Sony Xperia 1 VI Review | Big Changes!

Reviewing the Sony Xperia 1 VI, a big departure from the regular flagship smartphone design including a new display and camera app updates. The Mark 6 is great for creators, gaming etc, but beware - the Sony Xperia 1 VI is also expensive, so better get saving!

I've been testing this phone for over a week and here's my thoughts so far. Check out my other smartphone reviews here on Tech Spurt!

Now, while Sony often slaps multiple camera apps onto its premium handsets, the Xperia 1 VI makes do with a single, more standard offering. You still get some photo pro controls, but no video pro setup just yet. All the same, I like the streamlined setup and the Mark 6 can happily snap great looking portrait photos with minimal processing.

The Sony Xperia 1 VI is cracking for gaming as usual. That Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerhouse and this phone doesn't heat up even with lots of Genshin Impact action. Battery life is also among the best of any mobile I've tested in 2024. You can get a whole weekend of action out of the Xperia 1 VI if you don't go too crazy.

So that's what I think of this flagship after a week of personal use. Yeah, some of that Sony identity has been stripped away, but I enjoyed using the Xperia 1 VI as my blower. Let us know your own review below!

Sony Xperia 1 VI Review Chapters:
0:00 - Poking a tiger
0:46 - Design
2:30 - Features
3:58 - Display & audio
6:22 - Performance & gaming
7:33 - Battery life
8:41 - Cameras
14:08 - Verdict

[voidvoid]

It's the only premium phone with an sd card and headphone jack, which basically places it in it's own category

[Bayliancollins]

I sold my s23 and iphone 15 for this Xperia 1 VI. Well, i didn't have any regrets... no buts and whys.. Everythinf is smooth. Finally, all my photos are natural.. No AI and everything. I can play Call of duty while plugged in without damaging my battery!! Kudos to the master of electronics, Way to go!!

[Red_Hydrangea]

These are the right bezels for a phone. Functional bezels. That hold cameras and speakers and provide an uninterrupted display. Unlike the god awful s23 fe and pixel 8a that are made to look cheap and shouldn't be defended because "they arent flagships"

[steviestephenson]

For my preference....not punch hole...side finger print reader....front facing speakers and headphone jack ....this is the best phone since htc one m7....call me old fashioned but i miss a led notification light ...this phone fabulous battery life ...good sound ...much better aspect ratio and plenty sharp enough screen ...the only minus really the zoom isnt the best ... macro camera is insane though ....and no heating up ....not had any issues at all to this point ..for me personally ... well done sony ....

[DanPyjamas]

I swapped my Pixel 8 Pro for this and I do not regret it. Less AI photo-nobbing for sure, but more importantly it doesn't slip out of my hands at every given opportunity. I was glad to get away from the under screen finger print reader, but it took me a little while to get used to the Xperia reader; It just happens to be exactly where I grab the phone in my pocket, so it would get unlocked when putting it away or getting it out. The former being the worst of the two. Happily however, there is a setting to change the reader so it only reads if the button itself is depressed, so that fixed the issue for me.

The phone may be £200 more expensive, but for some reason, my O2 switch up came in at the exact same price as my 8 pro, so I lost nothing by changing. :/

Edit > One thing that really annoys me is that for the audio processing, you can't set "Dolby" for video and "No effect" for audio, even in the custom setting. I don't want DSEE Ultimate for music, because my music is already Hi-Res.

[carezzando]

The reason Sony does not introduce facial recognition is security issues. Unlike in the past, biometric authentication is now used in a wide range of important situations, such as monetary transactions and personal ID authentication. If you want to ensure security equal to or higher than fingerprint authentication with facial recognition, you need an advanced system like the iPhone. Therefore, although it is not well known, the current facial recognition of many Android manufacturers only uses the front camera for flat authentication, so the security performance is low. Introducing a system like the iPhone would be costly and would affect the design. And the fact is that fingerprint authentication alone is currently comfortable to use. Sony does not want to introduce facial recognition with insufficient security performance for the safety of consumers.

[kaossverige]

I moved from my iPhone 15 pro max to Sony Xperia 1 mark VI since 20240610 and I m not looking back! 1 huge thing for me is that it is missing a REAL pro video app. The included one is VERY good for photos but NOT so good for video. Can't wait for the promised new software with the up and coming Android update! Sony you got me hooked!

[HouseMusicAllNightLong]

Thanks for the great video! Not many YouTubers seem to be reviewing Sony phones these days so it's good to be able to watch at least one video on it.

[RyanR-zwkw]

No front camera hole, stereo front facing speakers, headphone jack, better camera app (than the 1ii) only thing they are missing is a better anti shake, definitely considering the upgrade, great review!!

[kirazukigamedesu]

People always blame Sony for their 'old school' design. This was out of context. This is Sony signature design. Even Samsung Ultra series has Sony signature design since Note 10.

Thick bezels? Sony always make it that way for their flagship devices because those eyesick bezels that people hates actually was front speaker. Not one, but both up and bottom screen. When we see this design, we already know it was Sony all the way. Sony always with their own unique way not following other company copy and paste design for their product. If these people have a problem, go make your own devices or just keep dreaming for their own dreaming smartphone

[thundermincz]

Mine got delayed 2 weeks, glad to watch this in the meantime!

[loo]

Fuck ya, every phone I look up for a review that's not always mainstream, TechSpurt is always there.
Appreciate the work brother!

[krakens]

That Duracell bunny joke made my day xD
Great review Chris, thanks a bunch!

[xsimaster]

Mine is arriving next week. Can't wait for it. My 1 II is nearing retirement.

[awesomeguy]

Great to see Sony grow I have been it's fan for years although I can't buy their latest flagships but I am still using their experia 5

[SonTuyenNgocHuyen]

Loving your new software advice! Just a quick tip, Immersive Translate is a must-have for anyone dealing with international software content.

[sosiehtesaus]

I've had it for 14 days and I love it❤

[athdam]

Bro just casually dropped the biggest plot twist in cinematic history!

[djtardis]

Having kept my trustee Samsung S9 for more years than i really should have done, it was high time for a change! As an audio buff i was considering the MIAD01 with its posh balanced headphone jack etc but aside from that, well it's not so great and really is a one trick pony so i kept looking...
Then stumbled on this mk vi when looking at my o2 upgrade options 😅
Ok it is eye wateringly expensive but hey if I'm gonna keep this one for as long as the S9 then... Yeah, sure I can justify it *cough*

Loving it so far! The best camera in the world is the one you happen to have in your pocket etc etc and this one does not disappoint. Coupled with great sound from both BT and the jack, snappy performance, a slick design, and gaming performance that makes my kiddies jealous, i couldn't be happier!

Anyway nice review and keep up the good work fella 👍

[nicotin]

The Scarlet red version of this phone is a real beauty! 😍🥰♥️