Every time I hold a Sony smartphone in my hand, I feel a sense of nostalgia, as Sony has a special place in my heart. Amidst the numerous smartphones competing in configuration and camera capabilities and the rise of phone models from Chinese brands, our Sony Xperia 1 VII quick review experience highlights why Sony still stands out.
We have seen that once-famous phone manufacturers such as HTC, LG, Nokia, and BlackBerry have struggled to survive in this market, but Sony has managed to remain in the field and even make a profit. Compared to the Sony Xperia 1 VI, the 7th generation of Sony’s flagship phone line still has no significant changes.
Sony Xperia 1 VII Quick Review
Refined Design Legacy
I assure you that when holding an Apple, Samsung, OPPO, Xiaomi, or Vivo phone, you will never get the feeling of a meticulously crafted, high-end, and classy device like Sony’s. Their phones do not follow the crowd; they always have their own style, and of course, this phone is not for the crowd.
Since Sony switched to a more conventional screen ratio with the Xperia 1 VI, their phones have become less tall, a little rounder, and a little more solid in hand, and the Xperia 1 VII continues this legacy.
With the Sony Xperia 1 series, when you hold it, you will feel slight discomfort due to the extremely meticulous CNC cuts running around the body or the presence of a 3.5mm jack and a SIM slot that does not require any tools to remove. These details are exclusive to Sony devices.
Our Sony Xperia 1 VII quick review version looks gorgeous in Orchid Purple, remaining masculine and somewhat outstanding. It is also available in Black and Moss Green. Sony is also one of the manufacturers that pay great attention to the color of their devices; we have seen many beautiful colors in Sony’s device lines.
The camera cluster still follows its own path, a design style we later also see in Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra lines, as well as Sony’s.
If I remember correctly, Sony has kept this design style for a long time. In the past, they were famous for their OmniBalance design language, a breakthrough that put them ahead of many companies in industrial phone design. Now, they continue with that but still make specific changes.
Improved Grip and Frame Refinements
From the Sony Xperia 1 IV to the present, Sony has refined the phone’s frame in this manner. I think this design will help us have a better grip when holding, unlike the slippery metal frame of some other devices.
The back is glass, but Sony has also finished it with a special coating, which helps us grip it better. This camera cluster is not as convex as that of other flagship phone models, unlike those of OPPO, Vivo, or Xiaomi. The photo quality is also very different.
While many manufacturers integrate fingerprint sensors into the screen, Sony continues to place them in the lock button, as it has done for years. This approach still unlocks quickly and conveniently, offering high reliability.
The Iconic Shutter Button
The shutter button, a specialty on Sony phones, is still present, and for me, it has the simplest and easiest function to use, unlike the Camera Control on the iPhone, which is quite different. And one more thing, I’m not sure if you’re like me. Still, every time I hold a Sony phone and raise the camera to take a photo, the index finger of my right hand automatically places itself on the shutter button, a habit I’ve developed with cameras.
Sony’s Unmatched Identity
Sony also beveled the frame, where it meets the glass and the back of the device. These bevels are precise to the millimeter, requiring no adjustment.
The Xperia 1 VII still retains the IP68 water resistance that was equipped on flagships from a time when not many companies prioritized this parameter.
The Sony Xperia 1 VII’s Always-On Display (AoD) also doesn’t resemble the iPhone, and Sony may have plans for an update shortly.
This special back material layer often leads people to think it is plastic, but in fact, it is not. The Sony stereo speaker system they make is still beautiful and meticulous, unobtrusive, and aimed straight at the user.
To me, Sony still holds its own place, with a specialty that no other company can match. As long as they exist, these values will never be lost.
Display: Clarity Over Resolution
Sony switched from a 21:9 to a 19.5:9 ratio with the Xperia 1 VI, and the same applies to the Xperia 1 VII. The 6.5-inch FHD+ OLED panel on the Xperia 1 VII, during the two days I had the opportunity to test this smartphone, I must say that it has excellent display quality, is clear, and is not much different from the 4K panel of previous generations.
The day Sony switched from 4K to FHD+, I thought it was a step backward for Sony. However, in practice, the characteristics of the Sony Xperia 1 Series remain, including clarity, full color, and a significant amount of Sony’s display support technology.
It is also due to Sony’s conservatism that when we watch videos, there are no pills or moles on the screen; everything is on display.
The top and bottom bezels are thicker than the other two bezels, and compared to today’s flagships, the Xperia 1 VII doesn’t look modern. But it must be said that it’s no coincidence that Sony still exists.
Camera Hardware Meets AI
Sony is the leading supplier of camera sensors to many brands, but when it comes to Sony’s camera on Sony phones, it is often not highly rated. If I remember correctly, since the Sony Xperia 1 V, Sony has significantly improved its sensors and algorithms. Specifically, you will have to wait for the Sony Xperia 1 VII review.
Regarding the specifications, Sony utilizes three sensors paired with three corresponding lenses. The primary camera features a 52MP resolution, an Exmor T 1/1.35-inch sensor, an f/1.9 aperture, and a 24 mm focal length. The telephoto camera features a 12MP resolution, an Exmor RS 1/3.5-inch sensor, and an aperture range of f/2.3 (85mm) to f/3.5 (170mm). The ultra-wide camera features a 50MP resolution, an Exmor RS sensor with a 1/1.56-inch size, an f/2.0 aperture, and a 104-degree wide angle.
The device’s selfie camera features a 12MP resolution, an Exmor RS sensor, and a 1/2.9-inch sensor size with an f/2.0 aperture and a 24mm focal length.
Sony also discusses Xperia Intelligence, but let’s ignore the name that sounds very similar; what features does it bring? Unlike Apple or Samsung, Sony focuses on the camera instead of productivity AI.
Specifically, the Sony Xperia 1 VII will feature an AI Camera Work feature. When you select a subject, it will always attempt to keep that subject centered in the frame. You can move the camera in many directions, and it will still maintain that position. The Sony Xperia 1 VII camera also features a dedicated livestreaming mode.
Along with a series of other Xperia Intelligence features that I have not had the opportunity to test in detail.
Performance & Battery
Inside the Sony Xperia 1 VII is a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This configuration is more than enough for you to shoot and edit videos and use it every day very comfortably.
Sony equipped the Xperia 1 VII with a 5000mAh battery, not a new battery technology, but the company promises that the battery can be used for 2 days. After just 2 days of use, I didn’t need to recharge; the battery dropped from 97% to 35% after regular use. The Sony Xperia 1 VII still features reverse battery charging, supports wireless charging, and allows plugging in the charger while playing games. This prevents electricity from being charged into the battery, thereby better protecting it.
Sony has had excellent battery protection and optimization tools, such as Stamina Mode, in the past, so this may be why they naturally extend their battery life.
Clean Software
Sony ships the Xperia 1 VII with Android 15, but it lacks many features that users expect, unlike many other devices. The software on the Sony Xperia 1 VII is straightforward, and even the arrangement of icons on the home screen lacks options like those found on other brands.
Sony uses almost the original Android, with only minor modifications and the addition of its own applications. As a result, when using Sony phones, you will feel that the device responds very quickly, similar to the Google Pixel.
Final Line
The Xperia 1 VII doesn’t chase trends—and that’s precisely its appeal. With solid hardware, thoughtful design, and a stripped-down Android experience, it’s a phone built for people who know what they want. It’s not flashy, but it’s focused—and that’s rare today.
It is now available from Amazon.co.uk for £1,399.
