Sony continues its presence in the smartphone market. Each year, the brand offers us a new vision. Here is the long-awaited Sony Xperia 1 VII. Does this phone finally represent the revival fans have been hoping for? After years of models that lacked that certain something, expectations are high. Does this new model fill the gaps of its predecessors? We have tested it intensively. Discover our complete analysis and detailed opinion.

An Eco-Friendly but Minimalist Unboxing

From the moment of receipt, Sony affirms its environmental commitment. The phone arrives in a sober, eco-friendly box. The name “Xperia” is discreetly engraved on it. However, a major surprise awaits the user upon opening. The box contains only the phone. Indeed, Sony has made a radical choice. There is neither a charger nor even a charging cable. You will therefore need to own your own USB-C equipment. This is a point to consider before any purchase.

A Recognizable Design, Between Tradition and Modernity

At first touch, the Sony Xperia 1 VII inspires a familiar feeling. The design remains true to the brand’s philosophy. It is sober, minimalist, and very elegant. The phone is distinguished by a granular texture on the back. The ridged edges offer a unique and pleasant grip. This effect is a radical change from the smooth backs of the competition.

With dimensions of 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm, it is quite compact. Moreover, its weight remains under the 200-gram mark, at 197 grams. It is therefore more manageable than competitors like the S25 Ultra.

Sony retains some highly appreciated features. We are pleased to find a 3.5mm jack on the top edge. It benefits from Walkman technology for high-quality sound. Additionally, a Micro SD card port is present, which is a rarity today. A physical shutter button for the camera is located on the right edge. For protection, there is Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front. The back is protected by classic Gorilla Glass Victus. Finally, its IP65/IP68 certification guarantees its water resistance.

A Signature Sony Display: Does It Deliver on Quality?

The Xperia 1 VII features a 6.5-inch LTPO OLED panel. It offers a Full HD+ definition and a 19.5/9 ratio. Sony announces it as the brightest Xperia screen ever made. Yet, it seems a little less vibrant than a Samsung S25 Ultra. The colors, on the other hand, are remarkably precise and faithful. It is undoubtedly one of the best screens on the market.

Two main modes are available. The standard mode, “by Bravia,” is recommended by default. It offers a sharp and vivid rendering. For experts, the custom mode allows for adjusting the white balance. You can thus calibrate the screen according to your exact preferences. However, one point is bothersome. The wide bezels at the top and bottom of the screen persist. Sony justifies them by the integration of two front-facing speakers.

Immersive but Improvable Audio Performance

Thanks to its front-facing speakers, the sound is very immersive. The sound is directed towards you, which enhances the video experience. The clarity is good and the sound level is decent. However, the sound is not the most powerful on the market. It notably lacks deep bass for music listening. Technologies like Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DSEE Ultimate are included. They enrich the overall sound quality, especially with headphones.

Performance and Battery Life: Does the Xperia 1 VII Go the Distance?

Inside, the phone is equipped with Qualcomm’s latest high-end processor. It is backed by 12 GB of RAM. This configuration ensures exemplary fluidity in daily use. All tasks, even the most demanding, are executed without any slowdown. Intensive multitasking does not scare it.

A very positive point is the heat management. Even during intensive use in high temperatures, the phone does not overheat. Sony has perfectly mastered thermal dissipation. Surprisingly, benchmark scores are slightly lower than those of direct competitors. For example, on Geekbench, it scores below the S25 Ultra. Rest assured, this difference is not felt in real-world use.

As for battery life, the Xperia 1 VII integrates a 5000 mAh battery. Sony promises up to two days of use. Based on our tests, a day and a half seems more realistic. The main drawback remains the charging. It is limited to 30W. This is far from the standards of brands like Xiaomi or Honor. One can legitimately wonder if this can still be called “fast charging.”

The Software Experience: Stock Android, an Advantage or a Disadvantage?

The Xperia 1 VII runs on Android 15. Sony offers an interface that is very close to stock Android. There is therefore very little customization. This gives an impression of sobriety, but also of a lack of character. The interface feels a bit dated, reminiscent of older versions.

A few professional applications for photo, video, and sound are pre-installed. Regarding artificial intelligence, Sony remains discreet. Classic Google functions like Gemini are present. Sony’s AI is mainly used in the background. It assists with photo and video capture, without offering visible productivity features. Finally, software support is limited to 4 years of major updates. This is less than what Google or Samsung offer.

Photography and Video: The True Strong Point of the Xperia 1 VII?

A Promising Hardware Setup

Photography is Sony’s main selling point. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel Exmor T (48 MP effective). The ultra-wide-angle is also a 50-megapixel sensor. The strong point is the telephoto lens. It offers a true continuous optical zoom from 85mm to 170mm. This is equivalent to a 3.5x to 7.1x zoom.

Photo Quality: Mixed Results

In daylight, the main sensor produces detailed, high-quality shots. Sony’s image processing preserves a very natural rendering. The shadows are deep and true to reality. Sometimes, this naturalness can make vibrant colors appear a bit too pale. The telephoto lens, despite its technology, is a bit disappointing. The photos sometimes lack sharpness compared to the best. The digital zoom is also limited. Biggest shortcoming is the absence of a dedicated night mode. This is strongly felt in low-light shots.

Video: The New Market Benchmark?

In video, the Sony Xperia 1 VII is a revelation. It establishes itself as a true benchmark. The image quality is simply exceptional. Zoom transitions are smooth and natural. AI functions like auto-framing perfectly track the subject, even animals. The stabilization is also very effective. Even the selfie camera produces very good 4K videos. It’s a real favorite for all videographers.

Price and Availability: Does the Xperia 1 VII Justify Its Price Tag?

The Sony Xperia 1 VII is available in three colors: Forest Green, Orchid Purple, and Slate Black. Only one configuration with 256 GB of storage is offered. Its price is around €1500.

Our Verdict on the Sony Xperia 1 VII

So, should you buy this new smartphone? The Sony Xperia 1 VII is a niche phone, full of qualities.

Pros:

• A premium design and excellent grip.
• A magnificent screen with very faithful colors.
• Exceptional video performance, the best on the market.
• The presence of a headphone jack and a micro SD port.
• Excellent heat management.

Cons:

• A very high launch price.
• Slow charging at only 30W.
• Photo quality in zoom and at night falls short of expectations.
• A software interface that lacks personality.
• Only 4 years of major updates.

At €1500, the price seems difficult to justify against fierce competition. If the price had been closer to €1100, our judgment would be much more lenient. For mobile video enthusiasts, it is unparalleled. For others, the overall user experience offered by other brands might seem more complete for such an investment.