The new Sony Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III smartphones feature the world’s first Variable smartphone telephoto lens paired with a Dual-PD sensor and 4K HDR OLED 120Hz Refresh rate display.

Both devices also offer Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, newly equipped Real-time Tracking and fast, and accurate continuous AF across all lenses, plus 20fps Burst Mode with low light noise reduction powered by BIONZ X processor and brand new AI super resolution zoom technology.

The Xperia 1 III and 5 III will both be available from early Summer 2021, pricing to be announced.

Sony Press Release

14th April 2021, Sony today announced two new additions to its Xperia 1 and 5 flagships series line-ups with Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. Both devices provide a rich collection of integrated features that connect the Xperia community with its passions. Whether they are photographers, audiophiles, cinephiles, gamers or cinematographers alike, the next generation of Xperia 1 and 5 flagships series will enrich the user experience with its plethora of new features. This is the next level of Xperia that transforms with speed and beyond.

World´s first smartphone with a Variable telephoto lens paired with a dual PD sensor
Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, newly equipped Real-time Tracking and fast, accurate continuous AF across all lenses
20fps Burst Mode with low light noise reduction powered by BIONZ X™
Brand new AI super resolution zoom technology
Updated Photography Pro feature – now equipped with ‘Basic Mode’
World’s first smartphone with a 4K HDR 120Hz Refresh rate display crafted from Gorilla® Glass Victus™
Evolved Full-stage stereo speakers – now 40% louder than previous model
New and improved Game Enhancer features – including a new audio equaliser, an optimised V.C microphone and high frame rate recording feature
World’s first smartphone to reproduce 360 Reality Audio in the speakers, as the recording artist intended it to be heard
Addition of brand new 360 Spatial Sound – for an immersive audio experience
Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 888 5G Mobile Platform
Improved battery life (4500mAh) and the ability to charge up to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes with the kitted 30W charger – in addition to a newly extended battery life of up to three years

Professional technology from Alpha cameras

Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III were co-developed with the engineers behind Alpha series cameras, renowned for their industry-leading autofocus technology. Both models include fast, accurate continuous AF across all lenses and Real-time Eye AF. And in Xperia 5 III, object tracking technology is featured, allowing photographers to capture accurate shots of moving subjects in a wide variety of scenarios with a simple tap on the screen.

Xperia 1 III presents a more sophisticated feature set for photographers who strive for picture perfect results. Object tracking is upgraded with Real-time Tracking, allowing users to shoot the most challenging moving subjects in precise focus. Using AI-based algorithms and the 3D iToF sensor to measure distance, Real-time Tracking can accurately detect and focus on a subject and continue to track it even if it temporarily moves out of sight .

Furthermore, both models offer continuous AF that performs AF / AE calculations at 60 times per second – enabling users to shoot and store 20 shots (20fps) with high precision, accurate focus and optimised exposure . This level of performance is comparable to that used in professional sports cameras such as the Alpha 9 series. The BIONZ X™ processor enables users to shoot in low-light scenarios in Burst Mode for the first time, producing results with noise reduction that have never previously been possible in predecessor models.

Reach beyond expectation with a Variable telephoto lens

A key feature for both models is a World´s first smartphone with Variable telephoto lens paired with Dual PD sensor that reaches up to a 105mm focal length – complemented by fast autofocus thanks to its Dual PDAF sensor. When switching between 70mm and 105mm, the focus is adjusted in an instant to swiftly capture the beauty in the detail.

Photographers can further expand their creative possibilities with 16mm, 24mm, 70mm and 105mm focal lengths for shooting stunning compositions – whether that be landscapes, portraits or animals. Both models continue to feature ZEISSTM optics calibrated specifically for the Xperia smartphone. The ZEISSTM T* coating contributes to exquisite rendering and contrast by reducing reflections.

A wealth of creative opportunities

The next generation of Xperia both incorporate new AI super resolution zoom. This technology uses Sony’s AI processing to restore detail and definition to images, ensuring precision is not compromised.

Like their older siblings, Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III feature the Photography Pro function. Developed in collaboration with professional photographers, it mirrors many of the manual controls available in Alpha series cameras including ISO, shutter speed, EV Indicator, RAW support plus a dedicated shutter button (with embossed finishing exclusively on the Xperia 1 III). New for this year’s smartphones is the ‘Basic Mode’ feature in Photography Pro which enables fast access to a range of easy-to-use photography features including a touch shutter button, portrait orientation, artistic bokeh effect, panorama, and more.

The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III also features the very latest Optical SteadyShot™ with FlawlessEye™ , which couples the image sensor’s increased reading speed with original Sony algorithm for optical image stabilisation. The result is supremely smooth, shake-free video footage.

Transporting cinephiles to the big screen

Whether on the go or at home in comfort, the new Xperia models are a true cinephiles dream. Xperia 1 III features a larger than life 6.5” 21:9 CinemaWideTM 4K HDR OLED display with 120Hz Refresh rateiv whilst Xperia 5 III offers a stunning 6.1″ 21:9 CinemaWide™ HDR OLED display with 120Hz Refresh rate. Both models transport users into a uniquely immersive viewing experience, allowing them to lose themselves in their favourite movies or TV shows.

Users can now enjoy their favourite entertainment as the producers intended with the Creator Mode. “Powered by CineAlta”, it now features a factory calibrated OLED display with highly accurate white point which mirrors the colour reproduction of Sony professional colour monitors used in leading Hollywood studio productions. Additionally, both models feature 10-bit equivalent displays (8-bit with 2-bit smoothing) that can display a myriad of colours without banding and support BT.2020 colour space.

Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III capture the senses and offer an audio-visual experience like no other. Consistent with their predecessors, they benefit from the X1™ for mobile engine which brings BRAVIA HDR remastering technology to everything users watch meaning that content is beautifully expressive. Streaming content is more lifelike than ever with more contrast, colour and clarity. Likewise, thanks to the continued incorporation of Dolby Atmos® sound tuned in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, users can experience a fully immersive, multi-dimensional performance with headphones or the smartphone’s built-in Full-stage stereo speakers.

Play to win

Gamers can gain a key advantage with the superior upgrades in Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. The familiar 21:9 display transports players into the thick of the action and thanks to a new and improved 120Hz Refresh rate display , now incorporated in the 1 series, as well as the 5 series, fasting-moving objects are rendered clearly for seriously smooth gameplay. The addition of 240Hz Motion blur reduction also means the display updates at an incredible 240 times per second for blur-free, crystal clear performance. 240Hz Touch scanning rate also ensures that the action happens exactly as intended and a crucial advantage over the competition.

Another new feature in both models is the ability to adjust white balance – reducing strain on the eyes and allowing for longer durations of mobile gameplay. The new L-y raiser (low gamma raiser) also makes it easier to see opponents in the dark by adjusting image details in dark areas and highlighting enemies without overexposing bright areas of the screen.

Combining visual excellence with an immersive audio experience is key for both Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. Gamers can plug-in their favourite headset via a 3.5mm headphone jack and experience the audible benefits of the models’ new features with minimal latency. The new Audio equaliser lets users control, heighten and minimise sounds such as footsteps and gunshots, allowing them to hear their opponents approaching and react ahead of them . And for those playing in teams, the new optimised V.C. microphone allows for clear communication by reducing background noise based on the users chosen headset type .

Avid gamers can now relive winning moments in all their glory thanks to high frame rate recording at up to 120fps . Whatever they are playing, R.T. record (Rewind time record) automatically pre-records 30 seconds of game footage. So gamers can easily rewind and capture key moments like match-winning plays and share them online with friends and fellow competitors.

Finally, thanks to incorporated Heat Suppression power control (H. S. power control), gaming performance remains uncompromised. By powering the phone systems directly, rather than charging the battery, thermal stress on the handsets is reduced and overheating is avoided.

Create movies like the professionals

Cinematography Pro “powered by CineAlta” enables more choice for engaging, storytelling with dramatic slow-motion cinematography creation, all within a 4K HDR 120fps slow-motion movie recording feature which can capture and playback up to 5x slow-motion when set at 24fps. It also records in 21:9 ratio at 24/25/30/60fps, enhancing cinematic expression. Eight different Look colour management pre-sets allow you to completely change the mood of your scenes, utilising different cinema styles, a vital tool in advanced storytelling. Sony’s unique Intelligent wind filter technology uses award-winning audio separation technology to reduce wind interference for clearer audio recording.

New features within both models include a range of UI improvements designed specifically with movie makers in mind. For instance, to help users control their workflow, they can easily check how much free memory is remaining and how much recording time is still available. They can also easily check which parameters they used on a specific clip, in order to apply them to other projects. Each clip’s parameter details now include resolution, FPS, look, lens, stabiliser, WB, ISO, shutter angle/ speed, focus and audio level. This is further complemented with the ability to review and organise footage with clip playback, allowing users to play back clips with a simple swipe on the phone’s display.

Audio playback as the recording artist intended

Much like the immersive experience for cinephiles, the new Xperia models utilise sound tuned in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment. In addition to unique hardware decoding, a newly developed speaker virtualiser enables Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III to be the world’s　first smartphones to reproduce 360 Reality Audio in the speakers.vii Listeners can Immerse themselves in sound that is so authentic, it will feel like they are at a live concert or with the artist recording in a studio. All enjoyed through the Full-stage stereo speakers or with wired or wireless headphones. To top it off, new TIDAL subscribers will get three months of TIDAL Hi-Fi free when they buy either model, including the 360 Reality Audio experience.

If the music source being listened to is 2-channel stereo, the new 360 Spatial Sound comes into play. It enables the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III to upmix stereo tracks and virtualize to an immersive sound experience, in real time. The technology works with local audio files and streaming services to further enhance the listening experience.

High-quality music can be further enjoyed through the Full-stage stereo speakers or when listening with headphones either wirelessly or with the 3.5mm audio jack. The Full-stage stereo speakers are placed at the front of the phone to effectively reproduce the sound field. And as an exclusive update for Xperia 1 III, are now 40% more powerful than its predecessor . This is thanks to a new speaker box structure, which has been designed both to improve sound pressure and eliminate vibration. The audio volume through audio-out (via the 3.5mm audio jack) has also been improved by approximately 40%, while sound quality has improved with less distortion near the maximum output level.

As well as High-Resolution and High-Resolution Wireless Audio, both Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III continue to offer DSEE Ultimate which enhances the quality of digital music using Sony AI technology, including audio and video streaming services. It automatically improves audio frequency and dynamic range in real-time, taking each track close to high-resolution audio.

All the speed you need

Combining 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity with the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 888 5G Mobile Platform, the next generation of Xperia raises the bar for smartphone performance. This is thanks to the Qualcomm® Kryo™ 680 CPU enabling 25% higher performance and Qualcomm® Adreno™ 660 GPU delivering 35% faster graphic rendering than the previous generation.

Smart connectivity takes Xperia’s deep learning technology that utilises Sony’s Neural Network Libraries and analyses Wi-Fi signals to predict near-future connectivity issues. The Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III assesses the quality of available Wi-Fi before connecting so there’s no more grabbing Wi-Fi that doesn’t work.　If it predicts any compromise in Wi-Fi connection quality, it uses mobile data instead.

With a 4,500mAh battery, both models offer plenty of power to keep users going through the day while a range of charging features helps maximise convenience and prolong battery life. When the battery needs a boost, it can be charged up to 50% in just 30 minutes with the included charger XZQ-UC1. Furthermore, Xperia Adaptive Charging allows the battery life to be extended up to three years (up from two in previous models) in both models. Xperia Adaptive Charging works by monitoring the phone as it charges, to make sure the battery isn’t overworked.

Finally, Xperia 1 III offers a wireless charging and Battery share function, allowing the device to be connected to a wireless charger to conveniently top up the battery. Thanks to the Battery share function, it can double as a charging pad for other devices too.

Sleek design with functionality in mind

Both Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III are crafted to be robust. The Xperia 1 III combines high-quality materials with a bold and distinctive design. From the frosted glass on the back to the blasted metal frame, it’s an irresistible blend of form and function. It also features Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ on the display, the toughest Gorilla® Glass yet – boasting improvement in both drop and scratch performance. Meanwhile, the Xperia 5 III is its compact cousin featuring Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6™ on the rear and the display with a sleek mirror-glass finish and a robust metal frame. For further peace of mind, both models also feature IP65/68 water resistance and protection against dust.

For the busy multi-taskers, both models feature upgrades to the multi-window functionality. With the pop-up window feature, users can easily handle a new task, then get right back to what they were doing.

Last but not least, when paired with Sony headphones , users can easily access the Sony | Headphones Connect app using the new Side Sense menu for swift connectivity.

Accessories

Both models are available with a new and improved Antibacterial Style Cover. Designed with durability in mind, the covers feature a built-in stand to support horizontal placement and provide a comfortable viewing experience. They are also coated with anti-bacterial material that has a protection rate of up to 99.9% – preventing cell growth and maintaining cleanliness.

A 30W compact charger is also available and features USB-C power delivery. Safely designed for overheat protection, this new charger is certified with PPS support (Programmable Power Supply) to reduce heat impact.