Teenaesh VijeeIntroduction
Sony’s Xperia series has always been different — built for creators, photographers, and media enthusiasts who want control and quality over mainstream trends. The Xperia 1 VII continues that philosophy, with a bigger ultrawide sensor, continuous telephoto zoom, and classic Sony extras like the headphone jack and microSD slot. But at nearly RM6,500, does it deliver enough to justify its price? Let’s find out.
What’s in the box?
You do not get charging cable, earphones or any other accessories. You only get the phone.
Design & Build (Score: 10/10)
- Tall, slim 21:9 profile — comfortable for video but harder one-handed.
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2, IP65/68 rating.
- Matte frosted glass back (resists fingerprints).
- Dedicated shutter button, microSD slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- Comes in 3 colors (Slate Black [the one I have], Orchid Purple and Moss Green.
Display (Score: 8.5/10)
- 6.5″ LTPO OLED, 120 Hz, HDR10, Bravia tuning.
- New dual illuminance sensors improve outdoor brightness.
- Sharp and fluid, though capped at FHD+ resolution (no more 4K panel).
Performance & Thermals (Score: 10/10)
- Snapdragon 8 Elite + 12 GB RAM.
- Vapor chamber cooling keeps gaming/camera temps under control.
- Smooth multitasking, stable frame rates in heavy games.
Cameras (Score: 10/10)
- Main: 48 MP (1/1.35″).
- Ultrawide: 48 MP (1/1.56″) — much improved, low-light ready.
- Telephoto: 12 MP (85–170 mm continuous optical zoom).
- Front: 12 MP.
- 4K up to 120 fps, AI Camerawork (auto-framing, tracking).
- Manual controls for pro shooters.
Audio & Media (Score: 10/10)
- Stereo front-facing speakers.
- 3.5 mm headphone jack with Hi-Res support.
- LDAC + Hi-Res wireless audio.
- Bravia-tuned OLED for cinematic playback.
Battery & Charging (Score: 8.5/10)
- 5,000 mAh, 30 W wired, 15 W wireless, reverse wireless.
- Solid 1.5–2 days of moderate use.
- Slower charging than rivals.
Software & Extras (Score: 8.5/10)
- Android 15, 4 OS upgrades, 6 years security.
- Pro camera apps, minimal bloat.
- Smooth, close-to-stock Android feel.
Value (Score: 9/10)
- Launch price ~RM6,499 (bundled WH-1000XM6 headphones in Malaysia worth RM2099).
- Premium — but niche. Worth it if you value pro cameras, audio, and expandability.
Verdict
The Sony Xperia 1 VII is not trying to be everything to everyone — and that’s its strength. It’s a tool, not just a phone:
- For creators, it’s the most versatile camera system in a smartphone.
- For audiophiles, it’s one of the last flagships with a headphone jack and Hi-Res audio.
- For media lovers, it’s a portable cinema.
Final Score: 9/10
A phone for enthusiasts, not the masses. If you want control, flexibility, and longevity — this is the one and getting a first class headphones for free is absolutely a no brainer.
You may purchase the Xperia 1 VII directly via Sony Store or other options such as Shopee or Lazada.