"Xperia 1 II" review. This is the Xperia you wanted

 This is a masterpiece.

　We will review Sony's flagship smartphone "Xperia 1 II (Experia One Mark Two)". The author uses two models, the au model "SOG01" and the Japanese market SIM-free "XQ-AT42".

Index

• 1 good and bad
• 2 designs
• 3 screens
  • 3.1 You may not be able to watch movies on other smartphones anymore?
  • 3.2 It is unavoidable because it is 4K, but it is a pity that it is not high drive
  • 3.3 Multi-window
• 4 acoustic
  • 4.1 speakers
  • 4.2 Surprisingly good, dynamic vibration
  • 4.3 earphone jack, delicate sound
• 5 cameras
  • 5.1 Camera hardware list
  • 5.2 Auto: Excellent image quality with excellent color reproducibility
  • 5.3 Photography Pro
  • 5.4 Night HDR: Half way, but the right way
  • 5.5 The true value of the highest peak 24mm seen from RAW development
  • 5.6 Overall low-level telephoto, super wide-angle that is not good enough for lack of light
  • 5.7 Easy to start camera
  • 5.8 Shutter sound can be deleted
  • 5.9 Palm complete package movie maker, Cinema Pro too awesome
• 6 Specifications
• 7 communication
• 8 batteries
• 9 general comment

good and bad

Coco is good!

Coco is bad!

+ Luxurious and beautiful, easy to hold compared to the amount of information + Mass monitor quality movie display + Overwhelming high performance, SIM free is even more powerful + Elegant image creation, truly wonderful 24mm + Full-fledged immersion in photography, Photo Pro And the power of RAW + SIM-free version can erase shutter sound + Cinema Pro is too great + Earphone jack revival, sound quality is also good + dynamic vibration determined here + wireless charging / quick charging compatible, excellent power management + good power supply Button-cum-side fingerprint authentication + strong physical shutter key

-16:9 videos are not suitable for full screen -Not high drive -Since the carrier version with half the capacity, the SIM free release is slow -Telephoto 70mm is useless -Hand shake when the amount of light is insufficient The sound is strange at the seam - It's too vertical to fit in your pocket - The peak brightness is unsatisfactory

design

　Six years ago, Samsung launched the Galaxy S6 edge, which was a shock, and for several years there was an image of "edge is cutting edge, cool". But as the screen got bigger, the Android OS changed the tide by fading out the navigation bar and adopting gestures from the edge of the screen as the default navigation. This is because the larger the curvature, the more difficult it is to gesture, and it will malfunction if the software is not properly tuned.

　For this reason, the iPhone 12 series and Galaxy S21 series have returned to flat displays. As a result, Xperia is ahead of the quiet trend. The flat one is advantageous for watching videos or whatever.

　The housing dimensions are about the same as Xperia 1 (2019) and 3g heavier. However, the battery capacity has increased significantly to 4000mAg. Although it is a huge size of 6.5 inches with a large amount of information display, it is long in the vertical direction and the width is suppressed, so it is easy to hold despite the amount of information. It may be a weakness that it is too long to fit in your pocket.　The back of White is a glossy glass material. Purple has a mirror finish.

　Frost black can be selected for the SIM-free version "Xperia 1 II (XQ-AT42)", which is sold directly by Sony and in the open market. Although the SIM-free version is equipped with FeliCa on the back, the logo is the NFC logo like the international version. It has a matte frosted glass look and the best texture. Originally, this frosted glass finish was adopted by the Xperia Z5, but recently the iPhone, Galaxy, and Huawei have adopted it, and this time the Xperia 1 II has adopted this finish again. However, it also gives a slightly slippery impression. When I placed it on top of a flat pile of cardboard boxes, it slipped and fell down once or twice.

　The fingerprint authentication sensor is placed on the side. Authentication accuracy is good. The sides are anodized, and the normal color has a plastic-like silky finish, while the frost black has a matte metallic finish that gives it a luxurious feel. Although it is a thin housing, the Snapdragon 865 5G and 4000mAh battery are reasonably tightly condensed by the dual-layer base. It has a thin and easy-to-hold housing.

screen

You may not be able to watch movies on other smartphones anymore?

　Equipped with an ultra-long 6.5-inch organic EL display with a 21:9 ratio. It's almost cinemasco ratio. The resolution is 3840 x 1644 pixels.

　Check out Netflix and YouTube for 4K HDR content with this ratio. You can enjoy beautiful images that will take your breath away. There are no obstructions such as notches or punch holes. Especially with Netflix, you can use a mode that adjusts the image quality to the same level as the master monitor, which is the standard machine in the video industry.

　In fact, even when I showed it to people involved in the video industry, it was confirmed that the quality was comparable to that of the master monitor . Combined with the dynamic vibration described later, you may not be able to see it on other terminals anymore? The more I think.　However, if you watch a video with a 16:9 ratio on the horizontal screen, be aware that large black bands appear on the left and right.

It is unavoidable because it is 4K, but it is a pity that it is not high drive

　It is a pity that this machine is driven at 60Hz, as the number of high-drive devices increases in high-end models.

　That said, if we were to achieve high drive with an ultra-high-definition 4K display, which has nearly four times the resolution of FHD+, heat generation and battery consumption would be serious, so when considering the product balance, we dared not ride this trend . It can't be helped that it didn't. In high-end Full HD+, high drive support is a major premise, and the current situation is that even WQHD+ devices with high drive are increasing. The marketing word "90Hz equivalent afterimage reduction" is also a sign that the development team is strongly aware that high drive is a trend.

　In addition, although "afterimage reduction equivalent to 90Hz" is disappointing compared to models with 120Hz displays, it is true that compared to the drawing when this afterimage reduction is disabled, "it is different if it is not there". increase.

multi window

　The multi-window that takes advantage of the 21:9 portrait display is the best. This is the main feature of the vertically long Xperia.　Side sense that can call functions such as multi-window. Impression that I needed a lot of tricks. However, compared to the Xperia 1, the Xperia 1 II has an edge on the side metal frame, making it much easier to call out if you try to hit it.

　Regarding the important side sense, it has become easier to use than when it was first implemented, and although it has all the necessary functions, it feels like it takes a little more man-hours to operate than the Galaxy One UI.

acoustic

speaker

　Compared to Xperia 1, the speakers are front-mounted stereo speakers, which minimizes the sound bias. It also supports Dolby Atmos and the sound quality is good. However, the volume is slightly lower than other smartphones.

Surprisingly good, dynamic vibration

　It's like a PlayStation DualShock controller that vibrates in sync with the sound of the content being played. dynamic vibration.

　The Xperia XZ2, which is the first to be installed, has a structure that supports the terminal at the curved top of the back, and a dynamic vibration and an enhanced vibration that accompanies it. , Well, the question, " What about dynamic vibration in practice? "　To be honest, I don't really see the need for YouTube or music. rather a hindrance. However, this is due to the nature of the content.

　What about movies? For example, "Shin Godzilla". This movie goes back and forth between the meeting scene and the scene at the scene. So to speak, stillness and movement. Maximize the transition from stillness to motion . At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, the giant unidentified creature was recognized as volcanic activity, and the main character, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yaguchi, in charge of political affairs, who insisted on investigating the possibility that it was a living thing. The roaring sound that is sandwiched between them as if laughing and the tail of the gigantic unidentified creature at the scene. At the same time, the dynamic vibration, which has been quiet so far, vibrates to the maximum. The transition between stillness and motion appeals not only to the sense of sight but also to the sense of touch. To be honest, I shuddered.

　In other words, the evaluation of this function changes greatly depending on the work and content. Unlike the days of the Xperia XZ2, now with a high-quality 4K HDR compatible organic EL display that is adjusted to the master monitor quality color, if you watch a movie on Netflix, you can think "this is it". The true value of dynamic vibration has come to be demonstrated.

　For better or worse, YouTube has many videos in which the creator and the viewer feel close to each other, and basically most of them do not match. I don't really need music. Fortunately, this function can be set by the user to arbitrarily turn on / off / 3 levels of vibration intensity for each application, and this setting is retained, so you can set it to "only for movie viewing apps, off for others ". It will be the ultimate movie viewing machine.

Earphone jack, delicate sound

　Equipped with a 3.5mm earphone jack. Personally, I use wireless earphones regularly, so I don't have many opportunities to try them, but when I listened to them carefully, they were delicate and had a sense of resolution . I didn't expect it to be a bonus anyway, but it's much better than the previous model with an earphone jack.

camera

　Six years ago, Galaxy's camera was still not good, and Xperia was the top in camera performance. However, in the period of decline after the end of the Xperia Z series, while other high-end models continued to strengthen their cameras, Xperia has been applying noise reduction to the generated JPEGs for a long time. Is it a smartphone?", and the difference between it and other high-end companies was widening. I don't feel motivated at all fundamentally, there's no way I can win.

　However, after Xperia's slump, a big change came when the mobile management team was revamped with people from the camera division. In addition, Sony Electronics Co., Ltd. was established to integrate cameras, TVs, audio, and mobile phones into EP&S businesses. We are definitely moving in the direction of utilizing Sony's technology beyond departmental barriers.

　And the Xperia 1II was positioned as a member of the "imaging product family" pyramid with the Sony α9 at the top . Eye AF and AF/AE tracking high-speed continuous shooting are also possible to ensure that animals and people are in focus.

Camera hardware list

　First, let's check the camera configuration. As follows. Three of the five sensors installed are made by Sony.

• Sony IMX363: Super wide angle 16mm equivalent F value 2.2 12.2 million pixels Dual-PD AF
• Samsung S5K4H7: Telephoto 70mm equivalent F value 2.4 12.2 million pixels 1/3.4 type OIS PDAF
• Sony IMX316: 3D iToF
• Sony IMX557: Wide angle (standard) 24mm equivalent 12.2 million pixels 1/1.7 type F value 1.7 OIS Dual-PD AF
• Samsung S5K3T2: Front camera F value 2.0 8 million pixels

　Device Info HW recognizes the 3D iToF sensor as IMX316 in a later update, which was not recognized at the shipping stage. High-precision autofocus is possible even if the subject is not in the center.

　In addition, the top of the camera is equipped with a flash light and an RGBC-IR sensor. It is thought that the IR sensor identifies the light source environment by infrared rays and is useful for natural color expression in auto.

Auto: Excellent color reproducibility and elegant image creation

　I am shooting in auto. Unless otherwise stated, all shots were taken at 24mm standard. Excellent color reproducibility and elegant image creation .

　Smartphones these days are equipped with high pixel sensors such as 64 million pixels and 100 million pixels, but it is questionable whether they are being used effectively and whether they are leading to good images. With a sensor size of this size, the number of pixels is not so important, and it is better to take a large pixel pitch. It is easy to take well-balanced images.

　With Chinese manufacturers, the coloring is excessive, and things that don't look delicious often look delicious, and on the contrary, things that look delicious become subtle, but with the Xperia 1 II, you can shoot as close as you see it. Below is a shot of the night scene. Even though it is a night view, there is plenty of light.

　The Huawei P40 Pro can take amazing nightscapes for a smartphone, with shadows that are gray instead of black and bright without being noisy. However, in terms of image creation, I get the impression that it is using a cheap-looking lens and that it is diluted.

　On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 1 II is not crushed in the dark areas, it has an atmosphere, and it has an elegant finish. It's more like a single-lens camera. Six years ago, Sony's flagship model Xperia Z2 in 2014, I remember being impressed with the same image creation as the Cyber-shot RX100 series.

　Although the above photo is a night view, there is still a lot of light. What will happen in a harsh environment with less light sources and darker environments? In an environment where Huawei and Pixel can shoot well, the Xperia 1 II has a lot of camera shake and is not easy to use.

Photography Pro

　Well, when it comes to the Xperia 1 II's full potential, it's not the standard camera or auto, but " Photo Pro (Photography Pro) ". Sony's single-lens "α (alpha)" UI allows manual operation, advanced processing on/off, and lens switching. You can change ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, white balance, etc. Below is a photo taken in Photo Pro manual mode.

Night HDR: Half way, but the way is right

　With a smartphone camera sensor, it is disadvantageous in harsh conditions, especially at night. The image processing of recent high-end smartphones overcomes this. The key is to instantly take multiple shots with different exposures. Combining these multiple shots makes it possible to clearly depict night scenes and backlighting. If you don't go through this, you can't compete with the leading high-end smartphones of today, but Sony responds to this with the name of "Auto HDR". We are proud to say that we have taken a solid first step.

　However, whether it was manual operation or AUTO judgment, did auto HDR or D range optimizer work for image quality processing? Such things are not made clear to the user, which makes me uneasy. Also, there is a lot of camera shake in low light. I don't care if the angle of view becomes narrower, so I feel that there should be a setting that suppresses blurring and prioritizes compositing.

　Although this is a harsh environment, it was taken normally, but if multiple images with different exposures were combined, it would be nice if the light in the back was a little tighter when the exposure was low. increase.

　Xperia 1 II on the left, OPPO Find X2 Pro on the right. In both cases, the details are not strange because they are full of paint, and they are well drawn. I wonder if Xperia can make the shadows of trees pop a little more. Some people may think that the OPPO has a little too much shadow and it looks a little unnatural, but including that part, the resolution is high, and this is a modern image that prioritizes technology.

　In the dark, inside the illuminated billboard in the distance. OPPO's auto captures details that are very difficult to describe. The auto of Xperia 1 II Photo Pro is also pretty good. Although it is dark, the leaves are beautifully rendered without looking unnatural.

　However, one more step to the OPPO Find X2 Pro, which is still ahead in multiple-image synthesis processing. However, to be honest, I don't feel any sense of incongruity in the image of a Chinese manufacturer, and it can be said that it is just like a camera. Although it is still a fledgling, I think the direction is right, so I can expect it in the future. I should be able to do more.

The true value of the highest peak 24mm seen from RAW development

　The Photo Pro app also supports saving in RAW. It is a raw file before JPEG processing, which contains plenty of light information captured by the image sensor as it is with a wide dynamic range and rich gradation. Professional photographers also save this and develop it later. Since other cameras are useless, I am limited to 24mm, but I can see that it is still a wonderful descriptive power. Below, RAW development.

Overall low-level telephoto, not-so-wide-angle with insufficient light

　In this way, the Xperia 1 II is showing steady improvement while maintaining its elegance in both bright and harsh environments, and it produces excellent results in manual and RAW, but these are the basics. Specifically, it is due to the F1.7 12.2 million pixel wide-angle lens that is the main camera. Super wide angle is also ok. Chromatic aberration, which tends to occur at the periphery of cheap lenses, often occurred on the Xperia 1, but it is almost never seen in the Xperia 1 II, whether it is corrected by software. You can use it firmly.

　On the other hand, the telephoto camera is a little noisy and lacks resolution. It may be unavoidable because of the small sensor size of 1/3.4, but the 24mm standard is wonderful, so I feel a big gap compared to this.

　As expected, it's better than telephoto with a 24mm standard digital zoom, but even though I want you to do something a little more, if the housing and camera protrusions are thin, it's difficult to achieve telephoto image quality in terms of product balance. It may be the place.

　Also, when the amount of light is insufficient for the ultra-wide angle, the image quality deteriorates more than the main camera. The trend of the latest models is that you can take not only the main wide-angle, but also the telephoto and ultra-wide angles. This is an area where improvements are expected in the next model "Xperia 1 III".

Easy to start camera

　On Android devices, you can launch the camera by double-pressing the power button. This is true for terminals that are relatively closer to AOSP, such as Pixel and AQUOS. However, Chinese Android terminals with their own custom skins often have difficulty starting the camera.

　In the case of Huawei EMUI, it is confusing because the camera activation operation changes. When the light is off or on the lock screen, "Press the volume key twice (ultra snapshot)", and during operation, search for the camera icon on the screen and start it. Since the screen is off, I intended to start the camera by pressing the volume key twice, but the screen is on and I can't start it. In the case of OPPO Color OS, it is impossible to start with a physical key in the first place, which is frustrating. It's hard to use, to be honest.

　In the case of Xperia, immediate activation by physical shutter key is possible. You can consistently start with the same button when turning off, when locking screen, and when operating, and you can move to shutter operation with the same key. It is also possible to set it to start Photography Pro instead of the standard camera. And it is extremely easy to use the camera-like operation of half-pressing to focus and pressing to shutter. However, even if Photo Pro is set as the standard application, it is a pity that the standard camera application starts when you flick down while previewing an image from Photo Pro.

　It is worth noting that the convenient function of the physical shutter key has been inherited in the high-end lineup from the first model "Xperia X1" 12 years ago (the first model in Japan is "Xperia X10") to the present. . Seriously convenient, actually. The mid-range Xperia 10 II does not have a shutter key.

Erasable shutter sound

　Domestic mobile carriers continue to force manufacturers to use vulgar shutter sounds, but this is a meaningless regulation and is a nuisance in various situations such as cafes and museums.

　Xperia 1 II has a slightly smaller shutter sound among manufacturers. Also, in the SIM-free version, when the SIM is removed, the "Camera operation sound" item appears in Camera/Photo Pro , so you can turn off the shutter sound.

　By the way, the SIM-free version does not have the stupid behavior of "forced restart by removing and inserting the SIM" that Japanese carriers are forcing, so you can use it as it is even if you insert the SIM in this state. Also, when I checked with the Android 11 SIM free version, the camera shutter sound disappeared even after a manual restart.

　Considering that the shutter sound of a dedicated camera can be turned off, it is true that the shutter sound of this machine, which has a meaning as an introductory machine of Sony's α family, can be turned off. Consumers should actively choose the SIM-free version.

Cinema Pro

　Professional movie shooting app "Cinema Pro (Cinemagraphy Pro)" supervised by the development team of the professional camera "CineAltra VENICE" used for shooting movies, dramas and commercials. Supports recording of 4K HDR movies in HLG format.

　Authentic specifications from start to finish. Shoot with detailed settings such as lens, ISO, Look, shutter speed, white balance, focus, and frame rate. From shooting to editing and uploading, everything is completed with Xperia 1 II. No computer or gimbal is used.

　When creating HLG format HDR videos, it is originally necessary to shoot with a dedicated device, transfer it to a PC, and use paid video editing software to add appropriate settings, but it is surprising that you can do it all with just Xperia You should. Awesome camera app. Moreover, it's called "CineAlta VENICE". " How much do you think the real thing will cost? "

　A commercial equipment cinema camera and a master monitor used in the field of the video industry, each costing several million yen, are combined into a palm-sized unit . Moreover, the CPU has a built-in Snapdragon 800 series and a communication module that have started to run on VR and Windows, so you can edit anywhere and upload a complete package immediately? An inexplicably gorgeous pocket cinematography gadget. Seriously, it's a smartphone for geeks. the best. too much fun. There is a story about taking a lot of videos and not looking back at them, and it's just a matter of fertilizing the storage　. . You can also save storage space.

　I dare say that the brightness of the display of the Xperia 1 II that created the HLG video is not high, so when you watch it on another company's HDR compatible high-end device with the latest high-brightness display, it will appear brighter than it was during creation, just as intended at the time of production. I felt that I was not. Also, I want you to fix the problem that the sound is slightly interrupted at the beginning of the clip as soon as possible.

Specifications

　A perfect high-end, flagship model. The spec table is as follows.

OS	Factory Android 10 (Updated to Android 11)
CPU	Snapdragon 865 5G Mobile Platform
memory	8/12GB
capacity	128/256GB, microSD
screen	6.5 inch 21:9 4K HDR OLED (3840×1644) DCI-P3 100%, ITU-R BT.2020 (REC.2020) Motion Blur Reduction Corning Gorilla Glass 6
camera	16mm: 12MP 1/2.55 Dual-PD AF, ultra-wide 124 degrees, Sony Exmor RS 24mm: 12MP 1/1.7 Dual PD AF, OIS, Sony (IMX555?) 70mm: 12MP 1/3.4 PDAF, OIS, 3x optical telephoto 3D ToF ZEISS lens T* coating
front camera	8 MP
battery	4000 mAh, wireless charging
size	166 × 72 × 7.9mm, 181g
others	5G Sub6 IP65/68 Waterproof and dustproof 3.5mm earphone jack / Stereo speaker / Dolby Atmos high resolution / DSEE Ultimate / 360 Reality Audio (hardware decoding)

　The carrier version had 8GB of execution memory and 128GB of storage capacity, but the SIM-free version has high-quality specifications that have been increased to 12GB/256GB.

communication

　Supports dual SIM specifications. The 4G band corresponds to each company's platinum band B8/B18/B19. 5G communication does not support millimeter wave n257, but supports docomo, au, SoftBank sub6 n77, n78 n79.

battery

　While the previous model Xperia 1 had a 3200mAh battery, the Xperia 1 II has a large increase to 4000mAh. The battery life in my experience is roughly the same as OPPO Find X2 Pro.

　Supports quick charging of general-purpose standard USB PD (Power Delivery), nominal value allows about 50% quick charging in as little as 30 minutes. It can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes, exactly as advertised. It can be charged up to 80% in 1 hour. Below, all comparisons are made with USB-PD 30W (although OPPO Find X2 Pro can reach 65W with its own standard charger).

　Although Xperia charges at once, it can be said that the charging speed is wisely reduced around 80% charge, and the battery is cared for by greatly adjusting the speed. OPPO Find X2 Pro and arrows 5G don't often see the process of reducing the charging speed in consideration of the battery when it approaches full charge.

　In addition, it also supports "HS power control (function in game enhancer)" that supplies power directly from the charger without using batteries in the first place. Playing games while charging for a long time can easily drain the battery, but this is a great feature that can prevent such problems. I wish it could be used for apps other than games.　Overall, the power management of this unit is very good.

Overall review

　We've been waiting for an Xperia like this for years!

　A SIM-free high-end flagship with a super cool design that is compatible with FeliCa, DSDV, and 5G, with Sony's technology. Flawless perfection. It's cool to see the commitment to not stubbornly installing notches and punch holes that are unfashionable and reduce immersion in video works. This is Xperia's masterpiece and a model that you can be proud of. I strongly feel that it is an outstanding aircraft with a high degree of perfection.

　On the other hand, how do you deal with the trend of high drive that contradicts ultra-high resolution? How will Xperia stand while mainstream camera synthesis processing is solving problems one after another? Although it is unavoidable to some extent to prioritize the carrier version that can be sold in numbers, at what timing will the SIM-free version be released because the release date is too late? There are some issues that need to be tackled, but I would like Xperia to do its best in the future.