Sony Xperia 1 V review: 4 Fantastic Features

With a 6.5-inch 4K wide immersive display, an innovative texturised design, and a next-generation Exmor T sensor all up for grabs, the Sony Xperia 1 V is the smartphone of the season. We were lucky enough to get our hands on this 2023 Xperia to put some of its key features to the test. 

Functional Tactile Design

At some point, we’ve all owned a smartphone that without a mobile phone case is very slippery to hold. Well with the Sony Xperia 1 V, this will never be a problem, thanks to the handset’s functional tactile design!

This design feature really did live up to expectations and then some. Not only was the handset easy to hold due to its innovative texturised pattern, but its matte finish was beautifully seamless. So if you’re in the market for a functional smartphone that looks good whilst doing it, then Xperia 1 V is the perfect fit. 

Professional Technology from Alpha Camera

Sony is a renowned name in the world of technology, and they continue to impress with the Xperia 1 V triple-lens camera system consisting of a 48 MP wide lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. Boasting an all-new next-generation Exmor T sensor that captures more light than ever, photos on this flagship are said to be packed with exceptional detail, vibrancy and amazing clarity – even in low lighting (2x better than it’s predecessor). 

I ventured to the picture-esque village of Crowthorne on a night-time walk with the Xperia 1 V in hand to see if this camera really lives up to the hype.

As you can see from the sunset shot above, the 1 V captures perfectly contrasted and detailed photos with ease despite low lighting. So If you’re looking to elevate your photography game then this is the Xperia for you!

Incredible Entertainment Value: Audio & Visuals

Nowadays our smartphones are the hub for all things entertainment. Whether that means playing your favourite summer playlist on your commute to work, tuning into the latest Netflix show on the scene or even endlessly scrolling on TikTok after work..(or during – we’ve all been there). With this taken into count, it’s important that we have a smartphone that can keep up with the punches and provide us with an excellent audio and viewing experience – and this flagship does just that. 

The display of the Sony Xperia 1 V sets a new standard for immersive entertainment on a smartphone. Boasting a stunning 6.5” 4K OLED HDR display, this device offers a visual feast that captivates the senses. One of the standout features I enjoyed whilst using the display was Real-time HDR Adjustment, which improves visibility according to your environment and comes in handy during outdoor viewing. 

Alternatively, the audio experience on the Sony Xperia 1 V is nothing short of exceptional. Equipped with built-in stereo speakers with 360 Reality Audio, this Xperia delivered immersive and clear sound quality that surpassed my expectations – another win for Sony. 

Exceptional Performance

Last but not the least, running on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform chipset, the 1 V is said to effortlessly handle even the most demanding tasks with remarkable speed and efficiency. With this chip CPU performance is a whopping 35% faster than the previous generation!

After doing everything from simultaneously launching apps to engaging in hour long gaming sessions, the performance consistently kept up, and tasks were completed at a superfast speed! The days of smartphone lagging are well and truly over! 

Like what you hear? Pre order the Sony Xperia 1 V today with Fonehouse and score yourself a FREE pair of WH1000XM5 Headphones with your order!