iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Top 8 Phones in Canada: Which Should You Buy in 2026?

• “The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a stellar flagship phone based on my testing. You get a more powerful zoom camera, better sustained performance (thanks to vapor chamber cooling) and the longest iPhone battery life ever a head-turning design.”

• “After seeing the iPhone's evolution year after year, the numbers are no surprise. The 17 Pro and Pro Max are Apple’s best phones to date, and a more substantial upgrade than we’ve seen in the past few years.”

• “That is especially true in 'Apple-land' where the Pro soubriquet is attached to the more powerful laptops and other computers, and, to be honest, traditionally made more sense than on phones. Now, though, this feels like the breakthrough iPhone.”

• “There's no doubt that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is an excellent device, and Apple has given it a very welcome design refresh alongside top-end camera features like the 8x optical zoom. The only sticking point is justifying the price gap between the standard model.”

• “The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pushes the iconic iPhone in bold new directions and colors. It's recognizable, but different in ways that make it eye-catching. The performance is stellar, and the cameras set a new high-water mark for smartphone photography.”

• “What Apple delivered in the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the culmination of years of extensive changes to cameras, Apple's processor, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence. I believe it earns the "Pro" moniker more now than ever, and that changes everything for potential buyers.”

• “What surprised me most was that the 17 Pro posts better results than the Pro Max. I ran Geekbench 6 half a dozen times, and the 17 Pro came out ahead each time, even if only by about 1%.”

• “It might be worth noting that in the 25 minutes of Snake Clash time, the iPhone 17 Pro's battery level dropped about ten percent. The iPhone 16 Pro went from 90 percent to 79 percent in roughly the same duration, so power efficiency in this specific use case seems fairly similar.”

• “The front-facing cameras on all i — Phone 17 models allow you to capture from the front and back cameras at the same time while recording, which is neat if you want to record a video of yourself showing somebody where you are, or how to do something, though it’s not a feature I...”

• “Several Android phones have long used vapor chamber cooling systems, so the technology isn't new. There's literally one droplet of water in the iPhone, turning to vapor as it absorbs heat and spreads it across the back of the phone, then phasing back into water as it cools down.”

• “The iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max would be an excellent upgrade for someone coming from an iPhone 14 Pro or older. You get a bigger battery, a better screen, faster charging, newer cameras and a speedier processor that can handle graphics-intensive games and Apple Intelligence.”

• “Inside is the A19 Pro chip with a half-dozen GPU cores and neural nets for each one. There's a new Center Stage Camera on the front, and attractive new colors like orange and blue. I will say we waited far too long for Apple to deliver interesting colors in the Pro line.”

• “The heat-forged aluminium material is lighter than titanium and 20 times more thermally conductive. It’s also at the core of the new thermal management system, which promises better sustained performance with an Apple-designed integrated vapour chamber laser-welded into the...”

• “Why do I skip past Apple’s default video recording for this complicated set of tricks? Because just as Apple’s Photographic Styles and the Halide app add a bit of dimension and brilliance to the iPhone’s kind of flat default photography, Kino has been a marvel at allowing my...”

• “The new AI-powered Photonic Engine also debuts on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, providing smarter scene recognition and instant photo optimization. Videographers will benefit from enhanced ProRes capabilities, 8K video recording, and cinematic mode 2.0 with real-time focus transitions.”

• “Versatile and excellent triple-camera system, with some of the best video recording capabilities on a phone”

Loved33

• +

  Stellar A19 Pro performance with vapor chamber cooling

  — Tom
• +

  Brighter, less reflective display

  — Tom
• +

  Better 48MP 8x zoom camera

  — Tom
• +

  Smart Center Stage front camera

  — Tom
• +

  Longer battery life and faster charging

  — Tom
• +

  Finally 48MP hybrid on all 3 main cameras

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Content creators will love the storage options

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Where the screen does push past its predecessor is with 3,000 nits of peak brightness – comfortably beating the 2,000 nits of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  The selfie camera represents a big change for the iPhone 17 Pro Max (and other iPhone 17) against its predecessor.

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Apple puts “Pro” in the name of its high-end phones for a reason. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are both incredibly powerful phones, courtesy of Apple’s latest mobile processor, the A19 Pro.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  Between the two new features, the iPhone 17 is easily the best phone to date for selfies, video calls, or any photo/video project using the front-facing camera. I caught myself using its front-facing camera a lot more frequently than on any other iPhone I had.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  And when it’s time to charge, the phone charges as fast as you could possibly hope for. The 17 Pro and Pro Max both support 40-watt wired and Qi 2.2 wireless charging.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  After a full day of heavy screen time, I’ve generally found that I end the day with at least 30 percent battery left. The iPhone 17 Pro naturally lags a tad behind its larger sibling, since it is smaller and, thus, has a smaller battery.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  Featuring a trio of 48-megapixel rear snappers—one more than the iPhone 16 Pro—the 17 Pro and Pro Max can take high-resolution photographs at any focal length.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  At this point, these phones have set the high bar for mobile performance. Even Samsung’s 2026 flagship, the S26 Ultra, doesn’t quite meet it.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  Despite all that power, I was even more impressed by the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery life. The big iPhone is part of a very small club of phones that can effortlessly provide two days’ worth of mixed use between charges.

  — Popular Mechanics
• +

  But you probably don't have to. In addition to the thick aluminum frame and Apple Ceramic Shield rear panel, the front is protected by Apple Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says is three times more scratch-resistant than the first-generation glass.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  Apple has aligned the core display specs and features across the iPhone lineup. That means all four phones have excellent screens. The iPhone Pro Max has the biggest of the bunch, and that's a large part of what makes it a popular choice.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  The Pro Max contains the best-performing battery of any iPhone I've ever tested.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  When compared with the rest of the iPhone 17 series (see chart above), it handily bests the rest of the lineup. The nearest result is the iPhone 17 Pro's battery life of 27 hours and 42 minutes.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  Some Android phones recharge faster, but I'd take 18 to 20 hours more battery life over faster charging any day of the week.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  The iPhone 17 Pro Max includes all the most recent radio specs, which means you can stay connected to almost every type of network, no matter where you are.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  Wi-Fi 7 support means the Pro Max is ready for the fastest networks of today and tomorrow. Using my older Wi-Fi 6e connection at home, the phone managed to hit 708Mbps down and 266Mbps up in testing.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  You get Bluetooth 6, which is excellent, since it's a brand new spec and accessories are just starting to hit the market. I tested the connection with a pair of AirPods Pro 3 and encountered no issues.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  The Pro Max is one of the best phones I've used for making calls in recent memory. It creates clear, precise audio that flows from the earpiece at volumes reaching 76.6dB, which is loud enough to hear in most environments where you're likely to make a call.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  The iPhone 17 Pro Max is also a terrific audio capture device. Four built-in microphones support audio zoom, spatial audio capture, stereo recording, and wind noise reduction.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  The Pro Max camera system is the (real) reason you buy this phone. Whether you're shooting stylistic street scenes or recording a cinema project for film class, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has all the tools you need to get the shot.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  If you want to just point and shoot, you can do that, too. Press the Camera Control to launch the camera app and keep pressing to fire off a photo. Or, use the simplified on-screen photo and video buttons to capture the scene quickly.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  Center Stage Camera is compelling and useful

  — TechRadar
• +

  A fresh color and new design

  — TechRadar
• +

  Camera array is outstanding

  — TechRadar
• +

  A19 Pro is powerful

  — TechRadar
• +

  Aluminum unibody feels sturdy and scratch-resistant

  — TechSpot

Criticised8

• −

  Lacks “wow” AI features

  — Tom
• −

  Heavier and thicker than i — Phone 16 Pro Max

  — Tom
• −

  Bigger and heavier than the i — Phone 16 Pro Max

  — Digital Camera World
• −

  Despite switch to aluminum body and introduction of vapor chamber sustained performance has improved only slightly.

  — GSMArena.com
• −

  The most expensive i — Phone should also be the fastest, right? Not in the case of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Puzzlingly, the smaller iPhone 17 Pro notches slightly better scores across benchmarks, but that's far from the whole story.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  Screen resolution and technology essentially unchanged

  — TechRadar
• −

  Between Liquid Glass and myriad changes, iOS 26 is different enough to be sometimes confusing

  — TechRadar
• −

  The back scratches easily

  — TechSpot

• “For me, that’s what has happened with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra after testing it for a couple of weeks. Even though I know I should be impressed by its new slate of Galaxy AI features, overclocked chipset, and flexible cameras, I can’t help but think that Samsung’s most...”

• “The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra takes AI on phones to the next level with the ability to perform actions across multiple apps at once. It also delivers a superior camera experience along with crisp HDR video, plus fantastic Snapdragon 8 Elite performance and super long battery life.”

• “The Samsung S25 Ultra deftly manages to meld the consistent Galaxy S series aesthetic with all that made previous Ultras notable, including the S Pen.”

• “When I wake the phone, I'm greeted with the new Now Bar at the bottom of the lock screen. I like the carousel interface, which shows a shortcut to my Now Brief and information from other background apps like directions from Google Maps or the live score of an NBA game.”

• “The newest iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone builds on the success of previous generations. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra brings the AI photography features of the S24 Ultra, with a modest redesign of the outer body, as well as a slight improvement to one of the four...”

• “The S25 Ultra has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display glass, which is its most secure biometric authentication method. The sensor works quickly and consistently. Face unlock is available, too, but it isn't secure enough for sensitive applications such as banking.”

• “On the topic of cameras, I've yet to properly test the photographic potential of the S25 Ultra. But from the Galaxy S25 Ultra photo comparisons I and my colleagues have already taken, this is looking like one it'll be another entry on our best camera phones guide from Samsung.”

• “Samsung is often criticized for slow hardware innovation, but my experience with the S25 Ultra shows that there is more to a great phone than just specs alone.”

• “The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design is instantly recognizable as a Samsung flagship, with a refined aesthetic that blends familiarity with subtle upgrades.”

• “Since the S25 Ultra’s 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, an upgrade from the 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor in the S24 Ultra, is the major hardware change for this year’s best Galaxy phone cameras, I thought I’d try to see how much more detail it provides with street art.”

• “The phone itself makes a strong first impression. At 218g and 8.2mm thick, it strikes a balance between solid and refined. The titanium frame and Gorilla Armor 2 glass scream durability, while the matte Titanium Black finish keeps fingerprints at bay.”

• “Whether you’re exploring expansive open-world games or engaging in fast-paced multiplayer matches, the S25 Ultra delivers lag-free, immersive gameplay that meets the expectations of even the most demanding gamers.”

Loved8

• +

  Unified design that doesn't skimp on Ultra appeal

  — TechRadar
• +

  Biggest screen of the lineup

  — TechRadar
• +

  Somehow, Samsung has managed this slimmer, lighter, and squarer makeover without losing space for the S Pen, which alone is an achievement worth celebrating.

  — TechRadar
• +

  That tracking might sound scary if Samsung hadn’t worked closely with silicon partner Qualcomm to ensure that the Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite for Galaxy has a silicon core that's devoted to your Personal Data Engine, and if it weren't for Samsung’s liberal use of its Knox...

  — TechRadar
• +

  Impressive AI agent upgrades

  — Tom
• +

  Bigger and brighter display

  — Tom
• +

  Great Snapdragon 8 Elite performance

  — Tom
• +

  Very long battery life

  — Tom

Criticised8

• −

  Generative AI doesn't always deliver

  — TechRadar
• −

  Samsung still shies away from total photo-reality

  — TechRadar
• −

  No Qi2 magnets built in

  — Tom
• −

  Now Brief feature underwhelms

  — Tom
• −

  S Pen loses Bluetooth

  — Tom
• −

  Samsung did cut some corners with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The S Pen no longer has Bluetooth. And the newly added Qi2 charging support forces you to buy a compatible case. No magnets here.

  — Tom
• −

  As I wrote last year, other Android phones have moved well past 45W. The RedMagic 10 Pro supports up to 100W charging and comes with an 80W charger in the box. It took just 36 minutes to achieve a full charge.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  As usual, there's an S Pen included, and an integrated slot to house it in. Somewhat controversially, Samsung has removed the Bluetooth functions from the S Pen this year, so you can't use it as a remote camera button or to control a slideshow—according to Samsung, the...

  — Lifehacker

Buyer voices2

• “Nice 8.5 last week and now a security update”

  — eu.community.samsung.com

• “S25+ still hasn't receive oneUI 8.5 update”

  — eu.community.samsung.com

• “The Pixel 9 Pro XL sets new records for having the brightest screen around and has the longest battery life in a Pixel, but the minor camera and processing performance leaves more to be desired — especially when it's $100 more.”

• “The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the biggest and best Android smartphone on the market today. It offers an amazing user experience and is capable of matching the best smartphone cameras in the world, in any environment.”

• “Here’s the good news, though. The Pixel 9 Pro XL does it. Google went all-out for its ninth-generation flagship Pixel phone in ways I wasn’t expecting. Not everything is perfect, but the result is a phenomenal smartphone that’s well-made, powerful, and a joy to use.”

• “The short answer is yes — absolutely — and here’s why.”

• “For what it’s worth, though, Google’s Gemini-powered features are really good. Where many of them felt incomplete on the Pixel 8 Pro, like the artifact-laden Magic Editor, missing Zoom Enhance (which enjoyed a long-overdue launch on the same day as the Pixel 9 series), and...”

• “The 8 Pro did have some AI skills, like object removal and Best Take, but it was just the beginning. If its predecessor was just Google dipping its toe in the AI water, the 9 Pro XL is Google doing a full triple somersault with a pike off the top diving board into the AI...”

• “The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a finely crafted handset made with top-notch materials and thoughtful design. Its basic shape is similar to that of the iPhone and Galaxy phones, so it doesn't immediately stand out from the crowd.”

• “What I do appreciate about its AI features are the smaller, thoughtful integrations throughout the device. I love how the on-device Gemini adds a cinematic effect to the wallpaper and how the new Weather app offers a concise summary, helping me quickly prepare for the day...”

• “At various times during the three months, I relied on the 9 Pro XL as my primary entertainment device, using it to catch up on TV shows or watch YouTube. It didn’t let me down at all, offering about as immersive an experience as you can get on a smartphone.”

• “Google blocking an AI-made zero-day exploit sounds like a glimpse into the future”

• “Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The good the bad and the ugly. (self.pixel_phones)”

• “For the Pixel 9 Pro, we talked in our review about the camera, size choice, battery life, display, design, and performance all being top notch. But again, you could argue for most phones that they are excellent in those categories too. So it does come down to the little things.”

• “The camera bar on the pixel 9 pro xl is smooth and simple. The phone has a soft matte finish. This gives it a nice feel and look. Out of all the phones in the Pixel line, the pixel 9 pro xl might be the best-looking one. You can pick from different colors for the pro xl.”

Loved16

• +

  New AI features that work well

  — Tom
• +

  Long battery life for a Pixel phone

  — Tom
• +

  First and foremost, I love the redesigned camera hump on the back of the phone because it’s much more pronounced than ever before.

  — Tom
• +

  Despite this, at least it’s still sporting the same matte glass surfaces as before to give them that always clean, smooth look.

  — Tom
• +

  During its Made by Google event, the company made an outrageous claim that the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 6.8-inch Super Actua display reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. I didn’t think it was ever going to get close to that in our testing, but I was mistaken.

  — Tom
• +

  But it doesn’t end there either because this OLED panel looks marvelous with its rich color tones and wide viewing angles that barely show any distortion when I look at it from an angle.

  — Tom
• +

  Hands down, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the brightest screen we’ve ever tested — reaching a blinding peak of 2,469 nits, a substantial improvement over the 1,526 nits of the Pixel 8 Pro. And you know what?

  — Tom
• +

  The Pixel's wireless charging rate is also improved, maxing out at 23W when used with the second-generation Pixel Stand (or 12W with standard Qi chargers). For comparison, the Pixel 8 Pro can wirelessly charge at 18W using the second-generation Pixel Stand or 12W using Qi.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  You'd think Google crammed a spotlight under the glass. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, a 600-nit improvement over the Pixel 8 Pro’s 2,400-nit peak.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  These tools make the Pixel 9 Pro XL a true AI powerhouse, especially as apps like Gemini continue to evolve.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  Ask any reviewer or professional creator — the Pixel 9 Pro XL still has the best smartphone camera available in the U.S.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  The Tensor G4 might not lead benchmarks, but it powers through daily tasks and advanced AI workloads with ease.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  The Pixel 9 Pro XL is premium in hand, with a sleek matte finish and the iconic camera bar. It’s instantly recognizable and solidly built.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  Only power users who game for 8+ hours might drain it faster. But for everyone else, this battery is dependable and durable.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  You can even use facial recognition for banking apps — something most Android phones can’t offer.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips
• +

  With 10-bit HDR video, cinematic blur, and next-gen stabilization, it rivals professional cameras in many everyday situations.

  — Digital Tech & Productivity Tips

Criticised7

• −

  Only minor camera performance improvements

  — Tom
• −

  Frankly, I’m annoyed that we’re getting back-to-back price hikes because the Pixel 8 Pro launched at $100 more than its predecessor last year with its $999 starting cost. And now with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, it’s up by yet another $100 to a starting price of $1,099 in the US.

  — Tom
• −

  There’s a total of four colors at launch: obsidian, porcelain, hazel, and rose quartz. I do miss the bay option for my Pixel 8 Pro, but I do like the rose quartz color of my Pixel 9 Pro XL review unit because of its lighter tone.

  — Tom
• −

  Apart from the camera arrangement, the design of the Pixel 9 Pro XL makes it look eerily similar to the iPhone 14 Pro Max due to the polished metal trims that are now flat as opposed to contoured.

  — Tom
• −

  Unfortunately, running traditional benchmarks on the device presented some challenges. I was unable to install Geekbench 6 via the Google Play Store, and when I sideloaded the app, it crashed constantly and failed to run through an entire test.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  The Pixel 9 Pro XL's 16GB of RAM gives me hope that Google will trickle down new Gemini features to other devices. I don't approve of companies artificially limiting older phones to protect the sales of newer hardware, and I expect Google to do the right thing.

  — Android Police
• −

  Performance and Thermal Stability: Daily use stays smooth, but Samsung and iPhone flagships deliver faster speeds and better sustained performance over time.

  — Boomset

• “The real question (to us at least) is this: does the Galaxy Z Fold provide a quality portable AV experience? We certainly think so, as the Z Fold 6 might just be our new favourite phone for taking our movies on the go.”

• “The Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers impressive AI features in a lighter, thinner design along with durability improvements. I also like the slightly wider front display, which is easier to use than past Folds. Based on my testing, this is the most well-rounded foldable around.”

• “Best foldable yet from Samsung”

• “The 12MP ultrawide camera does its job, producing bright wide-angle shots with very little edge distortion. The 123-degree field of view is a little wider than most ultrawide sensors, and I like that the colors remain largely consistent with the primary and telephoto sensors.”

• “The Galaxy Z Fold 6's new design, clearly inspired by the Galaxy S24 Ultra, is its most striking upgrade. Samsung has also thrown in some new AI-powered software features, an ultrawide camera sensor that's better at capturing photos in the dark and a fresh processor to match...”

• “On the PCMark Work 3.0 test, which evaluates general mobile tasks, the Z Fold 6 scored 17,214, which far exceeds the results of both the Z Fold 5 (15,742) and the Pixel Fold (11,921).”

• “That’s more than eight and a half hours longer than the Google Pixel Fold lasted, and around six hours shy of the Galaxy S24 Ultra (which has a much smaller screen). The iPhone 15 Pro Max posted much shorter times, but recent iPhones have had trouble on our test.”

• “The haptic feedback on this phone feels very similar to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which means it’s some of the best on the market. You get a nice mechanical-feeling clunk when toggling settings, and feedback while typing is precise and powerful. It’s just about perfect.”

Loved7

• +

  In day-to-day usage, the Z Fold 6 offers blazing performance. Apps launched quickly, multitasking worked seamlessly, and app switching was fast. The device never froze during testing and didn't require any restarts.

  — PCMag Canada
• +

  Thinner and lighter design

  — Tom
• +

  Strong Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance

  — Tom
• +

  Bigger, brighter main screen and wider cover display

  — TechRadar
• +

  Foldable form factor is convenient and fun

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  Clear and dynamic audio

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  Crisp and detailed picture

  — What Hi-Fi?

Criticised11

• −

  You also get a 4MP under-display camera in the inner screen. Pictures from it show very dark black levels with inconsistent clarity. Odd starburst patterns appear on reflective surfaces, too. I appreciate that Samsung includes this camera, but it's not great.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  With the Z Fold 6, you get 25W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. I would prefer faster wired charging at a minimum, since the Galaxy S24+ and S24 Ultra both support up to 45W. Even the Pixel Fold can charge at 30W.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  As for storage, three options are available: 256GB ($1,899.99), 512GB ($2,019.99), and 1TB ($2,259.99). All have UFS 4.0 storage for fast access and transfer speeds.

  — PCMag Canada
• −

  Cameras are not S24 Ultra level

  — Tom
• −

  Battery life only slightly better

  — Tom
• −

  Where’s the faster charging?

  — Tom
• −

  Camera array got only a small upgrade

  — TechRadar
• −

  New design is less comfortable in hand

  — What Hi-Fi?
• −

  Expensive compared to traditional handsets

  — What Hi-Fi?
• −

  Headphone audio could be fuller-bodied

  — What Hi-Fi?
• −

  More pronounced "crease" than others

  — PhoneArena

• “With its new shape and simplified software, there are fewer reasons to reject the Xperia 1 VI and enjoy its variable telephoto camera, bright screen and enhanced connectivity over rivals.”

• “The Xperia 1 VI drops some AV features and feels a bit more generic than its predecessor, but we still find it to be thoroughly impressive as a portable movie and music player”

• “The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a lovely phone, but you had better buy into its specific style for the outlay to be worthwhile.”

• “The Xperia 1 VI is a technology showcase with its continuous zoom camera and macro performance. Sony has missed a trick by not readying pro video features for launch, but with an external monitor and recording functionality, an improved aspect ratio for photographs and 16:9...”

• “The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a flagship phone built for creators, blending top-tier performance with a long-lasting battery, a pro camera, and rare features like a headphone jack and expandable storage.”

• “However for these reasons it’s time for me to say goodbye to Xperia. For now at least. As much as I really enjoy using the Xperia 1 VI I can’t justify holding onto it if the camera features I want aren’t there. I will instead get a Mk.”

• “The Sony Xperia 1 VI offers a compelling combination of sleek design, smooth performance, and user-centric features. Its UI provides a clean and intuitive experience, while its speed ensures efficiency in multitasking.”

• “A feature which might be useful to those shooting with Sony Alpha cameras is that you can use the Xperia 1 VI as an external monitor – this could theoretically be enough to tip the purchasing decision in its favour if you’re toying between another smartphone and this if it’s...”

• “And the lower screen resolution is undoubtedly one of the reasons the battery lasts so long. It keeps going well into a second day, so that if you forget to charge overnight, you won’t panic too much—though you’ll need to go easy on the second day until you get home to the...”

• “Very bright screen (albeit only FHD)”

• “In running Sony UI, the Xperia 1 VI's Android 14 hardly differs from stock Android but it offers a practical extra, namely a dashboard. The dashboard allows users to quickly access frequently used phone settings such as display brightness, picture and audio mode or notifications.”

• “The new display's brightness is now 1.5x times brighter than the previous model, however, so it's not all bad news in this department, especially as the equally new Sunlight Vision feature makes it easier to use the device even in glaring environments.”

Loved20

• +

  Practical but unique design

  — Tom
• +

  Headphone jack and microSD support

  — Tom
• +

  Making use of its technical knowledge in other areas, Sony has given the Xperia a "Powered by Bravia" display set-up to offer AI-adjusted superior color and detail, even at full brightness through its Sunlight Vision feature.

  — Tom
• +

  Strong cameras with adjustable zoom lens

  — Tom
• +

  As for the various buttons and ports on the frame of this device, we have a USB-C charging socket on the bottom, as well as a combination power, lock and fingerprint scanner, textured camera shutter button and volume rocker on the right-hand side, and finally (drum roll...

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  Crisp picture with impressive contrast

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  New aspect ratio is better for daily use

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  Detailed sound through headphones

  — What Hi-Fi?
• +

  Unlike every other modern flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 VI is loaded with traditional elements like a brilliant, spongy, and clicky two-stage camera button, a 3.5mm headphone jack, front-firing speakers, and a SIM card slot that can be removed with a fingernail – no...

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  The main design difference between the 1 VI and past Sony phones is the screen aspect ratio, which has gone from 21:9 to 19.5:9. This makes the phone a little wider, a little shorter, and a little bit better for typing, watching, gaming, and capturing or editing photos.

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Unlike the i — Phone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Xperia 1 VI isn't made of titanium, but its metal frame nevertheless feels robust and premium. Textured sides give it some grip, and the matte glass back (also textured) feels great.

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Sony was the first smartphone maker to add IP68 water resistance to its phones, and the Xperia 1 VI carries forward flagship durability with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 display and a Gorilla Glass Victus back panel.

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  Excellent performance and battery life

  — Digital Camera World
• +

  A big part of the appeal here is the handful of features that Sony’s Xperia 1 VI shares with much lower-end phones. There’s still a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD slot built into the SIM tray.

  — TechRadar
• +

  These will all seem smart moves to a good chunk of the phone-buying audience out for something a little different.

  — TechRadar
• +

  A lot of the typical Sony strengths and weaknesses are here too. The Sony Xperia 1 VI’s key charm is in the way it rejects several contemporary smartphone trends. It has a headphone jack. It has expandable memory.

  — TechRadar
• +

  ... as is the physical headphone jack

  — TechRadar
• +

  microSD slot is a welcome novelty

  — TechRadar
• +

  What I really liked as well was that Sony’s approach to smartphone photography was to provide less processing alongside that beautiful Sony colour science.

  — Medium
• +

  Slightly improved OS and security updates (3 OS updates, 4 Years security).

  — Whirlpool.net.au

Criticised19

• −

  The Xperia's screen still has noticeable bezels though, especially at the top where the selfie camera is housed.

  — Tom
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  This price puts the Xperia in line with the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the Sony phone is still £100 more expensive than the base models available from Samsung and Apple. Luckily Sony has provided lots of features to justify the high cost, as we'll get into now.

  — Tom
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  But since it's still expensive, offers limited updates and AI juice, and isn't even on sale in the U.S. this time around, it's still annoyingly hard to find a way to recommend this phone.

  — Tom
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  I just wish the Xperia 1 VI was available with more storage outside of Japan (where it tops out at 512GB). Sure, it’s one of the few phones that remains microSD-expandable (up to 1.5TB), but as far as fast internal storage goes, in the majority of markets, you’re limited to...

  — Android Authority
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  More expensive than most rivals

  — What Hi-Fi?
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  Let’s face it, the 4K display on the older Xperia 1 models was a costly addition, so dropping it from the lineup should subsequently drop the price, right? Wrong.

  — What Hi-Fi?
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  While that might not be the end of the world – after all many manufacturers are still upping their prices year on year – it’s also not good news by any means, as last year’s Xperia 1 V was already considered an expensive phone.

  — What Hi-Fi?
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  Loudspeakers lack weight and punch

  — What Hi-Fi?
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  Costing £1,299, which is roughly $1,650 or AU$2470, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is significantly more expensive than an iPhone 15 Pro Max with the same 256GB storage.

  — Digital Camera World
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  When it comes to hardware, the main camera and ultra-wide are identical to those of the Xperia 1 VI, though Sony has extended the continuous zoom range to an impressive 85-170mm.

  — Digital Camera World
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  Even the Xperia 1 VI's screen spec is more pared back than its predecessor, with a FullHD+ panel instead of the 4K display Xperia 1 series phones have become known for.

  — Digital Camera World
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  Ultra-wide isn't particularly ultra-wide

  — Digital Camera World
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  Ultra-wide/zoom cameras struggle with noise

  — Digital Camera World
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  No pro-grade video mode at launch

  — Digital Camera World
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  These include slower-than-ideal fast charging, camera processing that still lags a little behind the best for dynamic range optimization and night-time image processing. I also found the rear disappointingly prone to visible scratches, despite the use of high-end toughened glass.

  — TechRadar
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  The Sony Xperia 1 VI does cost a packet, though, and arguably isn’t hugely competitive considering some of the slightly less advanced parts.

  — TechRadar
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  Sub-30W charging is poor for this price

  — TechRadar
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  Design is prone to scratches

  — TechRadar
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  Photo samples time to show you how poor the telephoto is compared to the Pixel 6 Pro. Yes not the Pixel 8 Pro that I also have, the Pixel 6 Pro. A three year old device.

  — Medium

Buyer voices1

• “My Experience with the New Sony Xperia 1 VI: A Worthy Upgrade!Xperia 1 VI (self.SonyXperia)”

  Pratrax— reddit