Sony has officially unveiled the Xperia 1 VII, and while it closely mirrors its predecessor in terms of appearance, this year’s model packs several noteworthy upgrades beneath its familiar exterior. The flagship retains its minimalist industrial boxy design, but now comes in two fresh color options — namely, Moss Green and Orchid Purple — joining the classic Slate Black.
Xperia 1 VII has Familiar Design, Upgraded Hardware
At first glance, the Xperia 1 VII appears nearly identical to the Xperia 1 VI. The 6.5-inch 4K (1080×2340) Bravia OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate returns, but now boasting 20% more brightness for better outdoor visibility. Sony has also added dual ambient light sensors — one on the front and one on the back — for more accurate brightness control and color adaptation depending on the surrounding.
Internally, the Xperia 1 VII is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (expandable via microSD). A 512GB variant will also be available in select Asian markets.
Triple Camera System of Xperia 1 VII
The main 24mm f/1.9 camera still uses a large 1/1.35-inch Exmor T sensor with optical image stabilization and phase-detect autofocus. The telephoto lens also remains unchanged, featuring a continuous zoom range from 85mm to 170mm, along with telemacro capabilities and a 4cm minimum focusing distance at 120mm.
The most significant camera upgrade comes in the ultrawide department. Sony has kept the 16mm focal length but introduced a significantly larger 1/1.56-inch Exmor RS sensor — 2.1 times larger than the previous model — with a brighter f/2.0 aperture. This translates to better low-light performance and richer detail.
As expected, Sony’s Alpha camera intelligence returns, bringing real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, AI-based subject recognition, and new features like AI white balance and AI depth mapping. Ultra HDR support ensures that photos and videos look vibrant on compatible displays.
Audio features are among the top USP of 2025 Xperia flagship
Sony of course hasn’t forgotten its audiophile base. The Xperia 1 VII retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, now improved with higher-quality gold-infused solder to reduce signal loss. The smartphone also revives the legendary “Walkman” tuning, with redesigned circuitry developed in collaboration with Walkman engineers for a more immersive audio experience.
Audio quality has also improved with the front-facing stereo speakers, which now offer 10% richer bass, thanks to tuning by Sony Music Entertainment.
In terms of battery life, Sony claims the new handset is capable of up to 36 hours of video playback thanks to 5000mAh battery. Fast charging remains at 30W. Notably, Sony promises long-term battery health — up to four years — with its Adaptive Charging and Battery Care features.
Software and Availability of Xperia 1 Mark VII
The Xperia 1 VII ships with Android 15 out of the box and promises longevity with four major Android updates and six years of security patches — a welcome shift from three years of Android updates and four years of security fixes.
Sony’s newest flagship is already available for pre-order in Europe and the UK, priced at £1,399/€1,499. Shipping begins in June.
