Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72. This phone has been making waves, and we're here to give you the complete rundown. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just looking for a new daily driver, stick around to get all the juicy details on its specifications, features, and overall performance. Let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

The Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 continues Sony's tradition of sleek and functional design. The device features a tall, narrow profile that's both elegant and ergonomic. Holding it in your hand, you'll immediately notice the premium feel, thanks to its high-quality materials. The phone uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, providing excellent protection against scratches and accidental drops. This is a huge plus if you're someone who's prone to mishaps. The frame is made of durable aluminum, adding to the overall robustness of the device. Sony has also retained its signature 21:9 aspect ratio, making it perfect for multimedia consumption and multitasking.

One of the standout design elements is the return of the physical shutter button. Located on the right side of the phone, this button offers a tactile and intuitive way to launch the camera and capture photos. For photography enthusiasts, this is a feature that truly sets the Xperia 1 IV apart from many other smartphones on the market. Additionally, the phone boasts an IP65/IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand splashes, rain, and even submersion in shallow water for a limited time. This is a practical feature that adds peace of mind, especially if you live an active lifestyle or frequently find yourself in environments where your phone might be exposed to the elements. The matte finish on the back not only looks sophisticated but also helps to minimize fingerprints and smudges, keeping your phone looking clean and presentable. Available in a range of stylish colors, the Xperia 1 IV allows you to choose a variant that best reflects your personal taste and style. All these design choices combine to create a device that is both visually appealing and highly functional, making it a top contender in the premium smartphone market.

Display: A Visual Treat

When it comes to the display, the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 truly shines. It sports a stunning 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with a resolution of 3840 x 1644 pixels. The sharpness and clarity are simply outstanding, making everything from browsing photos to watching videos an absolute pleasure. The OLED technology ensures vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. What sets this display apart is its 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth and fluid. Whether you're gaming, browsing social media, or simply navigating through menus, the responsiveness of the display enhances the overall user experience.

Sony's expertise in display technology is evident in the Xperia 1 IV. The phone supports Creator Mode, which is calibrated to reproduce colors accurately, adhering to professional standards. This makes it an ideal choice for content creators and photographers who require accurate color representation for their work. The display also features real-time HDR drive, enhancing the dynamic range and contrast of HDR content. This results in brighter highlights and deeper shadows, adding depth and realism to your viewing experience. The 21:9 aspect ratio provides a cinematic feel, making it perfect for watching movies and TV shows. Moreover, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, ensuring it can withstand daily wear and tear. With its combination of high resolution, vibrant colors, smooth refresh rate, and professional-grade calibration, the display on the Sony Xperia 1 IV is truly a visual treat that caters to both casual users and demanding professionals.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 is a powerhouse, equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. This high-end processor ensures blazing-fast performance, whether you're multitasking, gaming, or running demanding applications. The phone comes with 12GB of RAM, allowing for smooth and seamless multitasking, even with numerous apps running in the background. Storage options include 256GB or 512GB, providing ample space for your photos, videos, and files. If you need even more storage, the phone also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is known for its exceptional performance and efficiency. It features a powerful CPU and GPU, enabling the Xperia 1 IV to handle graphically intensive games and applications with ease. The phone also supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet speeds wherever you go. For enhanced gaming performance, the Xperia 1 IV includes features like heat suppression and a game enhancer mode, which optimizes the phone's performance and reduces thermal throttling. This allows you to play your favorite games for extended periods without experiencing any slowdown or overheating. The phone also features a robust cooling system, which helps to dissipate heat and maintain consistent performance. With its combination of a powerful processor, ample RAM, generous storage options, and advanced connectivity, the Sony Xperia 1 IV delivers a top-tier performance that meets the demands of even the most demanding users.

Camera Capabilities

One of the most impressive features of the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 is its advanced camera system. The phone boasts a triple-lens rear camera setup, consisting of a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens with a true optical zoom ranging from 85mm to 125mm. This variable optical zoom is a unique feature that sets the Xperia 1 IV apart from other smartphones on the market, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos at various focal lengths without sacrificing image quality. All three lenses are equipped with real-time Eye AF and object tracking, ensuring sharp and focused images, even when shooting moving subjects.

The camera system on the Xperia 1 IV is designed to deliver exceptional image quality and versatility. The primary lens captures detailed and vibrant photos in various lighting conditions, while the ultrawide lens allows you to capture expansive landscapes and group shots. The telephoto lens offers impressive zoom capabilities, allowing you to get closer to your subjects without compromising image quality. The phone also supports 4K HDR video recording at 120fps, enabling you to capture smooth and cinematic videos with excellent dynamic range. Sony's expertise in camera technology is evident in the Xperia 1 IV, with features like Cinematography Pro and Videography Pro offering advanced controls and settings for professional-grade video recording. The front-facing camera is a 12MP lens that captures detailed and clear selfies. With its combination of advanced hardware and software features, the camera system on the Sony Xperia 1 IV is a powerhouse for photography and videography enthusiasts.

Battery Life and Charging

The Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which provides ample power to get you through a full day of use. The phone supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery when needed. It also supports wireless charging, offering a convenient way to charge your phone without the need for cables. Sony has implemented several battery-saving features to optimize battery life, including adaptive charging and battery care, which help to prolong the lifespan of the battery.

The 5000mAh battery is a significant upgrade from previous Xperia models, ensuring that you can use your phone for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing games, the Xperia 1 IV can handle it all. The fast charging capability allows you to quickly top up the battery when you're in a hurry, while wireless charging provides added convenience. Sony's battery care technology learns from your charging habits and optimizes the charging process to prevent overcharging and extend the battery's lifespan. With its combination of a large battery, fast charging, wireless charging, and battery-saving features, the Sony Xperia 1 IV offers excellent battery life and charging capabilities that cater to the needs of modern smartphone users.

Audio Quality

For audiophiles, the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 doesn't disappoint. It features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rare find in flagship smartphones these days. This allows you to use your favorite wired headphones without the need for an adapter. The phone also supports High-Resolution Audio and LDAC, ensuring exceptional audio quality when listening to music. The Xperia 1 IV also features dual stereo speakers, which provide immersive and balanced sound. Sony's DSEE Ultimate technology upscales compressed audio files, restoring the high-frequency details that are often lost during compression, resulting in a richer and more detailed listening experience.

The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome addition for those who prefer wired headphones. The support for High-Resolution Audio and LDAC ensures that you can enjoy your music in the highest possible quality. The dual stereo speakers provide a wide and immersive soundstage, making it a pleasure to listen to music, watch videos, or play games without headphones. Sony's DSEE Ultimate technology further enhances the audio quality by restoring the details that are often lost in compressed audio files. With its combination of hardware and software features, the Sony Xperia 1 IV delivers an exceptional audio experience that caters to the needs of audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Software and Features

The Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72 runs on Android 12 with Sony's custom UI on top. The software experience is clean and intuitive, with minimal bloatware. Sony has included several exclusive features, such as Side Sense, which allows you to quickly access your favorite apps and settings with a simple swipe on the edge of the screen. The phone also supports multi-window multitasking, allowing you to run two apps side by side. Sony has committed to providing timely software updates, ensuring that you'll receive the latest Android features and security patches.

Sony's custom UI is designed to enhance the user experience without adding unnecessary clutter. The Side Sense feature is a convenient way to access your most frequently used apps and settings. The multi-window multitasking allows you to be more productive by running two apps simultaneously. Sony's commitment to software updates ensures that your phone will stay up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements. The Xperia 1 IV also includes several pre-installed apps, such as the Cinema Pro and Videography Pro apps, which offer advanced controls for video recording. With its combination of a clean user interface, exclusive features, and commitment to software updates, the Sony Xperia 1 IV offers a smooth and user-friendly software experience.

Conclusion

So, what's the final verdict on the Sony Xperia 1 IV XQ-CT72? Well, it's a powerhouse of a phone with a stunning display, top-notch performance, and an incredible camera system. Sure, it might be a bit pricey, but if you're looking for a premium smartphone that excels in almost every area, this one's definitely worth considering. From its sleek design to its advanced features, the Xperia 1 IV is a true flagship device that stands out from the crowd. Whether you're a content creator, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates high-quality technology, this phone has something to offer. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you in the next review!