Sony’s Xperia Pro-I smartphone has a 1-inch sensor, records 4K footage at a world-first 120fps
The ultimate camera phone
Apple might brag about the bigger pixels of its latest iPhone line-up, but Sony’s latest handset is here to embarrass every phone’s photography specs. The Xperia Pro-I (£1599) features a 1-inch sensor – a dimension usually reserved for premium compacts (like Sony’s RX100 VII, which uses an identical Exmor number). Together with 315 phase-detect autofocus points and dual apertures for dynamic depth of field control, the Pro-I is more camera than mobile. Three focal lengths (16mm, 24mm and 50mm) cover all bases, while a 2.4µm pixel pitch on the main sensor means it should excel after dark. It’s a video star too, capable of shooting 4K video at a silky smooth 120fps (a first for any smartphone). A monaural microphone next to the main camera also makes it a winner for chatterbox vloggers, as does the optional magnetic Vlog Monitor, which allows well-heeled TikTokers to frame up with an additional 3.5in display and shoot themselves for social using the full-size sensor.
When it’s not on shooting duty, Sony’s photographic phablet can perform as an entertainment powerhouse. Its 6.5in OLED display packs a 4K resolution plus silky smooth 120Hz refresh rates, as well as what Sony calls ‘HDR 10-bit equivalent’ – which should mean punchy colours, deep blacks and all that’s beautiful in between. Full-stage stereo speakers take care of vibrations, with spatial audio support also on-board for immersive music via compatible headphones. Running the show is Snapdragon’s 888 processor. Paired with 12GB of RAM, it should be plenty powerful enough to romp through games (and handle the chunky 12-bit RAW files which that Exmor sensor can produce). What toll those cogitations will take on its 4500mAh cell remains to be seen, but Sony promises that 30W wireless charging will have snappers rapidly back in action, with 50% capacity delivered in 30 minutes.
Chris Rowlands
Freelance contributor 
