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Sony Xperia 1 III review: Everything you want, and that’s a problem

With a state-of-the-art telephoto lens made up of tiny moving lenses that can switch between two focal lengths, 5G support for the US and a first-of-its-kind 4K high refresh-rate display, the Sony Xperia 1 III packs everything you could want from an Android flagship phone and then some. It costs $1,300, which is $100 more…

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With a state-of-the-art telephoto lens made up of tiny moving lenses that can switch between two focal lengths, 5G support for the US and a first-of-its-kind 4K high refresh-rate display, the Sony Xperia 1 III packs everything you could want from an Android flagship phone and then some. It costs $1,300, which is $100 more than last year’s Xperia 1 II. Is the Xperia 1 III worth its high price? We try to answer that question and more in our Sony Xperia 1 III in-depth review.

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64 Comments

64 Comments

  1. Vikram vij

    July 8, 2021 at 1:09 am

    Sony fans dont want any comparison with apple or Samsung. Plz dont compare it. Sony is sony🙂☺️🥰

  2. Rakul Alagu

    July 8, 2021 at 1:33 am

    Sony keeps pushing their innovative boundaries but never sets time with network providers to get a wifi calling enabled in US.. After XZ1c still waiting for xperia phone with wifi calling enabled in US market

  3. Zeb

    July 8, 2021 at 1:42 am

    I have the 1 ii and it takes appalling quick shots. You know when you dont set the shot up (which is 90% of smartphone usage). Bear it in mind.

  4. Nikorasu081

    July 8, 2021 at 2:25 am

    The screen is dim because “black frame insertion” is enabled. When you run the display at 120Hz or higher, this inserts a black frame between each frame, which dims the screen. Run the display at 60Hz and it will be brighter out doors!

  5. zunedog31

    July 8, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Sony just refuses to give up the smartphone market

    • Nate Florea

      July 8, 2021 at 11:41 am

      Pretty much anyone else does this
      Except LG

  6. ผ่าทุกอย่าง ออกมาดู

    July 8, 2021 at 3:13 am

    Only phone on the market that have Notch less display,Expandable storage,Tool less simtray,Headphone jack,Led light notification,Front stereo speaker,Shutter Button,Adapter charger included all of this in one phone ! for me it still worth it

  7. Fantasytky

    July 8, 2021 at 4:07 am

    The one problem it has is it’s brand name is “Sony” which have a bunch of haters

  8. Lokesh Chand

    July 8, 2021 at 6:18 am

    Great hardware with software that sucks. Why Sony?

  9. sindbad49

    July 8, 2021 at 8:00 am

    I wait for the sony xperias to see your well crafted videos about it Patrick

  10. Jed Cutler

    July 8, 2021 at 8:36 am

    4k @120hz all the time is what I expected. Sad😭

  11. Super C

    July 8, 2021 at 9:15 am

    Lmao and they want a lot of money for that?! I’ll keep my iPhone.

  12. Modikoe Pule

    July 8, 2021 at 9:41 am

    2 years down the line Sony will discontinue their crappy phone line just like LG…

  13. Abdullah Mubarak

    July 8, 2021 at 9:50 am

    That panel….consuming so much power….so sad

  14. Mario

    July 8, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Sony naming scheme is insane for marketing purposes

  15. Mc kaluge

    July 8, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Isn’t the other manufacturers pricing their phones similar with gimicks that are usless

  16. Will

    July 8, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    It’s always hilarious to read the comments from the vocal minority of rabid Sony fanboys. They can somehow completely overlook all of a phone’s flaws because it’s made by Sony. The sales numbers speak for themselves, though. Still, I’m not sure how Sony engendered such a cult following in an even minor populace.

  17. Russ Wiskar

    July 8, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    pffft what trype

  18. DSN 1

    July 8, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Pretty bold Sony asking 1300 for a phone, they aren’t exactly known for producing great phones. Go for a much cheaper Chinese phone that will blow this out of the water

  19. coyz

    July 8, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Screen brightness and heat are the 2 biggest problems of Sony phones ever since. With this pricy phone in 2021 yet that problems still not addressed. Shame!

  20. David Jacobs

    July 8, 2021 at 2:50 pm

    I am a big fan of Sony products except for their smartphones.Have never liked their smartphones.Judging by their sales,neither do a lot of other people.

  21. Chronos '

    July 8, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    It has a few kinks but once they are ruled out i think it justifies the price tag

  22. Ric Ky

    July 8, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    LTPO screen for the upcoming 1 Mark IV should solve the battery / brightness / refresh issues.

    As for pricing Android phones depreciate way quick so maybe the high introductory price tag is a strategy to counter that.

    From your review Patrick looks like what Sony needs to do is to realllly focus on their software coz their hardware’s generally good, I’m guessing with a lot of iteration, tinkering and resetting they may have worked out most major kinks by the next 1 Mark V.

    I’d like to see one with a decent Night mode. Will complete the package.

  23. Evan Butz

    July 8, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    Honestly preordered just for the display and that dark purple color. The headphone jack with their built in higher audio quality software, the apparent atmos front speakers are just bonuses for me. If the camera is good than also great I hardly take pictures so doesn’t really matter to me. Battery life already doesnt bother me too much since I’m never that far away from a charger anyway and I usually end the day on like 60% or on a heavy usage day 40% battery. I also think it looks just so sleek and less busy than most other phones too. Also no bloatware compared to samsung or other big name phones. I have a OnePlus right now and love the brand but the 4k 120 hz screen is honestly what sold it for me also just love sony all my headphones are sony, I have a playstation so no hesitation for trying their phones

  24. Louis Cicamore

    July 8, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    Still wondering why everyone is “reviewing” a phone based on a pre-production model. Can’t recall ever seeing an iPhone or Galaxy being reviewed and criticized for issues they have when they aren’t finalized and released as a finished product.

    • Dante Bradley

      July 9, 2021 at 9:32 am

      They do, we just don’t see their reviews until Samsung or Apple allows them to release reviews. Most times these reviewers get phones weeks before the consumer gets them. I doubt these videos could happen without the permission of Sony.

      I think Sony is allowing reviews because preorders just started, and the hype for this phone has died, since it was announced months ago.

  25. Bradley Larcher

    July 8, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    Totally worth it

  26. tenphan0n0

    July 9, 2021 at 3:06 am

    Buggy experience with the external monitor is probably due to the Cam Dongle you had plugged in.

  27. savbers

    July 9, 2021 at 3:10 am

    Can’t wait for that Xperia 5iii review, I think that one will actually be better this generation

  28. savbers

    July 9, 2021 at 3:11 am

    Also are you unable to switch between cameras during video in all apps?

    I heard the digital zoom quality is poor, can you confirm?

  29. ViniXO

    July 9, 2021 at 4:28 am

    The Sony Xperia 5 iii is the one I want to see.

  30. Øystein

    July 9, 2021 at 7:43 am

    “Everything I want” No.. That’s the problem with Sony. They never give me everything I want in a phone. So close but yet so far.
    I hope next time they make a model that finally makes me want to buy Sony again.
    Fixed 120Hz sucks and is a dumb move. Unless it’s variable refresh rate it’s pretty useless for me. I never want a display on a device running 120Hz if the thing displayed is only i.e 30 or 60Hz etc🤦‍♂️
    And I don’t understand why they have all camera stuff in one single app. Don’t need a seperate app for video and photo🤦‍♂️😅 These are things Sony always screw up. And they always fall a bit behind in other areas too. So hope they keep improving.

  31. Øystein

    July 9, 2021 at 8:03 am

    I hope 145mbps was not the fastes “5g” speed you got🤣 Thats about half of the speed I can get on 4G+/LTE-A😅
    Around 145mbps is around my average 4G+ speed🤷‍♂️

    BTW.. Theoretical max speed on the 4G standard is 1Gbps but for some reason no 4G network in the world can do it.

  32. Robert Tenne

    July 9, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    Take your time, sit in shade and text. Not walking and texting. Do not endanger yourself and others. Enjoy this awesome technology.

  33. Kmaz

    July 9, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    Overly bright screens get burn-in. Slower charging and dimmer screens mean a product that lasts twice as long

  34. Brad A

    July 9, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    I’m really looking forward to the 5 iii. On paper, it’s the nearly the same as the 1 iii, but the size is better. I’m curious what the price will be. I will say I’m disappointed in the 1iii based on your review. I expected more. That said, it’ll likely do more than I know what to do with. I loved my Sony xz2 compact for the last 3+years. It took tons of abuse and still worked great. It always took great pictures. Thanks for your review.

    • Paul Gal

      July 12, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      Its £899 in the UK with WH-H910N headphones

  35. Nick Cookson

    July 9, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Turn on adaptive brightness outdoors, the brightness goes up further than can be manually set, apparently

  36. LightMagic Image Media

    July 10, 2021 at 10:33 am

    Apple removes stuff on it’s phone and packaging and they say it’s great! Sony packs everything including the kitchen sink and it’s expensive?? C’mon!!!

  37. Chris Mann

    July 10, 2021 at 11:04 am

    I love the phone, it has everything and I will be getting it in the future but I can’t justify over £1k for a phone, getting ridiculous now, I think Apple has ruined the phone market with pricing and having these phones on contract for 24-36 months now, just enticing people to get into debt for a phone, like I say, nice phone but defiently not worth that price tag.

  38. EJ Shin

    July 10, 2021 at 12:59 pm

    Thank you CNET for highlighting the 1 iii’s camera strength which is the fast tracking and eye auto focus. I find many reviewers lacking on that part.

  39. D Aust

    July 10, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    No phone is worth 1300 dollars!

  40. CREEPINGIRON

    July 10, 2021 at 10:41 pm

    I’m nearly beginning to think that they won’t release the damn Xperia 5 MK III here in the States, if that’s true, I’m going to be pretty pissed off.

  41. Messiah

    July 11, 2021 at 12:13 am

    Better wait sharp aquos r6

  42. Twizz Forsberg

    July 11, 2021 at 5:38 am

    Think they fixed some bugs from your test phone. I have seen better videos in low light. Here in Sweden the Price is 1515$.

  43. BluWarta92

    July 11, 2021 at 11:18 am

    If this phone would launch as a Samsung, it would sell like hotcakes. It has its flaws like every other phone but Iphone and Samsung are held up high by their “non biased” reviewers.

    • Jonathon Stephens

      July 12, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      Sing Amen

  44. چinSaNe тм

    July 11, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    Hy, nice review, but I searched and nobody asking! : what about overheating problem of sd888? And battery drain,? Please share! Thank you!

  45. Samier S.

    July 11, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    maybe there will be bigger SONY sensor’s on the mk IV. Sony had to make a compromise with 12 MP to keep the 24 fps eye AF 😞 not to mention the selfie cam.. for a phone for 1300 bucks you expect the best of the best. yeah I know this phone is not for everyone. the pro mode is capable of great photo’s but most people use the Auto mode. it’s still a niche phone. when you look at Sony TV’s, smartphone’s etc. it feels like the Sony executive’s are living in a time bubble, a time when Sony offered the best of the best. this time is overtheir top oled TV is not even called Master Series anymore.

  46. ASIIMWE DESIGNAGE DEUX

    July 11, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    Sony smartphone 📱 range redefined for the everyday consumer

  47. Jerry Berglund

    July 12, 2021 at 1:50 am

    Why Always this, it’s expensive. It’s true to the other brands at well. Haven’t heard about any bugs?

  48. Devbrat Joshi xXQPTJcxdL

    July 12, 2021 at 10:03 am

    Lol lot of trolls are bashing this mobile I don’t know what is this conspiracy .

  49. Tito JoJo

    July 12, 2021 at 3:09 pm

    Hopefully Sony Xperia will use Super Amoled display someday. Most of mid range smartphones such like Realme, is now using Super Amoled display and 108 cam only in a cheapest price

  50. Ursinho BJJ

    July 12, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    People keep saying this phone is expensive but the iPhone 12 Pro Max at 256gb is $1,199 and the 512gb starts is $1,399. Sony Xperia 1 iii is $1,299 and has a headphone jack, expandable storage, front facing speakers AND if you preorder you get the WF-1000XM3 earbuds which are like $200 bucks. I don’t understand why a con of this phone is always the price when they give the features that other phones don’t have for the same price.

  51. HYPEMIND

    July 12, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    How much video vingette would yoj like sir?

    Yes…

  52. Everything Videos

    July 12, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    I’ve only owned 1 Sony Experia phone. I think they’ll end up like LG stop making phones.

  53. LLlMIT

    July 12, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    Ron Jeremy reviews a smartphone

  54. MSSoulBlader

    July 12, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    10hrs of battery life isn’t good??! Whaaaat? You can’t be serious – that’s a fantastic amount to get! I usually get at around 5hrs – 7hrs on my phone

  55. Isaac's Random Thoughts

    July 12, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    With such a weak battery 🔋, you’ll be living by the charger !!

  56. TuneTamasha

    July 13, 2021 at 12:53 am

    Seems like an almost perfect enthusiast phone, but despite its features (or rather lack of) just an okay flagship.

  57. Ilpo Heikkilä

    July 13, 2021 at 9:25 am

    Seems like a great phone that I’d buy right away if I had the money for it. I love how it’s possible to change a microSD-card without tool! I would love to have a phone with good camera and an option to change the card when it fills up.

  58. Kulilipan

    July 13, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    I had xperia 1ii and it was very buggy, every update I had to hard rest the phone. People should watch this. reshared. all my sony friends will hate me for this. Great review hoping more reviewers like this!

  59. F1 Racer

    July 13, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    NO, NO, NO, for $1413 price tag with tax, No, it’s not worth it. Sony assumes everyone that uses a smartphone automatically wants expensive camera tech, and ok paying for it. Sony forgets this is a phone first, a communication device and not a camera. Too much emphasis is placed on the camera tech, and not enough is placed on it being just a phone. for a skyhigh price of $1413, it only has partial 5G, that’s the sub 600 bands, no MMW, I’m sorry for a flagship price, I expect it. Samsung had it 2 generations ago, Apple had it a whole year now, and Sony is still somehow, for some unknown reason, unwilling to include 5g mmw, ridiculous. While I don’t know how the Xperia 1 iii performs on signal strength, Sony has not fixed the problem of signal strength on Xperia 1 ii yet, an ongoing issue for 3 generations of Sony flagships now, starting with the Xperia xz2 premium. These are major issues. The phone is also too narrow in the 21×9 format, Cinemawide or not, the phone is simply not useable when turned horizontal, as the keyboard takes up more than half the screen, I just don’t know what Sony is thinking. With so many critical flaws, Sony is forcing even the most avid fans like myself to seek smartphones elsewhere, like Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 XL, Iphone 13/14, or the next gen Galaxy 22 ultra, all coming within a couple of months or so. So, why pay flagship premiums for a 1 year old tech, when next year tech is just around the corner.

  60. tonemaster 2099

    July 13, 2021 at 11:42 pm

    I want that Sony😍

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