Explore Sony Xperia PRO-I: A Game Changer in Mobile Photography

Sony Xperia PRO-I (XQ-BE62/XQ-BE42) – 2021 Flagship Imaging Smartphone for Content Creators

Definition

The Sony Xperia PRO-I (model codes: XQ-BE62/XQ-BE42) is a premium flagship Android smartphone unveiled on October 26, 2021, and released in December 2021, positioned as Sony’s “camera-first” flagship targeting professional photographers, videographers, and content creators. It stands out as the world’s first smartphone with a 1.0-type (1-inch) Exmor RS sensor (same as Sony’s RX100 VII compact camera) paired with phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), redefining mobile imaging standards. It succeeds the Xperia PRO and is part of Sony’s premium Xperia lineup, featuring a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED 120Hz display, Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, and pro-grade video capabilities, priced at ~€1,799 (~$1,999) at launch.

Core Identity & Release Context

Launch: Unveiled October 26, 2021; released December 2021; direct competitor to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Google Pixel 6 Pro.
Key Differentiator: The 1-inch PDAF sensor delivers DSLR-like low-light performance, shallow depth of field, and dynamic range, paired with Sony’s BIONZ X for mobile image processor and front-end LSI.
Market Role: Bridged the gap between smartphones and dedicated cameras, offering pro-level photography/videography tools in a mobile form factor, with accessories like an external monitor for on-set use.

Full Technical Specifications

Design & Display

Aspect	Details
Form Factor	Premium slate design with a metal frame, glass front/back (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus), side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and IP65/IP68 water/dust resistance.
Display	6.5-inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED (1644×3840, 643 ppi), 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling, 10-bit color, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, X1 for mobile engine; 1000 nits peak brightness.
Build & Weight	Dimensions: 166×72×8.9 mm; weight: 211g; color: Black.
SIM Support	Single nano-SIM (XQ-BE62) / dual nano-SIM (XQ-BE42) variants; no microSD expansion—512GB UFS 3.1 storage only.

Processor & Performance

Component	Specifications
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) — octa-core (1×2.84GHz Cortex-X1 + 3×2.42GHz Cortex-A78 + 4×1.8GHz Cortex-A55), Adreno 660 GPU; 5G Sub-6GHz/mmWave (region-dependent).
RAM/Storage	12GB LPDDR5 RAM; 512GB UFS 3.1 internal storage (non-expandable); 12GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking with pro apps (Adobe Lightroom, Cinema Pro).
Software	Launched with Android 11; upgraded to Android 13 (final official update); preloaded with Sony pro apps (Cinema Pro, Videography Pro, Photo Pro) and Google Mobile Services.

Camera System (Flagship Highlight)

Feature	Details
Rear Cameras	– 1-inch main sensor: 12MP Exmor RS (f/2.0-f/4.0 variable aperture, PDAF, OIS, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@120fps, 4K HDR10+ video, RAW/DNG capture).- 12MP ultrawide: 16mm f/2.2, 120° FOV, EIS, 4K@30fps.- 12MP telephoto: 50mm f/2.4, 2x optical zoom, OIS, 4K@30fps.- Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0, 1080p@30fps, display flash).
Pro Camera Features	BIONZ X for mobile, 315 PDAF points (90% frame coverage), 5-axis SteadyShot, Cinema Pro (24/25/30/60fps 4K HDR), Videography Pro, Photo Pro with manual controls.

Connectivity & Battery

Aspect	Specifications
Network/ Wireless	5G (Sub-6/mmWave), 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode).
Ports/Audio	3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos), 360 Reality Audio, LDAC, DSEE Ultimate, Snapdragon Sound.
Battery	4500mAh non-removable Li-Po; 30W wired fast charge, 15W wireless charge, 5W reverse wireless charge.

Sensors & Extras

Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, ambient light, magnetometer, side-mounted fingerprint, barometer.
Extras: IP65/IP68, custom monitor accessory support, Sony’s pro imaging ecosystem integration.

Key Features & Target Audience

1-Inch Sensor Imaging: The 1-inch Exmor RS sensor with variable aperture delivers professional low-light performance, shallow bokeh, and dynamic range—unmatched in 2021 flagship phones.
Pro Video Tools: Cinema Pro enables 4K HDR10+ recording at 24/25/30/60fps, while Videography Pro offers easy manual control for content creators.
4K 120Hz OLED Display: The 6.5-inch 21:9 120Hz OLED with X1 for mobile ensures accurate color reproduction for editing and playback.
Premium Build & Connectivity: IP68, 3.5mm jack, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and 5G mmWave (select regions) cater to professional workflows.

Market Reception & Legacy

Critical Acclaim: Praised for its 1-inch sensor, pro camera tools, and display; criticized for high price (~$2k), no microSD, and heavy weight (211g).
Imaging Benchmark: Set a new standard for mobile photography, influencing subsequent flagships (e.g., Sony Xperia 1 IV/V) to adopt larger sensors and pro video features.
Niche Appeal: Found strong traction among professional content creators, vloggers, and Sony Alpha camera users seeking a mobile companion with matching imaging quality.