SONY

Xperia 1 VII: Sony is going all out, but will it convince you?

It's that time of year when Sony presents us with its latest flagship in the Xperia line. The Xperia 1 VII has just been made official and, like its predecessors, this new Android phone places a strong emphasis on the photography experience, screen and battery life. This year, however, sound quality seems to have received special attention, seeking to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Let's take a look at what this new device has to offer.

If you're a fan of the Xperia line, the new 1 VII won't bring you any big surprises in terms of looks. Sony has chosen to maintain a consistent design language, which may be positive for those who appreciate the brand's aesthetics, but perhaps less exciting for those looking for a breath of fresh air.

Durability is a serious point, with the screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the back has the regular Victus version. To give you more peace of mind in your day-to-day life, the Xperia 1 VII is water (IPX5/IPX8) and dust (IP6X) resistant, allowing you to use it with greater peace of mind in different situations.

The screen is a 6.5-inch panel with the BRAVIA signature, a technology that Sony brings from its acclaimed televisions to the mobile world. This screen has a taller aspect ratio of 19.5:9, ideal for consuming multimedia content.

At first glance, the design of the Xperia 1 VII doesn't stray too far from what you're already familiar with from the previous iteration. The straight lines and robust construction continue to be its trademark. You can find it in three color options: Moss Green, Orchid Purple and Sober Black.

The resolution is Full HD+ and the 120Hz refresh rate ensures a fluid visual experience, whether browsing social networks or enjoying your favorite games. Expect vibrant colors and a good level of detail, as is the brand's trademark. Sony has always stood out for its ability to integrate its various areas of expertise into its smartphones, and the Xperia 1 VII is no exception. Photography and audio are, once again, key pillars.

It captures the moment with Alpha and ZEISS technology...Sony continues to bet big on photography, and the Xperia 1 VII comes equipped with a triple camera system on the back. This consists of a 52MP main sensor (with 48MP effective), a second 50MP sensor (also with 48MP effective) and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

All of these lenses feature ZEISS optical treatment and technology from Sony's Alpha line, a combination that has been constant in the last Xperia generations and that promises high-quality photographic results. On the front, for your selfies and video calls, you will find a 12MP sensor. High-fidelity sound and other amenities...This year, sound quality is one of the highlights, with the integration of Sony's proprietary WALKMAN DNA technology, a nostalgic reference that points to a superior listening experience. And for audio purists, there's great news: the 3.5mm audio input is still present, a holdout in an industry that has been abandoning it.

Inside, the Xperia 1 VII is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, accompanied by 12GB of RAM. This combination guarantees cutting-edge performance, capable of handling the most demanding tasks.

Internal storage is 256GB, but if you need more space, you can breathe easy, as the phone supports expansion via microSD card of up to an impressive 2TB — another rarity these days. For video game fans, the inclusion of a vapor chamber for cooling will help maintain stable performance during longer sessions.

Good hardware needs to be complemented by optimized software and a battery that doesn't let you down. Sony seems to have taken this into account.

The Xperia 1 VII comes with Android 15 installed out of the box, the latest version of Google's operating system. Even more important is Sony's commitment to updates: the brand promises four years of operating system updates and six years of security updates. This means that your investment will be protected and up to date for a good while.

Two-day battery and wireless charging...Powering this set is a 5000mAh battery, a generous capacity that, according to Sony, could provide up to two days of autonomy on a single charge. The device also supports Qi wireless charging, adding a layer of convenience. In terms of connectivity, you can count on Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0.

Availability and price...If you're interested, the Xperia 1 VII is now available for pre-order in the UK, with a retail price of £1,399 for the single 256GB variant, which translates to around €1,640. That price puts it slightly above Samsung's recent Galaxy S25 Ultra, which in the same storage variant costs £1,099 (around €1,290 in the UK). It remains to be seen whether the Xperia 1 VII's features will justify this price positioning for European users.

mundophone