Sony Xperia is the Japanese tech giant’s smartphone range that comes in premium, mid and budget varieties.
Xperia XZ3 remains the OEM’s top-tier device until the release of the Xperia 1.
The XZ3 has a number of features that make it appealing such as its 6-inch P-OLED panel that harnesses the firm’s Bravia television technology.
XZ3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor and has 4GB of RAM, at least in UK models.
The hardware comes with a single 19-megapixel camera sensor on its rear that has just been reviewed by DxOMark.
DxOMark is a site that is renowned for meticulously analysing smartphone camera systems and providing a numbered score based on performance and its figure for the XZ3 may disappoint Xperia fans.
The outlet gave the XZ3 an overall score of 79, a tally that falls behind a deluge of its competitors such as the LG G7 ThinQ and OnePlus 6T, but also older devices like the original Google Pixel and iPhone 7.
In its verdict for the Japanese handset, DxOMark said while the device is capable of taking good snaps it ultimately struggles in “more challenging situations”.
The outlet pointed to the phone’s “lack of sophisticated computational imaging methods” and single sensor as two reasons behind its middling score.
DxOMark said: “In good conditions, the Sony Xperia XZ3 is capable of capturing images with good exposure, pleasant colour, and high levels of detail.
“However, the single-lens setup and a lack of sophisticated computational imaging methods means that in more challenging situations, the Sony gets to its limits quicker than some of its competitors with more lenses and/or more powerful imaging software.
“The camera has a tendency to clip highlights in high-contrast scenes, and zoom performance is slightly underwhelming. The Sony’s main point of criticism is a range of image artefacts, however, including soft edges, fairly strong distortion, and ringing.
“Video performance is pretty decent, though, with good stabilisation and exposure across all light levels. Nevertheless, the XZ3 is tough to recommend when looking at the performance of some of its direct rivals in the high-end bracket of the market.”
While the review of the XZ3’s camera system could disappoint some Android fans, it does appear Sony is set to deliver an improved setup with the Xperia 1.
Although the hardware is still yet to be tested by both Express.co.uk and DxOMark, on paper the hardware is certainly promising.
Xperia 1 comes with a triple-camera system on its rear that is comprised of a main 12-megapixel sensor, a 12-megapixel telephoto module and a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens.
Sony’s forthcoming handset should also deliver improved performance over the XZ3 thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 855 chipset that is housed inside it.
Xperia 1 also comes with 6GB of RAM, an Adreno 640 GPU and up to 128GB of storage.
The 6.5-inch screen on the hardware has minimal bezels around it and has a resolution of 1644×3840 and an incredible density of 643-pixels-per-inch.
Sony has not discussed a firm release date for the Xperia 1 yet.
However, those that are interested in the flagship can pre-register for it on the firm’s site.