Sony's Xperia is back - new Android phone gets 3 upgrades Samsung won't match

Yes, the Galaxy S25 range from Samsung are some of the best Android phones of the year but the Korean firm is having to fend off some serious competition. Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Nothing have all released top-rated call makers in 2025 and now Sony is joining the party.

The Japanese tech giant has confirmed that its flagship Xperia 1 model is back and it's more powerful than ever. There are some similarities between the latest Xperia 1 VII and the Galaxy S25, with it getting the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a water-resistant design and long battery life.

However, Sony also continues to include some features that Samsung won't match.

These include bonus extras such as a headphone port for a wired connection, a dedicated shutter button on the side of the case for an easy way to snap photos and there's a MicroSD card slot which can boost the storage up to a whopping 2TB via a memory card.

Sony has also boosted the triple rear snapper this year with it featuring a new ultra-wide camera which upgrades the performance. In fact, Sony is boasting that this sensor is approximately 2.1 times larger than the previous Xpera 1 VI model.

This updated lens joins a wide-angle and telephoto system on the rear case. Sony is confident that its camera upgrades will offer users improved images that are brighter, sharper, and packed with more detail.

Like all manufacturers, it has also added some smart changes to its photography, which include Auto Framing and the ability to lock onto a subject - via an AI Camera Work upgrade - so they always stay in focus even if you are shooting on the move.

Other features worth a mention include a 6.5-inch screen that adapts to the environment for a perfect picture. There's a fast charging battery and 4 years of Android updates to help it feel box fresh.

Sony also says it has taken the DNA from its Walkman brand to offer owners a more immersive music experience.

If any of that sounds enticing, the new Xperia 1 comes in three colours -Slate Black, Moss Green and Orchid Purple - and will cost a rather pricey £1,399 when it launches this month.

Although Sony's new flagship looks good, Samsung isn't going down without a fight.

The company has also announced the release of a new device toady called the Galaxy S25 Edge. This super slimline phone was actually first unveiled all the way back in January at the firm's Unpacked showcase in San Jose.

Now it's ready to be unleashed on the world.

Express.co.uk has already had our hands on it and you can read our impressions here.