The Sony Xperia 1 VII stands out in an increasingly competitive smartphone market, offering unique features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a two-stage shutter key. Priced at £1,400/€1,500, it promises four OS updates and two years of security patches, an improvement over its predecessor. However, it faces criticism for poorer battery life, slow charging, and underwhelming telephoto camera performance. Despite expandable storage via microSD, transferring high-resolution videos may be cumbersome. Competing against flagship models from brands like Apple and Samsung, its niche appeal is evident, particularly for users needing specific functionalities. Would you consider this phone?
Sony has limited its phone production in recent years, yet each model it introduces stands out in the market. The Sony Xperia 1 VII addresses several concerns raised by users, though some issues persist.
Sony Xperia 1 VII
The Mark 7 offers the promise of 4 OS updates. After that, while you may not have the latest Android version, the device will remain secure with patches for two additional years. This is a significant improvement over the Mark 6, which provided 3 OS updates and an extra year of security support.
This longevity is crucial, especially considering the Xperia 1 VII’s hefty price of £1,400/€1,500 in the UK and Europe, limited to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. A 512GB version is slated for Asia, while North America may not see the phone at all.
Sony Xperia 1 VII 5G
While the storage is expandable, microSD cards are not as fast as internal storage. Transferring high-resolution video shot at up to 4K @ 120fps from a slow memory card could prove to be a hassle.
Regarding video quality, we anticipated greater performance. The new ultra-wide camera produces impressive images, but the telephoto camera still has shortcomings—despite being the only one offering proper optical zoom.
The Xperia 1 VII has features you won’t find on many (any?) flagships
Aside from the microSD slot, the Xperia 1 VII distinguishes itself with a 3.5mm headphone jack and a two-stage shutter button. However, battery life has diminished compared to last year, and charging speed is relatively slow. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers fast performance, inadequate cooling negatively affects sustained usage.
For further insights, check out our detailed review and video review. Before we gather your opinions on the phone, let’s explore the competition.
At a €1,500 price point, the Sony Xperia 1 VII competes with the finest models from Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, Apple, Google, Samsung, and more. Notably, these Pro and Ultra models are more affordable than the Sony.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra • Oppo Find X8 Pro • vivo X200 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Ultimately, if you prefer wired headphones, need to carry extensive data, or want to utilize your phone as an external display for a Sony camera, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is the only option available. This specific niche is likely to appeal to consumers willing to spend.
So, what are your thoughts—would you consider purchasing the Sony Xperia 1 VII, or do you believe Sony has lost its way?