Sony Xperia 1 III
How long will it last?
Official promiseSupported until August 2024 · Buy-by August 2022
Sony promises 3 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until August 2024 — buying it today still gets you about -1.8 years of safe use.
Source: Sony's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
The first phone with a 4K 120Hz screen and a variable periscope telephoto — a camera enthusiast classic now out of support.
Pros
- 4K 120Hz OLED and world-first variable periscope zoom
- Keeps 3.5mm jack, microSD, IP68 and wireless charging
- Deep manual Photo Pro / Cinema Pro controls
Cons
- Software support ended around 2024
- Snapdragon 888 ran hot; only 30W charging
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.5-inch OLED 4K, 1644x3840, 120Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| telephoto | 12MP |
| front | 8MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 4,500 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired, wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 186 g |
| Materials | Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus front and back |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 11 with Xperia UI at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB-C, NFC, microSD, 3.5mm jack |
| Update policy | 2 OS upgrades · 3 years of security updates (official promise) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Sony Xperia 1 III get updates?
It got 2 major Android OS upgrades (to Android 13) and about 3 years of security patches, so official support ended around 2024.
What was unique about the Xperia 1 III camera?
It introduced a world-first variable periscope telephoto that physically moves between 70mm and 105mm, giving two true optical zoom levels.
Does the Xperia 1 III have wireless charging?
Yes. Unlike the smaller Xperia 5 III, the 1 III adds Qi wireless charging plus reverse wireless charging on its 4500mAh battery.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.