Sony looks set to take another swipe at the best camera phone title
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Sony has revealed that it will announce the Xperia 1 VII on May 13
The company has also teased that it will be "powered by Alpha"
This likely means a real focus on camera improvements
Sony's Xperia 1 phones are among other things known for quite impressive cameras, but oddly – despite Sony also making a range of popular and capable 'Alpha' cameras – the company hasn't used 'Alpha' branding on its Xperia phone cameras before. But it looks like that's about to change.
In a teaser video on YouTube, the company has revealed that the next Sony Xperia 1 – likely to be dubbed the Sony Xperia 1 VII – is landing on May 13.
This teaser doesn't give much away, but it does mention that the phone is 'powered by Alpha', and then goes on to show an Alpha camera, followed by images of people taking photos with what's likely the Xperia 1 VII.
So, if nothing else this tells us that photography is likely a major focus for the Sony Xperia 1 VII, but what exactly it being 'powered by Alpha' means is less clear, with that potentially referring to software, hardware, or both.
Still, based on our Sony Xperia 1 VI review we can say that we hope night image quality and dynamic range optimization are improved, as they were weak links in that phone's photography performance.
Assuming the phone pictured in the video is the Sony Xperia 1 VII it has a similar design to the Xperia 1 VI, complete with a flat back and three rear lenses. We have some idea of what those lenses might be too, with leaks pointing to a 48MP main sensor (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto, with a focal length that can range from 70-200mm.
That's broadly similar to what you'll find on the Sony Xperia 1 VI, except the telephoto camera there is limited to 85-170mm.
Still, even if these leaks are correct, it's possible we'll see other changes to justify the 'Alpha' branding, such as larger sensors, better lenses, or software improvements.
Away from the cameras, it has also been reported that the Sony Xperia 1 VII will have a 4K, 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a battery of at least 5,000mAh.
So, this could be a highly capable handset, but with the current model costing £1,299 / AU$1,899 (with no US availability) it's also likely to be extremely expensive. We should find out for sure very soon.
Best Sony phones: the best Xperia handsets
Best camera phones: we've tested all the top smartphones for photos and video
Best Android phones: top performing and most affordable
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The Case For — And Against — Digital Detox
Is a minimalist phone for you? Mudita There have been quite a few YouTube videos posted lately about the slew of minimal phones hitting the market. Essentially aiming to be distraction-free communication devices in the most basic sense, these generally have black-and-white matte e-ink screens, good battery life, the ability to call and text, and a couple of standard apps. There's no app store. No internet access. No frills. If you just want a basic way to keep in touch with people, and don't need anything else on your device, these might be for you. They remind me of the old flip phones but in smartphone form. I finally got a review unit of one new such unit, the Mudita Kompakt. The box describes it in this way: 'A minimalist touchscreen phone…designed to bring you balance, privacy, and focus.' Think digital detox. By reducing digital overwhelm, the device helps you achieve better work-life integration, letting you be more productive in your professional and personal lives without distractions, such as constant notifications pulling you away. It also comes in handy when you want to use less tech while traveling or for parents looking for ways to reduce the stress their children/teens face regarding social media. The manufacturer's based in Warsaw, Poland but the version I received is made for North America, and officials told me it works with any major carrier in the U.S. It features a 4.3-inch black-and-white e-ink display, quad core processor, its own basic operating system, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, 8 MP camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, SIM and microSD card slots, and an eSIM. Apps include an alarm, calculator, calendar, camera, chess, e-reader, maps, meditation, music, notes, recorder, weather, phone and SMS. You cannot add any, being there's no app store or internet access. It's not the fastest machine, but it is responsive. Although it may be made for North America, it doesn't come with your best interests out of the gate. Go to the weather app, and it defaults to Warsaw. It took some figuring out, but I was able to add my hometown and make it the default. By the way, in the process I discovered that Warsaw has similar weather to Southern California this time of year. Everything also defaults to Celsius and metric measurements. But you can change those to be more America-friendly. Go to the map app, and it lets you locate yourself and anywhere else on the map – provided you first download the map of your area. But it won't provide directions. The maps are surprisingly detailed, but a little tough to see because they're not in color. Because the screen is smaller than I'm used to, the keyboard is a bit tight. Probably too tight to make detailed notes. One thing I found interesting is that when you take photos, they appear in black and white. But you can see them in color if you transfer them to a color-screened Windows computer or phone. Not gonna lie: I cannot see myself using this style of phone. However, I could see giving it to my elderly father-in-law who tries way too hard to use an iPhone but inevitably asks us how to do the most basic functions. Like even how to turn up the volume on phone calls. Using the Kompakt might take away most of the stress the iPhone causes him. It might also be a solution for young kids whose parents want them to have a phone for emergencies but don't want them to be online. It sells for $439, which I think is pricey – especially considering that for the same price or less, you can get a full-featured Android phone that you can put in 'do not disturb' mode whenever you want. Or just buy a flip phone.
Android Authority
an hour ago
- Android Authority
Sony's new XM6 headphones are surprisingly easy to repair, even for battery replacements
TL;DR iFixit's teardown of Sony's latest flagship headphones reveals some welcome repairability improvements. The WH-1000XM6's battery is secured with screws instead of adhesive, allowing for easier replacements. The headphone's drivers, USB-C port, audio jack, and button board are also much easier to access. Sony recently unveiled the WH-1000XM6, the highly anticipated successor to one of the best flagship headphones on the market. The new model brings several improvements over its predecessor, including a significantly faster QN3 processor, better ANC, enhanced voice call quality, longer battery life, and more. The XM6 also brings some welcome design changes. Sony has reintroduced the folding mechanism on the new model, which was omitted on the XM5. The company has also added detachable earpads for easier replacement and designed a completely new travel case. But that's not all. Sony has reportedly also redesigned the XM6's insides, which could improve repairability. iFixit has spotted several upgrades that should make the flagship headphones easier to repair. Its teardown reveals that the lithium polymer battery powering the XM6 is secured in a plastic housing with two screws instead of double-sided adhesive, making replacements easy. The modular plate housing the XM6's drivers is also held down by Phillips-head screws and a rubber plug, allowing for straightforward disassembly. Sony has also made the modular USB-C port, audio jack, and button board much easier to access than they were on the XM5. You can check out how easy it is to pull the headphones apart in iFixit's teardown below. Although the company has yet to share a repair manual for the headphones, you can expect it to arrive soon. Sony has published one for the older model, and we don't see why it won't do the same for its latest flagship headphones. As for replacement parts, Sony currently doesn't offer any for the WH-1000XM6 or its predecessor. However, given that the company is actively making changes to improve the repairability of its headphones, there's a chance it could start selling replacement parts soon. What do you think of Sony's decision to make its headphones easier to repair? Would these changes convince you to buy the WH-1000XM6 instead of a flagship headphone from a different brand? Let us know in the comments. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Nintendo Switch Phone App Just Got A Lot Better
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in exactly one week, and in the lead up to the new console, Nintendo has updated the Nintendo Switch Online app and made it much more useful. It also has a new, pithier name. Say goodbye to the Nintendo Switch Online App, and say hello to the Nintendo Switch App. On May 28, Nintendo quietly pushed out update 3.0.1 for the Nintendo Switch Online app. As mentioned, this abbreviated the app's name and also reworked some of its UI. But the big news is that the Switch App will now let you upload screenshots and videos from the Switch 2 directly to your phone without needing to use a QR code. You can even set the Switch 2 to automatically upload up to 100 screenshots and videos to the app. These will remain available to download from your phone for 30 days. Even better, this new feature is available for free, no paid Switch Online membership is needed. However, this new option is only available on the Switch 2. Some other great changes include the ability to add friends via the app itself, and the ability to receive notifications on your phone when your friends log on. A lot of these features are things that have existed in Sony and Microsoft's apps and consoles for years now, so it does feel like Nintendo is finally catching up. Still, it's nice that the Switch app on phones will feel more modern and be far more useful. As someone who never shared a screenshot from my Switch to my phone, I was gobsmacked that you had to use a QR code and transfer it over wifi. Using the cloud and letting the console do it automatically is a huge improvement. Here are the full patch notes for the big update: The app name has changed from Nintendo Switch Online to Nintendo Switch App. Elements of the app design have been updated. Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are now supported. Screenshots and videos saved in your console's album can now be uploaded to the app. You can now receive GameChat invitations. More friend features are now available in the app. You can now add friends via the app. You can choose to receive a notification in the app when a friend comes online. Various other small improvements and bug fixes have been made. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
