Lifting the phone out of its cradle, my first thought was, Ah, there it is the Xperia silhouette. Tall, slim, and unapologetically rectangular. In a sea of curvy, symmetrical devices, the Xperia 1 VII stands like a well tailored suit in a room full of hoodies.
The model I tested came in Moss Green, a shade that, under soft indoor lighting, looks muted and professional. But take it into the sun, and you’ll catch subtle golden undertones dancing across its surface. It’s the kind of finish that makes you want to skip the case entirely though your nerves might not let you.
Design & Build - Understated Luxury
The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back feels smooth but not slippery, with just the right amount of resistance under your fingers. The aluminum frame is flat yet slightly chamfered at the edges, giving it both a premium feel and a secure grip.
The phone is IP65/IP68 certified, meaning it can handle both dust and submersion in water. I wouldn’t recommend swimming with it, but a sudden downpour during a city walk? No problem.
And yes Sony still insists on the side mounted fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. It’s one of those old school design choices that just works. No awkward in screen misses, no delayed recognition. Just a quick, tactile click and you’re in.
Display - A Pocket Cinema Screen
Sony has always had a unique approach to displays. Where other brands push hyper saturated colors to wow you at first glance, Sony chases accuracy the kind that makes photos look like they did when you took them, and films look as the director intended.The 6.5 inch LTPO OLED panel here is a beauty. It’s razor sharp with FHD+ resolution, supports a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate, and boasts HDR BT.2020 for those who consume HDR content. The 240 Hz touch sampling rate means every swipe and tap feels instantaneous.
The 19.5:9 aspect ratio is Sony’s signature move. It’s perfect for movies Blade Runner 2049 on this screen? Stunning. But it’s also surprisingly useful for multitasking. Split screen mode actually feels practical here, with enough vertical space for two apps to breathe.
One evening, I used the Xperia to review RAW photos in Lightroom while sipping coffee at a quiet cafe. Even in dim lighting, the screen’s brightness and contrast made every shadow detail pop without blowing out the highlights.
Performance - Muscle Under Control
Inside, the Xperia 1 VII is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 3) paired with 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM. Storage starts at 256 GB, with a 512 GB option for those who shoot a lot of video. And yes microSD expansion up to 2 TB remains, a rare feature in 2025.I stress tested the phone with heavy multitasking, editing a 4K video in Adobe Premiere Rush, keeping multiple Chrome tabs open, and streaming Spotify in the background. Not once did the phone hesitate or overheat noticeably.
For gaming, Genshin Impact at max settings ran at a smooth 60 fps for over an hour without frame drops, thanks to Sony’s improved heat dissipation system. Competitive players will appreciate the 240 Hz touch sampling, which makes quick swipes feel like extensions of your fingers.
Sony’s promise of four years of major Android updates and six years of security patches isn’t the industry’s best (Google and Samsung are now doing seven), but it’s respectable and gives the phone a long runway.
Camera - The Star of the Show
If you buy the Xperia 1 VII, chances are you’re here for the camera. Sony has long blurred the line between its Alpha mirrorless lineup and its smartphones, and this year’s model tightens that connection.
Triple lens setup:
One late afternoon, I wandered into a narrow alley in Jakarta’s old town, where sunlight sliced between buildings at sharp angles. I switched to manual mode, dialed in my shutter and ISO, and framed a shot of a man repairing an old bicycle. The resulting image had the kind of dynamic range and tonal depth that I usually associate with APS-C cameras.
Low light photography has improved dramatically thanks to the larger ultra wide sensor. Colors remain accurate, and noise is minimal without aggressive smoothing. The periscope telephoto isn’t just for distant subjects switch to macro mode, and you can capture incredible close ups of flowers or textures.
For video, you can shoot 4K at 120 fps, complete with full manual controls via the Video Pro app. Pair this with the phone’s excellent audio recording capabilities, and you’ve got a pocket filmmaking tool.
- 48 MP wide (1/1.35", f/1.9) with OIS and PDAF
- 48 MP ultrawide (1/1.56", f/2.0) with a sensor 2.1× larger than last year’s for better low light shots
- 12 MP periscope telephoto (85–170 mm optical zoom, 3.5–7.1×) with OIS and macro support
One late afternoon, I wandered into a narrow alley in Jakarta’s old town, where sunlight sliced between buildings at sharp angles. I switched to manual mode, dialed in my shutter and ISO, and framed a shot of a man repairing an old bicycle. The resulting image had the kind of dynamic range and tonal depth that I usually associate with APS-C cameras.
Low light photography has improved dramatically thanks to the larger ultra wide sensor. Colors remain accurate, and noise is minimal without aggressive smoothing. The periscope telephoto isn’t just for distant subjects switch to macro mode, and you can capture incredible close ups of flowers or textures.
For video, you can shoot 4K at 120 fps, complete with full manual controls via the Video Pro app. Pair this with the phone’s excellent audio recording capabilities, and you’ve got a pocket filmmaking tool.
Audio - Music to the Ears
The Xperia 1 VII might just be the last premium flagship to proudly feature a 3.5 mm headphone jack. But it’s not just nostalgia it’s backed by serious audio hardware inherited from Sony’s legendary Walkman series.
Listening to high-res FLAC tracks through wired headphones is an absolute treat. Details in songs emerge that you simply don’t hear on most other phones. Even Bluetooth audio benefits from Sony’s LDAC codec, which delivers higher bitrate streaming for compatible headphones.
The stereo front facing speakers are powerful and clear, making YouTube and Netflix sessions enjoyable without reaching for earbuds. And with Dolby Atmos, DSEE Ultimate, and 360 Reality Audio, Sony caters to both audiophiles and casual listeners.
Sony supports 30 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging for accessories. While these speeds aren’t chart topping, Sony’s Battery Care and custom charging limit features are designed to extend long term battery health. It’s a more thoughtful approach than just chasing wattage numbers.
This pricing makes it a niche product but that niche is fiercely loyal. For creators who value manual camera controls, a 19.5:9 display, and pro grade audio, it’s worth every penny. For the average user, it’s overkill.
For photographers, filmmakers, and audiophiles, it’s the Swiss Army knife of smartphones. For casual users, it might feel like buying a Formula 1 car just to do school runs.
But that’s the beauty of the Xperia 1 VII. It knows exactly who it’s for and it serves that audience better than almost anything else on the market in 2025.
The stereo front facing speakers are powerful and clear, making YouTube and Netflix sessions enjoyable without reaching for earbuds. And with Dolby Atmos, DSEE Ultimate, and 360 Reality Audio, Sony caters to both audiophiles and casual listeners.
Battery & Charging - Longevity Over Speed
A 5,000 mAh battery powers the Xperia 1 VII, and it’s easily an all day performer. On moderate use days some browsing, a few hours of Spotify, social media, and camera use I’d end the day with 40% left.Sony supports 30 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging for accessories. While these speeds aren’t chart topping, Sony’s Battery Care and custom charging limit features are designed to extend long term battery health. It’s a more thoughtful approach than just chasing wattage numbers.
Price & Value - The Premium Dilemma
At €1,499 in Europe (around $1,620 USD), the Xperia 1 VII is in rarefied air. This is more expensive than some iPhones and Galaxies, and availability is limited in many markets. In some regions, enthusiasts will need to import it.This pricing makes it a niche product but that niche is fiercely loyal. For creators who value manual camera controls, a 19.5:9 display, and pro grade audio, it’s worth every penny. For the average user, it’s overkill.
Verdict - A Creator’s Dream, a General User’s Overkill
The Sony Xperia 1 VII is not a phone for everyone. It doesn’t chase trends like AI photo filters or flashy charging gimmicks. Instead, it doubles down on Sony’s strengths camera mastery, cinematic displays, and audio fidelity.For photographers, filmmakers, and audiophiles, it’s the Swiss Army knife of smartphones. For casual users, it might feel like buying a Formula 1 car just to do school runs.
But that’s the beauty of the Xperia 1 VII. It knows exactly who it’s for and it serves that audience better than almost anything else on the market in 2025.