TECHNOLOGY

Sony's Xperia 1 VII: The Ultimate Tech Showcase

EuropeTue May 13 2025
Sony's latest smartphone, the Xperia 1 VII, is a testament to the company's innovation in audio and visual technology. This device is not just a phone; it's a portable demonstration of Sony's cutting-edge tech. The Xperia 1 VII features some impressive camera upgrades. It includes a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with a large 1/1. 56-inch sensor. This is a significant improvement over the previous model's ultrawide capabilities. The main camera remains a 48MP 1/1. 35-inch 24mm lens, and there's a 12MP 85-170mm telephoto zoom lens as well. The phone's camera system also benefits from AI-powered Auto Framing. This feature allows users to capture a wide scene while automatically zooming in on a subject. It's a trick borrowed from Sony's Alpha camera lineup. Other camera features include improved Bokeh mode, real-time tracking, and real-time eye autofocus. The Xperia 1 VII also supports "telemacro" photography, letting users focus as close as 4cm with the 120mm equivalent lens. Pro controls, a dedicated shutter button, live streaming, and low-light capabilities round out the camera's impressive specs. Audio is another area where the Xperia 1 VII shines. Sony has integrated high-end Walkman components into the phone's sound system. This includes sound resistors and a premium-grade integrated circuit for wired sound. The headphone jack, a rarity among modern smartphones, makes a return. Wireless audio quality has also been improved with LDAC support. Additionally, the phone supports Sony's DSEE Ultimate AI sound upscaling technology, along with 360 Reality Audio or Dolby Atmos formats. The display is another standout feature. The Xperia 1 VII borrows technology from Sony's Bravia TVs with an adaptive brightness feature. The 6. 5-inch OLED display now has light sensors on both the front and back. These sensors help the phone better gauge environmental light levels and adjust brightness, contrast, and color accordingly. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Storage can be expanded to 2TB with a microSD card. Other features include WiFi 7, an FPS gaming optimizer, and a vapour chamber cooler for better heat management. The Xperia 1 VII also boasts a 5, 000mAh battery, promising two days of use. It's protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering robust environmental protection. As a bonus, Sony is including a free set of its top-end WH-1000XM5 headphones, valued at around $300. However, there's a catch. The Xperia 1 VII is not available in the United States. It's currently up for order in Europe and the UK for €1, 499 and £1, 399, respectively, which is roughly $1, 700. This price point puts it in the premium smartphone category, but the features justify the cost for tech enthusiasts.

questions

    Why does Sony insist on keeping the headphone jack if the phone is too expensive to buy headphones for?
    How does the AI-powered Auto Framing feature in the Xperia 1 VII improve photography for everyday users?
    How does the adaptive brightness feature in the Xperia 1 VII compare to similar technologies in other high-end smartphones?

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