Sony Xperia PRO-I Review: A Powerful Phone with Limitations

The Sony Xperia PRO-I is a high-end smartphone that is marketed as a professional camera that can make phone calls. With its impressive features, including a 1-inch image sensor, triple camera array, and 120Hz 6.5” 21:9 4K HDR OLED Display, it’s no wonder that it has garnered attention from both amateur and professional photographers. In this review, I will share my personal experience using the Sony Xperia PRO-I and provide my honest thoughts on its performance.

I came across the Sony Xperia PRO-I while searching for a new smartphone with a good camera. As someone who enjoys photography, I was drawn to the phone’s powerful camera features, including the ability to shoot in log, 10-bit video. However, I quickly realized that the phone’s capabilities were limited due to Sony’s restrictions on third-party apps. I experienced issues with MotionCam Pro, which led me to discover that the phone cannot be rooted because the bootloader is permanently locked. Additionally, Filmic Pro stopped supporting 10-bit video for the PRO-I, which was disappointing.

Despite these limitations, the Sony Xperia PRO-I has many impressive features. The camera is excellent, with full manual control and the ability to shoot raw stills and log video. The phone is also solidly built, with a large screen, an earphone/external microphone jack, and a USB-C power/data port. It comes with a half terabyte of storage and has a slot that can hold a one-terabyte SD card. The phone’s physical shutter button is a nice touch and refocuses the camera when half-pressed.

Revolutionary Camera Capabilities

The Sony Xperia PRO-I boasts revolutionary camera capabilities, making it an ideal choice for photographers and videographers alike. With a triple camera array equipped with ZEISS optics, including a 16mm, 24mm, and 50mm lens, this phone offers unparalleled versatility. Additionally, the 3D iToF sensor ensures that subjects stay in focus for both videos and stills, while the anti-distortion shutter helps suppress the rolling-shutter effect. One of the most impressive features of the Sony Xperia PRO-I camera is its ability to shoot in native 4K at 120fps, making it the world’s first smartphone to offer this capability. This feature, combined with 12bit RAW for smooth color gradation and high dynamic range, truly sets the Xperia PRO-I apart from other smartphones on the market.

Incredible Display

The Sony Xperia PRO-I is equipped with a 6.5″ 21:9 4K HDR OLED display, making it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys streaming content, playing games, or viewing photos on their smartphone. The display is truly stunning, with incredible clarity and color accuracy. Additionally, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures that everything on the screen looks incredibly smooth and fluid, making it a pleasure to use the phone for any task.One of the most unique features of the Xperia PRO-I display is its aspect ratio. At 21:9, the display is significantly taller than most other smartphone displays, making it an ideal choice for anyone who frequently uses their phone to watch movies or TV shows. The display also supports HDR, ensuring that colors look vibrant and accurate, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Impressive Build Quality

The Sony Xperia PRO-I is an incredibly well-built phone, with a solid, premium feel that immediately sets it apart from other smartphones on the market. The phone is designed to be durable and long-lasting, with a rugged frame that can withstand even the most challenging conditions. The phone is also water-resistant, making it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys taking their phone to the beach or pool.Despite its rugged build quality, the Xperia PRO-I is also incredibly sleek and stylish, with a modern, minimalist design that looks great in any setting. The phone is available in black, ensuring that it will match any style or aesthetic.

Powerful Performance

The Sony Xperia PRO-I is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, making it one of the fastest smartphones on the market. This processor, combined with 12GB of RAM, ensures that the phone can handle even the most demanding apps and tasks with ease. Whether you’re streaming content, playing games, or editing photos and videos, the Xperia PRO-I delivers incredibly fast and smooth performance.In addition to its powerful processor, the Xperia PRO-I is also equipped with a massive 4,500mAh battery, ensuring that it can keep up with even the most demanding users. The phone also supports fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when you’re running low on power.

Versatile Connectivity

The Sony Xperia PRO-I is an incredibly versatile phone, with a wide range of connectivity options that make it an ideal choice for anyone who frequently travels or works remotely. The phone supports 5G connectivity, ensuring that you can stay connected to the internet even in areas with limited coverage. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, ensuring that you can take advantage of the latest wireless standards for fast and reliable internet access.In addition to its wireless connectivity options, the Xperia PRO-I also includes a range of wired connectivity options, including a USB-C port that supports OTG, allowing you to connect the phone to external storage devices, keyboards, and mice. The phone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys listening to music or podcasts on the go.

Mixed User Reviews

While the Sony Xperia PRO-I is an incredibly impressive phone in many ways, it has received mixed reviews from users. Some users have praised the phone for its incredible camera capabilities, stunning display, and powerful performance. Others, however, have criticized the phone for its subpar battery life, lack of security updates, and high price point.Despite these criticisms, it’s clear that the Sony Xperia PRO-I is an incredibly well-built phone with a wide range of impressive features. Whether you’re a professional photographer or videographer, or simply someone who enjoys using their phone for streaming content and playing games, the Xperia PRO-I is an ideal choice. However, it’s important to carefully consider your needs and budget before investing in this phone, as it may not be the best choice for everyone.

Pros:

• High-quality camera with Zeiss lenses and the ability to shoot 4K video at 120fps.
• 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Plenty of storage space with a half terabyte of internal storage and the option to expand with a one-terabyte SD card.

Cons:

• Expensive price point, with a full size SD card bringing the cost to over $2,000.
• Battery life is average and can require multiple charges per day, especially with the high refresh rate screen.
• Issues with security updates, with some users reporting being stuck on outdated versions.

Conclusion

Sony Xperia PRO-I is a powerful phone with some limitations. While the camera is impressive, Sony’s restrictions on third-party apps limit its capabilities. The phone’s battery life could also be better, and it lacks wireless charging. However, the phone’s physical features, including the external microphone jack and the physical shutter button, make it stand out from other smartphones. Overall, I would recommend the Sony Xperia PRO-I to amateur and professional photographers who are willing to work within its limitations.

Questions & Answers:

Question: Can the Xperia PRO-I shoot RAW video?

Answer: Yes, the phone is capable of shooting RAW video, but certain third-party apps may be restricted due to Sony locking out certain capabilities.

Question: Is the camera on the Xperia PRO-I better than other high-end smartphones?

Answer: The camera is of high quality, with Zeiss lenses and the ability to shoot 4K video at high frame rates. However, some users have reported issues with low-light performance and dynamic range.

Question: What is the battery life like on the Xperia PRO-I?

Answer: The battery life is average and can require multiple charges per day, especially with the high refresh rate screen.