What do you do when you want to have a personal audio experience at home? What if you think that soundbars are a little too much? What if you do not want to have a headphone weighing down your head? You have the Sony SRS-NS7 wearable wireless speaker.
The SRS-NS7 wearable speaker is a unique way of enjoying entertainment at home though. It is pretty much a sound bar you wear around your neck. With its wireless transmitter, you simply connect it to your TV or whatever media source you would like to experience with the SRS-NS7.
The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter that comes with the SRS-NS7 does not only work with the speaker though. It also works with select headphones to achieve the same experience you would get from the SRS-NS7.
The SRS-NS7 is in a class of its own though paired to the WLA-NS7 and paired to Sony’s BRAVIA XR TVs. With Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, the SRS-NS7 can deliver Dolby Atmos experience to your ears from the neck. The combination of the Sony BRAVIA TV, wireless transmitter, and SRS-NS7 neck speaker you get access to Sony’s 360 Reality audio for some Spatial awareness, virtual surround sound if you haven’t understood yet. Of course, 360 Reality Audio also works with music form Deezer, and TIDAL when connected to your smartphone.
While it is not a headphone unit, the neck speaker unit allows you the immersive experience comparable to Sony’s soundbars without disturbing anyone else at home or filling the entire room with noise. The upward facing speaker is optimised to deliver rich immersive audio without the frills of disturbing your neighbours or even your loved ones in the other room.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The wireless nature of the SRS-NS7 also allows you to enjoy immersive audio experience around the house without needing bulky and complex speaker set ups. At the same time, with IPX4 splash-proof design, you can take the Sony neck speakers anywhere around the house or out of it without worrying about water damage.
The Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7 in Malaysia January 2021 onward. The SRS-NS7 will be available for MYR 1,249. The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter will be available at MYR 269. To know more about the Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7, you can check out Sony’s website.
UPDATE: The Sony WF-C500 will be available in Malaysia 18 October 2021 onward at MYR 449. It will be available in black, white, green, and orange. The WH-XB910N will be available in black and blue. It will arrive in the Malaysian shores in November 2021 and sets you back MYR 799.
Sony is probably best known for their high-end audio solutions catered to the home and personal audio market. They are world renown for their legendary sound bars, speakers, and even built-in speakers for their TV line-ups. They also make arguably the world’s most recognisable noise cancelling headphones for the audiophile market, the WH-1000X series. Their latest high-end noise cancelling personal audio device is the WF-1000XM4 true-wireless earbuds.
They do not just make high-end products that is mostly out of reach to more budget conscious consumers though. They make audio products for all kinds of market. Technically, Sony is also one of the largest audio solutions providers in the world, so them service all sorts of market should not come as a surprise. That said, Sony just launched the new WH-XB910N and the new WF-C500 headphones for the masses.
Sony WH-XB910N
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The Sony WH-XB910N replaces the older WH-XB900N. It also features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology. It is not the same ANC technology that you will find on Sony’s higher end WH-1000XM4 though. That also means that it will not work as well as the higher end headphone. Still, it should be an improvement over the older headphone it is replacing.
The WH-XB910N also comes with Adaptive Sound Control. The clever software defined noise cancelling program adapts your ANC program to your environment. Your ANC intensity is determined by not just your environment though, but also buy your movements in a designated area, or even where you are.
Of course, new products have to come with new technologies. The WH-XB910N packs Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC support for even more stable high-speed wireless connection with your smartphones or PC devices. You get up to 30 hours of playback in just a single charge.
Sony WF-C500
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
When it comes to truly wireless earbuds, Sony tends to stick to a single design language that cascades down from its highest end earbuds. This season is the season of the WF-1000XM4 and it shows on the WF-C500.
The Sony WF-C500 shares very similar design cues and language with its more premium brother. Other than the similar design cues though, the WF-C500 does not share a lot with its more premium WF-1000XM4 counterpart. Even its charging shell is a little different comparatively.
You get Bluetooth 5.0 still for reliable high-speed wireless networking between your smartphone and the earphones. Unlike the older generation Sony earbuds, the WF-C500 supports mono mode with either side of the earbuds. It also does not have touch sensitive buttons. They come with physical buttons instead, to control playback and digital assistant access.
The earbuds itself can last for 10 hours, that is a little longer than the WF-1000XM4. Of course, the Sony WF-1000XM4 features noise cancelling and the WF-C500 does not. The translucent charging case carries another 10 hours of battery life for the earbuds should you deplete its battery.
The IPX4 earbuds uses a Bluetooth chip that transmits audio to both sides of the earbuds at the same time for better latency between two ears. It also supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. You have to have services like Tidal or Deezer to experience Sony’s 360 Reality audio though.
Price and Availability
The products have not been announced or launched in Malaysia yet. That does not mean that they are not coming to Malaysia though. The mid-range audio market is a hot one in the region.
In the United States though, the Sony WH-XB910N is now available for pre-order alongside the Sony WF-C500. The Sony WH-XB910N will start at US$ 249.99 (MYR 1,046*) and comes in black, blue, and grey. The WF-C500 will start at US$ 99.99 (MYR 418*) and comes in black, white, green, and orange colour options.
*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1= MYR 4.18 on xe.com as of 30/09/2021
The content creator market is huge in 2021. Of course, the rise in various social media mediums like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and even Twitch has created this huge demand for contents over the internet. To be fair, Twitch may not be a social media platform per se, but it does create a huge demand in more live streamed contents; pretty much what Facebook is doing with regular and even Facebook Gaming platform. In all these, the most popular contents are also the visual contents like videos and photo updates. Written contents have been taking a backseat for a while and we all know that.
On that note, we want to thank everyone who is still coming to the site to read our news updates, reviews, and editorial articles. We appreciate you and you are the reason we do what we do. Do let us know what you think we can do more of, or better in the comment section below or our social media platforms though.
With modern social media as well, content creation has been at its simplest form today. All you need is a smartphone that can support all the apps to start creating contents. Of course, using your smartphone to create contents can be pretty limiting. We always say that if you want to make the best video or photography content, invest in a camera; there are plenty of choices out there too. Today, your decision-making process is going to be a little harder, or easier, depending on how you look at it.
Source: Sony
The Sony Alpha (α) ZV-E10, as they call it, is meant to sit above the ZV-1 compact camera. Rightfully so, with an APS-C cropped sensor instead of the small 1-inch sensor of the compact ZV-1. It is also an interchangeable lens camera with Sony’s proprietary E-Mount. This opens up a whole plethora of creative possibilities with Sony’s extensive E-Mount lenses as well.
It features a 24.2-Megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor backed by Sony’s brilliant BIONZ X image processor. Of course, with a bigger sensor than the ZV-1, you should be getting a better image quality and better low-light performance from the ZV-E10. At the same time, there are a few features that makes this camera perfect for both experienced and new content creators.
For one, the Sony α ZV-E10 packs a clever Background Defocus feature that was first seen and highly acclaimed in the ZV-1. While the feature is more catered for vloggers, it is a clever system to sort of mimic the depth-of-field effect you get with more expensive lenses and larger camera sensors without spending the extra money. At the same time, it is less focus sensitive in this implementation, which allows subjects extra movement tolerances. “Product Showcase Setting” mode is also something that content creators can appreciate to quickly shift focus from the subject’s face to a highlighted object.
Source: Sony
At 343g (body only), the Sony α ZV-E10 is lighter than even the Sony α6400, and way lighter than the high-end Sony α7 series of cameras. That also means an added portability and versatility in your shoots. You do not need a large space to lug the ZV-E10 around and setting it up can be as easy as pulling it out of the bag and just point at your subject.
The α ZV-E10 is made with videos in mind though. It shoots at up to 4K 30fps and Full HD 120fps (slow-motion) to make this one of the most versatile compact shooters available in the current market. Of course, Sony’s clever electronic image stabilisation makes an appearance here. You do have to turn on Active Mode for stabilisation to kick in though. Still, you can get a crisp, stable 4K vlogs from the camera.
The new Sony compact camera is also sort of made to be a one-stop-shop for content creation. That is why the α ZV-E10 comes with Sony’s industry leading Fast Hybrid autofocus, and real-time Eye autofocus and tracking for all sorts of contents. You can use the camera to take great looking and detailed photos and track a moving subject for fast moving videos. You may not even need a separate mic with the α ZV-E10 too with its built-in Direction 3-capsule Mic and a wind screen included out-of-the-box. If you have a mic, you can easily use the ZV-E10’s mic jack on its side.
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The Sony α ZV-E10 will be available in Malaysia from September 2021 onward. You can select between black or white colour options with the new camera. At launch the Sony α ZV-E10 will be available for MYR 2,599 (body only) and MYR 3,099 for a kit lens (E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS) bundle. More information on Sony’s camera systems and the α ZV-E10 can be found on their website.
When Sony introduced the world to the WF-1000XM3 last year, it was rated as one of the best truly wireless headphones that you can buy. There is little doubt to that claim and why it is so. The WF-1000XM3, the second-generation noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds from Sony packed arguably the best noise cancelling technologies in the world. It came with battery life longer than anything you can find in the market too at the same time without compromising on audio quality and fidelity. That is why we decided to own one.
To live up or replace the WF-1000XM3 then is no mean feat. It looks like Sony has done so though in their new WF-1000XM4. Except, the changes might not be too much around sound quality but more around additional features instead.
Integrated Processor V1 – Better Noise Cancelling
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
That is not to say that they have skimmed on trying to make it sound better. They developed a new processing chip for the WF-1000XM4, the Integrated Processor V1. It is supposed to be cleverer than the Mark III’s QN1e processor and more powerful, at least for this form factor. That also means better noise cancellation algorithms, supposedly. Alongside two noise sensors, noise cancelling is a lot more accurate too. The new chip is also a little more power efficient than the older chip, which explains the slightly more compact body.
Redesigned 6mm Drivers
To improve sound quality, a newly designed driver unit now boast 20% more magnet volume for increased low-end power for that much needed bass line. The driver is still the same size at 6mm though, that also means that it should be as power efficient as before. But this also means that noise cancellation can be even more precise with better low-end anti-noise reproduction from the drivers. They have also redesigned the Noise Isolation Tips to be more durable and more comfortable as well as reducing outside noise. The new processor even detects wind and automatically cancels it out.
Hi-Res and LDAC support with DSEE Extreme
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Sony is known for their Hi-Res audio, so it was a little funny when Sony did not include the Hi-Res certification to the old WF-1000XM3. On the new Sony WF-1000XM4, that changes. It now supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless and all this is thanks to the now inclusion of Sony’s brilliant LDAC technology. With up to 990kbps of data transfer speed, high-resolution audio can easily be transmitted to the headphone with minimal loss. Latency might also be improved on the headphones.
DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) Extreme also finally makes it to the WF-1000XM4. The technology upscales music in real time on device to deliver even better sounding music than you are probably used to with Bluetooth Headphones. The technology fills gaps and restores any lost ranges and dynamics in music to deliver a richer and more complete audio experience.
Better Conversations with Speak-to Chat and Bone Conduction
Of course, the speak-to-chat function makes it to the WF-1000XM4. You can quickly start a conversation and the WF-1000XM4 automatically cuts music volume just so that you can easily order your favourite coffee or have a quick conversation with your friends. If you want to just quickly turn down the volume to hear announcements, simply place a finger over the left earbud. Of course, just like any older Sony headphone, Adaptive Sound Control is supported on this pair of headphones too.
Using the WF-1000XM3 for phone calls have not been its strongest suit. That is also about to change with the WF-1000XM4 though. Sony fitted the wireless headphones with Precise Voice Pickup technology and bone-conduction sensors to clearly and more accurately pick up your voice for calls. Additionally, beamforming microphones focuses on only picking up voices coming from your mouth and rejects unwanted noise from the background.
Compact, Comfort, Long-Lasting
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
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Source: Sony
Besides being 40% smaller, the case is also a wireless charging unit. That also means you can lose your cables and just place your WF-1000XM4 on your existing wireless charger to get it up and running the next round you move out. Smaller case also means smaller earbuds at 10% reduction compared to it predecessor.
Speaking of size though, an earbud’s fitting in your ear is everything to get the best audio experience. Sony’s Headphone Connect App now helps you find the best fitting earbud tip size by measuring your ear size just with a simple photo. A perfect fitting earbud tip also helps with long term comfort, of course.
Finally, the Sony WF-1000XM4 truly wireless headphones are IPX4 certified. That also means that the headphones could be your perfect exercise buddy. Just do not take it swimming. On top of that, you can be sure that your earphones can continue playing your favourite tracks from the gym to the office and even to home with 8 hours of use. The case gives you an additional 16 hours of battery life to give you a total of 24 hours in battery life.
Simpler Than Ever
Connecting the Sony WF-1000XM3 was not exactly a difficult affair, but the WF-1000XM4 is easier than ever to connect to your devices. With Google’s Fast Pair features, you only need to open the case and you are one tap away from connecting your Android smartphone to the headphones. Even Microsoft’s Windows gets some love with Microsoft Swift Pair for the WF-1000XM4 to quickly pair with Windows 10 devices.
Availability and Price
The Sony WF-1000XM4 will be available in Malaysia mid-July 2021 onward. You can get your hands on for MYR 1,099. You can also pre-order yours now until 15th July 2021. Like the older WF-1000XM3, there are only two colour options – black or silver. Pre-orders can be made at Sony Store The Curve and KLCC, Sony Store Online, and Sony’s authorised stores across the nation. For more information on the Sony WF-1000XM4 truly wireless headphones with noise cancelling capabilities, you can visit Sony’s website.
When someone asks us what TV they should buy for their homes, we always go back to Sony. We are big fans of Sony’s TV line-up and that is no secret too. We do think that they have been consistently making great TVs for a long time now. When you get a Sony TV as well, you get a sort of assurance that it will at least work properly with your Sony PlayStation 5; they are made by the same manufacturer, after all.
The BRAVIA series from Sony has also proven itself to be some of the best TVs in the world. While some of their TVs are based on older LED technology, the BRAVIA TVs still offer one of the best, if not the best, image contrasts and colour accurate images in the industry. Comparatively as well, BRAVIA TVs are more reasonably priced than some of its competitors.
Sony has just announced a new BRAVIA series with a very small difference that makes a lot of difference in how you experience TV in 2021. They have introduced the BRAVIA XR with a new processor, the Cognitive Processor XR. Yes, it is just a new processor to the TV.
As its name suggest, the new processor is a more intelligent processor Sony produces for the BRAVIA XR TVs. As with any modern processors in the market for any electronics items, it is also an Artificial Intelligence (AI) equipped chip. Sony claims that it is not conventional AI that they use here though.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
They call it cognitive intelligence, and it does kind of work to work with our cognitive behaviour when we watch the TV. Sony says that the processor is designed to replicate the ways we see and hear, like replicating focal points on the TV screen anyway; at least they are attempting to. In some sense, the processor is not attempting to create better, more vibrant, and upscaled image. Instead, they are trying to make images look more natural to our eyes.
The processor divides the display panel into zones to detect focal points in a picture. It still works like conventional AI where colours, contrasts, and details are refined. It does a bit more than just analysing and refining the general elements though. When it finds the focal points of each frame it automatically enhances its elements to the best it can be alongside the other parts of the image. The result of that is a more natural looking image that is almost lifelike, at least according to Sony.
The processor also tampers a little bit with audio and its signal positions. The processor will identify the images, analyse sound positions and correctly places them through the speakers. The processor also converts the audio signal into proper 3D surround sound for an immersive experience without you spending extra on sound bar or a separate sound system. All-in-all, the Sony BRAVIA XR with Cognitive Processor XR is meant to really elevate your TV experience with little tweaks that matter.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
With the introduction of the new Cognitive Processor XR too, the BRAVIA TVs get some new features. For one, Google TV is now available on Android TV. All BRAVIA XR TVs also get HDMI 2.1 and e-ARC compatibility for 4K 120fps support, beneficial for modern console gaming. The new BRAVIA XR TVs will also add additional support for smart speakers like Google Nest Speakers so you can control your TV with smart speakers too. On top of all of that, the TVs will also come with Netflix Calibrated Mode for studio like Netflix experience on Sony BRAVIA XR TVs.
For now, the Cognitive Processor XR will be available in five models in Malaysia. The Sony BRAVIA XR XR-65A90J OLED TV (65-inch, MYR 17,999), XR-65A80J OLED TV (65-inch, MYR 14,999), XR-55A80J OLED TV (55-inch, MYR 9,199), XR-65X90J Full Array LED TV (65-inch, MYR 7,599), and XR-55X90J Full Array LED TV (55-inch, MYR 5,399) are all available in Malaysia. There will be an 8K XR-85Z9J, OLED XR-77A80J, Full Array LED XR-75X90J coming soon into Malaysia. For more information on the Sony BRAVIA XR TVs, you can head over to Sony’s website.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) President and CEO, Jim Ryan, announced in a post on the SIE Blog that Discord and Playstation will be coming together in new ways. The news comes on the heels of a failed acquisition by Microsoft of the popular chat platform. The announcement seems to be a commitment by Sony to crossplay which will be coming to their Playstation platform.
Together, our teams are already hard at work connecting Discord with your social and gaming experience on PlayStation Network. Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together on console and mobile starting early next year, allowing friends, groups, and communities to hang out, have fun, and communicate more easily while playing games together.
Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment
The partnership sees Sony Interactive Entertainment make a minority investment in Discord as part of the platform’s Series H funding. It will also see Discord make its way to Sony’s Playstation platform starting early next year. That said, no details on what Discord coming to Playstation have been revealed. There is some speculation that the partnership may simply be the ability to sign in to Discord with your PSN account while some are more optimistic that the chat platform will see an official app for the Playstation 5 and possibly last generation’s Playstation 4.
Smartphone cameras have been on a roll in the past two years. OnePlus launches their OnePlus 9 flagship series in partnership with Hasselblad, OPPO’s Find X3 Pro comes with a microscopic lens, Samsung pushing technology with 108-Megapixel sensors, Sony even pushing the limits of their 12-Megapixel sensors with their Alpha camera knowhow. These are nothing new, to be fair. Co-branding smartphone cameras with big camera brand names started with Nokia and Zeiss. The phenomenon hit the main stage with HUAWEI and Leica’s big partnership since the HUAWEI P9.
With the advancement in camera technology on smartphones though, has these brands made proper cameras obsolete? While nothing bigger sensor still has its own advantages in terms of low-light performance and detail, smartphone cameras have progressed so much with the software that they are paired with that even low-light photography is a breeze with a smartphone. The advancement of smartphone technology also made it easier for you to get the shots you want in less time and less work than a DSLR or mirrorless.
What does this mean for dedicated cameras though? Does this mean we can replace these kinds of stuff with the small slate in our pockets? Or, should you still spend your hard-earned money on a proper camera that could set you back anywhere between half the price of a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to multiple flagship smartphones? We discuss this in this episode of Tech & Tonic.
Sony is one of the most successful brands in gaming and they are sort of expected to get cloud gaming right. They have the expertise and infrastructure to do so, in the eyes of many in the industry at least. So far though, the reception and implementation has been less than stellar at best; but it works. Do not get us wrong though, cloud gaming is a great alternative to buying your own consoles or build expensive gaming PCs at this day and age, especially when everything is in shortage. To be fair, we have not even gotten our hands on a PlayStation 5 yet.
In that case, Sony’s announcement and launch to PlayStation Now is a great welcome to not just us. It is a huge welcome to people who are stuck at home due to the pandemic in 2020; that is almost every single one person in the world. It is a big welcome to those who cannot afford a console, or even a gaming PC at the moment. It is also the perfect solution to portable gaming, because you can technically play games on your GPU-less slim and light notebook PC. You can technically play games on PlayStation Now on your TV without ever owning a console.
There are some good things to PlayStation Now. Other than playing it on your PC and on your TV without a console, you can do it over your PlayStation 4 as well. While you can only play at 720p, it also means that you spend less on buying games since it is a subscription-based service. You also do not need the game to be installed in your console, which also means you do not need to upgrade your HDD or SSDs when it gets full in the console. The best thing is though, you get to play all of PlayStation’s exclusive titles and all the AAA titles available to the PlayStation console with one subscription. From plenty of reports too, PlayStation Now works, and that matters.
There is a caveat though, you were only streaming the games over at 720p. There are some obvious reasons why, which we will not get into in this article. But that caveat may be no more.
PlayStation Now will begin rolling out support for streaming 1080p capable games this week.
The rollout will occur over the next several weeks across Europe, US, Canada, and Japan, where PlayStation Now is available. pic.twitter.com/OEHWHtMTw8
Sony PlayStation has just announced that Full HD 1080p streaming will be available starting this week. Implementations globally will vary depending on regions, but it will happen across regions that already has PlayStation Now available. The addition of Full HD streams also comes with a slew of new games to play from April 2021 onward.
There are no mentions yet on whether Full HD 1080p game streaming will be available across the entire PlayStation Now platform or limited to selected games. The Full HD 1080p stream though brings PlayStation Now up to par with game streaming services like Amazon’s Luna which streams games at a maximum of Full HD 1080p. Google Stadia still boasts 4K resolution support for selected titles, to a degree of success. Competing streaming services are also testing and moving toward Full HD 1080p support so we can expect more cloud gaming services to join PlayStation Now to offer Full HD 1080p gaming experience; a big step up from HD 720p.
Sony’s PlayStation Now is not officially available in Malaysia just yet. If you are planning to look into getting PlayStation Now though, subscriptions start at US$ 9.99 (MYR 41*) a month onward. For now, if you already own a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console but still want to have the freedom to game anywhere, there is PS Remote Play available as long as you can hook yourself up to a stable high-speed internet connection anywhere in the world.
Sony’s WH-series headphones are no stranger to the market. In fact, if you’ve been looking for a formidable wireless headphone to add to your arsenal, you’ve probably been recommended the WH-1000XM3 or WH-1000XM4. The headphones have created a paradigm shift in audio experiences since their introduction back in 2019. The headphones continue to be one of the most in demand headphones even with the introduction of the WH-1000XM4.
The WH-1000XM4 is getting a little bit more special with a limited, special edition. The new Silent White edition up-classes the already elegant design of the WH-1000XM4 with a new pearlescent white. Sony’s choice of pearlescent white permeates the whole package from the headphones themselves to the accessories that come with it. The new finish also comes with an additional coating of paint which makes it even more stain resistant. The additional layer also preserves the high quality white finish.
Beauty isn’t just skin deep with the new Silent White WH-1000XM4. The headphones come with the same technology that makes the line up a must have for audiophiles. It comes with Sony’s most advanced noise cancelling technology powered by the QN1 noise cancelling processor. This is, of course, augmented by Sony’s dual noise sensor technology which brings an improved algorithm for better noise cancelling. The audio experience is further enhanced by a Bluetooth audio system on chip which dynamically adapts to noise, music and acoustics. Edge-AI and DSEE Extreme ensures that users get the full fidelity of sound by accurately rebuilding loss audio data lost during digital compression.
Pricing & Availability
If you’re itching to get the Silent White WH-1000XM4, you’ll have to wait a few more weeks until May 2021 in Malaysia. They will be available at the Sony Stores in Suria KLCC and The Curve as well as the Sony Store Online. You’ll need to be quick though, as they will only be available in limited quantities at a recommended retail price of MYR1,799.
They will also be available in Europe starting May, 20201 for €430 (MYR2,126.75)/£400 (MYR2,295.02). Availability in the the U.S. will start in summer with a recommended retail price of $399.99 (MYR1,646.90).
Sony’s Xperia launch just happened last night. Of course, it was a pre-recorded video played on their own website. It was not a live session or anything like that because of the current situation of the pandemic. Yes, we have to still remind ourselves that we are still in the midst of the pandemic, stay safe.
Still, manufacturers are becoming active again and that is something we love to see. Sony is also a brand that is close to our hearts. We are big fans of their products and I do not think we are able to hide our affection toward the brand very well.
So, the Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III, and Xperia 10 III made the stage last night. The big highlights of the show though were the Sony Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. Sony claims that these are the world’s first smartphones to pack Variable telephoto lens paired with a dual PD autofocus sensor. We will go into detail what that is later.
As per their Sony Alpha (α) moniker, the cameras on the Sony Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III will also pack Real-time Eye Autofocus for both humans and animals. You also get 20fps burst photo mode with low light noise reduction technology thanks to a BIONZ X processor built into the device. On top of that, there is a brand-new AI super resolution zoom technology for a better and cleared photos when you zoom into a subject.
Sony Xperia 1 III
Source: Sony
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Source: Sony
The Sony Xperia 1 III is made to be flagship among flagships. It packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 System on a Chip (SoC), the most powerful you technically can get in the industry today. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC is supported by 12GB of RAM to keep Android 11 trundling along nicely with up to 512GB in storage. Of course, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is also a 5G capable SoC making this Xperia a 5G device.
You want all of that power from the SoC too though because the Xperia 1 III packs a 4K HDR OLED display at its 6.5-inch with CinemaWide screen ratio. That display also boasts 120Hz in refresh rate. This also makes the Xperia 1 III the first smartphone to feature a 120Hz 4K OLED display in the world. We think it will be the only one too. This should be something else when you game. It is also protected with Corning’s latest Gorilla Glass Victus up front.
The Gorilla Glass 6 protected rear features three cameras with the help of a 3D ToF sensor. The main sensor is not some crazy 108-Megapixel shooter with crazier resolution clearing technology. You get a Plain Jane 12-Megapixel sensor with a regular f/1.7 in aperture. That 12-Megapixel sensor is flanked by another 12-Megapixel telephoto lens with Variable zoom lengths. You can zoom it to 70mm or 105mm, that is 3x to 4x zoom. There is also another 12-Megapixel camera that shoots at an ultra-wide angle with 124o of view.
Source: Sony
Of course, the 12-Megapixel camera is capable of shooting videos at 4K resolution with HDR. With Cinematography Pro with Sony’s CineAlta technology, the Sony Xperia can shoot videos at 120fps slow-motion for up to 5x slow-motion videos. There is also a new User Interface (UI) that comes with the Xperia 1 III movie mode to make things even more intuitive for a quicker and more convenient workflow.
They have improved the audio as well on the Sony Xperia 1 III. The speakers are 40% louder than before. The smartphone also now supports 360 Reality Audio through the speakers natively too. The Xperia 1 also boasts DSEE Ultimate technology that enhances your music even more. Oh yes, it still has a 3.5mm audio jack.
All the hardware inside the Xperia 1 III flagship will require a lot of power to run for a whole day. That is why Sony packs 4,500mAh battery. The 4,500mAh battery charges to 50% in just 30 minutes with the included charger. You can also wirelessly charge it or wireless charge other devices with the Xperia 1 III.
Sony Xperia 5 III
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
The Sony Xperia 5 III packs mostly the same internals as the Xperia 1 III. It even packs the same camera array. The only difference on the outside of the device is probably the sizes.
The Sony Xperia 5 III comes with a 6.1-inch display. It does not produce 4K of resolution though. It only displays at Full HD+. It is also still a 120Hz display still for a silky-smooth experience.
Internally you get up to 8GB of RAM space and 256GB of storage. If that is not enough for you, there is a MicroSD slot that supports up to 1TB MicroSDXC cards. At least you still have the 4,500mAh battery that you get from Sony Xperia 1 III as well.
Price and Availability
The Sony Xperia 1 III will be in Malaysia with Android 11 at the end of July 2021 onward. It You can choose between Frosted Black and Frosted Purple colour options. The Sony Xperia 5 III will be available in Green colour option only. It will only be available in Malaysia September 2021 onward. There are no indications on the pricing of the devices at this point too. Sony says they will be announcing the price on a later date. For more information on the Sony Xperia 1 III and Sony Xperia 5 III, you can visit their website.
