With its latest software update, Sony has added some key new features to the Xperia Pro and Xperia Pro-I, making them some of the best Android phones for creatives.
It now includes Livestreaming, Wave Form, and False Colour capabilities for the External Monitor feature. Wave Form checks exposure and RGB balance automatically, False Colour enhances exposure details, and some Sony Alpha cameras have some new control features. With these features combined, you can livestream in full quality from any Alpha camera via the Xperia Pro or Pro-I.
The Xperia Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 865 5G chip and 12GB of RAM. You can also use a microSD card for extra storage in the easy-to-open dual-SIM card tray. It is capable of taking excellent photos and videos even without a dedicated camera connected to its HDMI port. Photographers, videographers, and live broadcasters can use its HDMI input to turn it into many other devices.
You should have received a push update already if you own one of these phones; if not, check your settings manually.
THE CREATIVES’ CHOICE – SONY’S XPERIA PRO AND PRO-I
Even with a massive price reduction, the Pro-I costs $1,199.99 in the US and £1,399 in the UK, but these are not simple point-and-shoots. The Pro-I is a camera with a phone inside, and it’s the first smartphone with a 1.0-type image sensor. Professional photographers who need class-leading tools and don’t mind paying for them will find it appealing.
Sony offers another option for creatives who don’t require the advanced features of the Pro or Pro-I: the Xperia 1 IV. UK prices are £100 lower (but not in the US, where it costs $1,599), and its camera and video specs are significantly better than most premium phones. Unlike the Pros, which prioritize cameras over phones, the Xperia 1 IV is more balanced, but just as with the Pros, it’s not here to hold your hand: it’s designed for photographers who want total control, just like a DSLR.
