There ’s a newSony Xperia flagshipsmartphone coming on May 13 . It ’s probably going to be call the Xperia 1 VII and Sony ’s name is synonymous with slap-up cameras , top oculus , and high - spirit level computational photography expertness . Plus , the tormenter video recording assure us the young Xperia ’s camera will contain expertness taken from its Alpha serial cameras .
Few other phone brands have such fertile photographic inheritance , and most repair to institute in a camera maker to hear and get the same kudos . I think the Xperia 1 VII is potentially Sony ’s prison term to shine , and if it ’s as good as we desire , to take firm restraint as maker of the best telephone set camera of the year . Here ’s why .
Samsung has dropped the ball
blade realisation is very of import , and it ’s one of the top reasons a caboodle of people buy a Samsung smartphone . The ones who want a Samsung sound with a brilliant camera ordinarily pick out the Ultra model , with theGalaxy S25 Ultrabeing the latest . The trouble is , while the Galaxy S25 Ultra ’s camera is decent , it ’s not outstanding .
I ’ve recently returned froma long weekend awaywith the Galaxy S25 Ultra as my main camera , and I drop a slew of clip cut the photos I charter to get them looking the room I desire . I never mind edit photos , but I do n’t think it should be a necessity , yet I consider it is with the Galaxy S25 Ultra . A little tweak to get your preferred look is one matter , but it ’s quite another to sense you must edit photos just to reach an acceptable baseline . coloring material , line , and exposure never quite look right straight off the photographic camera .
It ’s a serious upshot because the primary camera is affected , which also suffers from pathetic stabilization resulting in a lack of sharpness . TheGalaxy S25 Ultra beat out the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Maxin our camera test , but in the process drop off out in the main camera family . Can a camera really be promise “ the best ” in a test where the camera we will all apply the most go wrong to win ? The Galaxy S25 Ultra ’s tv camera is , as a whole , very practiced . However , I do n’t view it the photography devotee ’s selection , and it leaves the doorway unfastened for a challenger .
What about Google, Xiaomi, and OnePlus?
TheXiaomi 14 Ultrawas myfavorite camera phone of 2024 , and while theXiaomi 15 Ultra ’s camera is very , very good , it ’s notquiteas expert as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra . Unlike Samsung , Xiaomi does n’t do everything itself , and it works with experts Leica to improve and optimize the tv camera and software . It gives Xiaomi the prestige it require to become a liberal thespian in the smartphone television camera Earth .
Xiaomi also takes smartphone photography very earnestly . It produces an appurtenance that look like a television camera - shaped face for the phone , terminated with a progress - in battery , physical television camera controls , and the chance to attach filters too . However , gaudy accessary do n’t really count if the camera ’s package has n’t quite grab up with the latest ironware changes , which is the case with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra .
OnePlus also works with a camera brand , Hasselblad , and theOnePlus 13takes great photos . But is it stellar ? No , but that ’s not really what it sets out to be . The OnePlus 13 is really the best all - pear-shaped Android speech sound usable at the present moment , and most multitude will be very felicitous with the television camera , just as they will be with the rest of the telephone . But I do n’t cogitate photo enthusiasts will flock to it , and they ’re right not to . Hasselblad ’s name may be on the back , but it ’s much more of a branding exercise than it is about making the most of the tv camera hardware .
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Then there ’s theGoogle Pixel 9range . The Pixel ’s photographic camera is very just indeed , almost regardless of which model you buy , but I ca n’t honestly say it ’s thevery bestyou can get anymore . Google has drop the last few years messing around with AI - power features likeAdd Me , and I do n’t experience it has push as hard to make its photographic camera take better photos . It has throw brands like Xiaomi the chance to be the television camera go - to .
It’s Sony’s chance
All this means there ’s a chance for another smartphone maker to swoop in and claim the crown emblazoned with the words “ best camera phone 2025 . ” To do so it needs brand acknowledgment , preferably built - in without the motivation to convey on a partner . It needs blanket experience making cameras and lenses . It needs to infer how to tune the software program behind the camera , and it needs to understand what photographers want .
Sony ticks these box . In 2019 I visitedSony ’s central office in Tokyo , I get word first - hand how it was leverage its massive experience to invigorate its smartphones . The team explained why boom eye - trailing tech was important , how its display expert were call in to O.K. the screen , and those creditworthy for the Alpha cameras worked on optimise the photographic camera ’s software . Sony was in the process of turn its smartphone partitioning around , and compete with Samsung , Apple , and Huawei at the prison term .
a literal prospect to stitch up the title of best camera earphone of 2025
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Most phone fans will know Sony ’s scheme has chopped and change a lot since then , and its smartphones are a peculiarity alongside the enceinte name today . Do n’t forget though , Sony ’s tv camera components are constitute in many top smartphones already . It live what it ’s doing , and if the forthcoming Xperia 1 VII has a photographic camera on the back which in effect leverage all Sony ’s gift and expertise , it has a real hazard to sew up the title of good camera phone of 2025 before we ’re halfway through the year .
We may never find out
unluckily , while I ’m confident Sonycoulddo it , I ’m also realistic . The fact is it has n’t been capable to put all the above together to make a unfeignedly outstanding camera yet , despite years of attempt . Beyond this it makes grease one’s palms its phones quite unmanageable , it does n’t always sell them globally , it isterribleat promoting them , and it has a reputation for being , well , a bit dull . Samsung’sGalaxy AImay not be the merchandising point the company thinks it is , but there ’s no interrogation itreally knowshow to convert us it is . Even if the Sony Xperia 1 VII ’s camera is fantastic , there ’s a very real chance we ’ll never in reality love , and it ’s a real shame for us , along with tough news for a phone Divine many people may have forgotten even draw phones at all .
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Digital Trends
