Sony's Xperia 1 VI Sees Strong Pre-Order Surge in Taiwan, Showcases Key Improvements

BigGo Editorial Team
Sony's Xperia 1 VI Sees Strong Pre-Order Surge in Taiwan, Showcases Key Improvements

Sony's latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 VI, is off to an impressive start in Taiwan, with pre-orders up 50% compared to its predecessor. This surge in interest comes on the heels of several notable improvements to the device, signaling a potential turnaround for Sony's smartphone division.

Key Upgrades

The Xperia 1 VI introduces several significant changes:

  • A more comfortable 19.5:9 aspect ratio, replacing the previous 21:9
  • 50% brighter 6.5-inch display with variable 1Hz-120Hz refresh rate
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
  • Redesigned Camera app for improved usability
  • Enhanced optical zoom capabilities up to 7.1x
  • Improved battery life, promising up to two days of use

Market Performance

While Sony's global smartphone market share remains small at 0.35%, the strong pre-order performance in Taiwan is encouraging. The company offered several pre-order incentives, including storage upgrades and accessory credits, which likely contributed to the increased interest.

Pricing and Availability

The Xperia 1 VI is priced at:

  • 256GB model: NTD 40,000 (approx. $1,245 USD)
  • 512GB model: NTD 44,000 (approx. $1,370 USD)

The device is set to start shipping on May 31st in Taiwan, with a June release expected for other markets. However, it's worth noting that Sony will not be offering the Xperia 1 VI in the United States this year.

Critical Reception

Early impressions of the device have been positive, with praise for its improved display, camera capabilities, and battery life. However, the high price point remains a potential barrier for some consumers.

The exclusive red color option in Taiwan has proven particularly popular, outpacing demand for other color variants.

Outlook

While it's too early to declare a definitive turnaround for Sony's smartphone business, the strong pre-order performance and positive reception of the Xperia 1 VI are promising signs. As the device launches in more markets, it will be interesting to see if this momentum can be maintained and translated into meaningful market share growth for Sony.

Update: Sunday May 19 20:14

The Xperia 1 VI features a 6.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, down from 4K in previous models. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of expandable storage. Its triple rear camera system includes a 48MP main camera with Exmor T sensor and ZEISS optics, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera with telemacro capability. Additional features include a 5,000mAh battery, Android 14, stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance. Sony promises 3 years of major OS updates and 4 years of security updates. The Xperia 1 VI will be available in Black, Khaki Green, Platinum Silver, and a Japan-exclusive Scarlet red color, with European pricing starting at €1,399 / £1,299.

Update: Wednesday May 15 10:51

The Xperia 1 VI features a 6.5-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, a departure from the previous 21:9 design. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The triple rear camera system includes a 48MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto with 3.5x-7.1x optical zoom range. The device boasts a 5,000mAh battery with claimed two-day battery life and supports macro photography. Priced at €1399/£1299, it will be available in Black, Khaki Green, Platinum Silver, and a Japan-exclusive Scarlet red color. Sony also introduced the mid-range Xperia 10 VI, featuring a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip and dual-camera system, available in mid-June for €399/£349.

Review
…Total 6 reviews
👍 Strengths(50.9% of other opinions)
27.3%
Camera function and pixels
7.1%
Appearance and Design
5.2%
Additional features
5%
Screen brightness and contrast
4.5%
Battery Life
👎 Weaknesses(43.1% of other opinions)
21.3%
Camera function and pixels
12.2%
Screen resolution or pixels
8.5%
Price
8%
Appearance and Design
6.9%
Software support and updates