Sony has just announced a new flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 II. The new media-focused phone comes with a 21:9 CinemaWide 6.5-inch 4K OLED HDR display, a triple camera array that integrates tech from both Sony Alpha and Zeiss optics and front-facing stereo speakers paired with 360 Reality Audio hardware decoding. Behind all of this is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865.
At the same time, Sony also announced the development of the Xperia Pro, which targets professional video producers.
Let’s take a look inside the Xperia 1 II
Inside, the smartphone sports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 mobile platform with 8GB RAM, 256GB storage and space for dual-nano SIMs. What about video storage? The phone’s microSD-card slot accepts up to 1TB of extra storage. It has a 4,000mAh battery and comes with IP65/68 water resistance.
The camera system
The smartphone features a triple-camera with three 12-megapixel sensors paired with Zeiss lenses, each crafted with Zeiss’ T* anti-reflective coating. There’s a 24mm, f/1.7 lens with an 82-degree field of view, a 70mm f/2.4 lens with a 34-degree field of view, and a 16mm f/2.2 lens with a 124-degree field of view. Additionally, there’s a 3D time-of-flight unit for faster autofocus, even in low-light conditions. On the front, you will find an 8-megapixel f/2.0 selfie lens with an 84-degree field of view.
Video and photo capture
In addition to the upgraded hardware, Sony also packs in features that you would find in Sony mirrorless cameras. These include 20 frames-per-second autofocus tracking burst and Real-time Eye AF with both human and animal eye tracking.
Finally, new Photography Pro and upgraded Cinematography Pro shooting modes give users more control over image capture. The Photography Pro mode feature full manual exposure control and a familiar interface.
Cinematography Pro, powered by CineAlta, now supports 2K 120fps 10-bit HDR video as well as 21:9 4K HDR at up to 60fps. This mode also features Touch AF, Metered Manual controls, a level meter, improved white balance and an Intelligent wind filter that Sony promises will deliver clear audio recording.
Sony promises immersive entertainment
In addition to the Xperia 1 II’s impressive media capture technology, the phone also claims to deliver an immersive entertainment experience in terms of both audio and gaming.
The Xperia 1 II features built-in 360 Reality Audio hardware decoding and audio tuned in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment. Audio is delivered via front-facing stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack or over Bluetooth.
Likewise, support for PlayStation Dualshock Wireless Controllers, motion blur reduction and enhanced touch sensitivity should appeal to mobile gamers. Also, the phone’s Game Enhancer mode is said to improve the gaming experience even further.
How is the Xperia 1 II’s display?
For the display, Sony made the phone with a 21:9 CinemaWide 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED screen. The company claims the screen offers “unprecedented color accuracy.” Also, there’s a creator mode that’s powered by Sony’s pro-camera division, CineAlta. We don’t know the refresh rate of the screen yet, but Sony says its motion blur reduction is “equivalent to that of a 90Hz display.”
What about the Xperia Pro?
Also announced is the development of the Xperia Pro. This upgraded smartphone takes a lot of inspiration and literal hardware from the Xperia 1 II’s imaging and display capabilities but adds 5G mmWave compatibility and HDMI connectivity.
The Xperia Pro features a unique 4-way antenna that Sony promises with stabilize communication in the 5G mmWave band and allows for uninterrupted high-speed data transmission. This means the phone can support pro-level broadcast video transmission workflows.
In addition, the phone’s HDMI input means it can serve as a monitor with virtually any camera with an HDMI output.
Pricing and availability
Pricing and availability for the Sony Xperia 1 II and Xperia Pro has not yet been officially announced.
