Sony Xperia 1 III - a smartphone with a top processor, 5G support, 4K screen and a good camera

Sony Xperia 1 III, the latest flagship, which the manufacturer describes as:

A like the new Xperia 1 II| falls out in reality? I invite you to the review.

Specifications

What's in the box?

New Sony Xperia 1 III it still maintains its traditional simple and elegant look - i.e. an elongated screen with a cinematic 21: 9 aspect ratio, a minimalist glass structure and a triple camera. This style makes it easy to distinguish it from other competing models. But it is not everything. The top and bottom bezels are still much thicker than those on the sides. Maybe they lack modernity, but at least they are equal, thanks to which the screen gains perfect symmetry. All in all, whatever you like. Although recently manufacturers have become more and more accustomed to almost borderless screens or possibly with a small tear or hole, and here is still a black bar where the manufacturer has placed the speaker, sensors and the front camera (8 MP + 8 MP).

The back of the smartphone is also noteworthy. The housing of the tested model was made of Gorilla Glass 6 and aluminum frames. Moreover, it is resistant to water (IPX5/IPX8) and dust (IP6X). A big plus for that. In addition, we find here 3 lenses of 12 MP, which are placed vertically in the upper left corner (similar to its predecessors). The housing itself is still very elegant and has gained a matte texture, which makes it a bit less fingered. Unfortunately, dust still collects around the protruding camera. The only thing left for us to do is to get a suitable case. It is a pity that the manufacturer does not provide it in the package.

The display is a 6.5-inch OLED 4K HDR (3840 × 1644, 643 ppi, 21:9, 10-bit OLED, DCI-P3, HDR BT.2020, it covers 84.2% of the front surface), which protects Gorilla Glass Victus™. What will surely please many users is that it gained a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which was missing even in the Xperia 1 II. The image displayed on it looks phenomenal. The colors are bright, vivid and high quality, and the image is clearly visible from almost any angle. Everything on it is great and the black is really black. Thanks to the resolution of 1644 × 3840, the human eye is unable to see single points. Both video and photos on such a display look sharp and natural. The phone is also very good to use in the sun.

Sony creating such a screen ratio thought primarily about users who watch movies in cinema resolutions. What's more, the smartphone supports not only 4K resolution, but also HDR technology in the BT.2020 standard and reproduces 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. So by turning on the 4K video, we will be fully delighted with them. Although, on the other hand, looking at a smartphone, do we need such a high resolution? It is worth adding here that in the case of other resolutions, we can also expand the video to full screen, but here we must remember that we may lose part of the displayed image.

Since we're at the screen, it's worth mentioning one more function here - namely the side menu, which will allow us to access our favorite applications faster, and what's more, it will make it easier to use the phone with one hand. Its worth trying out. When it bothers us, we can also turn it off.

Despite the elongated screen, the Sony Xperia 1 I|I, [similarly to the Xperia 1 and Xperia 1 II] is quite comfortable in the hand. The grip is secure and the phone does not slip out of your hand. Its dimensions are 165 × 71 × 7.1 mm (it is therefore slightly shorter and thinner than its predecessor). The only thing worth paying attention to is that due to its elongated construction, one-handed operation is not entirely comfortable. Move your hand to reach the upper beam with your finger.

As for the buttons, on the right edge you will find:

So it got a little thick on the right side. As for me, the dedicated Voice Assistant button is unnecessary. You can easily call it from the interface, and it would be a bit looser here. What's more, it's very close to the fingerprint reader and it can get confusing at times. It is also very inconvenient to put the phone in the holder in the car. We always hit a key.

The fingerprint reader itself works as well as possible and fast enough. Although there were moments when I had to put my finger a second time. And in fact, this is the only biometrics that we will find in this model. Why didn't face unlock appear? I don't think anyone knows, which is a pity. Sony, however, has been consistently sticking to this lack for a long time.

On the left side we find only a drawer for the SIM card (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM 2 for exchange with a microSDXC memory card up to 1 TB) - it opens without the need for pins.

The tested smartphone also has a mini Jack output - on the top edge. But a big plus, because in smartphones from this price range it is a very rare sight. As for the lower edge, there we find only a microphone, a speaker and a USB type C port.

And how does the sound work? You can say that it's almost perfect (as in its predecessors, anyway). Here we have full-fledged stereo speakers that are directed towards the user, but they lack a little more bass to the aforementioned ideal. As for the sound itself, it is very clean and we can catch a lot of sounds in it. However, if we want something more, we can easily reach for headphones here. Both wired and BT. Hi-Res Audio requirements are met here and the LDAC codec is available for wireless connection. Let's not forget about the possibility of using the 360 ​​Spatial Sound system, which allows for more spatial sound on headphones. Here, however, you need to have a properly good model of headphones. So we have a lot of possibilities here and we can get really good sound from both speakers and headphones. Everyone will find something for himself.

The tested smartphone received the currently top processor, which is Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G. In addition, we find in it RAM memory: 12 GB and internal memory 256 GB UFS with the possibility of expansion with a microSDXC memory card (up to 1 TB) . In addition, the smartphone received support for the 5G network on both SIM cards in the bands: n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78. Therefore, it should work in all Polish networks.

Everything on this smartphone works great. The AnTuTu result only confirms this - the smartphone received over 805,000. points. The animations are smooth and nothing stutters. He is not afraid of even the more demanding applications or games. Unfortunately, just like in other competing models with this processor, also here the efficient processor translates into a higher temperature. With more demanding actions, the housing can heat up to over 50 degrees (near the cameras). Therefore, intensive gaming, graphics processing or taking a lot of photos and recording videos cause the smartphone to heat up a bit.

Sony Xperia 1 III was of course equipped with Android 11, which we already know from many phone models. I would also like to add that the security update came from June 1, 2021. What's more, we also find a small manufacturer's overlay here, which has been equipped with proprietary additions that have been slightly modified. We gain, for example, the ability to split the screen into 2 applications, floating windows or a player assistant. We will not find a standard photo application here, but 2 original applications: Photo Pro and Cinema Pro. The former will be useful for less advanced users. The second is the professional mode for video recording. I don't quite understand this division. People rather expect simple and easy modes, not the extensive PRO version. A professional will reach for a camera rather than a phone.

In addition, we will also find a lot of pre-installed applications in it, not all of which we can uninstall. For example, Linkedin, Call of Duty, Sony News, Sony Imaging Edge Mobile or Tidal promotion icon. This transfer is a bit unnecessary.

Sony Xperia 1 III has been equipped also in good communication modules (including the previously mentioned 5G network support).

I haven't noticed any major problems with connecting to Wi-Fi (we already have Wi-Fi 6 here) or the LTE / 5G network (Orange card, Warsaw). They work very stably.

The tested smartphone also included:

In addition, we also find here the ability to support video/image output via the DisplayPort TypeC cable or USB-C to HDMI adapter (DisplayPort 4K 60fps)

The configuration is completed by a GPS receiver (A-GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS), which of course works correctly and quickly, and the accuracy of the location is at a decent level. Behavior of the receiver on the route while driving a car or wandering around the city allows you to comfortably use your smartphone as a navigation system.

Sony equipped the reviewed phone with a battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh (500 mAh more than in the Xperia 1 II). In addition, we also find here:

The new model has gained a more demanding processor and 120 Hz screen refresh rate, which is already demanding, because with 4K support. The battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh is therefore quite a modest link. And we actually feel it too. Very intensive use will make us look for a charger after about 5-7 hours. With more varied use, 1-1.5 days of work are possible on a single charge. Fortunately, the new model also received a 30W fast charge and a suitable charger in the package. Charging from 0 - 100% takes about 2 hours. I will add that the smartphone also supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

In addition, Sony provides a standard battery manager with STEMINA mode, which allows you to extend battery life by enabling one of the available power saving modes. In the most restrictive scenario, we have only a few basic functions at our disposal, among which music, album or camera also work.

And finally, I leave the question of the camera. Sony Xperia 1 III has been equipped with a triple camera on the back and one front camera. Parameters:

Sony is known for offering a very rich camera feature set. In Xperia 1II we will find, among others:

In addition, we find a hardware shutter button on the housing.

It is interesting that Sony consistently gives its smartphones sets of lenses no larger than 12 Mpx. And looking at the fact that it has a large technological base and also supplies lenses for competitors, it could do much more here. The new set does not seem to differ from its predecessor (Xperia 1 II). However, when we look more closely, we will notice that the new matrix in the wide-angle lens has a larger size and the traditional optical zoom x3 has been replaced by a periscope lens with a movable lens with a focal length of 70 mm and 105 mm. All other indirect close-ups are digital. It will also be quite important that all lenses have received autofocus, and the main lens and the telephoto lens have also gained optical stabilization. Such a set allows for really great frames with nice, well reproduced colors and detail. Photos from the wide-angle lens are a little distorted, and after software corrections you can see less detail on the sides, but in the end they still look good. Although sometimes there are x-rays that should not take place in such expensive equipment.

We still can't count on macro photos - the focus on the object is caught from quite a distance. It's a pity that Sony didn't try such a mode here, or at least better sharpening with close objects.

What will probably please some users is that the camera has gained a night mode, although only in the automatic mode. We cannot force it ourselves. Nevertheless, thanks to this, night photos are possible to take. They are not as bright as the competition, but they also have their own charm - they are darker and more natural. We can always use the PRO mode and a tripod, but this requires a little more fun. I also don't understand the implications in extending 2 apps. Before taking a photo, the user must think about which application to use. Now, when simplicity reigns and you are expected to have as many modes ready to use as possible, such a procedure is a bit of a shot in the knee.

Finally, I would like to add that the smartphone has a physical button as standard, which theoretically makes it easier to take pictures. Theoretically, because it is useful only when we hold the phone horizontally, it is unfortunately inconvenient when we hold the phone vertically, and it disturbs us when we want to put the smartphone in the car charger.

I will pass over the selfie lens a bit. He was treated quite badly. 8 Mpx, it's a bit modest.

And here are some sample photos (automatically, of course):

As befits a phone with a 21:9 screen, it could not lack the ability to record movies in similar proportions. Just remember to switch to the Cinema Pro app when you want better quality. It's a bit incomprehensible to me, but ok.

Summary

Sony Xperia 1 III is a great smartphone on the one hand: top processor, 5G network support, amazing 4K screen with 120 Hz refresh rate, quite good camera and extensive PRO functions or stereo speakers, and on the other a bit exaggerated on the other hand. I have the impression that a modern user is not looking for a smartphone with a 4K screen (in such a small device, it's a bit of form over content) or a mega-extended camera application (a professional will choose a camera), but properly balanced in terms of price and easier camera operation (I take the appropriate mode and I'm ticking). Almost PLN 5,800 is a lot for something that we will often not use in 100%, and it will make the battery wear out faster. Not everyone will appreciate the elongated proportions, the PRO mode in the camera or the large size of the phone. The smartphone itself is great and you can even experience heating (when we do not use too many demanding applications on a daily basis) and not very long working time on one charge (we have fast charging), but looking through the prism of the price and what the competition offers, it is this smartphone will rather go into the hands of loyal fans of the brand, and will not encourage you to switch from another. And you will probably think hard before buying. Especially when they have, for example, the previous version of Xiperia 1 II.

In summary:

The advantages of the phone are:

Something worth working on is: