The best Sony phones offer a lot of premium features, making them strong rivals to Samsung or Apple. But which one should you choose?
If you don't have time to read further, then just hop to number one on our list, the Sony Xperia 1 VI, which is the latest and best Sony phone available today. It's pretty expensive, though, so you'll find a range of more affordable and available devices further down our list.
If you're still not sure about Sony, though, there are plenty more camera phones to choose from, including Apple's class-leading iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy range and Google's Pixel series.
Best Sony phones
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The Sony Xperia 1 V is the latest and best Sony phone to date. It builds on the successes of its predecessor, the Xperia 1 V, while introducing new features that will appeal to photography and video enthusiasts.
The standout feature here is the continuous zoom telephoto camera, which provides a smooth transition between 85mm and 170mm. This makes it a versatile tool for photographers who want precise framing options. The addition of macro capabilities within the telephoto lens is a unique touch, allowing you to focus as close as 4cm at 120mm, which is perfect for capturing intricate details.
Sony has also revamped its camera app, combining its previous three apps into one streamlined experience. While this simplifies the interface, pro-grade video features, such as LOG mode, won’t arrive until an autumn update. Still, its ability to shoot 4K at 120fps across all rear cameras is a major plus for filmmakers.
The VI departs from its predecessors with a new 19.5:9 aspect ratio and a Full HD+ OLED screen. While not as sharp as the 4K displays of earlier models, the new panel is 50% brighter and improves outdoor visibility. Its performance is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a robust 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day usage.
Although the Xperia 1 VI’s cameras excel in well-lit conditions, low-light performance—especially from the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses—lags behind competitors like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. At a high starting price of £1,299, the Xperia 1 VI caters to a niche audience, including photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who value its Alpha camera integration.
If you’re seeking a unique flagship phone with excellent macro capabilities, advanced zoom, and reliable battery life, the Xperia 1 VI is worth considering—provided you can stomach its premium price.
The Sony Xperia 1 V may no longer be the latest in the Xperia series, but it remains an outstanding choice for photography enthusiasts. While it's been surpassed by the Xperia 1 VI, the Xperia 1 V still holds its own with features like its 48MP main sensor, eye AF that works brilliantly, and a clean Android interface powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Its wide 21:9 4K display and excellent audio capabilities also ensure it provides a premium multimedia experience.
Compared to the newer Xperia 1 VI, the Xperia 1 V's zoom capabilities are more limited, and its low-light performance doesn’t quite match its successor. However, with a more affordable price and its still-excellent camera setup, this is a fantastic choice for those who want flagship performance without the higher price tag of the Xperia 1 VI.
For those seeking a premium phone with professional-grade photo and video features at a slightly lower cost, the Xperia 1 V remains a strong contender. For more details, read our Sony Xperia 1 V review.
Released in 2022, the Xperia 1 IV has a large (6.6-inch) screen, supports 120fps video capture across all its rear 12MP cameras and features a true optical zoom. Not to mention that the phone's periscope camera can take you from 85mm to 125mm continuously, despite the fact the Xperia 1 IV is a slim, fine-looking slab of frosted glass and blasted metal.
As this is an ageing model, you should be able to snap one up for a relatively low price. And that makes this a great choice if you want a high-end camera and multimedia experience for less. For more details, see our Sony Xperia 1 IV review.
Launched at the end of 2021, Sony’s pro-grade Xperia Pro-I smartphone was the first to feature a 1-inch sensor. This was a long-overdue vindication for Sony fans. It’s the first true example of the Japanese smartphone maker navigating its mobile line with the imaging gravitas it has with its Sony camera division.
The original Sony Xperia Pro is a very expensive external monitor/smartphone hybrid with an adequate camera setup, but the Pro-I is a less expensive top-spec photography phone. It has three cameras, a 16mm ultra-wide-angle, a 24mm wide (which is backed up by that large Type-1 sensor), and a 50mm portrait lens; all its cameras have 12MP resolution sensors.
It’s also powerful, with top-tier specs – a crisp 4K display, the latest widely available Snapdragon 888 processor, and over half a terabyte of storage. For more details, see our Xperia Pro-I review.
The Sony Xperia 5 IV is a compact version of the Sony Xperia 1 IV. It shares a lot of the same features but in a smaller, more affordable package. If you’re a videographer, photographer, or content creator who wants advanced camera features and video recording in a smartphone, the Xperia 5 IV won’t disappoint.
With 4K HDR 120fps video recording, full manual camera control and three camera apps, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is arguably worth its price. Not only is it a powerhouse for visuals – photography and videography – but it also features excellent audio, with a headphone jack and front-facing speakers.
The Sony Xperia 1 III is loaded with some class-beating specifications, even several years after release. These include a 6.5-inch 4K 10-bit OLED display, Snapdragon 888 processor and 256GB storage. It also boosts the battery over that of its predecessor, the Xperia 1 II, and features a healthy 12GB RAM as standard across all its variants.
The main camera features a 12MP sensor matched with a 24mm f/1.7 wide lens. Additionally, there is a 12MP periscope zoom camera delivering two focal lengths. At 70mm equivalent, the phone’s first zoom range starts with an f/2.3 aperture, while at 105mm equivalent, the aperture closes to f/2.8. The ultrawide f/2.4 lens offers a 124° view. And the fourth rear camera is used simply to measure depth.
You get superb telephoto reach, with its variable 2.9-4.4x equivalent optical zoom. And the camera has a great user interface, with an impressive range of manual modes and customizations.
How we test camera phones
As a photography website, we pay special attention to the photo and video quality of camera phones. We rate resolution, noise and color rendition in the context of what rival cameras can do, and where there are any special features, such as ‘night modes’ or ‘portrait modes’, we check that these perform as the makers describe. Camera phones are all-around digital assistants too, of course, so we will also check general handling, usability and practicality – such as battery life.
