Sony Xperia 1 VI & Xperia 10 VI Review

The Sony Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI are the latest handsets to join the Sony family. Supporting everything from superior audio quality to two-day battery life, we had the privilege of reviewing both smartphones and exploring their standout features. 

Sony Xperia 10 VI – Bright Display for Better Visibility 

A huge selling point of the Sony Xperia 10 VI is the handset’s bright 6.1” OLED HDR display. This aims to give users better visibility for all their favourite activities whether that’s watching the latest Euros Football match or scrolling away on TikTok. 

Heading to one of the most popular series on Netflix right now Bridgerton Season 3 (sorry to all the non-romantics out there), I tested how the 10 VI display performed in all its OLED glory. 

4 hours of binge-watching later, it was safe to say that the Xperia 10 VI does an excellent job at providing a constant stream of razor-sharp visuals filled with incredible brightness. This not only made the viewing experience more pleasurable but also more immersive. 

Sony Xperia 1 VI – A New and Smarter Display Powered by BRAVIA™

Continuing with displays, the flagship Sony Xperia 1 VI boasts a bright 6.5” OLED screen with a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This adaptive refresh rate automatically adjusts based on your usage, optimising battery life. Additionally, a new 19:5:9 aspect ratio offers users smoother content creation and a better viewing experience on social networks. No matter what environment you’re in the 1 VI claims to provide you with excellent visibility. 

With all these impressive features on the table, I was eager to put the Xperia 1 VI to the test. During a walk in the UK summer heat, I tuned into the highly anticipated House of Dragons Season 2, and the experience exceeded my expectations.

Thanks to the Xperia 1 VI’s Sunlight Vision feature, the handset displayed sharp and clear visuals even in direct sunlight. The days of squinting to see your screen outdoors are truly a thing of the past!

Sony Xperia 10 VI – Loud & Clear Front Stereo Speakers 

As a proud owner of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, I’m accustomed to exceptional sound quality. Sony has delivered once again with the Xperia 10 VI, featuring enhanced front stereo speakers meticulously improved to produce louder and clearer sound.

During my Bridgerton streaming and podcast-listening sessions, the strategically positioned speakers delivered incredibly immersive audio. This significantly enhanced the overall entertainment experience and kept me wanting to watch more.

Sony Xperia 1 VI – Authentic Listening Meets Studio Quality Recording 

The Sony Xperia 1 VI boasts Full-Stage Stereo Speakers that are tactically positioned on the front of the device (just like the 10 VI) for perfectly balanced immersive audio. Added Digital Sound Enhancement Engine technology enhances the quality of digital music using AI to expand audio frequencies and dynamic range. This ultimately aims to improve the realism of sound details and takes your favourite tracks close to High-Resolution Audio quality. The audio on this flagship claims to be Sony’s best Xperia sound to date, to put this big statement to the test I headed to Spotify and let the 1 VI work its magic!

It’s safe to say that the Xperia 1 VI completely transforms the listening experience from ordinary to extraordinary. Immersive 360 Reality Audio swoops in and creates a concert-worthy experience within the comfort of your own home. The exceptional audio quality also remains consistent whether you’re listening on wired or wireless headphones; Another huge triumph for Sony! 

Sony Xperia 10 VI Camera – (Shake Free Videos, Multiple Angles & Redesigned Camera App)

The Sony Xperia 10 VI’s dual 48MP & 8MP camera is equipped with a range of amazing features to help boost your photography game; one of the standouts being multiple angles. Users can seamlessly switch between Ultra-wide, Wide and Telephoto angles depending on what they’re trying to achieve in their shots. If you want to capture all the action of an up-close subject then the Telephoto lens has got you covered. Alternatively, if you want to capture all the beauty of a landscape shot then the Ultra-Wide angle will be your best friend. 

With the Wide angle feature applied, I snapped some photos of the Edward VII statue located in the heart of Reading and was highly impressed with its performance. The camera effortlessly captured images with remarkable detail and vibrancy, demonstrating that the recent updates have significantly enhanced its capabilities. Additionally, this Xperia offers flawless, shake-free video recording and a redesigned, user-friendly camera app, making the experience even better.

Sony Xperia 1 VI Camera – High-Resolution 48MP Camera, Cinematic 4K HDR Recording & New True Optical Zoom) 

Co-developed with the engineers behind the latest Alpha series cameras, the triple-lens camera on the Sony Xperia 1 VI pushes camera power to the absolute max. This camera setup consists of a 48 MP wide lens, a 12 MP telephoto lens and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens and is said to deliver picture-perfect photography, cinematic 4K video recording, flawless high resolution and more! On top of the handset’s standard 16 mm and 24 mm focal lengths, the Xperia 1 VI additionally includes a 48 mm focal length plus a new extended 85-170mm optical telephoto lens with real optical zoom giving users more creative freedom. 

I took some photos of Stuart Melrose’s Armoured Heart Sculpture, which is entirely crafted from blades handed in to knife amnesty bins across Reading and the rest of the Thames Valley, aimed to encourage anti-knife crime. The Sony Xperia 1 VI effortlessly captured the intricate details of the stainless steel sculpture, enhancing its inspiring beauty even further. So if you’re looking for a smartphone that elevates your photos, this Xperia is a fantastic option. 

With loud and clear 360° audio, sharp OLED displays with excellent visibility and feature-filled camera systems, both the Sony Xperia 1 VI and the Sony Xperia 10 VI are guaranteed to impress any tech lover. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option then the 10 VI will be the better pick, but if you’re willing to invest a bit more in your next smartphone then we recommend going big with the Xperia 1 VI.

Like what you hear? Fonehouse ranges both of these amazing Sony handsets on a variety of tariffs for you to choose from. Happy shopping!