Sony Unveils Flagship Xperia 1 III and 'Compact' Xperia 5 III Featuring ZEISS Cameras

The new Sony smartphones impress with their cameras and displays, though their prices might give some pause.

Sony has officially launched the 5G-capable Xperia 1 III (pronounced Xperia 1 Mark III), following the same naming convention as its Alpha camera lineup. The design closely resembles its predecessor, but now features a matte glass back instead of a glossy one, reducing fingerprint smudges.

As expected from a flagship device, the Xperia 1 III is powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor, paired with 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. Storage expansion is available via a microSD slot. The phone boasts a 6.4-inch 4K OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a 240 Hz touch sampling rate. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the toughest glass currently available.

The camera system was developed by the same experts behind Sony's Alpha cameras, and the presentation gave significant attention to the phone's photographic capabilities.

The Xperia 1 III features a triple 12 MP camera setup. The main sensor includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and supports 4K video recording at 120 fps. Complementing it are an ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2) and a telephoto lens with OIS and adjustable optical zoom ranging from 2.9x to 4.4x. The front-facing camera is 8 MP and positioned above the display. The device also retains eye-tracking autofocus, which adapts even when the subject turns away and back to the camera.

Sony claims the stereo speakers are 40% louder than the previous generation and support 360 Reality Audio for immersive sound. Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio are also supported. Interestingly, the phone can connect directly to a DualShock 4 controller, though not to the newer DualSense.

The device houses a large 4,500 mAh battery with 30W fast charging support. Sony assures the battery will maintain its capacity for up to three years. Wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging, is supported, though exact wattage is unspecified. The fingerprint scanner is integrated into the power button, and a dedicated camera button remains. Notably, the phone retains the 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Sony also introduced the Xperia 5 III, a more compact flagship that keeps the Snapdragon 888, 5G connectivity, and the same camera system. However, its compactness is relative, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display slightly smaller than the Xperia 1 III. It retains the 120 Hz refresh rate but drops resolution to Full HD. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which is less durable than Victus. This model comes with 8 GB of RAM and offers either 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage depending on the variant.

The Xperia 5 III has the same 4,500 mAh battery capacity but lacks wireless charging support. It retains the 3.5 mm headphone jack and all the audio enhancement technologies.

The Xperia 1 III will be available in black and purple colors, priced at approximately $1,300 USD, while the Xperia 5 III comes in black and dark green starting around $1,100 USD. Pre-orders are open until July 20, with the official release expected on that date. Customers who pre-order will receive Sony’s branded wireless headphones as a gift.

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