 ultra for the last couple of months and... Never had any fog. Maybe I'm just lucky, but we took both phones even to tropical island (Canary islands) and had zero problem there too. On Rhodes this spring/summer with a heat wave that would make Your phone overheat without even using it, but still had no fog 🤔 (We actually have 2 units of 13t pro) Maybe I'm lucky or just been in conditions that don't provoke the fog 😄 Yup, all phones have problems and it comes down to personal choice of what everyone values the most from the phone. I'm actually about to receive the vivo x200 pro for testing. How are You liking it ? How is the camera ? 🤔

[@feistyfoxsecurity]

@SebastianDylag I like the camera very much... It has had 4 updates since launch and feels like they are understanding and tweaking it well. I recently sold my x100 ultra and pixel 9xl pro, and just rely on the X200 for quick snaps. Two day battery life of normal use, is OK, screen is nice, feel in hand I like, speakers could be better. I am awaiting the Nubia Z70 Ultra though, I feel like that is really going to deliver this iteration - it was close last time. Exciting times :)

[@eur3kasizm]

I have the same phone, and it is blurry sometimes especially for nature telephoto marco

[@Pandamonium.]

Sony Xperia series is a phone not for everyone, so all kinds of video with cons and pros, I watched them and weighs it down base on my daily use. So definitely, Xperia series is an acquired taste. Some of them prefer Apple, Samsung or Pixel. So there's that.

[@bloodytoad2010]

Android 15 they will release real video pro. Hope they improve more on telephoto quality on their next flagship. For portrait mode, Sony did not apply HDR to the picture that's why picture looks not as "colorful" . As for the photo you took from Xiaomi, I can clearly see computational edits. For Xperia, it looks like a real camera and not over processed.

[@SebastianDylag]

1. Buying a phone so that You can get some functions at a later date... No thank You. To many brands, developers etc. now make things half complete and will (maybe) deliver it later. We don't review things that might be here later, we review as it is. 2. Telephoto is blurry, so no matter the software, it's just not good. Even if it has a great sensor and has good software editing, it's still bad. 3. Portrait mode - doesn't matter, for most people the phone should take great photos right out of the box. People don't care if something is turned on or off, they want to be happy with the phone they bought and the way it takes photos. 4. Any phone with "good" photos will be based on the software editing 99.9% of people want the photos to look good, without having to edit in post or having to know what and how to do. If I wanted a "real" camera, I would just use my Sony A7IV. The phone camera is about quick, easy and fast results. If I take a raw with Xiaomi 14 ultra, it will still be like a raw from a real camera. I've been doing photography and videography on a daily basis as my main work for many years now, so please... Don't let brand loyalty blind You from the problems that Sony has with their phones. They have the hardware (for the most part) but the software is just not there. If people blindly defend Sony, they will never improve. Ohh and for the price of this Sony, you can get the Xiaomi 14 ultra and Sony a7 II , so You have both a better phone (with waaaaay better camera capabilities) and a proper camera.

[@didier9L]

The problem with Sony is their software. They charge a premium for a phone that is quickly forgotten when a newer one comes out. They keep gatekeeping features and the Auto mode leaves a lot to be desired.

[@SebastianDylag]

True, I feel like the hardware here isn't that bad, it's more about the software. I mean at the end of the day phones like xioami 14 ultra use 4 camera sensors from Sony and have great photos in auto mode ! 😄

[@curtis24-7]

Completely agree. Why do they build such high quality devices with market leading battery care yet support the phone the least. I also think it's criminal they don't back port new software features to still supported phones.

[@SebastianDylag]

I feel like there is lots to love about the Sony phones, especially just from the hardware perspective. But there is also lot's of things that just don't make sense!

[@didier9L]

Even from a hardware perspective, the 1VI is still behind the competition. The telephoto sensor (IMX650) has been recycled for three generations (1IV, V and VI). They just improved on the zoom range. And what’s funny is that, while they have tweaked the algorithm to make images sharper on the telephoto lens, they won’t bring this improvement to older models like the 1 V or 1IV. In fact, the V won’t be getting the 2X crop mode, 48MP JPG and new camera app with Android 15. They are trying to make existing users upgrade every year if they want new features.

[@SebastianDylag]

Ohh... but even so, that telephoto camera is... blurry tho ! 😅

[@o0junglist0o93]

I'm returning mine, it's barely an upgrade so I'm gonna keep my 1 V. The 1 VI camera UI is a right mess too, so many little features missing. The only worthy upgrade is the battery and the macro, which are good, but not £1300 good 😂

[@curtis24-7]

and the flashlight 😅

[@sillyseriouspro]

Sorry but the pro I is where it's at

[@arirusan2428]

It's disappointing me but i love it, Xperia

[@SebastianDylag]

@@arirusan2428 there is lots to love about it, but I just feel like there is a bit missing in the software side of the photos/videos 🤔

[@miguelmeireles1951]

U are disappointing…

[@Musammil__sulfi]

Sony phones heating problems

[@SebastianDylag]

Didn't have much heating problems but maybe I haven't used it as much / as intensely

[@curtis24-7]

@@SebastianDylag I've had the 1iv, 5iv, 1v and 1vi. Only phone that had heating problems was the 1iv. Every other model following has been completely fine.

[@juminahserimen7190]

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