Key Takeaways
1. The Sony Xperia 1 VII will be available for preorder in Europe starting at €1,499, with shipments beginning on June 12th, 2023.
2. Preorders come with a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, valued at approximately $348.
3. Key upgrades include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a 48MP ultrawide camera with a larger sensor, while the primary and telephoto cameras remain largely unchanged.
4. The marketing emphasizes AI camera features, such as “AI Camerawork Mode” for action scenes and “Auto Framing” for easier video filming.
5. The Xperia 1 VII will not be available in the US market.
The Sony Xperia 1 VII was unveiled on Tuesday, with shipments scheduled to begin on June 12th. In Europe, preorders are now open, starting at €1,499 for the base model with 256GB of storage. As a bonus, those who preorder will receive a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones, valued at about $348 on Amazon, for free. However, it seems the new Xperia phone will not be available in the US market.
Key Specifications
On the surface, the Android phone features only a handful of significant upgrades. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is said to provide enhanced audio quality. Furthermore, the 48MP f/2.0 ultrawide camera has a much larger 1/1.56-inch sensor. There don’t seem to be any major changes to the 48MP f/1.9 primary camera, which maintains its 1/1.31-inch sensor, or the 12MP telephoto camera with its zoom lens ranging from 85mm to 170mm. Still, the marketing materials and promotional videos for the Xperia 1 VII primarily highlight the camera features.
Marketing Focus
In a promotional video, the large “Powered by Alpha” logo is prominently displayed, while showcasing some new AI features, with additional details provided in separate clips. The upgrades to the display and headphone jack are mentioned but not elaborated upon.
The design video starts by highlighting the triple-camera configuration yet also notes the presence of front-facing stereo speakers, the 5,000mAh battery, and the durable display, which is made of Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Camera Performance
As anticipated, the first video in Sony’s marketing series emphasizes the camera capabilities, particularly its performance in low-light conditions. Other than the cameras, this clip only briefly touches on the display and audio quality.
The following video introduces the “AI Camerawork Mode.” This feature is designed to keep the subject in focus, making it easier to shoot action-filled scenes involving people or moving objects. Reportedly, this function stabilizes videos more effectively than previous iterations.
Another prominent AI feature in the Sony Xperia 1 VII is “Auto Framing.” This tool automatically adjusts the framing of images using AI, allowing users to film videos without constantly looking at the smartphone’s screen, thus creating a more relaxed filming experience. However, this feature relies on digital zoom, which may negatively affect image quality.
In the “Xperia Intelligence” video, Sony exhibits the two AI camera features previously mentioned while also showcasing familiar options like Sony’s Eye Autofocus. It claims to offer improved white balance and exposure accuracy thanks to AI enhancements.
Finally, in the last promotional video for the Xperia 1 VII, several Sony engineers discuss the smartphone’s camera system. They emphasize that capturing natural colors and sharp details is a priority for the company, while mostly reiterating the AI features already highlighted.
Source:
Link
