The beginning of the school year is always rich in announcements of new smartphones. If Apple, who will reveal your next iPhone 14 on September 7Samsung, which launched your Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 in August, or even Oppo with reindeer 8s has already been discussed, other manufacturers should try to stand out.
Old tenor of the telephony sector, Sony has been a little further behind for several years. The Japanese company has abandoned its more standard smartphones, and unfortunately its truly mini format that differentiated it from its competitors, to refocus on its strengths: photo and video. The new Xperia 5 IV announced during IFA, the technological fair that takes place this week in Berlin (Germany), hopes to give it some color.
A size as small as the price.
Sony promises a “compact” model, but the Xperia 5 IV comes with a 6.1-inch diagonal OLED screen that offers an image refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother use. This is less than its big brother, the Xperia 1 IV (6.5 inches), from which it takes many qualities, but in a smaller format (156 x 67 x 8.2 mm) such as the price (1050 euros instead of 1400 euros).
The Xperia 5 IV thus offers a very practical 21:9 format panel to consume video, record it or take photos comfortably. Because this insole is easier to handle and lighter (172g). But it crosses over 4K definition to conform to Full HD+, but supports HDR to offer excellent image quality that knows how to adapt in real time to your displayed content. Sony has even promised better light intensity for its newcomer (+50% compared to the previous model).
The design of the device is quite classic Sony (glass back and aluminum contours), with edges still visible despite everything at the top and bottom of the screen. The fingerprint sensor remains cleverly positioned in the power button on the right edge. The Xperia 5 IV will arrive in white, green and black, the set being especially shock resistant and waterproof (IP65/68 certification to withstand immersion for at least 30 minutes).
Inside, Sony has put some power in there with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, accompanied by 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, a bit light in 2022, but you can add more storage inside the micro card slot. SD (up to an additional 1TB). Aware of the gluttony of its photo and video attractions, Sony has also equipped the Xperia 5 IV with a 5000 mAh battery to go far, with 30W fast charging (50% autonomy recovered in 30 minutes) and wireless charging.
The smartphone supports 5G and WiFi 6. There is always a mini-jack port for connecting headphones, an element that has become rare in high-end devices.
Everything to film like a professional
The high-end smartphone, the Xperia 5 IV, therefore, has photography leanings to satisfy the most demanding users who trust Sony for their expertise. It has a triple camera designed in collaboration with Zeiss (12-megapixel ExmorRS main sensor, 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle, 12-megapixel 2.5x optical zoom 60mm telephoto lens) on the rear and a sensor identical to the main one on the front. The phone has a physical button to activate the taking of photos or videos more easily.
The smartphone relies mainly on additional technologies such as the presence of Real Time Eye AF on all lenses that allows you to follow an object in real time in video so that it is not blurred, and especially benefits from the ultra-fast autofocus designed by Sony.
Professional photographers will appreciate the presence of a RAW mode, video recording up to 4K/120 frames per second (fps) or even 2K/120fps in 10-bit HDR, slow motion mode up to 960fps in Full HD . Video apps like Cinematography Pro, Photography Pro, and Videography Pro are available on the device to help adjust video settings like a pro. There is also a function that transforms the device into an external monitor or the possible management of live broadcasts.
To fully enjoy your videos, the Sony smartphone relies on its stereo speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos. It also supports Hi-Res Audio files and 360 Reality audio, the internal technology for 360° sound.
To differentiate itself from other premium smartphones targeting vloggers, bloggers and other YouTubers, Sony seeks to seduce these video content creators by offering maximum customization in detail and video quality. But that comes at a price: the Sony Xperia 5 IV launches at €1,049 and will be available in September.
Source: BFM TV
Emily Miller is a voice to be reckoned with in the world of opinion journalism. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a unique and thought-provoking perspective to current events and political issues, delivering insightful and engaging commentary.