The Sony brand of smartphones remains to be a line of niche products catering to only a select few people who remain loyal to the brand. While the company is far from its former status as one of the top smartphone manufacturers in the world, they’re still capable of producing some of the best mobile devices every now and then.

In 2021, they released the Xperia 1 III, which easily became a cult hit among fans due to its design going in the opposite direction of what other well-known brands do. This year, they’ve released the successor of the Mark III–the Sony Experia 1 IV. Let’s look at how this phone compares to its predecessors as well as its close competitors in the market.

Sony Xperia 1 IV Design

If you have the Xperia 1 III, you’ll have a hard time seeing the difference between it and the Xperia 1 IV. They’re virtually identical, giving you that signature Sony look. It’s the perfect example of an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” situation. The Xperia 1 IV still has a 21:9 aspect ratio that comes with its 6.5-inch screen, which is a bit taller and narrower than what most people are used to with the typical Android phone.

The Xperia 1 IV has a minimalist look but packs a 4k, 120Hz OLED panel. What’s worth noting here, however, is the fact that the phone also features front-facing stereo speakers. If you look at the right side of the device, there’s also a textured button that’s quite clicky, something you don’t find that common in other smartphones right now.

Sony Xperia 1 IV Camera and Hardware

For the camera, the Xperia 1 IV has a 2MP primary, a 12MP telephoto, a 12MP ultrawide, and a ToF camera. What’s great about the Xperia 1 IV’s camera is that it gives images with good colours as well as amazing detail. Every photo looks vibrant, beautiful and not overly sharp. The only con here is how underexposed some pictures look. While the HDR helps in preventing this, the results vary a light depending on the current lighting conditions.

On the front side, you’ll find an updated selfie camera that’s now a 12MP Sony sensor that’s quite powerful. You can shoot 4K HDR video easily with this camera.

If you’re a first-time Sony user, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the IV’s built-in camera apps. You’ll be surprised to find three different camera apps, each with its own unique features. There’s the Photo Pro, which is your default camera app for taking pictures and recording videos while on the go. However, if you like to shoot more cinematic-looking clips, then the Cinema Pro app would be best suited for it. Lastly, there’s the Video Pro app, which has a fantastic stabilizer, perfect for vloggers and budding content creators who like to shoot on foot.

Battery and Performance

The Xperia 1 IV comes in 256 GB and 12 GB RAM for the basic package. But if you want a beefier option, there’s the 512GB and 12GB RAM variant.

The Xperia 1 IV also boasts of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is by fa yeahr the fastest-yet 7th gen release by Qualcomm. With that kind of power, the Xperia 1 IV can easily steamroll through practically any app you install from Google’s Play Store. If you like playing games, then Sony’s Game Enhancer feature will let you block navigation features and notifications while playing. Although, it’s best to limit your playtime as the heat buildup can be pretty noticeable after playing for a while.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry that much about running out of charge while playing, as its 5,000 mAh battery will give you enough juice for games, streaming, and browsing throughout the day.

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that the Sony Xperia 1 IV is perhaps one of the best Sony releases in recent years. However, all of these great features come with a hefty price tag of £1299. While it may lack the brand recognition of a Samsung or Apple, the Xperia 1 IV offers something different that no other smartphone currently in the market can offer.

If you’re planning on buying you’re Xperia 1 IV, then you’re going to need a pretty tough mobile phone case to protect your device. Luckily, Mobile Shark has quite a large collection of smartphone cases built for maximum protection. Whether you’re looking for silicone cases, leather cases, or even screen protectors, Mobile Shark has it all for you. Shop now and check out our collection.