Sony is a legendary name in electronics, and many in India still remember their iconic mobile phones. Recently, interest has surged around one of their highly specialized flagships, the Sony Xperia 1 IV 5G. Although it is not a brand-new release, tech enthusiasts and professional content creators continue to search for it because of its unique features that are hard to find on other modern smartphones.
However, the situation regarding Sony phones in the Indian market is complicated. This article explains what makes the Xperia 1 IV special, its key features, and the harsh reality of trying to buy and use one in India today.
Why is the Sony Xperia 1 IV Different?
Most premium smartphones today, like iPhones or Samsung Galaxies, are designed for general users. They aim to be good at everything for everyone. Sony takes a very different approach with its Xperia 1 line.
The Sony Xperia 1 IV is built specifically for professionals and serious creators—photographers, videographers, and audiophiles. It is less of a standard phone and more of a professional tool that also happens to make calls. It borrows heavily from Sony’s Alpha series of professional cameras, offering manual controls that average users might find overwhelming but pros love.
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A Camera System with True Optical Zoom
The biggest highlight of this phone is its camera innovation. While most phones use digital software to zoom in, often losing quality, the Xperia 1 IV features a true optical zoom lens.
It has a unique telephoto lens that physically moves between 85mm and 125mm. This means you get lossless optical zoom across that entire range, resulting in much clearer zoomed-in photos and videos. It also includes features like Real-time Eye AF (autofocus) for humans and animals, and 4K 120fps video recording on all its lenses, which is rare even now.
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Display and Audiophile Features
Besides the camera, the phone is famous for its screen. It sports a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 21:9 aspect ratio makes it taller and narrower than most phones, which is ideal for watching cinematic content without black bars.
For audio lovers, Sony did something that most flagship brands stopped doing years ago: they kept the 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a massive plus for users who prefer high-quality wired headphones over Bluetooth. It also supports advanced wireless audio technologies like LDAC.
The Reality of Buying the Xperia 1 IV in India
While the features sound amazing, there is a major hurdle for Indian buyers. Sony does not officially sell smartphones in India anymore. The company exited the Indian mobile phone market several years ago to focus on other regions like Japan, Europe, and the US.
This means you cannot walk into an electronics store in India and buy a Sony Xperia 1 IV with an official warranty. It is not listed on major Indian e-commerce platforms with local seller support.
The Risks of Importing
If you desperately want this phone in India, the only option is importing it from international websites or buying it through the “grey market.” This comes with significant risks:
- No Warranty: You will not get an official Indian warranty. If something goes wrong, Sony India service centers will not repair the phone.
- High Costs: Importing means paying customs duties and taxes on top of the phone’s already high international price.
- Network Compatibility: While it is a 5G phone, you must verify if the international model supports the specific 5G bands used by Indian telecom operators like Jio and Airtel for optimal connectivity.
Conclusion: Who Is This Phone For?
The Sony Xperia 1 IV is a powerful, niche device designed for camera experts and audio enthusiasts who want manual control over their content creation. Its hardware is unique in the smartphone world.
However, for the vast majority of users in India, recommending this phone is difficult due to the lack of official availability and support. It remains a fascinating piece of technology that many admire from afar, but purchasing it requires accepting expensive risks regarding service and repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the Sony Xperia 1 IV 5G officially available in India?
No, Sony does not officially sell smartphones in the Indian market currently.
Q: Can I use 5G on the Xperia 1 IV in India?
Yes, the phone supports 5G, but if you import a model, you need to check if its 5G bands match the networks used by Indian carriers.
Q: What is the main selling point of this phone?
Its biggest feature is the continuous optical zoom telephoto lens and professional-grade camera controls inspired by Sony Alpha cameras.
Q: Does this phone have a headphone jack?
Yes, unlike most modern flagship phones, the Xperia 1 IV retains the 3.5mm audio jack.
Q: Will Sony service centers in India repair this phone?
No, since the phone is not officially sold here, official Sony India service centers usually do not provide support or spare parts for imported Xperia models.
