Sony Sony Xperia 1 IV 5G Gaming Edition BLACK 6.5" 4K Review

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is a niche flagship phone with a stunning 4K OLED display and strong performance, but it's held back by mediocre battery life and camera quality for its $1,490 price. It's best for display enthusiasts who prioritize screen resolution above all else. Most buyers will find better value in competing phones from Samsung, Google, or OnePlus.

If you're hunting for a high-end, unlocked Android phone with a screen that'll make your eyes pop, the Sony Xperia 1 IV is a serious contender. It's a flagship phone priced around $1,490, packing a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Under the hood, it runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and supports all the latest connectivity, including 5G. People searching for a 'Sony phone' or a '4K OLED phone' are likely looking at this one, especially if they're after something a bit different from the usual Samsung or Apple fare.

Performance is where this phone shines. In our database, its overall performance lands in the 89th percentile, which means it's faster than nearly 9 out of 10 phones we've tested. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 16GB of RAM make everything feel snappy, from app switching to multitasking. For gaming specifically, it scores a 37.7 out of 100, which is decent but not class-leading. So while it can handle demanding games, it's not the absolute best choice if that's your primary focus.

At $1,490, the Xperia 1 IV sits firmly in premium flagship territory. You're paying a lot for that gorgeous 4K screen and the raw performance. The problem is, you can get phones with better all-around packages—like stronger cameras, longer battery life, and more features—for similar or even lower prices. The value proposition really hinges on how much you prioritize that specific display over everything else.

Let's talk competitors. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE offers a more balanced flagship experience with typically better cameras and battery life for less money. The Google Pixel 10 is the king of computational photography and software updates. The OnePlus 15 often delivers similar peak performance at a more aggressive price. And, of course, any current iPhone offers a completely different ecosystem with industry-leading video and a longer software support window. The Sony's main differentiator is its 4K screen, but that comes with trade-offs in other areas that its rivals handle better.

Skip this phone if you need all-day battery life, if you're a mobile photography enthusiast, or if you want the most feature-packed flagship. The battery and camera simply don't keep up with the competition at this price. Also, if you rely on strong social proof or community support, the very low ratings and limited user base are a red flag. In those cases, a Samsung Galaxy S-series, Google Pixel, or iPhone is a much safer and more capable bet.

So, should you buy the Sony Xperia 1 IV? Only if you're a display purist who absolutely must have a 4K OLED screen on a phone and you're willing to accept compromises elsewhere. For everyone else, it's a tough sell. The below-average battery life, middling camera, and high price make it a niche product. We'd recommend most people look at the Samsung, Google, or OnePlus alternatives first, as they offer more well-rounded experiences for the money.