For such a huge technological company, the Sony smartphones division was a curious failure.
The company has been manufacturing Android handsets since 2008, but has never become one of the main brands, at least in the West. According to StatCounter, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Motorola, Huawei and Google are all to come in terms of global market share.
But that did not prevent Sony from continuing to make phones … again.
The company has just announced its new flagship product for 2025 in the form of Xperia 1 VII, with several upgrades compared to Xperia 1 VI of last year.
However, despite new IA camera features that are promising, there is very little to get excited here. Given the small part of Sony on the smartphones market, I think it's time to throw in the towel. Here are four major reasons why.
Note: Sony informed me on the phone, but provided any image of the Xperia 1 VII in time for the publication. Those you see here are Xperia 1 VI and I will update with official images in due time.
Not USP
For a while, Sony was the only large smartphone manufacturer to offer a large 4K screen (after being the first to launch a full HD phone in 2013 – the Xperia Z). Admittedly, his call was a niche, but it was nice to see the company try something different.
Everything changed with the introduction of Xperia 1 VI, which moved to a much more common HD + panel. This continues on the Xperia 1 VII, which offers an OLED screen of 6.5 inch and 19.5: 9, with a cooling rate of 120 Hz.
If the Xperia 1 VI is something to go, it will be a very nice screen, and certainly more practical than the large 4K. But the same can be said for most Android competitors, there is therefore no reason to pay a bonus for the Xperia 1 VII.
I do not know anyone who would buy a high -end phone just so that he can connect his helmet
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It is symptomatic of the device as a whole. It has a lot of premium features, including a high -end glass and aluminum design, the Snapdragon 8 elite chipset and a 5000mah battery which should offer a high battery life. But they are all up to the course with regard to the flagship products of Android in 2025.
The only decisive characteristic is perhaps the continuous presence of the 3.5 mm headphone jack, which makes the Xperia 1 VII unequaled with regard to the wired audio. But I don't know anyone who would buy a high -end phone just to be able to connect their headphones.
The cameras always fail
If there is one thing for which Sony is best known, they are probably cameras. The company's alpha range of the company's mirror is one of the most famous in the world, so you expect it to offer a first -class smartphone photography experience.
He does not seem to have trouble with the equipment – Sony camera lenses can be found in many best camera phones on the market. But for a while, Sony failed slightly on the side of software processing, leading to a certain inconsistency.
If you want the best absolute camera phone, you shouldn't buy Sony phone
Foundry
Of course, it could have been fixed on the new Xperia 1 VII, which I have not yet been able to try for myself. But I think it is unlikely to compete properly with the tastes of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In the end, if you want the best absolute camera phone, you shouldn't buy Sony phone.
What's going on with software assistance?
There is absolutely nothing to harm Sony's Android skin.
It is refreshing and light, offering an experience close to the intuitive and easy to use “stock”. All additional preinstalled applications can easily be deleted.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It is simply too expensive for a phone with several key disadvantages
However, he continues not to fail regarding software updates. The new Xperia 1 VII should receive only three main updates of the operating system and four years of security fixes. This means that Android 18 will be its latest major version, and it will not be sure to use beyond 2029.
Compare this to the flagship products of Samsung and Google, which offer seven years of the two, and Sony's commitment is very disappointing. It is even before you reach the speed of these updates – how long before Android 16 does not really become available on the Xperia 1 VII?
The price …
These gaps are much more a problem for line Xperia 1 than cheaper models, that Sony can continue or not.
The new Xperia 1 VII costs $ 1,499, and although we do not yet have a price in the United Kingdom or the United States, it is probably similar to the £ 1,299 of 1 VI.
It is simply too expensive for a phone with several key disadvantages.
On what Sony should concentrate instead
This article is not a call for Sony to stop making technological products. I just think that the company would benefit from one category of less product to think about, allowing it to focus its efforts on other areas.
Regarding televisions, cameras, audio equipment and, of course, game consoles, Sony is up there with the best. It should also continue to provide camera sensors to other phone manufacturers, who seem to know how to get the most out of it.
As difficult as it can be, I think it's time for Sony to admit defeat with regard to smartphones. It was fun while it lasted.
Are you looking for an alternative? See our guide from the best phones that you can buy now. You might be more interested in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.
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