Explore the Features of Sony Xperia 1 IV (2022)

Sony Xperia 1 IV (2022)

Definition: The Sony Xperia 1 IV (model: XQ-CT54/XQ-CT72) is a premium flagship 5G Android smartphone announced on May 11, 2022, and released globally on June 11, 2022, as the successor to the Xperia 1 III. It is celebrated as the world’s first smartphone with a continuous optical zoom telephoto camera (85–125 mm, 3.5x–5.2x), paired with a 6.5-inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED 120 Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, 5000 mAh battery, and professional imaging tools like Cinematography Pro. It targets content creators, mobile photographers, and multimedia enthusiasts seeking Sony’s signature audio-visual excellence and innovative camera tech.

Core Technical Specifications

Component	Details
Display	6.5-inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED (3840×1644, 643 PPI), 120 Hz refresh rate, 240 Hz touch sampling, Bravia HDR, Triluminos, X-Reality Engine, Gorilla Glass Victus, 1000 nits peak brightness
Processor & Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm), octa-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno 730 GPU
Memory & Storage	12/16 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 256/512 GB UFS 3.1 storage; microSD slot (up to 1 TB, hybrid SIM)ソニー
Camera System	Rear: 12 MP main (24 mm, f/1.7, IMX557, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF)+12 MP telephoto (85–125 mm, f/2.3–2.8, continuous optical zoom, OIS)+12 MP ultra-wide (16 mm, f/2.2, IMX563, OIS)+3D ToF sensor; all support 4K 120 fps HDR video, 20 fps HDR burstFront: 12 MP (f/2.0, IMX663, 4K 30 fps video)
Battery & Charging	5000 mAh non-removable Li-Po; 30W USB-C PD fast charging (50% in 30 mins); 11W Qi wireless charging; 4.5W reverse wireless charging; up to 27 h 4G talk time
Connectivity	5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax), Bluetooth 5.2 (aptX HD/LDAC), NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS, USB-C 3.2, 3.5 mm headphone jack, Dolby Atmos
OS & UI	Launched with Android 12; upgradable to Android 13; Sony Xperia UI (minimal skin); Cinematography Pro, Videography ProSony
Design & Durability	Glass front/back, aluminum frame; dimensions: 165×71×8.2 mm; weight: 185 g; colors: Black, White, Purple; IP68 rating (waterproof to 1.5m for 30 mins)
Unique Features	Continuous optical zoom telephoto, Dynamic Vibration System, Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Ultimate, S-Force Front Surround, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, anti-bacterial coating

Key Selling Points & Innovations

Continuous Optical Zoom Telephoto: The world’s first smartphone with 85–125 mm continuous optical zoom (3.5x–5.2x) eliminates digital zoom, delivering sharp telephoto shots and smooth video transitions.
4K 120 Hz OLED Display: The 6.5-inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED with 120 Hz refresh rate offers cinematic viewing, smooth scrolling, and bright HDR visuals optimized by Bravia tech.
Professional Imaging Tools: Cinematography Pro (CineAlta color profiles) and Videography Pro enable pro-level video creation; all rear cameras support 4K 120 fps HDR video and real-time eye AF.
Long-Life Battery & Charging Flexibility: 5000 mAh battery with fast, wireless, and reverse wireless charging caters to heavy users and content creators.
Premium Audio: 3.5 mm jack, Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and Dolby Atmos deliver immersive sound; dual front speakers with redesigned drivers enhance media and gaming audio.

Limitations & Criticisms

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Thermal Throttling: The 4 nm chipset may throttle under sustained loads (e.g., gaming), affecting performance consistency.
Limited Software Updates: Upgradable only to Android 13, missing Android 14+ features and security patches post-2024.
High Price: Launched at ~€1,199/$1,120, positioning it against premium flagships like the iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, limiting mainstream appeal.
Average Low-Light Performance: While OIS helps, the telephoto sensor’s small size (1/3.5”) can struggle in dim conditions compared to larger-sensor rivals.
No Always-On Display: Lacks an always-on display, a common feature in 2022 flagships, inconveniencing quick glance checks.

Release & Market Performance

Launch & Pricing: Released June 11, 2022, priced at ~€1,199 (256 GB) / $1,120 (US) / £999 (UK); US shipments delayed until late October 2022.
Sales & Reception: Praised for continuous optical zoom, 4K 120 Hz display, and pro imaging tools; criticized for thermal issues and high cost. It performed well among content creators but faced stiff competition from Samsung/Apple flagships.
Discontinuation: Phased out in 2023, replaced by the Xperia 1 V (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, improved telephoto, better thermals).

Legacy

The Xperia 1 IV is remembered as a milestone for continuous optical zoom in smartphones, blending Sony’s camera expertise with premium multimedia hardware. It solidified Sony’s focus on content creation tools (Cinematography Pro) and 21:9 displays, setting a benchmark for pro-level mobile imaging. Today, it remains a sought-after device for enthusiasts valuing its unique zoom tech and audio-visual capabilities.