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| Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G |
Sony Xperia PRO-1
The Sony Xperia PRO-I stands as Sony's top-tier "PRO" smartphone meticulously crafted for
professionals, positioned as the quintessential camera-centric device, as per Sony's official statements. Its rear configuration boasts a triple camera system encompassing an ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto lens array.Impressively,
it supports recording 4K HDR videos at 120 frames per second, leveraging
a sizable "1-inch" sensor reminiscent of the esteemed Sony RX100
series. However, the lofty price tag of £1599 prompts a critical
evaluation
to ascertain its worthiness.
Sony Xperia PRO-I at a glance
· Rate £1599.
· Android smartphone.
· OLED Screen 6.5in 21:9 4K HDR, 120Hz, DCI-P3 100%.
· 3 Cameras: 16mm, 24mm, 50mm (equivalent).
· The 24mm Camera features a switchable f/2-4 aperture.
· Storage 12GB/512GB RAM.
· Support for MicroSDXC (up to 1TB).
Display_ Sony Smartphone with 4K OLED
The Xperia Pro-I showcases a 6.5-inch OLED screen
boasting a 21:9 aspect ratio, a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate, and an impressive
resolution of 3840 x 1644 pixels, yielding a pixel density exceeding 600 pixels
per inch (PPI).
Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G
While the maximum brightness of 570 nits is decent, it
falls behind competitors that offer considerably brighter displays. In our
APL50 benchmark, designed to mimic real-world usage, the brightness diminishes
to just 515 nits, which is insufficient for an optimal HDR viewing experience.
This high-end smartphone employs PWM (Pulse Width
Modulation) at a relatively high frequency ranging between 243 to 481 Hz to
adjust the screen's brightness below 52%. At higher brightness levels, we
observed a frequency of 120 Hz, with significantly reduced fluctuations
compared to lower brightness settings.
Sony Xperia PRO-I Design & Hardware
The primary rear camera of the Xperia PRO-I has garnered considerable attention, emphasizing its significance. Sporting a "1-inch" Exmor RS sensor derived from the RX100 series opts to utilize a cropped portion of the 20-megapixel sensor instead of employing the entire sensor size, resulting in the capture of 12-megapixel images.
Sony Xperia PRO-I Cameras
· The 16mm has a f/2.2 12MP & 1/2.55inch sensor
· The 24mm has a f/2.0-4.0 12MP OIS & “1inch” sensor
· The 50mm has a f/2.4 12MP OIS & 1/2.9inch sensor
· The 24mm has a f/2.0 selfie camera & 8MP 1/4inch
sensor
The primary rear camera of the Xperia PRO-I has garnered
significant attention. It boasts a Zeiss optic lens with T* coating and offers
the flexibility to switch between apertures of F2.0 and F4.0. Equipped with a
phase detection focus covering 90% of the shooting area, this camera supports
face and eye detection autofocus for both stills and video, catering to both
human and animal subjects. The main sensor, a stacked BSI CMOS sensor, ensures
high-speed AF/AE tracking at a remarkable 20 frames per second.
Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G
Accompanying the main camera is an ultra-wide 16mmequivalent camera featuring autofocus, an f/2.2 aperture, and a 12-megapixel
sensor, albeit smaller than the main camera's sensor, measuring 1/2.55 inches.
Additionally, there's a 50mm equivalent camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a
smaller 12-megapixel sensor sized at 1/2.9 inches. The use of smaller sensors
for these auxiliary cameras allows for more compact optics. However, it lacks
the extended zoom range found in the Xperia 5 III due to probable size
limitations.
The camera incorporates AI Super Resolution Zoom, aiming
to enhance image detail and definition, offering up to 6.3x zoom. It also
supports shooting in 12-bit raw file format. Enhancing low-light performance,
burst mode with noise reduction is employed, automatically detecting various
shooting scenarios in Basic and Auto modes.
Developed using technology from Sony Alpha cameras, the
Xperia PRO-I's camera features shooting modes resembling those found in Sony's
mirrorless cameras. Portrait orientation is exclusively available in Basic
mode, not in Auto or advanced shooting modes. In the Pro shooting modes, the
interface is tailored for landscape orientation. The device supports shooting
raw files and notably includes a sizeable physical shutter release button on
its side, a departure from typical Sony smartphone designs.
The phone boasts a 6.5-inch 21:9 HDR OLED screen capable
of displaying up to 1 billion colors, employing 10-bit tonal gradation
(achieved through an 8-bit display with 2-bit software smoothing). Although it
offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, it conserves battery life by defaulting
to a lower refresh rate. Similarly, the 4K resolution screen operates at a
default resolution of 2560 x 1096, switching to 4K resolution selectively, such
as during 4K video playback, a feature also seen in the Xperia 1 III.
A separate vlog monitor, the XQZ-IV01, is available as an
accessory, providing a 3.5-inch screen with a resolution of 1280×720. This
additional monitor can be attached to the smartphone, facilitating video
monitoring specifically when using the main camera, albeit at an extra cost of
£169.
The Xperia PRO-I records 4K HDR video at up to 120fps, a
feature also available in the Xperia 5 III, offering a more budget-friendly
alternative. It incorporates a 3.5mm headphone jack for improved audio output
compared to USB connections. Stereo speakers are built-in, complemented by
Hi-Res audio support.
Boasting water resistance and dust-proofing, the phone
utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and Gorilla Glass 6 on the
rear, ensuring durability. Notably, the device demonstrates excellent battery
life management when idle, retaining 80% of its charge over three days with
Stamina mode activated, Wi-Fi on, and no SIM card. However, engaging in 4K HDR
video recording significantly impacts battery life.
The Camera App
The camera app offers diverse shooting modes: Basic,
Auto, and multiple manual modes. The Basic mode is user-friendly, featuring an
intuitive interface for swift access to various lenses, bokeh, and aperture
controls. It enables seamless toggling between photo and video modes.
However, switching to Auto or other modes unveils an
interface reminiscent of a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera. Unfortunately, this
interface lacks support for portrait shooting, and when attempted, the display
and text appear upside down due to the interface's inability to rotate.
Moreover, these modes necessitate using the physical shutter release button
instead of an on-screen option.
Another drawback is the functionality of the volume
control, which serves as a digital zoom instead of switching between available
camera lenses. This limitation might be disappointing for users expecting an
easier lens selection process.
Video Pro App
The Video Pro app proves to be highly user-friendly,
surpassing the Cinema Pro app in functionality. It offers seamless recording of
4K HDR 120fps footage without requiring extensive manual configuration.
Although it allows for adjustments to certain settings during video recording,
it cannot unfortunately change the lens in use on the fly.
The Cinema Pro app, a more sophisticated video
application, enables the recording of 21:9 videos at frame rates reaching up to
120fps. While it offers a plethora of controls and settings that cinephiles or
video professionals may find intriguing, for the majority of users, it might be
considered excessive. In such cases, the standard camera app or the Video Pro
app would generally be adequate for fulfilling their video recording needs.
Sony Xperia PRO-I Image Quality
Similar to the Sony Xperia 5 III, the Sony Xperia
PRO-I captures images with less processing compared to many other smartphones.
If you prefer your photos to resemble those taken with conventional cameras
rather than heavily HDR-enhanced artwork, Sony's smartphones might be a
suitable choice.
However, this approach might result in missing out on
some impressive night-shot modes and the effortless user experience offered by
other smartphone brands like Google and Apple, which excel in automating the
photography process. In Basic and AUTO modes, the camera can detect low-light
conditions and adjust accordingly.
Regrettably, the Sony Xperia PRO-I falls short in its
auto night-shot mode compared to competitors like the Google Pixel 6,
especially in very low-light situations, despite boasting a "1-inch"
sensor. Nevertheless, in inadequately lit scenarios, the night mode or
low-light mode manages to deliver reasonably decent results.
Sony's color reproduction tends to be more natural
compared to other smartphones, maintaining a level of noise in the images
without excessive smoothing.
In PRO mode, utilizing the main camera, users can select
ISO settings ranging from ISO100 up to ISO12800 with various intermediary
steps. Noise remains well controlled until about ISO3200, beyond which it
becomes noticeable. In the Video Pro app, the maximum available ISO speed is
capped at ISO6400.
Ultra_wide camera performance
The ultra-wide-angle camera on the phone delivers
commendable color reproduction; however, images captured with this lens appear
noticeably softer compared to those taken with the other cameras on the device.
Despite this, the auto-focus feature allows users to focus on close-up subjects
effectively.
Wide - Standard camera performance
As anticipated, images from the main camera stand out as
the best among the three cameras, although they still don't reach what one
might consider particularly impressive, especially when shooting on days with
dull or overcast lighting conditions. In such scenarios, there's minimal
advantage in using this camera over another flagship smartphone, or even the
Google Pixel 6, which is priced at £600.
Telephoto Camera Performance
The 50mm equivalent, a 2x telephoto camera
produces satisfactory results, showcasing good detail and color
reproduction. However, the primary drawback is its inability to offer a
longer telephoto range, such as a 3x or 4x telephoto lens, which would
be preferable. Noise levels are reasonably managed, although noise starts
to become noticeable at ISO800 and higher settings.
Selfie Camera Performance
The camera in this device mirrors the relatively
low-resolution 8MP camera found in the XPERIA 5 III. It utilizes a small
1/4-inch sensor with an F2.0 aperture and fixed focus, providing a maximum
video resolution of Full HD. If considering using the excellent display as a
selfie screen for video alongside this camera, it's not advisable. Instead,
Sony offers a separate screen for purchase, allowing users to utilize the main
12MP camera for video or vlogging.
Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G
This same selfie camera configuration is consistent
across Sony's smartphone lineup, spanning from entry-level models like the
Xperia 10 III to this flagship model.
Video performance
The Xperia PRO-I introduces three distinct apps for
video recording: the basic camera app (available in basic mode), the newly
introduced Video Pro app, and the Cinema Pro app.
On the main camera, image stabilization incorporates
optical SteadyShot(TM) and "Flawless Eye"(TM) for subject eye focus
and tracking. However, the IS feature is only accessible when recording at a
frame rate of 29fps or lower. Once the frame rate is switched to 59/60fps or
higher, both IS and EyeAF are unavailable.
While image stabilization is present, there are moments
where footage displays a jittery quality during movement, requiring careful
handling to achieve steady recordings.
For 5-axis stabilization using "Active
SteadyShot," users need to utilize the 16mm camera. Both the 16mm and 50mm
cameras support 4K video recording at up to 29.97fps.
Recording 4K HDR video on the phone significantly
depletes the battery, with approximately 5% drain in 10 minutes, leading to
noticeable warmth in the device. Frame rates of 23.98/25/29.97/119.88fps
involve cropping, while 59.94fps experiences less cropping.
The Camera App for Video
Within the standard camera app, video recording is
confined to the Basic mode, offering options for FullHD or 4K video capture.
While many of the cameras can be used for recording, once video recording
commences, switching between the cameras is no longer possible. Transitioning
out of Basic mode to other modes like Auto or P disables video recording
altogether.
Surprisingly, the Video Pro app stands out positively,
unlike the cumbersome experience encountered with Cinema Pro. It offers ease of
adjustment and impressive audio quality.
The ISO range in the Video Pro app sees a significant
enhancement compared to the Xperia 5 III, now allowing up to ISO6400 in Auto
mode and manually selectable ISO3200.
During video recording, a high-temperature warning might
appear, occurring after approximately 25 minutes of recording in a room with a
temperature of around 20C.
Cinema Pro presents a less enjoyable and straightforward
user experience. Familiarizing oneself with the app takes time due to the
reliance on manual settings. To better understand the footage and issues
associated with using the smartphone for video, referring to Kai's video on the
Xperia PRO-I on YouTube could provide valuable insights.
Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G
Speakers
The stereo speakers deliver decent sound output,
reaching a maximum volume of up to 85 dB. However, the sound profile is
primarily characterized by mid and high frequencies. While the treble displays
a relatively linear quality, there could be more balance in the mid-range
frequencies.
Using the 3.5mm headphone jack provides the opportunity
for bass-heavy playback. However, there's a noticeable issue with the noise
level, which stands at an SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of 75, somewhat higher
than desired.
Sony Xperia Pro-I Battery life
The Xperia PRO-I maintains the same battery capacity
as the Xperia 1 III, standing at 4,500mAh. With similar internal components, we
initially expected a comparable battery life, which holds mostly true. However,
Sony seems to have managed to extract a few extra minutes across various usage
scenarios.
During the voice call test, the Pro-I demonstrates a
24-hour result, surpassing the 1 III by an hour. This improvement equates to
enough battery life for a year of phone calls, according to one reviewer.
Additionally, there's a 40-minute enhancement in web browsing duration at the
maximum 120Hz refresh rate, along with an extra hour of video playback at 60Hz.
While these improvements may not be revolutionary, they do indicate an overall
optimization in power efficiency.
Considering all the gathered data, the overall Endurance
rating sums up to 87 hours.
Charging speed
Our
Pro-I arrived with the same adapter as the Xperia 1 III, featuring the
30W XQZ-UC1. This adapter supports USB Power Delivery in both PDO
(5V/3.0A, 9V/3.0A, 15V/2.0A) and PPS variations (3.3V/3.0A -
16.0V/1.85A).
Connectivity - USB 3.1
The
flagship smartphone incorporates a 3.5mm headphone jack, an always-on
display, and USB
On-The-Go
(OTG) functionality, enables the connection of peripherals through the
USB-C port. Speaking of the USB-C port, it facilitates video output using a
USB-C-to-HDMI cable at resolutions up to 4K60. For data transfers, the interface
operates on the USB 3.2 (Gen. 2) standard. Additionally, screen content
can be wirelessly shared using Miracast and Google Cast.
SD Card Reader
The Xperia PRO-I offers expandable internal storage,
supporting microSD cards up to 1 TB in size. To assess the performance of the
card slot, we utilized our reference memory card, the Angelbird Pro V60. While
this card delivered commendable results in the CPDT benchmark, demonstrating
good speeds, its performance in our JPEG copy test fell below average,
achieving speeds of 23 MB/s.
Given the limited options available in the high-end
category, we decided to compare the microSD card reader of the Pro-I with its
counterpart on a mid-range smartphone.
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Communication, GNSS &Wi-Fi 6
The Sony smartphone's communication modules are
equipped with 5G capability and Bluetooth version 5.2. Additionally, it
includes an NFC chip for near-field communication, enabling features like
Google Pay. The Xperia Pro-I supports a total of 25 LTE bands, covering all
relevant LTE frequencies in the German market.
Sony Xperia PRO_1 5G
For home Wi-Fi networks, the Sony smartphone supports
Wi-Fi 6 and multi-user MIMO. When paired with our reference router, the Asus
ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000, it achieves peak transfer speeds of nearly 1700 Mbps.
However, while the sending speeds are very fast, there is a noticeable
inconsistency in the transfer rates.
Call Quality & Telephony - Xperia
Pro-I with VoLTE
The call quality of the Sony smartphone on
the Vodafone network is standard and meets expectations. Similarly, we
encountered no problems during video calls using Skype with the built-in
front camera. Voices come through clearly, and our conversation partner
confirms that our voice is captured distinctly. The phone supports Wi-Fi
calling and VoLTE (Voice over LTE).
Sony Xperia Pro-I Runs Games Well
Due to the potent Adreno 660 graphics unit,
even resource-intensive games available on the Play Store poses no
challenge. As anticipated, benchmark games like Armajet and PUBG Mobile
runs seamlessly on the Pro-I without encountering any issues. The Tencent
Games shooter operates smoothly on the Pro-I even at "UHD" resolution
and the highest graphics settings.
Sony Xperia Pro-1 Verdict
The Sony Xperia PRO-I stands out as the most
proficient smartphone for photography in our testing, yet it comes with a
significantly higher price tag. Deciding whether it aligns with your workflow
is essential.
While the PRO-I boasts a 1-inch sensor, it's noteworthy
that it utilizes only about 60% of the sensor's area, potentially disappointing
those who expected full utilization based on Sony's marketing claims.
Nevertheless, the larger pixel size offered by the 1-inch sensor contributes to
notably enhanced low-light performance. Compared to Sony's Xperia 1 III, the
PRO-I showcases better performance up to ISO 1600, especially in RAW file
shooting, retaining more detail.
An important aspect to consider is that most of the
device's standout features, including 20fps burst shooting, dual aperture
control, real-time eye AF, anti-distortion shutter, 12-bit RAW files, and 4K
HDR 120fps video, are predominantly supported by the 24mm standard lens and its
1-inch sensor. Hence, while the PRO-I incorporates 16mm and 50mm lenses, the
performance and feature support might not match the primary lens.
The Xperia 1 III's excellent handling is further improved
in the PRO-I, featuring a dedicated video record button and an enhanced
shutter-release button. The instant access to the Video Pro and Photo Pro apps
via long-pressing these buttons, even when the device is off, adds to its
appeal.
The layout and handling of the three Pro apps stand out,
offering exceptional control and functionality, and catering to those seeking
more creative command over their photography. However, it's disappointing that
not all shooting modes support portrait orientation, limiting its usability in
certain scenarios.
For casual users, the PRO-I might prove overwhelming due
to its lack of dedicated algorithms for features like 'Night Mode', commonly
found in other flagship phones. Additionally, the steep price of £1,599 /
$1,799 in the UK and USA respectively makes it the most expensive and niche
smartphone, possibly deterring even its target audience due to the hefty
investment, comparable to a high-end mirrorless camera setup.
However, for professionals and enthusiasts with a passion
for photography and videography and the financial means to invest, the Sony
Xperia PRO-I stands as an unparalleled device in its segment, offering an
unmatched experience that isn't replicated elsewhere in the market.
