Reviews
Sony Xperia 1 V Review
Sony’s smartphones have a specialised focus on photo and video, but this causes them to lack in mainstream appeal. On top of that, these phones are more costly than even the highest-end iPhones. The latest Xperia 1 V still follows this trend, being priced at $1,399, which is $200 less than the previous model, but it is still costly. In the UK and Europe, the price remains the same, sitting at £1,299 and €1,399 respectively.
The Xperia 1 V has plenty of desirable qualities and some extraordinary characteristics that are not always available on top-of-the-line smartphones, however it may not be the best fit for everyone.
Design and Display
The Xperia 1 V has a distinctively tall and slender profile that is easily identifiable as a Sony phone. When I first picked it up, I was impressed by how well it fit in my hand and how lightweight it was. The back is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus but it does not feel or look like glass. Together with the textured pattern on the aluminium frame, the phone has a robust and sophisticated look that is unlikely to slip from the user’s grip. Additionally, the finish is resistant to fingerprints.
At the top of the phone, there is a 3.5-mm headphone jack, which is not common among today’s flagships. All the buttons are found on the right side, with the power button serving double duty as a fingerprint sensor and a camera shutter button. You can open a flap at the bottom to access the SIM tray and a microSD card slot, which is another rarity in modern top-end phones. This allows for expansion of the 256 GB of internal storage. The Xperia 1 V also has an IP65/IP68 rating, meaning it is able to withstand water submersion and rain.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Xperia 1 V is prone to being accidentally triggered when placing the phone in and out of one’s pocket. Additionally, the phone’s height can make it difficult to pull down the notification shade with a single hand. To counteract these issues, Sony has implemented Side Sense, a customisable feature that allows users to access all their apps and settings with just their thumb.
The 6.5-inch OLED screen is the star of the show, featuring a 4K resolution, HDR10 support, and a 120-Hz refresh rate. Sony has maintained the 21:9 aspect ratio and installed slim bezels around the top and bottom to make space for the front-facing stereo speakers and the selfie camera. Topping it off, Sony’s Creator Mode picture setting provides true-to-life colours “as the directors intended,” resulting in a top-notch movie-watching experience on a smartphone. When not watching a movie, it’s recommended to switch off Creator Mode and opt for the brighter, more vibrant Standard Mode, as the picture can appear a bit washed out otherwise. Although the brightness isn’t the highest, the display is still visible when exposed to direct sunlight.
Processor and Battery
I experienced a worrying moment while setting up the Xperia 1 V, as it suddenly became extremely hot and froze; however, during my two weeks of testing, performance was smooth. It was a relief to discover that the new model did not inherit the overheating issues of its predecessor, the Xperia IV. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, supported by 12 GB of RAM. Although the phone became somewhat warm while shooting video, it never became uncomfortably hot. I tested various games such as Mega Mall Story 2, Real Racing 3, and Kingdom Rush Frontiers for a few hours, and the device stayed cool throughout.
The battery on the Xperia 1 V, boasting a capacity of 5,000 mAh, performed better than expected. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that after a typical day of web browsing, messaging, a few calls, and a few hours of playing games, the battery still had around 50% remaining. This device will undoubtedly last through a hectic day, and you might just get two out of it if you’re lucky. You can get 50% charge in just half an hour, but if you’re starting from zero, it’ll take a full 93 minutes to reach 100%. Plus, it’s compatible with wireless charging.
Camera
Sony is renowned for manufacturing superior camera sensors, but its own phones don’t always live up to the standard. The Xperia 1 V boasts a triple-camera setup that is capable of capturing great images, however, it requires a little bit of know-how when it comes to using the app. It features a 52-MP primary camera, a 12-MP telephoto and a 12-MP ultrawide, while a 12-MP selfie camera is located on the front.
The shots taken from the primary lens are sharp and captivatingly detailed. Sony has opted for a realistic appearance with color accuracy that is truly remarkable. I find the physical shutter button to be rather convenient. By simply squeezing it, it will focus and by pressing it all the way, you can take a photo. It can also be used as a quick way to start the camera application. Although the wide-angle and telephoto lenses are not as detailed as the main lens, they can still be utilized to take photographs of expansive scenes or to focus on subjects that are far away.
By default, the camera app is set to Basic mode; however, there is an additional row of icons that are not explicitly described. If you switch to Auto mode, the app will be able to recognize the scene and choose the necessary settings. If you are experienced, you may opt for Program mode to manage the settings, except for shutter speed. Additionally, you can also choose “shutter speed priority” to capture fast-moving objects or “manual exposure” to control shutter speed and ISO sensitivity.
Experienced photographers or those who have used a Sony camera will find this camera relatively straightforward; however, everyone else should anticipate a period of adaptation. I frequently found myself struggling with the settings, which caused me to miss certain shots. Thankfully, the camera has a convenient recall feature that allows one to save three configurations of settings. Nevertheless, this camera is not very user-friendly. People who just want to point and shoot should look for an alternative.
Sony’s Xperia 1 V offers a Night mode, their first, and it does a reasonable job, yet still needs you to remain still to dodge any blurring. When it is totally dark, you can anticipate lights to be overly bright, and it does not appear to match the top abilities of Samsung and Google. The Portrait mode also appears to be unreliable.
The Photo Pro, Video Pro, and Cinema Pro apps provide granular controls for those who need to livestream or shoot high-quality video. For the majority of users, the Xperia 1 V’s regular video recording capability is sufficient; it can capture up to 4K at 120fps, and the videos I took were of good quality. Videographers may appreciate the option of using the phone as an external monitor, eliminating the need to lug around additional equipment.
The only thing that comes in the box is the phone itself, not even a charging cable. Sony has yet to make any comment about software support (I’ve asked, but haven’t received a response). Most likely, you can expect two Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. This is not satisfactory for such an expensive phone.
Both Samsung and Google offer five years of security patches, with four and three OS upgrades respectively. This allows users to keep their phones for an extended period. Sony’s software approach is relatively minimal with little bloatware.
The Xperia 1 V’s price tag is a major downside. Most of the devices suggested in our Best Android Phones guide are more affordable. If you watch a lot of films with your phone, enjoy manual camera adjustments, shoot videos frequently, and really need a headphone jack, this device could be a good option. Nevertheless, it is too expensive for the majority of people.
Design & Build Quality
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: With its sleek 7.9mm thickness and weight of 193g, the Find X8 Ultra strikes a balance between form and function. The aluminum alloy body with Gorilla Glass 7i provides durability while maintaining a premium look. Its IP68 rating ensures it is both dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Vivo X200 Ultra: A slightly bulkier device at 8.0mm and 197g, it features a glass body that is also protected by Gorilla Glass, offering good resistance to scratches and drops. The X200 Ultra shares the IP68 rating, making it equally resistant to dust and water. Both phones use high-end materials, though the Vivo feels a bit more substantial.
Verdict: Both devices offer premium designs, but the Oppo has a slight edge with a more compact form factor and similar build quality.
Display
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: It sports a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 1256 x 2760 pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it great for high-quality video streaming. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo features a slightly larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels, also supporting HDR10+ but without Dolby Vision. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interaction, though the absence of Dolby Vision means it may not offer the same cinematic experience as the Find X8 Ultra.
Verdict: The Oppo Find X8 Ultra edges out slightly in display quality with Dolby Vision support, ideal for media consumption. The Vivo X200 Ultra, while excellent, lacks this feature.
Performance
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, it offers an octa-core CPU with a 3nm architecture. Coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Find X8 Ultra provides fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and intensive applications.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra is equally equipped with the Dimensity 9400 chipset and offers the same RAM and storage configurations. Both phones are highly efficient in handling multitasking and heavy apps. However, Vivo’s optimizations in the OriginOS contribute to smooth performance, with slightly better thermal management reported.
Verdict: Both phones are very similar in performance, offering top-tier processing power. The Vivo may have a slight advantage in thermal efficiency due to its software optimizations.
Software & OS
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Runs on ColorOS 15, which offers a refined, feature-rich interface with customization options. It comes with extensive privacy controls, performance optimizations, and a user-friendly experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Utilizes OriginOS 15, which has a similar feature set but with a more pronounced focus on efficiency, streamlined multitasking, and system fluidity. Both OS versions are based on Android 15, providing users with a clean, modern experience.
Verdict: Both operating systems are excellent, with ColorOS offering more customization options, while OriginOS is lauded for its efficiency and smoothness.
RAM Management and Virtual RAM
Effective RAM management ensures smoother multitasking.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers 12GB/16GB of physical RAM with an option for up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Provides similar physical RAM configurations but supports up to 12GB virtual RAM, allowing greater flexibility for resource-intensive applications.
Verdict: Vivo provides slightly more headroom for heavy multitasking with additional virtual RAM.
Camera Systems
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.6). It offers superb photo and video quality with features like Dolby Vision support for videos.
Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra also boasts a triple 50MP camera array, including similar wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, but with slightly different apertures (f/1.57 for the wide lens). It supports advanced Zeiss optics for superior image processing, particularly in low light.
Verdict: Both cameras are top-tier, with the Vivo offering slightly better low-light performance and optical processing, while Oppo’s Dolby Vision support offers a richer video experience.
Battery Life & Charging
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Comes with a 5630mAh battery, offering decent endurance. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging but lacks wireless charging.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Features a larger 5800mAh battery, providing a bit more longevity. It supports 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
Verdict: The Vivo X200 Ultra offers better overall battery performance, with faster wired and wireless charging options, as well as reverse charging.
Connectivity
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring high-speed connectivity and future-proof networking.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but with a USB Type-C 3.0 port. Both devices offer the latest in connectivity.
Verdict: Both phones excel in connectivity, offering similar features and future-proof technologies.
Speakers & Audio
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features stereo speakers with enhanced Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Also equipped with stereo speakers, offering a comparable audio experience, though it lacks Dolby Atmos.
Verdict: Oppo’s Dolby Atmos support gives it a slight edge in sound quality.
Security & Biometrics
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition.
Verdict: Both offer comparable security features, with in-display fingerprint sensors being a standard for both.
Price & Value
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Priced around €550-560, offering a premium experience with Dolby Vision and excellent camera features.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Priced similarly, but with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging and slightly better camera optics, providing excellent value.
Verdict: Both phones provide excellent value at their price points, with the Vivo slightly edging out in battery and camera features.
Final Verdict
Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Best for users prioritizing display quality, video features, and overall design.
Vivo X200 Ultra: Best for users who value better battery life, reverse wireless charging, and superior camera performance.
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Dimensions: 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm
Weight: 210 g
IP Rating: IP69 dust and water-resistant
Display
Type: 6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution: 1.5K (approx. 3040 x 1440 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Peak Brightness: 6000 nits
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
GPU: Adreno 830
OS: Realme UI 6 based on Android 15
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-256GB with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
-512GB with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
Storage Type: UFS 4.1 Pro
Camera System
Rear Cameras:
-Main: 50 MP wide with OIS
-Ultra-Wide: 8 MP
-Telephoto: 50 MP periscope with 3x optical zoom
Front Camera: 32 MP under-display camera
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 6500 mAh silicon-nitride
Charging: 120W wired fast charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity:
-5G, Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C 3.2
-Dual GPS, NFC
Build and Design
Materials: Aluminum body
Dimensions: 254 x 165.3 x 6.8 mm
Weight: 515 g
Color Options: Gray, Blue
Display
Type: 11.2-inch LCD
Resolution: 3.2K (3072 x 1920 pixels), 3:2 aspect ratio
Refresh Rate: 144Hz
Brightness: Peak brightness of 800 nits
Processor and Software
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
OS: Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0
Storage and Memory
Configurations:
-8GB RAM with 128GB storage
-12GB RAM with 256GB storage
-16GB RAM with 512GB storage
Camera System
Rear Camera:
-Main: 50 MP primary
-Depth Sensor: 2 MP for bokeh effects
Front Camera: 32 MP
Battery and Charging
Battery Capacity: 8,850 mAh
Charging Speed: 67W wired charging
Audio and Connectivity
Audio: Quad stereo speakers
Connectivity:
-Wi-Fi 7
-Bluetooth 5.4
-USB-C
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