Sony Xperia 1 Mark 6

Sony has officially launched its 2024 flagship smartphone – the Xperia 1 VI (Mark 6). Like its predecessors, this device focuses heavily on camera technology while also introducing meaningful improvements in design, display, and performance. But with so many premium smartphones on the market, does the Sony Xperia 1 VI manage to stand out in 2024? Let’s dive deep into the review.

Design and Build Quality

Sony has stayed true to its understated, practical design philosophy. The Xperia 1 VI comes with Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the back, featuring a rough, matte texture that not only resists fingerprints but also adds grip. The aluminum frame includes ribbed edges for extra hold, making it comfortable to handle despite its slightly wider body compared to last year’s Xperia 1 V.

Unlike flashy flagships from Samsung or Xiaomi, Sony’s design is minimal and functional. And yes, the Xperia 1 VI continues to offer IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance, ensuring durability for everyday use.

Display – A Shift from 4K to Full HD+

One of the most notable changes is the display. For years, Xperia flagships were known for their 4K OLED panels, but the Xperia 1 VI switches to a 6.5-inch Full HD+ OLED with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. While this sounds like a downgrade, in practice, the panel is still extremely sharp with 396 PPI density.

Key display features include:

• 120Hz refresh rate with LTPO technology (adaptive, can drop to 1Hz in certain scenarios).

• Brightness boost up to 1300 nits in auto mode, about 30% higher than last year.

• Bravia AI image processing for enhanced colors and contrast.

• HDR10 and 10-bit color support for true cinematic visuals.

The change to Full HD+ also helps battery efficiency, making it one of the most practical choices Sony has made in years.

Audio – A Treat for Audiophiles

Unlike most modern flagships, Sony refuses to kill the 3.5mm headphone jack. The Xperia 1 VI not only keeps it but also introduces premium circuitry for enhanced audio quality.

Other audio highlights:

• Front-facing stereo speakers with improved loudness and excellent sound balance.

• Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos support.

• Wireless LDAC support for lossless Bluetooth audio.

For audiophiles, this phone is one of the best options in 2024.

Performance – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

The Xperia 1 VI is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the fastest chip available for Android phones in 2024. Combined with 12GB RAM, it delivers smooth multitasking and gaming performance.

However, during benchmark stress tests, the phone showed thermal throttling despite its vapor chamber cooling system. While real-world gaming is smooth thanks to Sony’s FPS Optimizer, it doesn’t quite match the sustained performance of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Storage options:

• 512GB in Japan/East Asia

• 256GB globally

• Expandable storage via microSD card (a rare feature in 2024).

Software – Stock Android with Sony Tweaks

Sony’s software experience is close to stock Android 14, with a few Sony-exclusive features:

• Side Sense – Quick app shortcuts from the screen edge.

• Multi-Window Switch – Easy multitasking and split-screen navigation.

• Game Enhancer – Custom gaming controls and performance modes.

• Alpha Camera Integration – Connect your Xperia directly to Sony Alpha cameras for pro-level shooting.

Sony avoids heavy bloatware, making the software lightweight and efficient.

Battery Life – Among the Best in 2024

The 5,000mAh battery inside the Xperia 1 VI delivers outstanding endurance. In real-world usage, it scored 17 hours and 27 minutes of active screen time, making it one of the longest-lasting flagship smartphones we’ve tested in 2024.

Charging speed, however, remains modest:

• 30W wired charging → 0–50% in 30 minutes, full charge in 90 minutes.

• Wireless charging + reverse wireless charging supported.

While competitors like Xiaomi offer 120W fast charging, Sony focuses more on battery longevity and health.

Camera System – True Sony DNA

Sony Xperia phones are loved for their professional-grade cameras, and the Xperia 1 VI continues that legacy with upgrades.

Camera Setup:

• 48MP Main Camera (stacked CMOS, two-layer transistor pixels)

• 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera with Autofocus

• 12MP Telephoto Camera with Continuous Optical Zoom (3.5x to 7.1x)

• 12MP Front Camera (4K video capable)

What’s New?

• Continuous zoom up to 7.1x (previously 5.2x).

• New unified camera app (photos, videos, and pro settings combined).

• Telephoto Macro Mode (focuses as close as 4cm at 5x zoom).

• Improved HDR previews in the viewfinder.

Photo Quality

• Daylight: Natural colors, excellent detail, accurate white balance, and wide dynamic range.

• Low-light: Faster processing, sharp results, strong color saturation, but occasional clipped highlights.

• Telephoto Zoom: Versatile zoom range, solid detail up to 5.2x, but image quality softens beyond 7.1x.

• Ultra-Wide: Great sharpness, accurate colors, improved highlight control vs last year.

• Selfies: Excellent detail, natural tones, 4K video support.

Video Quality

• 4K recording on all cameras.

• Natural processing, accurate colors, and improved stabilization (main + ultrawide).

• Telephoto video stabilization still needs refinement but is expected to improve with updates.

Xperia 1 VI vs Xperia 1 V

• Display: 4K → 1080p (better efficiency).

• Telephoto Camera: 5.2x zoom → 7.1x zoom.

• Battery Life: Improved significantly.

• Camera App: Multiple apps → unified single app.

• Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 → Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Overall, the Xperia 1 VI feels more mainstream but also more user-friendly.

Conclusion – Should You Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI?

The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a flagship built for multimedia lovers, photographers, and audiophiles. With its stunning display, class-leading battery life, headphone jack, expandable storage, and versatile camera system, it offers something unique in today’s market.

However, it does fall short in sustained gaming performance and charging speed, areas where rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi excel.

If you value natural camera output, professional shooting tools, excellent audio, and all-day battery life, the Xperia 1 VI is one of the best flagships in 2024.

Verdict: ✅ Highly Recommended – especially for Sony fans and content creators.