Sony introduces Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III and Xperia 10 III

Sony today announced two new additions to its Xperia 1 and 5 flagships series line-ups (Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III) and Xperia 10 III, the first model in the Xperia 10 series to offer 5G connectivity. 

Key Features for Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III

• World’s first Variable optical telephoto lens & Dual PD sensor
• World’s first 4K 120Hz OLED & 360 Reality Audio on Speakers
• 120Hz refresh/240Hz touch & Sony AV tuning for gaming
• Reduced noise with up to 10fps AF/AE in indoor environments
• 20fps Burst Mode with low light noise reduction powered by BIONZ X
• New AI super resolution zoom technology 
• Updated Photography Pro feature – now equipped with ‘Basic Mode’ 
• Full-stage stereo speakers – now 40% louder than previous mode

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.  Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III feature the Photography Pro function which includes ISO, shutter speed, EV Indicator, RAW support, plus a dedicated shutter button (with embossed finishing exclusively on the Xperia 1 III).  A new feature has been added in Photography Pro ‘Basic Mode’ which enable easy access and easy-to-use features like a touch shutter button, portrait orientation, artistic bokeh effect, and panorama.

Xperia 1 III’s object tracking is upgraded with Real-time Tracking, allowing users to shoot the most challenging moving subjects. Using AI-based algorithms and the 3D iToF sensor to measure distance, Real-time Tracking can 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 optimized 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.

Xperia 1 III features 6.5” 21:9 CinemaWide^TM 4K HDR OLED display with 120Hz Refresh rate while Xperia 5 III offers a 6.1″ 21:9 CinemaWide™ HDR OLED display with 120Hz Refresh rate.  The Creator Mode now features a factory calibrated OLED display.

For gamers, the new and improved 120Hz Refresh rate display is now incorporated in the 1 and 5 series.  Another new feature in both models is the ability to adjust white balance and audio equalizer.  Audio equalizer lets you heighten sounds such as footsteps or gunshots, so you can hear your opponents coming and react before they do.  L-y raiser, also known as Low gamma raiser enhances image details in dark areas, it highlights your enemies without overexposing bright areas of the screen.  And for those playing in teams, the new optimized V.C. microphone allows for clear communication by reducing background noise based on the users chosen headset type.  Another cool features for gaming is the R.T. record (Rewind time record) that automatically pre-records 30 seconds of game footage. So gamers can easily rewind and capture key moments like match-winning plays.

The slow-motion ‘4K HDR 120fps slow-motion movie’ 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.  Eight different Look color management pre-sets allow you to completely change the mood of your scenes

A new range of UI improvements are designed specifically for video creators.   Video creators can 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, stabilizer, WB, ISO, shutter angle/ speed, focus and audio level. 

In addition to unique hardware decoding, a newly developed speaker virtualizer enables Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III to be the world’s first smartphones to reproduce 360 Reality Audio in the speakers.  If the music source you’re listening to is 2-channel stereo, then a new 360 Spatial Sound comes into play.  It enables the Xperia to up-mix your favorite stereo tracks into immersive sound experience, in real time.  The optimized circuit design for analog 3.5mm connection improved output and sound quality.  The Full-stage stereo speakers are placed at the front of the phone to effectively reproduce the sound field.  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.

The Xperia 1 III now features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the display.  Meanwhile, the Xperia 5 III is its compact cousin featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 6.  Both models also feature IP65/68water resistance and protection against dust.  In addition, both models are available with a new and improved Antibacterial Style Cover.

Xperia 1 III will be available in Frosted Black and Frosted Purple and shipping with Android11 from early Summer 2021.  Xperia 5 III will be available in Black, Pink and Green and shipping with Android 11 from early Summer 2021.

Xperia 1 III Technical Specifications (New features are in bold)

• Size & Weight: 165 x 71 x 8.2  mm, 186g
• Display: 6.5” 21:9 4K 120Hz HDR OLED
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform
• Network: 5G sub6, Dual SIM or SIM + Micro SD slot
• RAM/ROM: 12GB RAM/256GB
• Rear Camera:
  • 16mm: 12MP 1/2.6” F2.2 Dual-PDAF
  • 24mm: 12MP 1/1.7” F1.7 Dual-PDAF OIS
  • 70mm, 105mm: 12MP 1/2.9” F2.3, 2.8 Dual PDAF OIS
• 3D iToF sensor
• ZEISS lens with T*coating
• Real-time Eye AF/Eye AF for human and animal
• Up to 20fps AF/AE tracking burst with noise reduction
• 60 times per second continuous AF/AE calculation
• Real-time Tracking/AI super resolution zoom
• Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye
• Cinema Pro 4K 120fps recording up to 5x Slow motion
• Front camera: 8MP
• Audio: 
  • 3.5mm Audio Jack, Full-stage stereo speaker 40% higher output
  • Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Ultimate, 
  • 360 Reality Audio through speakers, 360 Spatial Sound
• Battery: 4,500mAh, up to 50% in 30 min with 30W Charger/3years long-life, wireless charging and battery share function
• Durability: IP65/68, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus display
• Gaming: 21:9 Gaming support, DualShock4 direct connection, Elite Gaming, Game Enhancer, 120Hz Viewing/240Hz Touch scan rate
• Colors available: Frosted Black, Frosted Purple

Xperia 5 III Technical Specifications (New features are in bold)

• Size & Weight: 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm, 168g
• Display: 6.1” 21:9 FHD 120Hz HDR OLED
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform
• Network: 5G sub6
• RAM/ROM: 8GB RAM/128GB or 256GB ROM
• Rear cameras:
  • 16mm: 12MP 1/2.6”F2.2 Dual-PD AF
  • 24mm: 12MP 1/1.7” F1.7 Dual-PD AF OIS
  • 70mm-105mm: 12MP 1/2.9” F2.3-2.8 Dual PD AF OIS
• ZEISS lens with T* coating
• Real-time Eye AF / Eye AF for human/animal
• Up to 20fps AF/AE tracking burst with noise reduction
• 60 times per second continuous AF/AE calculation
• Object tracking / AI super resolution zoom
• Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye
• Cinema Pro 4K 120fps record (Slow motion)
• Front camera: 8MP
• Audio: 3.5mm Audio Jack, Full-stage stereo speaker, Dolby Atmos
• Hi-Res Audio, DSEE Ultimate, 360 Reality Audio through speakers, 
• 360 Spatial Sound
• Battery: 4,500mAh, up to 50% in 30 min with 30W Charger/3 years long-life
• Durability: IP65/68, Corning Gorilla Glass 6
• Gaming: 21:9 Gaming support, DualShock 4 direct connection, Elite Gaming, Game Enhancer, 120Hz Viewing/240Hz Touch scan rate
• Available colors: Black, Green

Xperia 10 III, the first model in the Xperia 10 series to offer 5G connectivity. Xperia 10 III now has 25% more battery capacity with the 4500mAh battery.  With the Xperia Adaptive Charging, users can monitor the battery while charging.  Xperia 10 III is measured at 68mm in width with a 6” display and weight at 169g.  For gaming and watching video, the new phone features 21:9 Wide 6” notch-less OLED display that includes HDR support.  It is also capable of showing HDR content, which has a wider dynamic range of luminance than standard video formats, enhancing both contrast and color. 

Key Features

• 5G connectivity with Qualcomm^® Snapdragon™ 690 5G Mobile Platform
• 25% more capacity than Xperia 10 II with a 4500mAh battery
• IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6
• Enhanced for low light scene and moving object 
• 21:9 Wide 6” notch-less FHD+ OLED display
• DSEE Ultimate for near High-Resolution Audio quality 

Featuring ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto options, the triple lens camera lets users capture a huge variety of shots – from expansive landscapes to expressive portraits.  The ultra-wide 16mm lens allows phone shooters to capture expansive imagery, expressing dramatic landscapes and full-scale scenery. The versatile 27mm lens is a wide lens that is ideal for a variety of shooting situations and low light scenes, while the 54mm telephoto lens allows users to get closer to their subjects.  Auto mode on Xperia 10 III now features animal detection.  It then adjusts the shutter speed and ISO Sensitivity accordingly to capture photos with less blur.

The improved F1.8 lens and enhanced image processing algorithm allows users to take photos in low light with less noise, both in Night mode and Auto mode. When shooting in bright sunshine or in backlit conditions, Auto HDR helps prevent blackout in the shaded areas of the shot or whiteout in the bright parts, ensuring faces and expressions are more visible. 

Along with native High-Resolution Audio playback, Xperia 10 III also features DSEE, which uses AI to upscale tracks to near High-Resolution Audio quality by automatically improving audio frequency and bit rate in real-time.

Xperia 10 III will be available in Black, Blue and White and shipping with Android^TM 11 from early Summer 2021