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Leaks show the Sony Xperia 1 VI could offer some substantial improvements over its predecessor, including an end to the unique but polarizing ultra-tall display.
Scoops at Android Headlines and MSPowerUser reinforce past rumors that Sony would move from the Xperia line’s usual 21:9 aspect ratio to a more manageable 19.5:9. The Android flagship might not be as easy to hold one-handed, but it could be easier to reach more of the screen. A brighter display with a sunlight mode would make it more usable outdoors.
Photography should also improve, according to the leaks. Sony will reportedly give the Xperia 1 VI a 7X telephoto zoom lens, and the image processing is billed as rivalling the company’s mirrorless cameras.
This includes the software. Sony is said to be consolidating its three separate “Pro” camera apps into a single product with a streamlined interface. Human pose estimation from the Alpha camera series could keep people in focus even if they’re looking away. A Video Creator app would make it easier to produce clips using the photos and videos you’ve already taken.
The Xperia 1 VI would unsurprisingly use the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, but would also counter complaints about overheating Sony phones with better heat reduction and vapor chamber cooling. A 5,000mAh battery would deliver a claimed two full days of use, and audio quality (including through a 3.5mm jack) would improve through a new chip and circuitry.
Sony is expected to debut the Xperia 1 VI at an event on May 17th. A lower-cost Xperia 10 VI is also on the way, although it’s not certain if that device will arrive at the same time.
Much is riding on the phone’s success. Sony has generally struggled to compete against Android rivals like Samsung and Google in recent years. Some of this has been attributed to missteps including high prices, a lack of availability through U.S. carriers, and camera systems plagued by overheating and poor automatic image processing.
The Xperia 1 VI isn’t certain to address all these issues, and its success is far from certain. If accurate, though, the rumors suggest Sony is finally addressing some key criticisms of the Xperia line and may appeal to enthusiasts who want a viable alternative to the usual Android options.
