Sony Xperia 1 III test: a steep bill for a result full of originality

With the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Japanese firm is once again trying to place itself in the ultra high-end segment. Each category of the phone has great features but for a purchase price of 1299 euros. Is this kind of offer attractive at the present time on the telephony market?

Design: a very high-end phone that is easy to use on a daily basis

For those used to Sony phones, you are not surprised by the construction of the Xperia 1 III. Like the previous models, the mobile is in 21: 9 format. Of course, this shape will not appeal to everyone but it has the merit of standing out. Small hands will undoubtedly have more difficulty handling the mobile even if its ergonomics are quite simple. The rounded edges join the front and back of the phone, for those looking for solidity.

It must be said that on the right edge of the mobile, a myriad of buttons is available to you. The volume, the fingerprint reader, the Google Assistant button and finally the one dedicated to the camera are placed on the right. On the left side you will only find the drawer dedicated to Sim slots. At the top of the mobile is only a 3.5 mm jack port while at the bottom it is the USB-C port that is set up.

The Sony Xperia 1 III confirms by some of its provisions the high-end status. The Android smartphone has not one, but two waterproof certifications. Namely: IP 65 and IP 68. The objective is to protect the product against attacks from water as well as dust. On the front, the touchscreen interface is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Daily protection is therefore ensured by these elements.

Comparison of all Sony smartphones available on MeilleurMobile

A final word in the design part of this Asian smartphone. Unlike several other brands present at the moment, the Xperia 1 III offers a design with some borders at the top of the touch interface. This saves you the presence of an unsightly punch. On the back, the matte complexion prevents an accumulation of fingerprints.

Touch screen: OLED in the spotlight for all content

Faced with the interface implemented on the Sony Xperia 10 III, our disappointment was immense. The Japanese manufacturer, however recognized on the market for the quality of its screens, clearly did not live up to its reputation. On the Xperia 1 III, it’s a 6.5-inch OLED panel in place. This is offered in a 21: 9 format.

It too has been scrutinized by the 01net.com laboratory. If the services are at the level, they remain well below the competition offered by high-end smartphones. The average brightness implemented on the product is 600 cd / m². The announced figure is well below the other OLED panels. Indeed, the figures put forward for similar services are 781 cd / m². A detrimental lack of brightness for this price range.

In the area of ​​daily use, the panel is able to adapt its refresh rate. The Xperia 1 III goes from 60 to 120 Hz depending on the software used. On the other hand, it is impossible to remove the resolution in 4K which affects the autonomy of the phone. The strength of this tactile interface is the high fidelity of the colors displayed. The optimal mode recommended to make the most of it is Creatormode.

Internal power: the Snapdragon 888 able to adapt to your software demands

Within the technical sheet, the high-end smartphone has a good internal power. At the heart of animation is the Snapdragon 888 chip. The processor also surrounds a 5G modem in order to surf the net without the slightest problem. For the configuration set up, you are entitled to 12 GB of RAM memory as well as 256 GB of storage. It is even possible to enlarge the latter thanks to the contribution of a Micro SD card.

For the benchmark component, the internal power of the Sony Xperia 1 III was tested on the specialized site Antutu. Software version 9 shows a total score of 801,350 points. Within the 01net laboratory, the displayed performances are only preceded by the Realme GT. The balance of services highlighted are offered on the smartphone.

Needless to say, on a daily basis, the phone responds perfectly to all your requests. On mobile games, this one does not show any real signs of weakness. Be careful, however, the construction means that the Xperia 1 III can heat up when used for a longer period of time. However, stability is essential whatever the application.

In the software part, the Japanese manufacturer aims to offer you a pure Android experience. The high-end smartphone comes with Android 11 without any overlay being placed. Only some software from Sony is placed.

Autonomy: the Sony Xperia 1 III tries to save the furniture

It is not only in its construction that the Sony smartphone plays the card of marginality. Despite its premium status, the Xperia 1 III has an internal Li-Po battery with a capacity of 4500 mAh. On the other hand, the Japanese manufacturer does not plan to set up a complete fast charge. The charger is still present in the box.

The autonomy set up on the high-end mobile is also quite satisfactory. In its test, the Sony Xperia displays a lifespan of 13 hours and 44 minutes. This means that you will only need to charge the phone once at the end of the day on a daily basis. It is especially when you consult a video that the autonomy suffers. Less than 10 hours for a smartphone with so much performance on the touchscreen interface, it’s very disappointing.

Most manufacturers choose to focus on fast charging or autonomy. Sony does neither since the charger set up does not offer full fast charging. The Sony Xperia 1 III has mixed performance. From 0%, the phone takes less than half an hour to reach 50%. The comparison against a Realme GT Master Edition is edifying.

Camera: a versatile triple lens but is it enough?

We remind you, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a smartphone placed in the high-end segment. This implies a very efficient camera composition. In this case, it is a quadruple objective that we detail below.

• A 12-megapixel main sensor open to 1.7
• 12-megapixel telephoto with 4x optical zoom
• 12 megapixel ultra wide angle
• A 3D TOF

Initially, Sony tries to guide the photographic use of its smartphone for the general public. The brand is still struggling to offer professional software. The camera has a professional side but also a more standard use. Both versions are quite capable which are quite accessible for the general public.

When requested, the main objective responds present. The pictures taken from this side are present in all circumstances. Color fidelity is essential but above all, the photos show a beautiful balance of lights. The great strength of this sensor is also the work done by the HDR. The software part put in place does an impeccable job.

Conclusion: what to remember from the Sony Xperia 1 III?

With this device, Sony is targeting the very high end. To do this, the Japanese company gives itself the means with great services in each area of ​​the product. The phone is distinguished first by its eye-catching design in 21: 9 format. The Sony Xperia 1 III offers a high quality visual appearance, but that’s not all. The internal power and performance of the touchscreen are also top-notch.

However, the mobile offers performance that is sometimes mixed. This is reflected above all in autonomy since for video streaming, the 4K display seriously affects the life of the phone. Especially since the device does not set up a full fast charge. The photography, despite good elements does not confirm the status of a very high-end product.

The Xperia 1 III is launched at a starting price of 1299 euros.

Discover the complete technical sheet of the smartphone on our site