Can ditching the 4k tall screen for a more mainstream display help the Sony Xperia 1 VI get more buyers?،
*Header image: Sony Xperia 1 V
Sony currently holds less than 1% of the global smartphone market. Still, the brand has some very good assets…and some things that could very well be removed without any pain.
A recent rumor talks about the possibility of Sony's next flagship phone, the Xperia 1 VI, dropping two elements that marked Sony's uniqueness. That is to say: the 4K resolution screen and the high aspect ratio. Could this allow Sony to climb near the top? Could the company finally attract more buyers for its flagship devices? Let's discuss it!
Display quality: would you see a difference between a 4K screen and a 2K screen? On a phone?
The Sony Xperia 1V
Rumor has it that Sony is “downgrading” the screen of the next Xperia to a 2k screen. Obviously, downgrade is in quotes here. Wonder why? Well, a 2K display isn't really a downgrade. First of all, your eyes can't realistically see the difference between a 4K screen and a 2K screen on a phone.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a beautiful screen with a resolution of 3120×1440 pixels
Also, I have another point about why this is actually a good thing. Or a good downgrade, if you prefer. 4K display panels for phones are expensive to produce, and that could be one of the reasons Sony is pricing its Xperia phones higher than the competition.
Yes, that would mean a 2k+ screen could result in a lower price. That's if Sony actually follows standard practices when it comes to pricing its phones. Not that I know what these “standard” practices are, but you know what I mean!
Let’s quickly address the pricing situation. The Xperia 1 V, the company's current flagship, costs $1,400. Other flagship competitors: $1,299 for the S24 Ultra and $1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. A simple display “downgrade” can actually put the Xperia in contention. Or at least make it really close to being…well, more reasonably priced than others, you know.
The aspect ratio: recognizable Sony or… mainstream Sony?
The tall and slim 21:9 aspect ratio of an Xperia phone has become a way to distinguish the phone from its competitors. Sony's widescreen design came from the idea that the phone needed to provide a cinematic feel (modern movies are presented in a 21:9 aspect ratio).
The cinematic feel offered by the phone complements the professional-grade camera features it offers and helps with their marketability. However, other phones without a cinema-length screen do not lack pleasant sensations when watching movies or video content.
Tap on Xperia. Some people find it easy, others find it difficult
Plus, the tall form factor makes the phone more comfortable to hold, meaning you can easily access the menus at the top. However, no one says the opposite for other flagship products on the market.
While many Sony fans swear by this large screen, other users might find it less comfortable. And the fact that most people don't complain about aspect ratio, e.g. Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone means it doesn't bother the majority of people.
Let's put things in context, shall we? THE Galaxy S24 UltraThe display ratio of is 19.5:9, the iPhone 15 Pro MaxIt's the same, and rumor has it that the Xperia will join them at 19.5:9.
Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max have the same aspect ratio
Basically, most modern phones feature a similar aspect ratio to the big players. And people are used to that.
So technically, if Sony went for a more mainstream display ratio, the phone could also become attractive to buyers outside of the Sony fan club. And that's what Sony will want if it wants to develop its telephone business.
The Xperia camera: Sony's strengths
So far, we've heard that the Xperia 1 VI will have an improved camera. If the leaks are correct, the three rear cameras that the phone will use will have a resolution of 48 MP. For reference, its predecessor used a 48 MP sensor and the others were 12 MP.
Overall, we see slightly more noise in the Sony's low-light photo and colors aren't as punchy, but in general the phone captures a good level of detail and realism.
The images shown here are taken using Sony's Auto mode, without handling or editing RAW files. They are there just to show that the phone is doing quite well and that it is more or less in line with the competition. Playing with colors when editing RAW will of course give an even better result.
Is there anything else Sony should improve?
Sony, please work on it!
Too high a price isn't the only thing that could be improved if Sony tries to fight for a notable spot in the flagship market. In fact, Sony has several issues to resolve to hopefully win over more buyers.
These days, when we talk about flagship phones, it's all about longevity. Samsung, Apple and Google all offer to keep your phone with software updates for 7 years. And we have Sony, which promises… nothing?
I don't mean that Sony doesn't offer any software updates. But my point is that no commitments were made, at least with its predecessor, the Xperia 1 V. The Xperia 1 IV had two years of software updates and 3 years of software updates. security update. Sony didn't promise anything last year with the 1V, so we can assume the situation is similar.
But in 2024, two years of software updates is simply unacceptable. Sony will need to up its game on this front to attract more people to its phones.
If you search online, you will find many reported issues with Sony Xperia phones, both software and hardware. Many people report suddenly broken fingerprint sensors, hearing problems, slow software, etc. It's impossible to list all the bugs in a simple article like this. Just look at this mega thread on Reddit with people sharing their bugs with the Xperia 1 IV.
A similar thread was also started about the Xperia 1 V.
Obviously, Sony will have to work to keep them to a minimum in order to attract more customers and also prevent current customers from leaving it.
The niche question: why a camera phone?
The Xperia 1 V is aimed at content creators and photographers. It offers sophisticated editing options, sophisticated camera apps, and many camera capabilities that aren't really present on other smartphones.
The Xperia 1 V's sophisticated camera controls
But I wonder: is this niche strategy good for Sony? Epic camera features sound exciting on paper, but in reality, most professional photographers still use real cameras… not a smartphone. Even content creators who take their online presence seriously still have to deal with bulky cameras and special lighting equipment.
The purpose of smartphone photography, on the other hand, is to allow you to quickly capture a moment in a pretty photo and post it to social media. Or just keep it to yourself.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra
Sony's camera app is a cool toy for photographers… But photography enthusiasts aren't the only smartphone buyers, right?
If Sony wants more ground, it needs to streamline the camera experience. It should also be suitable for people who don't know what shutter speed to use for a cute photo of an overly energetic chihuahua (myself included).
Overall, you get my point. Sony needs focused efforts to attract buyers and guard against the dark fate of LG's smartphone business.
Hopefully LG's fate isn't Sony's, but the company really needs to think about its options. And if the rumor turns out to be true and Sony does indeed start to show interest in the general public, it should also be careful with its strategy. And what buyers actually need.
