In-Depth Review
Sony Xperia 1 II Review
By MobGadgets Editorial Team
Updated October 07, 2026 • 12 min read
I Introduction
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a high-end smartphone that boasts powerful hardware, exceptional camera performance, and a unique design. Released in 2020, it features a 6.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. Equipped with a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a triple camera setup, the phone delivers fast and smooth performance, exceptional image quality, and great video recording capabilities. The phone's audio quality is also impressive, with support for Hi-Res audio and Dolby Atmos. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Sony Xperia 1 II's design, camera, performance, and audio to help you decide if it's the right smartphone for you.
II Design
The Sony Xperia 1 II has a unique and stylish design that sets it apart from other high-end smartphones on the market. The phone features a rectangular shape with sharp edges and a glass back that is available in four different colors: black, purple, gray, and white. The metal frame adds to the phone's premium feel and durability, while the Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and back protects it from scratches and cracks.
The phone's display is a 6.5-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it one of the sharpest and most immersive displays on the market. The tall aspect ratio is great for multitasking, split-screen viewing, and watching movies, as it allows for more content to be displayed at once. The display also features HDR support, which makes colors more vibrant and realistic.
One downside to the phone's design is its size and weight. The Xperia 1 II is a tall and heavy phone, measuring 165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm and weighing 181.4g. This may make it difficult to use with one hand or fit into some pockets, but it is still manageable with two hands.
In terms of handling and ergonomics, the Xperia 1 II has a slightly curved back that makes it comfortable to hold. The power button is located on the right side of the phone, along with the fingerprint scanner, which is fast and accurate. The volume buttons are located below the power button, which may take some getting used to for those accustomed to having them on the left side of the phone.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II has a stylish and unique design that is sure to turn heads. Its tall and immersive display, along with its premium build quality, make it a great choice for those who value aesthetics and design in a smartphone. However, its large size and weight may not be ideal for everyone.
III Camera:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a camera-centric phone that features a triple camera setup consisting of three 12-megapixel sensors. The main sensor is a 1/1.7-inch Exmor RS sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, while the other two sensors are ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. The phone also features a 3D iToF sensor that helps with autofocus and distance sensing.
The Xperia 1 II's camera is designed with professional photographers in mind, as it features a range of manual controls and settings that allow for greater creative control over the final image. The phone's camera app is called the Photo Pro app, which is a separate app from the default camera app and is geared towards pro-level photography.
The Photo Pro app features a range of advanced controls and settings, including manual focus, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. It also includes a dedicated shutter button that can be used with a half-press to focus and a full press to capture the image. The app also allows for the use of RAW format, which gives users greater flexibility and control over the editing process.
In terms of image quality, the Xperia 1 II's camera produces stunning images with exceptional detail, sharpness, and color accuracy. The phone's autofocus is fast and accurate, even in low light conditions, thanks to the 3D iToF sensor. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses also produce great images, with the telephoto lens featuring 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom.
The Xperia 1 II's camera also features a range of other features, including eye autofocus, which can detect and focus on the subject's eye, and real-time tracking, which allows the camera to track and follow moving subjects. The phone's camera can also record video in 4K HDR quality with 24fps or 60fps, which makes it a great choice for videographers as well.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's camera is one of the best on the market, and it's sure to please even the most demanding photographers. Its advanced controls and settings, along with its exceptional image quality and range of features, make it a great choice for those who value photography in a smartphone.
IV Performance:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a high-end smartphone that boasts some impressive hardware specs. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is one of the most powerful processors currently available. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card.
The phone's performance is fast and smooth, with apps launching quickly and multitasking being a breeze. The Snapdragon 865 chipset ensures that even the most demanding games and apps run smoothly, without any lag or stuttering. The phone also features 5G connectivity, which allows for lightning-fast download and upload speeds.
The Xperia 1 II's battery life is also impressive, with a 4,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day with moderate usage. The phone also features fast charging capabilities, with support for 21W fast charging, which can charge the phone up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
One unique feature of the Xperia 1 II is its audio capabilities. The phone features stereo speakers that are tuned by audio experts from Sony's music division, which provide a rich and immersive audio experience. The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity among high-end smartphones these days.
The Xperia 1 II also runs on Android 10, with Sony's custom skin on top. The skin is clean and minimalistic, with a few added features and tweaks to enhance the user experience. Sony has promised to provide at least two major Android updates for the Xperia 1 II, which is great news for those who want to keep their phone up to date with the latest software.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's performance is top-notch, with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM and storage, and great battery life. Its audio capabilities and 5G connectivity make it a great choice for media consumption, while its clean software and promise of updates make it a great long-term investment.
V Audio:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a smartphone that has been designed with audio in mind. The phone features stereo speakers that are tuned by audio experts from Sony's music division, which provides a rich and immersive audio experience. The speakers are located at the top and bottom of the phone, which provides a good stereo separation.
The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity among high-end smartphones these days. This is great news for those who prefer to use wired headphones, as it allows them to enjoy high-quality audio without the need for an adapter or dongle.
In addition to the headphone jack, the Xperia 1 II also supports high-resolution audio playback, which allows for the playback of music at a higher bit rate and sampling rate than standard MP3 files. This provides a more detailed and immersive audio experience, particularly when paired with high-quality headphones.
The phone also features LDAC technology, which is a high-quality Bluetooth codec that allows for the transmission of high-quality audio over Bluetooth. This is great news for those who prefer to use wireless headphones, as it allows them to enjoy high-quality audio without the need for a wired connection.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's audio capabilities are top-notch, with great stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for high-resolution audio playback and LDAC technology. This makes it a great choice for those who value audio quality in a smartphone.
VI Conclusion:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a top-of-the-line smartphone that offers a great camera, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities. The phone's 6.5-inch 4K OLED display is one of the best on the market, with great color accuracy and sharpness. The phone's camera system is also impressive, with three 12-megapixel cameras that can capture great photos and videos in a variety of settings.
The phone's performance is top-notch, with a powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset and plenty of RAM and storage. Its battery life is also impressive, with a 4,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day with moderate usage. The phone's audio capabilities are also great, with stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for high-resolution audio playback and LDAC technology.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II is a great choice for those who value a great camera, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities in a smartphone. Its 4K OLED display is a treat for the eyes, and its clean software and promise of updates make it a great long-term investment. While it may not be the most affordable smartphone on the market, its high-end features and capabilities make it a great value for those who are willing to invest in a top-of-the-line device.
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a high-end smartphone that boasts powerful hardware, exceptional camera performance, and a unique design. Released in 2020, it features a 6.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio. Equipped with a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a triple camera setup, the phone delivers fast and smooth performance, exceptional image quality, and great video recording capabilities. The phone's audio quality is also impressive, with support for Hi-Res audio and Dolby Atmos. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Sony Xperia 1 II's design, camera, performance, and audio to help you decide if it's the right smartphone for you.
II Design
The Sony Xperia 1 II has a unique and stylish design that sets it apart from other high-end smartphones on the market. The phone features a rectangular shape with sharp edges and a glass back that is available in four different colors: black, purple, gray, and white. The metal frame adds to the phone's premium feel and durability, while the Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and back protects it from scratches and cracks.
The phone's display is a 6.5-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1644 x 3840 pixels and a 21:9 aspect ratio, making it one of the sharpest and most immersive displays on the market. The tall aspect ratio is great for multitasking, split-screen viewing, and watching movies, as it allows for more content to be displayed at once. The display also features HDR support, which makes colors more vibrant and realistic.
One downside to the phone's design is its size and weight. The Xperia 1 II is a tall and heavy phone, measuring 165.1 x 71.1 x 7.6 mm and weighing 181.4g. This may make it difficult to use with one hand or fit into some pockets, but it is still manageable with two hands.
In terms of handling and ergonomics, the Xperia 1 II has a slightly curved back that makes it comfortable to hold. The power button is located on the right side of the phone, along with the fingerprint scanner, which is fast and accurate. The volume buttons are located below the power button, which may take some getting used to for those accustomed to having them on the left side of the phone.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II has a stylish and unique design that is sure to turn heads. Its tall and immersive display, along with its premium build quality, make it a great choice for those who value aesthetics and design in a smartphone. However, its large size and weight may not be ideal for everyone.
III Camera:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a camera-centric phone that features a triple camera setup consisting of three 12-megapixel sensors. The main sensor is a 1/1.7-inch Exmor RS sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, while the other two sensors are ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. The phone also features a 3D iToF sensor that helps with autofocus and distance sensing.
The Xperia 1 II's camera is designed with professional photographers in mind, as it features a range of manual controls and settings that allow for greater creative control over the final image. The phone's camera app is called the Photo Pro app, which is a separate app from the default camera app and is geared towards pro-level photography.
The Photo Pro app features a range of advanced controls and settings, including manual focus, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. It also includes a dedicated shutter button that can be used with a half-press to focus and a full press to capture the image. The app also allows for the use of RAW format, which gives users greater flexibility and control over the editing process.
In terms of image quality, the Xperia 1 II's camera produces stunning images with exceptional detail, sharpness, and color accuracy. The phone's autofocus is fast and accurate, even in low light conditions, thanks to the 3D iToF sensor. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses also produce great images, with the telephoto lens featuring 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom.
The Xperia 1 II's camera also features a range of other features, including eye autofocus, which can detect and focus on the subject's eye, and real-time tracking, which allows the camera to track and follow moving subjects. The phone's camera can also record video in 4K HDR quality with 24fps or 60fps, which makes it a great choice for videographers as well.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's camera is one of the best on the market, and it's sure to please even the most demanding photographers. Its advanced controls and settings, along with its exceptional image quality and range of features, make it a great choice for those who value photography in a smartphone.
IV Performance:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a high-end smartphone that boasts some impressive hardware specs. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, which is one of the most powerful processors currently available. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card.
The phone's performance is fast and smooth, with apps launching quickly and multitasking being a breeze. The Snapdragon 865 chipset ensures that even the most demanding games and apps run smoothly, without any lag or stuttering. The phone also features 5G connectivity, which allows for lightning-fast download and upload speeds.
The Xperia 1 II's battery life is also impressive, with a 4,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day with moderate usage. The phone also features fast charging capabilities, with support for 21W fast charging, which can charge the phone up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
One unique feature of the Xperia 1 II is its audio capabilities. The phone features stereo speakers that are tuned by audio experts from Sony's music division, which provide a rich and immersive audio experience. The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity among high-end smartphones these days.
The Xperia 1 II also runs on Android 10, with Sony's custom skin on top. The skin is clean and minimalistic, with a few added features and tweaks to enhance the user experience. Sony has promised to provide at least two major Android updates for the Xperia 1 II, which is great news for those who want to keep their phone up to date with the latest software.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's performance is top-notch, with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM and storage, and great battery life. Its audio capabilities and 5G connectivity make it a great choice for media consumption, while its clean software and promise of updates make it a great long-term investment.
V Audio:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a smartphone that has been designed with audio in mind. The phone features stereo speakers that are tuned by audio experts from Sony's music division, which provides a rich and immersive audio experience. The speakers are located at the top and bottom of the phone, which provides a good stereo separation.
The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity among high-end smartphones these days. This is great news for those who prefer to use wired headphones, as it allows them to enjoy high-quality audio without the need for an adapter or dongle.
In addition to the headphone jack, the Xperia 1 II also supports high-resolution audio playback, which allows for the playback of music at a higher bit rate and sampling rate than standard MP3 files. This provides a more detailed and immersive audio experience, particularly when paired with high-quality headphones.
The phone also features LDAC technology, which is a high-quality Bluetooth codec that allows for the transmission of high-quality audio over Bluetooth. This is great news for those who prefer to use wireless headphones, as it allows them to enjoy high-quality audio without the need for a wired connection.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II's audio capabilities are top-notch, with great stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for high-resolution audio playback and LDAC technology. This makes it a great choice for those who value audio quality in a smartphone.
VI Conclusion:
The Sony Xperia 1 II is a top-of-the-line smartphone that offers a great camera, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities. The phone's 6.5-inch 4K OLED display is one of the best on the market, with great color accuracy and sharpness. The phone's camera system is also impressive, with three 12-megapixel cameras that can capture great photos and videos in a variety of settings.
The phone's performance is top-notch, with a powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset and plenty of RAM and storage. Its battery life is also impressive, with a 4,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day with moderate usage. The phone's audio capabilities are also great, with stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and support for high-resolution audio playback and LDAC technology.
Overall, the Sony Xperia 1 II is a great choice for those who value a great camera, powerful performance, and impressive audio capabilities in a smartphone. Its 4K OLED display is a treat for the eyes, and its clean software and promise of updates make it a great long-term investment. While it may not be the most affordable smartphone on the market, its high-end features and capabilities make it a great value for those who are willing to invest in a top-of-the-line device.
