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Sony Xperia 1 II review

The Sony Xperia 1 II is aimed at creative types, especially people who are into photography and videography. Its most compelling feature is that it can be controlled and operated like a camera. The phone’s Cinema Pro app offers manual control over ISO, shutter angle and focus. The Xperia’s Photo Pro app essentially gives you…

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The Sony Xperia 1 II is aimed at creative types, especially people who are into photography and videography. Its most compelling feature is that it can be controlled and operated like a camera. The phone’s Cinema Pro app offers manual control over ISO, shutter angle and focus. The Xperia’s Photo Pro app essentially gives you the same control layout as a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera.

Read CNET’s Sony Xperia 1 II in-depth camera review:

To test the Xperia 1 II out I decided to use it to make a 4 min. short film.

I, Robber film music:
“Vesta Tilley”
Jessica Dannheisser from Audio Network

“Creation Of The Cosmos”
Alex Kovacs from Audio Network

78 Comments

  1. Bach H.

    May 30, 2020 at 11:22 pm

    Everything was great about your review, except one thing. If you’re willing to shell out $1000 for a phone, what’s the difference of $200? And the phone comes with a pair Sony premium headphones. So you’re pretty much buying the headphones that are priced at $200+, with a $30 discount.

  2. Kaleu Gamer

    May 30, 2020 at 11:25 pm

    the best xperia today

  3. TFUDs

    May 30, 2020 at 11:52 pm

    I don’t think the price is too high, compared to other smartphones on the market today.
    I always buy and use Sony smartphones that I do love and feel comfortable with. Today, I still use the Xperia XZ Premium (4K all the time). I am waiting for new Sony technology flagship and its design. That is the final decision to switch a new one. I need latest CPU, GPU, RAM, Storage, especially the 4K display I do prefer using it in producing gaming videos. Recording in 4K make me easy to convert or save it in 1080p/60 to keep best quality images. So, Xperia 1ii is really the best for me to switch on. Thanks for your review and video cnet.

    • Paulo Maia

      May 31, 2020 at 12:35 am

      For a flagship this price is not high if you compare with Apple, Samsung, now even Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus are charging 999€ or more for their flagship ..

  4. ilovepizzandnb

    May 30, 2020 at 11:57 pm

    Great video and it’s a great phone. I can’t wait to upgrade my Xperia 5 to this.

  5. James Stephenson

    May 31, 2020 at 12:04 am

    It’s probably between this or an iPhone for my upgrade this year.

  6. Thomas Mwangi

    May 31, 2020 at 12:05 am

    great review dude. loved the movie too!

  7. Ricardo Gil

    May 31, 2020 at 12:09 am

    Contratulations ! Bettter review than Gsamarena by a light-years ! This will be a very funny phone for photos, gaming and video

  8. IO IO

    May 31, 2020 at 12:10 am

    Hey Patrick can you make a photo and video comparison in between Xperia 1II and iPhone 11 Pro Max? We would like see how good it is 😏

  9. peter bombala

    May 31, 2020 at 12:13 am

    Impressive if the display.would. be 6.7″ it would be a dream phone

  10. Bobby Prabowo

    May 31, 2020 at 12:14 am

    You can cry on cue??

  11. Emre Vural

    May 31, 2020 at 12:14 am

    The king is back 👑

  12. Cristhian Bolivar

    May 31, 2020 at 12:17 am

    For me it seems the best phone of the year…it has practically everything!

  13. Jayden Films

    May 31, 2020 at 12:19 am

    Love the skin tones. I’ll make a film with this

  14. Tech 21

    May 31, 2020 at 12:26 am

    Correct me if im wrong Sony is killer when it comes to camera more than pixel

  15. kijahna samuels

    May 31, 2020 at 12:27 am

    Side sense is highly customizable, doesn’t have to be the tap could be a swipe and it’s very useful

  16. Susan

    May 31, 2020 at 12:40 am

    I uses Sony xperia many years since xperia Z3.
    The only thing i hate is the small capacity battery.but this one .sony put 4000 mah. Also the only phone that use power from charger when plug to the wall. Using your phone when charging will damage your battery lifespan.

  17. karunesh kaimal

    May 31, 2020 at 12:46 am

    wish u would have scrutinize iphone 11 pro as u r here .

  18. Nameless Me

    May 31, 2020 at 12:54 am

    This is not your “average phone” especially with that price tag. It has features for content creators, not for a common user like me. Sony launches Xperia 10 ii that is more likely for “common user” like me. But this smartphone, it targets different market.

    Expect Xperia Pro to be more expensive and has media making content than 1 ii.

  19. Vincent Warte

    May 31, 2020 at 1:01 am

    Really nice review and a funny, well produced video. I think this device will be my next phone, because I love so many things about it. It’s also time to replace my P20 Pro.

  20. Alex

    May 31, 2020 at 1:04 am

    As a Sony photographer i would be more into it if I could use it as an external monitor for my a73 or if there was more of an emphasis on helping me process my work directly form my mirrorless camera. The camera system on this phone seems great but if you already are in the Sony Camera eco system there doesn’t seem to be any reason to buy this phone

  21. Ahmad Syahrial

    May 31, 2020 at 1:08 am

    Sony Fanboy

  22. Someone Else

    May 31, 2020 at 1:15 am

    Does it come with severe wifi connectivity issues included?
    Every Sony Xperia phone I have ever owned suffererd from wifi connection instability, where the wifi would constantly disconnect, even when I am in the same room as my router and the connection quality was excellent.
    Sony’s forums have 100s of people complaining about the same problem, and Sony has still not acknowledged the issue.

  23. Ebenezer Kuku

    May 31, 2020 at 1:22 am

    ++ love the review and the short film

  24. João Afonso

    May 31, 2020 at 1:25 am

    loved the short film

  25. Quentin Moore

    May 31, 2020 at 1:26 am

    Does eye-AF work on the front-facing camera?

  26. Ádám Tóth

    May 31, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    However the phone is amazing the price kills that Sony device again. It’s time to rethink some things Sony, now or never i guess.

    • Michael Robson

      May 31, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      The price of this device is fine. I know it sounds worse in USD but in GBP it’s only around £970 (bargain). An unlocked S20 Ultra from Amazon costs £1200 here.

  27. Charles Phabmixay

    May 31, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    Which carriers in us carry this phone

  28. karlyserpa

    May 31, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    I personally owned a lot of Sony products, (PS, BraviaTvs, H.Theaters Audio, etcc….) , I have never been able to own a Sony phone due to the lack of compatibility with the network markets in the US. The lack of radio bands had pushed me away from their phone lines period. Price has never been an issue for me to one. I have friends that owns Sony phones but their constant complain about the connectivity issues is why I’m stock in brands (1or2) that are more comparable.

  29. Bram 1324

    May 31, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    I really love those tiny bezels. I’m using the Xperia 1 at the moment and I don’t mind it a bit. It makes the phone great looking if you ask me.

  30. TOPxRAMN

    May 31, 2020 at 6:05 pm

    top tier review right here, versus just naming the specs. more of these kinds of review CNET

  31. Sheki Sheki

    May 31, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    No i vant to photo my mobile növ it is everytime ideas tomorrov feel good that iş true everytime ideas it is difficult i knov

  32. Sheki Sheki

    May 31, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    İt iş a faking go and şit there or sitting politics have other vork actually this fresh life good life have vork Tailand firms no funny və understand eachother this iş my. Little brother i love i like friendship good hə afraids of me vorking spoeaking doing everything

  33. maurizio perez rivas

    May 31, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Nice review !!!! So much effort … You sold this phone to me not Sony’s marketing team….

  34. 3165dwayne

    May 31, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    Did he ever say that the iPhone’s price was too high?

  35. Tong Zou

    May 31, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    This phone is a bit too tall – but upping the cameras and putting back the headphone jack – Sony has a winner here – although they probably wont sell a lot because their marketing like always has been terrible and nobody still knows they make phones still. they really need to fix their marketing.

  36. De Toa Baja Pal' Mundo

    May 31, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    One of the best reviews i have ever seen

  37. Crypto Orell

    May 31, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    I want a comparison between the pixel 4 s20 ultra and this one… iphone sucks

  38. P G

    May 31, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    Soft Look was removed from the Xperia 1 after the update

  39. Kas K

    May 31, 2020 at 10:02 pm

    is it me or the 4k short film looked blurry and terrible? perhaps export settings were off?

  40. Aidi kazuto97

    May 31, 2020 at 10:10 pm

    Creative review. Thumbs up! 👍

  41. YG S

    May 31, 2020 at 10:40 pm

    Too many sony extremist in the comment section.
    This is what I see with every new sony phone released.
    Always compares to Samsung and iPhone and says it’s better than them while it never was ever. At most for camera, And also for speakers.

    I think Sony has come far with 1 II but
    we still have to hear from the upcoming iPhone 12 and galaxy 30
    and trust me, the results were always a lose for Sony.

    Hoping this time, things will be different.

    PS: I’m a Sony fan myself and I own both xperia phones and alpha cameras together with 5 other audio hearing devices from Sony including walkman

  42. peter musukwa

    May 31, 2020 at 10:52 pm

    Great job from sony I love it

  43. Andrea Tiziano Farinati

    May 31, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    Wow….I’m speechless! Really speechless!

  44. Tadeu Vianna

    June 1, 2020 at 12:14 am

    Great movie! Congratulations! Watching from Brazil.
    After, show us the walkthrough of the Photo Pro app, please!
    See U… Hugs.

  45. Lai Yuin Hong

    June 1, 2020 at 12:22 am

    i duno man the design is just too tall lol

  46. Shmuel Hayempour

    June 1, 2020 at 12:22 am

    Anyone else spot the Mezuzah?

  47. Lu-Hiep Phan

    June 1, 2020 at 12:25 am

    This was a great review. You pointed out the reasons why this Sony made this device, and made a great argument for a prosumer level creatives. This is why this phone won’t be a hit outside of a very small niche audience who doesn’t care for the Pro experience that Apple deceivingly offers. Also, I agree that the price would have been perfect at 1k and not 1200.

  48. glbernini0

    June 1, 2020 at 12:43 am

    Why not just call it Xperia 2? Simple names are good!

  49. Roderick Jominol

    June 1, 2020 at 1:11 am

    What’s the IPX rating?

  50. Jesse Aaron Dass

    June 1, 2020 at 1:17 am

    That movie you made is hilarious 😂🤣

  51. Wani Media

    June 1, 2020 at 2:05 pm

    dang those fingernails 😂😂

  52. mena seven

    June 1, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    I welcome Sony back to the cell phone game to compete with Samsung and Apple. LOL very funny robber video, you are a good video maker that uses different angles of filming and you are a good actor that shows emotion in the face and eyes.

  53. Daniel Pobar

    June 1, 2020 at 3:54 pm

    The sample vid is out of focus, is it manually focus or is the Eye AF on?

  54. Budget Gamerz

    June 1, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Only thing I disagree with in this review is mentioning the iPhone 11 pro. There is nothing “pro” about it. You have gained a new subscriber sir.

  55. SpungBob

    June 1, 2020 at 4:37 pm

    Sony makes great phones, but their marketing sucks, and their names are always so confusing…

    • Michael Robson

      June 1, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      You’ve got to understand that Sony is a Japanese company, the Japanese don’t like to oversell things. Also what’s confusing about a MK number?

  56. D Traveller LK

    June 1, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    good come back from sony.

  57. Jorge Jimenez

    June 1, 2020 at 5:13 pm

    I don’t think it’s expensive at all. This phone has it all. Only Sony has 4k Smartphones. Well done Sony!

  58. kumarcvap36

    June 1, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Robber the actor

  59. stonerdemon

    June 1, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    Apple: I’ll charge $1000+ for a phone because hipsters will pay gladly for it.
    Samsung: I’ll charge $1000+ for a phone because Apple.
    Sony: I’ll charge $1000+ for a phone because this phone is really worth the price.

    I’m happy to see Sony getting unanimously great reviews for this phone. Too bad they just don’t want to compete seriously in this market.

  60. Konson Heb

    June 1, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    Not quite sure if is the best camera around there, BUT, Sony is definetely back.

  61. stonerdemon

    June 1, 2020 at 6:35 pm

    Absolutely phenomenal review, not because it’s a Sony phone, but because of your reviewing work. You really deserve a “best reviewer of the year” prize.

  62. Ihab Itawi

    June 1, 2020 at 6:45 pm

    Why no body connect it to alfa cameras as a second screen?

  63. Fieskmask

    June 1, 2020 at 7:09 pm

    Found out that robbing your own home wasn’t the smartest idea huh 😂

  64. SaltTheory

    June 1, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    This looks like a step in the right direction. Well done Sony. Let’s hope you continue heading up that direction.

  65. shd04002

    June 1, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    really should call it Xperia α

  66. Mr Grim

    June 1, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    Been awhile since I’ve gotten excited for a smartphone

  67. Gustavo Alonso Chacón Barrios

    June 1, 2020 at 8:47 pm

    hahahahaha, it was a funny movie!

  68. songfreakish

    June 1, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    Give a s pen. Sales will skyrocket

  69. Aaron M

    June 1, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    I’m waiting for it to hit canada.

  70. Soup

    June 1, 2020 at 9:44 pm

    Looks dope. Seems like a fun phone 👌🔥

  71. Sufyan Siddiqui

    June 1, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Your short film was great, I immediately forgot that I was watching a review video.

  72. Qdysseus

    June 1, 2020 at 10:21 pm

    for Sony smartphone owners out there: how is the compatibility with Snapchat? I heard it’s really buggy. 🙁 I mostly use Snapchat and Instagram on my iphone 6+ but i’m looking for an upgrade this year. PLEASE HELP

  73. EbFilesX

    June 1, 2020 at 10:25 pm

    Test the call quality. I’m sure it’s amazing, cuz I’m running the Mark 1 and the Call quality is fantastic,

  74. Team 974

    June 1, 2020 at 10:38 pm

    Two months preorder? No thanks.

  75. CorollaVirus4AGE

    June 2, 2020 at 12:42 am

    5:10 isnt that saved on “projects”?

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