The Sony Xperia 1V is finally here in Malaysia, and as per previously reported, it will set you back MYR 6,399. It is a lot of money for a smartphone, yes. It is more expensive than Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra at this point (MYR 5,699 onward, 256GB + 12GB), making it the most expensive mass-produced Android smartphone to date. But then again, the Sony Xperia 1V smartphone is not necessarily made for the general user. Instead, Sony has content creators in mind when it comes to the Sony Xperia 1V.
On paper, it does not look like you are getting much more for your money on the Xperia 1V. You get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 System on a Chip (SoC) to begin with, the most powerful processor money can buy in an Android smartphone. Alongside the integrated chip is up to 256GB in storage and up to 12GB in RAM which should ensure that the device is speedy and snappy enough to keep up with the best the Android segment has to offer. Unlike most flagships in the market though, you can expand the device’s storage with a MicroSD card at up to 1TB capacity. Of course, that means sacrificing the secondary SIM tray.
Out the back are three 12-Megapixel sensors in 24mm, 16mm, and 85-125mm lenses configuration. There is a textured glass that protects the camera sensors too that offers better grip and feel than before. Underneath the glass back is a 5,000mAh battery that should keep the device running for an entire day and even more.
Up front is a rather expansive 21:9 aspect ratio OLED display that offers 4K resolution at HDR levels. It also offers 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth feel of Android 13 on the device. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the main display and also protects another 12-Megapixel sensor that is kitted with a 24mm lens for selfies or video conferencing purposes.
We said that the main sensor is a 12-Megapixel sensor. While that is mostly true in most photography use cases, the sensor is a special one developed just for the Sony Xperia 1 series. The new Exmor T sensor is larger than regular smartphone camera sensors, meaning it can capture more light and perform naturally better in low-light conditions. The sensor also technically has 52-Megapixel on it, but only 48-Megapixel is effectively available on tap. With pixel binning, you get a larger 12-Megapixel sensor than ever before that offers more details and clarity than ever before.
Price and Availability
The Sony Xperia 1V, as mentioned, is priced at MYR 6,399. It is now available via Sony Stores and their authorised resellers throughout the nation. You can get yours in Black or Khaki Green variants. They teased a White variant at the local launch, but we cannot be sure that it will be available at the same time as the other two colours currently. For a limited time, every purchase of the Sony Xperia 1V entitles you to a Sony WH-1000XM5 noise cancelling headphones worth MYR 1,799. Yes, it is expensive, but we do think that nothing does a better job than the Sony Xperia 1V when it comes to content creation. More on the Sony Xperia 1V can be found on their website.
