Sony announces the Xperia 1 III & Xperia 5 III

Sony has announced the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III smartphones.

The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III feature the world’s first variable smartphone telephoto lens paired with a Dual-PD sensor and 4K HDR OLED 120Hz Refresh rate display.

Sony Alpha Series Heritage

According to Sony, the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III were co-developed with the engineers behind the Alpha series cameras. Both models are claimed to have fast, accurate continuous AF across all lenses and Real-time Eye AF. The Xperia 5 III also benefits from object tracking technology.

The Xperia 1 III features a more sophisticated feature set for photographers. Object tracking is upgraded with Real-time Tracking. It does this by using AI-based algorithms and a 3D iToF sensor to measure distance.

Both models offer continuous AF that performs AF / AE calculations at 60 times per second, which according to Sony, enables users to shoot and store 20 shots (20fps) with high precision, accurate focus and optimized exposure. Sony also claims that this level of performance is comparable to that used in professional sports cameras such as the Alpha 9 series. The BIONZ X processor also allows users to shoot in low-light scenarios in Burst Mode for the first time.

Variable telephoto lens

Both models feature a variable telephoto lens paired with Dual PD sensor that gives you the ability to use a focal length of up to 105mm. When switching between 70mm and 105mm, the focus is claimed to be adjusted in an instant.

You can shoot at 16mm, 24mm, 70mm, and 105mm focal lengths. Both models feature ZEISS optics calibrated specifically for the Xperia smartphone.

Both phones incorporate a new AI super resolution zoom. This technology uses Sony’s AI processing to restore detail and definition to images.

Video Features

There is a Cinematography Pro (powered by CineAlta) mode where you can capture up to 4K HDR at 120fps. You can also record in 21:9 ratio at 24/25/30/60fps. There are eight different Look color management pre-sets you can choose from.

Other new video features include the ability to check how much free memory is remaining and how much recording time is still available. You can also check which parameters you used on a specific clip, in order to apply them to other projects. Each clip’s parameter details now include resolution, FPS, look, lens, stabilizer, WB, ISO, shutter angle/ speed, focus and audio level.

Photography Pro functions

The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III feature a Photography Pro function. According to Sony, this was developed in collaboration with professional photographers, and it gives users a lot of the same manual controls that are available in Alpha series cameras. These include ISO, shutter speed, EV Indicator, RAW support, plus a dedicated shutter button. New for this year’s smartphones is the ‘Basic Mode’ feature in Photography Pro which enables fast access to a range of easy-to-use photography features including a touch shutter button, portrait orientation, artistic bokeh effect, panorama, etc..

The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III also feature the very latest Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye, which couples the image sensor’s increased reading speed with the original Sony algorithm for optical image stabilization.

21:9 CinemaWide 4K HDR OLED display

The Xperia 1 III features a 6.5” 21:9 CinemaWide 4K HDR OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, whilst Xperia 5 III offers a 6.1″ 21:9 CinemaWide HDR OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.

There is a Creator Mode that features a factory calibrated OLED display which Sony claims has a highly accurate white point which mirrors the color reproduction of Sony professional color monitors. Additionally, both models feature 10-bit equivalent displays (8-bit with 2-bit smoothing) that can display a myriad of colors without banding and support BT.2020 color space.

Gaming

Gamers should be happy with the new and improved 120Hz Refresh rate display that is incorporated in the 1 series, as well as the 5 series. The addition of 240Hz Motion blur reduction also means the display updates at at 240 times per second.

Another new feature in both models is the ability to adjust white balance so you can reduce strain on the eyes. The new L-y raiser(low gamma raiser) also makes it easier to see opponents in the dark by adjusting image details in dark areas and highlighting enemies without overexposing bright areas of the screen

Gamers can also plug in their favorite headset via a 3.5mm headphone jack and experience the audible benefits of the models’ new features with minimal latency. The new Audio equalizer lets users control, heighten and minimize sounds such as footsteps and gunshots. For those playing in teams, the new optimized V.C. microphone allows for clear communication by reducing background noise based on the user’s chosen headset type.

Gamers can also relive their performance thanks to high frame rate recording at up to 120fps. Whatever they are playing, R.T. record (Rewind time record) automatically pre-records 30 seconds of game footage.

There is also a Heat Suppression power control (H. S. power control). By powering the phone systems directly, rather than charging the battery, thermal stress on the handsets is reduced and overheating is avoided.

Audio

The new Xperia models utilize sound tuned in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment. In addition to unique hardware decoding, a newly developed speaker virtualizer enables the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III to reproduce 360 Reality Audio in the speakers. 

If the music source being listened to is 2-channel stereo, the new 360 Spatial Sound comes into play. It enables the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III to upmix stereo tracks and virtualizes to an immersive sound experience, in real time. The technology works with local audio files and streaming services to further enhance the listening experience.

Full-stage stereo speakers on the Xperia 1 III, are now claimed to be 40% more powerful than their predecessor. This is thanks to a new speaker box structure, which has been designed both to improve sound pressure and eliminate vibration. The audio volume through audio-out (via the 3.5mm audio jack) has also been improved by approximately 40%, while sound quality has improved with less distortion near the maximum output level.

5G & Wi-Fi

Both phones combine 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform. The Qualcomm Kryo 680 CPU enables 25% higher performance and the Qualcomm Adreno 660 GPU delivers 35% faster graphic rendering than the previous generation.

Battery

Both models feature a 4,500mAh battery. When the battery needs a boost, it can be charged up to 50% in just 30 minutes with the included charger XZQ-UC1. Furthermore, Xperia Adaptive Charging allows the battery life to be extended up to three years (up from two in previous models) in both models. Xperia Adaptive Charging works by monitoring the phone as it charges, to make sure the battery isn’t overworked.

Finally, Xperia 1 III offers a wireless charging and Battery share function, allowing the device to be connected to a wireless charger to conveniently top up the battery. Thanks to the Battery share function, it can double as a charging pad for other devices too.

Availability

Xperia 1 III will be available in Frosted Black and Frosted Purple, and shipping with Android 11 from early Summer 2021.

Xperia 5 III will be available in Black and Green, and shipping with Android 11 from early Summer 2021.