Sony Announces XPERIA PRO-I Smartphone

Today, Sony announced that the XPERIA PRO-I is close to public release, with pre-orders planned to begin shortly. The XPERIA PRO-I continues to leverage Sony’s incredible legacy of professional camera know-how in the mobile space and is targeted at smartphone users who are serious about getting outstanding image quality from their smartphone camera.

According to Sony, the XPERIA PRO-I is the world's first smartphone to be equipped with a 1" image sensor with phase detection autofocus. The new sensor is an attempt by Sony to bring the incredible image quality in its Alpha line of products to the smartphone space. This particular sensor is based on the one from Sony’s latest camera in the RX series, the RX100 VII.

Photographers and cinephiles alike will be excited to know the XPERIA PRO-I will feature a triple rear camera system (16mm ultra-wide, 24mm wide, and 50mm standard lens) equipped with true ZEISS optics with a T* anti-reflective coating. It also features an 8MP front camera. The wide lens is special in that it features an aspherical glass element, which lends to its miniature size. This smartphone also benefits from the addition of a 3D iToF sensor, which can immediately measure distance between the phone and subject in real-time. Coupled with continuous autofocus and AI processing, shots of fast-moving subjects result in clear images and video. A wide range of features―including low light performance, wide range 12-bit raw dynamic range, and optical bokeh with dual f/2.0 and 4.0 apertures―will also be supported. When it comes to video creation, the XPERIA PRO-I is capable of recording in Ultra HD 4K resolution at 120 fps. It is also capable of continuous eye autofocus and object tracking, along with slow-motion support at 120 fps.

As far as other specs go, the XPERIA PRO-I features a large, 6.5" 21:9 CinemaWide OLED 120 Hz display, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, and 5G connectivity. The XPERIA PRO-I also offers solid support for those who require advanced connectivity, fast mobile gaming, and smooth-streaming content. Despite the large sensor, the phone still manages to retain a respectable 166 x 72 x 8.9mm footprint while packing in a 4500mAh battery.

Mobile gaming continues to advance, and Sony fully supports casual and pro-level players with its smooth 120 Hz display and 240 Hz motion blur-reduction technology. To further immerse players, Dolby Atmos audio is supported, and you can enjoy game soundtracks and effects through the phone’s full-range front-firing stereo speakers or use your favorite headset with the integrated 3.5mm headphone jack. A slew of additional features is offered to further enhance your matches, with screen tweaks for spotting players quicker, fast touch support, and more.

In addition to support for 4G LTE and 5G Sub-6 networks, the XPERIA PRO-I can connect to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks with Sony’s Smart Connectivity. Smart Connectivity scans networks before joining to ensure solid connections for a seamless online experience. With so many features, the phone needs to stand up to daily use, which is why Sony equipped it with IP65/68-rated water and dust resistance, front Corning Victus glass, and rear Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection.

The XPERIA PRO-I rounds out its high-end capabilities with a large 512GB storage capacity and 12GB of RAM. If you are a content creator or just a photo and mobile enthusiast, the XPERIA PRO-I offers a fantastic upgrade via the shear breadth of features that Sony packed inside the phone alongside some stellar camera upgrades.

Are you as excited as we are about the Sony XPERIA PRO-I's 1.0 image sensor? Let us know in the Comments section, below!