Sony Xperia 1 VII Review: A Flagship with Advanced Features and Stunning Camera

Sony continues its legacy of pushing the boundaries in smartphone design and technology with the release of the Xperia 1 VII, the seventh generation of its flagship device. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Xperia 1 VII introduces a host of upgrades, from its impressive camera setup to its refined design and performance enhancements. In this detailed review, we’ll explore all the key features, design aspects, and performance of the Sony Xperia 1 VII, helping you decide if this flagship is the right choice for you.

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia 1 VII stays true to the brand’s hallmark of understated elegance and functional design. The phone’s exterior features Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, which offers a premium and durable texture while providing solid grip. The phone’s aluminum frame has also received subtle tweaks, providing a more refined grip with a ribbed texture that feels secure in the hand.

While the design remains largely similar to its predecessor, it continues to exude a sense of sophistication with its slim, rectangular shape and premium materials. The Xperia 1 VII retains its IP65/IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, ensuring durability under most conditions.

Display: A Visual Feast

Sony has always been known for delivering exceptional displays, and the Xperia 1 VII is no different. The device features a 6.5-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 1080p—an upgrade from previous models that featured 4K resolution. This change strikes a perfect balance between performance and display quality. The screen still offers excellent sharpness and vivid color reproduction, perfect for enjoying content in Full HD.

One of the standout features of this display is its support for 10-bit color depth and HDR10 video playback. While it doesn’t feature Dolby Vision, it still offers a wide range of colors and contrast, making it ideal for media consumption. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth and responsive experience, whether you’re swiping through apps or gaming.

Moreover, the Xperia 1 VII excels in brightness. It can reach up to 800 nits at its peak, with an auto mode that boosts the brightness to an impressive 1,470 nits. This makes it easier to view the screen in direct sunlight, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions.

Audio: Enhanced Sound Experience

Sony’s commitment to superior audio quality remains evident in the Xperia 1 VII. One of the few flagships to still include a 3.5mm headphone jack, this feature is a nod to audiophiles and users who prefer wired audio solutions. Powered by Walkman technology, the Xperia 1 VII promises an enhanced listening experience, delivering rich, high-fidelity sound through the headphone jack.

The phone also supports front-facing stereo speakers, which offer a louder and clearer sound compared to many competitors. However, while the sound quality is good, it may not be the best in class, as competing devices offer more powerful audio performance. Still, for most users, the Xperia 1 VII delivers solid audio quality, making it an excellent choice for media lovers.

Performance: Power and Efficiency

Under the hood, the Xperia 1 VII is equipped with the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, ensuring top-tier performance for all tasks, from gaming to multitasking. In benchmark tests, the phone demonstrated impressive performance, though some competitors with similar chipsets outpaced it in optimization.

The Xperia 1 VII also features 12GB of RAM, which further enhances its performance, allowing users to seamlessly navigate between apps and handle demanding applications. While it performs admirably in most situations, sustained performance under heavy load leaves a little to be desired, as the phone tends to heat up during prolonged stress tests, which results in a noticeable dip in performance after a few minutes.

Software and UI: Streamlined and Functional

Running on Android 12 with a near-stock experience, the Xperia 1 VII focuses on functionality over extensive customization. Sony’s software experience is straightforward, with a few key additions that enhance productivity. The quick toggles in the notification shade are square and uniform, which might not be to everyone’s taste but remain functional.

One standout feature of the Xperia 1 VII is its multitasking capabilities. Sony’s Multi-Window Switch allows you to use two task switchers stacked on top of one another for easier navigation in split-screen mode. Another unique feature is Side Sense, which allows users to quickly access a customizable menu of shortcuts by simply swiping from the side of the screen. Whether it’s opening your favorite apps or managing tasks, these features offer a level of efficiency that adds to the Xperia 1 VII’s appeal.

Camera: Revolutionary Imaging Experience

The Xperia 1 VII’s camera system is one of its most exciting aspects, thanks to a series of upgrades that improve both photo quality and user experience. The main camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, which offers fantastic image quality and detail. Sony continues to deliver excellent dynamic range in photos, maintaining a good balance between highlight and shadow preservation, resulting in lifelike, vibrant images.

The new ultrawide camera comes with a large sensor, promising superior image quality. This is a significant upgrade compared to previous models, offering users the ability to capture stunning wide-angle shots with impressive clarity and contrast.

The telephoto camera is another highlight, offering continuous zoom from 3.5x to 7.1x optical zoom. This gives users flexibility in capturing distant subjects with exceptional detail. While the results at higher zoom levels can be a bit soft, the camera performs excellently in most situations, offering sharp and vibrant images in all lighting conditions.

At night, the Xperia 1 VII excels, continuing Sony’s tradition of delivering high-quality low-light performance. The phone manages to maintain excellent contrast and detail, providing clear and crisp night shots.

Battery Life: All-Day Power

The Xperia 1 VII is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which offers solid battery life. In our tests, the phone achieved around 14 hours of active use, which is quite good, although not quite on the same level as its predecessor, which could last up to 17.5 hours. While the battery life is still very competitive, users who prioritize all-day power might find the Xperia 1 VII slightly less impressive than other flagship devices with more optimized battery management.

Charging speed on the Xperia 1 VII is capped at 30W, which is slower compared to some competitors, where charging speeds can exceed 60W. A full charge takes around an hour and a half, which might be inconvenient for users looking for a fast top-up. However, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are both supported, adding to the phone’s versatility.

Verdict: The Xperia 1 VII Stands Strong

The Sony Xperia 1 VII is a flagship that offers an exceptional blend of style, performance, and advanced features. With its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, impressive camera system, and high-quality OLED display, it stands as a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. While the phone could benefit from faster charging speeds and better sustained performance under load, it still delivers an excellent all-around user experience.

If you’re a fan of high-end photography, exceptional display quality, and audiophile-grade sound, the Xperia 1 VII is an excellent choice. Its understated design, robust build, and practical features make it a standout in the competitive flagship smartphone category.